Mercedes, Texas
Mercedes lies in the lower Rio Grande Valley of far South Texas, in Hidalgo County about 19 miles east of McAllen, on the flat coastal plain of irrigated farmland and citrus groves that defines the region. It is widely known as the home of the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show and Rodeo, a large annual agricultural exposition held each spring that draws crowds from across the Valley. The area's economy has long been tied to farming, citrus, and produce packing.
Place essentials
Official Census snapshot- Census place type
- City
- July 2025 population
- 17,915
- Change from 2020 base
- +10.2%
- Land area
- 11.8 sq. mi.
- County footprint
- Hidalgo 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 Hidalgo 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 Mercedes
County lines carry much of the property, land, water, and outdoors context around Mercedes.
County History
Hidalgo County Was Formed in 1852 and Named for a Mexican Hero
The county was established in 1852 and named for Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, who began Mexico's fight for independence from Spain.
Property Tax Basics
Two Separate Offices Handle Your Property Taxes
Hidalgo County has one office that values your property and a different office that collects the taxes, so you need to know which to contact.
Settlement History
Spanish Ranchers Settled This Area More Than 275 Years Ago
The lower Rio Grande Valley was settled by Spanish ranching families in 1749 under José de Escandón, making it one of the older continuously settled regions in Texas.
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