Rio Grande City, Texas
Rio Grande City is the county seat of Starr County, set on the north bank of the Rio Grande about 37 miles northwest of McAllen in the western Rio Grande Valley. One of the older settlements of South Texas, it grew in the 19th century as a river port and trading center at the head of steamboat navigation on the Rio Grande, with Fort Ringgold established just beside it. The town preserves a historic downtown district whose brick and cast-iron architecture reflects its border trade heritage, and it remains an international port of entry connected by bridge across the river.
Place essentials
Official Census snapshot- Census place type
- City
- July 2025 population
- 15,451
- Change from 2020 base
- +1%
- Land area
- 11.4 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.
Local character
Start with Rio Grande City itself
A few landmarks, stories, and everyday places that help give Rio Grande City its shape.
Then zoom out to Starr County
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 Rio Grande City
Nearby counties
Local notes for nearby counties
Next steps for Rio Grande City
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