Economy

Economy

The Rio Grande Valley is a booming region, although it remains one of the poorest parts of the United States; however, the Valley is rapidly becoming an important commercial center of the South. Hispanics comprise a large percentage of the Valley's population, ranging from 80% in some centers to 92% in the southernmost city of Brownsville. Its many international bridges bring in many Mexican nationals to shop, sell and do business in the border cities along the Rio Grande River.

The Valley is also a popular tourist destination during the winters for residents from the midwestern United States and Canada. Winter Texans (as these part-time residents from the North are called), Mexican nationals, and thousands of college students who visit South Padre Island throughout March and April for Spring Break create the bulk of the Valley's tourism. Winter Texans typically arrive in mid- to late fall and stay until early to mid-spring and reside in the many recreational vehicle or travel trailer parks found near US Highway 83.

South Padre Island is another popular tourist destination. It is rated as one of the top five spring break destinations for college students by many traveling companies. The exclusive birds that pass through this tropical island attract birders from around the world to the Valley.

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