Weslaco, Texas

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Weslaco, Texas
Coordinates: 26°9′33″N 97°59′15″W / 26.15917, -97.9875
Country United States
State Texas
County Hidalgo
Area
 - Total 12.8 sq mi (33.0 km²)
 - Land 12.7 sq mi (32.9 km²)
 - Water 0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²)
Elevation 79 ft (24 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 26,935
 - Density 2,123.1/sq mi (819.7/km²)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 - Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP codes 78596, 78599
Area code(s) 956
FIPS code 48-77272[1]
GNIS feature ID 1349656[2]

Weslaco is a city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. The population was 26,935 at the 2000 census. Weslaco derives its name from the W.E. Stewart Land Company. It was the hometown of Harlon Block, one of the Marines photographed raising the flag at Iwo Jima.

Weslaco is part of the McAllenEdinburgMission Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Contents

[edit] Geography

Weslaco is located at 26°9′33″N, 97°59′15″W (26.159130, -97.987374)[3].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.8 square miles (33.0 km²), of which, 12.7 square miles (32.9 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (0.55%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 26,935 people, 8,295 households, and 6,602 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,123.1 people per square mile (819.5/km²). There were 10,230 housing units at an average density of 806.4/sq mi (311.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 74.92% White, 0.27% African American, 0.49% Native American, 1.14% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 20.93% from other races, and 2.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 83.76% of the population.

There were 8,295 households out of which 41.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.2% were married couples living together, 17.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.4% were non-families. 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.21 and the average family size was 3.68.

In the city the population was spread out with 31.8% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 17.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,573, and the median income for a family was $29,215. Males had a median income of $24,202 versus $19,688 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,235. About 26.5% of families and 30.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.6% of those under age 18 and 23.5% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Education

All Weslaco residents are zoned to the Weslaco Independent School District.

In addition, Weslaco residents are allowed to apply to magnet schools operated by the South Texas Independent School District

Weslaco is also home to the South Texas College - Mid-Valley Campus

[edit] Health care

[edit] Notable citizens

[edit] References

[edit] External links