La Grulla, Texas
La Grulla is a city in Starr County in the Rio Grande Valley, about 25 miles west of McAllen and close to the Rio Grande along the border of far South Texas. It sits in the flat, semi-arid brush country of the lower valley, an area of farmland, ranchland, and thorn scrub. The name is Spanish for the crane, and the community reflects the deeply Spanish-speaking, borderland character of the surrounding county.
Place essentials
Official Census snapshot- Census place type
- City
- July 2025 population
- 1,234
- Change from 2020 base
- -0.3%
- Land area
- 0.9 sq. mi.
- County footprint
- Starr County
Place type, county footprint, and land area use the Census Bureau's January 1, 2025 geography. Population uses Vintage 2025 estimates through July 1, 2025; change compares that estimate with the April 1, 2020 estimates base. Geography file | Population file
Property here runs through the appraisal district and tax office for Starr County. The homestead exemption, appraisal cap, protests, and any MUD, PID, or special districts all sit at the parcel level.
Official routes
Use the office for the parcel address; a mailing city is not always the governing city.
County context
What to know around La Grulla
County lines carry much of the property, land, water, and outdoors context around La Grulla.
Local History
An Old Fort Became Part of Rio Grande City's School Campus
Fort Ringgold's brick barracks and parade ground now sit inside Rio Grande City's school grounds, where Army and school history share the same campus.
Property Tax
Who handles property taxes in Starr County
Starr CAD handles values, exemptions, and protests. The collector printed on each bill handles payment and balance questions.
Tejano History
Long Ranch Strips Came Before Rio Grande City's Streets
Long, narrow porciones carried river access into grazing land before Rio Grande City's broad street grid crossed the old ranch country.
Nearby
Places near La Grulla
Nearby counties
Local notes for nearby counties
Next steps for La Grulla
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