Mission, TX

Located on the border of the United States and Mexico in the Rio Grande Valley, Mission, Texas, is well known for ecotourism -- the valley is an important stopping point for migrating birds and butterflies and draws nature lovers from both Mexico and the United States. Growing from a population of approximately 45,000 in the year 2000 to estimates of 64,000 in 2007, the city of Mission is expanding each year. The population of the surrounding McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metropolitan area is growing even faster.

The majority of residents are of Latino origin, mostly descendants of the Spanish who settled the area in the 18th century. About 24 percent of the population is made up of recent immigrants, mostly from Mexico. A little more than three-quarters of the population speaks Spanish at home.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Mission is a fast-growing city with an expanding population, a growing economy and increasing business initiatives throughout the area. The median income for a household Mission is just under $31,000 and the median income for a family is around $33,000. Almost 27 percent of the population lives below the poverty line.

Citrus fruits have been planted in this area of the Rio Grande Valley at the beginning of the 20th century, and now the citrus business is a multimillion-dollar industry in Mission. Other major employers include:

• Frito-Lay Inc.
• Vanity Fair Intimates
• T-Mobile
• Panasonic

The Anzalduas International Bridge, which will connect Mission to the Mexican city of Reynosa, is scheduled to open in June, 2009. The bridge is expected to increase the cross-border traffic, which plays an important role in the city's economic life.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Mission accommodates an urban population of more than 64,500 and rural population of more than 1,000. The neighborhoods and districts of Mission accommodate around 17,600 houses out of which more than 13,800 are occupied. Of the occupied houses, more than 10,400 are owner occupied, while renters occupy around 3,500 houses. The neighborhoods of Mission have a housing density of around 735 houses or condos per square mile.

EVENTS

Texas Citrus Fiesta: Celebrating the thriving citrus industry of Mission and the Rio Grand Valley, the annual citrus festival draws visitors from both sides of the border for events that include parades, cook-offs, children's events, a golf tournament and a coronation of King Citrus and Queen Citrianna. Elaborate costumes made of local produce are displayed each year at an extravagant costume show.

Texas Butterfly Festival: Timed to the migration of the almost 300 species of butterfly that pass through the valley in the fall.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• La Lomita Mission: Listed on the National Register of Historic Sites and located five miles south of Mission, this historic site gives the city of Mission its name. Built in 1865, La Lomita was the headquarters for the "Cavalry of Christ," itinerant Oblate missionaries who rode between the isolated communities along the Rio Grande. The original chapel was relocated to the mission's current site in 1899 and is believed to be haunted by the ghost of a nun.
• Bentsen State Park: Home of the World Birding Center, Bentsen State Park attracts nature enthusiasts with trails, wildlife preservation areas and the park's own natural beauty. As one of the best places for bird watching in the world, the Rio Grande Valley and the World Birding Center offer priceless opportunities to view more than 500 species of birds.
• NABA International Butterfly Park: This site is one of several attractions that make Mission a center of ecotourism in south Texas. Outdoor gardens and natural habitats attract butterflies from both Mexico and the United States to the Butterfly Park and are also home to rare plants of the Rio Grande Valley. Nearly 200 species of butterflies have been observed at the butterfly park since it opened.
• Gladys Porter Zoo: Located on 26 acres of land, this zoo in Brownsville, Texas, is home to more than 1,600 animals and tropical plants. Children's events, a safari train tour and special exhibits are presented at the zoo 365 days a year for visitors of all ages.
• Border Theatre: Built in 1942, the Border Theatre in downtown Mission is one of the few remaining theaters built in the Art Pueblo style. Still a working theater, the Border is used for special movie screenings and arts performances.

EDUCATION

• University of Texas-Pan American: Approximately 12,400 students are enrolled at this regional university. Divided into six colleges, the university offers bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees. Around 85 percent of the student population is Latino, and the school rates as the second-best university for Latino students in the United States.
• South Texas College: Established in 1993, this community college enrolls more than 10,000 students. More than 50 programs are offered for associate degrees and certification courses.

LOCAL MEDIA

Mission news is covered in three area newspapers:

• Mission Progress Times
• Winter Texan Times
• The Monitor

Radio stations serving the area include:

• KCAS 91.5 FM (Christian)
• KFRQ 94.5 FM (Rock)
• KVMV 96.9 FM (Christian)
• KKPS 99.5 FM (Tejano)

KNVO TV, an affiliate of Univision, is the local TV station.

FUN FACTS

Notable residents of Mission include:

• John H. Shary: Father of the Texas citrus industry, Shary was the first to begin production of citrus on a large scale. Shary died in 1945 and is buried in the Shary Memorial Chapel in Mission.
• Tom Landry: Coach of the Dallas Cowboys for 29 years, Landry took the team to the Super Bowl five times and won twice. Born in Mission in 1924, Landry died in Dallas in 2000.