County population in 2014: 420,392 (92% urban, 8% rural); it was 335,227 in 2000County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2010: 40,702 County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 39,710 County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 65,854 Renter-occupied apartments: 39,219 (it was 31,413 in 2000)
% of renters here:
32%
State:
36%
Land area: 906 sq. mi.
Water area: 370.6 sq. mi.
Population density: 464 people per square mile (high).
Mar. 2016 cost of living index in Cameron County: 80.7 (low, U.S. average is 100)
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2013: $1,918 (1.9%) Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2013: $1,011 (1.5%)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2013: 32.5%
(10.9% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 23.5% for Black residents, 35.5% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 32.7% for American Indian residents, 45.8% for Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander residents, 32.9% for other race residents, 28.7% for two or more races residents)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2013: 32.5%
Cameron County:
32.5%
Texas:
17.5%
(10.9% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 23.8% for Black residents, 35.5% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 28.9% for American Indian residents, 39.1% for Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander residents, 32.9% for other race residents, 28.7% for two or more races residents)
Median age of residents in 2013: 31 years old
(Males: 29 years old, Females: 33 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 55 years old, Black residents: 45 years old, American Indian residents: 31 years old, Asian residents: 46 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 28 years old, Other race residents: 34 years old)
Area name: Brownsville-Harlingen, TX MSA Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Cameron County is $430 a month. Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $493 a month. Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $609 a month.
Notable locations in this county outside city limits:
Notable locations in Cameron County: Galveston Ranch (A), Gloria Ranch (B), Gray Farms (C), Los Sauces Ranch (D), Old Palmito Ranch (E), Old Tulosa Ranch Site (F), Palmito Hill Battlefield (G), Palmito Ranch (H), Adams Gardens Pumping Station (I), Harlingen Pumping Station (J), San Benito Pumping Station (K), Santa Maria Pumping Station (L), Wardner Ranch (M), Seaway Village Marina (N), Southpoint Marina (O), Arroyo City RV Resort Marina (P), Channel View RV Park Marina (Q), Adams Gardens (R), Arroyo (S), Brulay Plantation (T). Display/hide their locations on the map
Cemeteries: Monte Meta Cemetery (1), Soldiers Cemetery (2), Southmost Cemetery (3), El Azadon Cemetery (4), La Leona Cemetery (5), San Rafael Cemetery (6), Restlawn Memorial Park (7). Display/hide their locations on the map
Lakes, reservoirs, and swamps: Verdolaga Lake (A), Reba Bass Lake (B), Resaca de la Gringa (C), Resaca del Rancho Viejo (D), Resaca del Jardin (E), Resaca de las Flores (F), Resaca de las Antonias (G), Laguna Larga (H). Display/hide their locations on the map
Parks in Cameron County include: Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area - Tucker Unit (1), Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area - Longoria Unit (2), Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area - Anacua Unit (3), Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area - Arroyo Colorado Unit (4), Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area - Boca Chica Unit (5), Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area - Carricitos Unit (6), Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area - Deshazo (7), Battle of Palmito Hill Historical Monument (8), Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (9). Display/hide their locations on the map
Current college students: 16,722 People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 55.2% People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 13.4%
Number of foreign born residents: 85,723 (34% naturalized citizens)
Cameron County:
25.6%
Whole state:
13.9%
Year of entry for the foreign-born population
1995 to March 2000: 14,522
1990 to 1994: 14,424
1985 to 1989: 11,689
1980 to 1984: 11,474
1975 to 1979: 9,182
1970 to 1974: 8,473
1970 to 1974: 4,584
1965 to 1969: 11,375
Mean travel time to work (commute): 20.7 minutes
Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 91.2%
Housing units in structures:
One, detached: 70,742
One, attached: 5,007
Two: 4,104
3 or 4: 5,125
5 to 9: 3,628
10 to 19: 2,774
20 or more: 8,394
Mobile homes: 16,767
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.: 3,113
Housing units in Cameron County with a mortgage: 23,611 (529 second mortgage, 937 home equity loan, 13 both second mortgage and home equity loan) Houses without a mortgage: 28,311
Here:
0.0% with mortgage
State:
64.2% with mortgage
Religion statistics for Cameron County
Religion
Adherents
Congregations
Catholic
137,889
38
Evangelical Protestant
47,744
225
Other
9,115
33
Mainline Protestant
7,258
32
None
204,214
-
Cameron County Religion Details
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.
Food Environment Statistics:
Number of grocery stores: 47
Cameron County:
1.22 / 10,000 pop.
State:
1.47 / 10,000 pop.
Number of supercenters and club stores: 5
Here:
0.13 / 10,000 pop.
Texas:
0.14 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (no gas): 31
This county:
0.81 / 10,000 pop.
Texas:
1.11 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 133
Cameron County:
3.46 / 10,000 pop.
Texas:
3.95 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 223
This county:
5.79 / 10,000 pop.
State:
6.13 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Cameron County:
8.9%
Texas:
8.9%
Adult obesity rate:
Cameron County:
25.4%
State:
26.6%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Here:
18.6%
State:
15.7%
Agriculture in Cameron County:
Average size of farms: 313 acres Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $66,640 Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $410.12 The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 24.06% The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 16.52% Average total farm production expenses per farm: $52,617 Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 43.35% Irrigated harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 59.36% Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $60,969 The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 86.61% Average age of principal farm operators: 57 years Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 4.76 Corn for grain: 6850 harvested acres Upland cotton: 36924 harvested acres Vegetables: 1,509 harvested acres Land in orchards: 3,542 acres
Tornado activity:
Cameron County historical area-adjusted tornado activity is significantly below Texas state average. It is 6019252.7 times below overall U.S. average. Tornadoes in this county have caused one injury recorded between 1950 and 2004. On 5/24/1970, a category 2 (max. wind speeds 113-157 mph) tornado injured one person and caused between $5000 and $50,000 in damages.
Earthquake activity:
Cameron County-area historical earthquake activity is significantly below Texas state average. It is 89% smaller than the overall U.S. average.
On 5/23/2007 at 19:09:15, a magnitude 5.6 (5.4 MB, 4.8 MS, 5.6 MW, Depth: 6.2 mi, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 299.6 miles away from Cameron County center On 4/9/1993 at 12:29:19, a magnitude 4.3 (4.1 MB, 4.3 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 191.9 miles away from the county center On 3/24/1997 at 22:31:34, a magnitude 3.8 (3.8 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 117.1 miles away from the county center On 4/14/1995 at 00:32:56, a magnitude 5.7 (5.6 MB, 5.7 MS, 5.7 MW, Depth: 11.1 mi) earthquake occurred 457.8 miles away from the county center On 4/7/2008 at 09:51:12, a magnitude 3.9 (3.9 MB, 3.9 MW, 3.8 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 198.3 miles away from Cameron County center On 5/27/2002 at 00:28:16, a magnitude 3.8 (3.8 MB, Depth: 6.2 mi) earthquake occurred 205.5 miles away from the county center Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)
Most recent natural disasters:
TexasHurricane Alex, Incident Period: June 30, 2010 to August 14, 2010, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1931): August 3, 2010, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1931, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
TexasTropical Storm Alex, Incident Period: June 27, 2010 to August 14, 2010, Emergency Declared (EM-3313): June 29, 2010, FEMA Id: FEMA-EM-3313, Natural disaster type: Tropical Storm
TexasHurricane Ike, Incident Period: September 7, 2008 to September 26, 2008, Emergency Declared (EM-3294): September 10, 2008, FEMA Id: FEMA-EM-3294, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
TexasHurricane Gustav, Incident Period: August 27, 2008 to September 7, 2008, Emergency Declared (EM-3290): August 29, 2008, FEMA Id: FEMA-EM-3290, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
TexasHurricane Dolly, Incident Period: July 22, 2008 to August 1, 2008, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1780): July 24, 2008, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1780, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
TexasWildfires, Incident Period: March 14, 2008 to September 1, 2008, Emergency Declared (EM-3284): March 14, 2008, FEMA Id: FEMA-EM-3284, Natural disaster type: Fire
TexasHurricane Dean, Incident Period: August 17, 2007 to September 5, 2007, Emergency Declared (EM-3277): August 18, 2007, FEMA Id: FEMA-EM-3277, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
TexasHurricane Rita, Incident Period: September 23, 2005 to October 14, 2005, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1606): September 24, 2005, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1606, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
TexasHurricane Rita, Incident Period: September 20, 2005 to October 14, 2005, Emergency Declared (EM-3261): September 21, 2005, FEMA Id: FEMA-EM-3261, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
TexasHurricane Katrina, Incident Period: August 29, 2005 to October 1, 2005, Emergency Declared (EM-3216): September 2, 2005, FEMA Id: FEMA-EM-3216, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
8 other natural disasters have been reported since 1953.
The number of natural disasters in Cameron County (18) is greater than the US average (12). Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 10 Emergencies Declared: 8
Causes of natural disasters: Hurricanes: 12, Floods: 3, Storms: 2, Tornadoes: 2, Fire: 1, Heavy Rain: 1, Tropical Storm: 1, Wind: 1, Other: 1 (Note: Some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 25.2 Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 23.8 Births per 1000 population from 2007 to 2014: 19.1
Births per 1000 population in Cameron County
Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 6.0 Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 5.6 Deaths per 1000 population from 2007 to 2014: 5.9
Deaths per 1000 population in Cameron County
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 4.9 Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2006: 5.3 Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2007 to 2013: 5.9
Infant deaths per 1000 live births in Cameron County
Population without health insurance coverage in 2013: 35.2% Persons under 19 years old without health insurance coverage in 2013: 14.0%
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in Cameron County
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in Cameron County
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2007: 42,701 (36,148 aged, 6,553 disabled) Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2007: 24,157 (18%)
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Aged persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Disabled persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Most common underlying causes of death in Cameron County, Texas in 1999 - 2014:
Acute myocardial infarction, unspecified (3874)
Atherosclerotic heart disease (1942)
Bronchus or lung, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (1451)
Other ill-defined and unspecified causes of mortality (1285)
Unspecified diabetes mellitus, without complications (975)
Stroke, not specified as haemorrhage or infarction (942)
Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 31% Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 32%
Short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004: 1.61 Short term general hospital admissions per 100,000 population in 2004: 13269.68 Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 291 Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 30215.56
General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 2418.640 Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 519.680 Dentists per 100,000 population in 1998: 4.49
Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 18.07 Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 59.21
Limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 : 4.76
EPA green book nonattainment status in 2004-2006: 1 Crimes per 100,000 population in 1996: 1
Homicides per 1,000,000 population from 2000 to 2006: 34.9. This is less than state average.
Mechanisms of homicide:
Deaths per 1,000,000 population:
Firearm - 22.8
Other - 12.0
Suicides per 1,000,000 population from 2000 to 2006: 55.3. This is less than state average.
Mechanisms of suicide:
Deaths per 1,000,000 population:
Firearm - 30.0
Suffocation - 17.6
Other - 7.6
Household type by relationship:
Households: 402,490
In family households: 374,972 (61,364 male householders, 35,215 female householders)
66,105 spouses, 152,864 children (144,793 natural, 1,885 adopted, 6,186 stepchildren), 21,694 grandchildren, 5,766 brothers or sisters, 5,826 parents, 10,679 other relatives, 8,350 non-relatives
In nonfamily households: 27,518 (10,598 male householders (8,670 living alone)), 12,454 female householders (10,923 living alone)), 4,466 nonrelatives
In group quarters: 3,730 (2,393 institutionalized population)
Size of family households: 26,377 2-persons, 19,588 3-persons, 20,325 4-persons, 14,938 5-persons, 7,951 6-persons, 7,400 7-or-more-persons.
70,605 married couples with children.
23,148 single-parent households (3,644 men, 19,504 women).
21.0% of residents of Cameron County speak English at home.
78.3% of residents speak Spanish at home (55% speak English very well, 20% speak English well, 14% speak English not well, 11% don't speak English at all).
0.3% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (79% speak English very well, 17% speak English well, 2% speak English not well, 2% don't speak English at all).
0.3% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (68% speak English very well, 18% speak English well, 13% speak English not well, 1% don't speak English at all).
0.1% of residents speak other language at home (55% speak English very well, 28% speak English well, 9% speak English not well, 9% don't speak English at all).
In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $1,793,263,000 ($4823 per capita) Department of Defense expenditure: $98,904,000 Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $523,640,000 Federal other direct payments to individuals: $387,345,000 Federal direct payments not to individuals: $24,049,000 Federal grants: $633,075,000 Federal procurement contracts: $86,093,000 ($64,514,000 Department of Defense) Federal salaries and wages: $139,061,000 ($7,997,000 Department of Defense) Federal Government direct loans: $13,469,000 Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $112,429,000 Federal Government insurance: $1,931,548,000
Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 44,402
Here:
117 per 1000 residents
State:
85 per 1000 residents
Deaths: 9,609
Here:
25 per 1000 residents
State:
35 per 1000 residents
Net international migration: +11,797
Here:
+31 per 1000 residents
State:
+29 per 1000 residents
Net internal migration: -2,827
Here:
-7 per 1000 residents
State:
+10 per 1000 residents
Population growth in Cameron County
Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 51.09 millions of gallons per day (all from surface)
Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:
5.1
State:
5.8
Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:
3.7
State:
3.8
Year house built
2005 or later: 4,319
2000 to 2004: 30,303
1990 to 1999: 24,372
1980 to 1989: 32,944
1970 to 1979: 24,603
1960 to 1969: 11,862
1950 to 1959: 8,764
1940 to 1949: 3,540
1939 or earlier: 3,815
Rooms in houses/apartments in Cameron County, Texas
61% of Cameron County residents lived in the same house 5 years ago. Out of people who lived in different houses, 75% lived in this county. Out of people who lived in different counties, 53% lived in Texas.
Cameron County:
60.9%
State average:
51.6%
Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:
This state: 205486
Northeast: 3787
Midwest: 19253
South: 9943
West: 6806
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses in 2000: $51,900
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities: 2%
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities: 2%
Year Householders Moved Into Unit
Most commonly used house heating fuel in Cameron County
#8 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest number of births per 1000 residents 2007-2013"
#8 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest number of births per 1000 residents 2007-2013 (pop 50,000+)"
#13 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the largest increase in the number of infant deaths per 1000 residents 2000-2006 to 2007-2013 (pop. 50,000+)"
#24 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the largest decrease in the number of births per 1000 residents 2000-2006 to 2007-2013 (pop 50,000+)"
#35 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest percentage of residents relocating to other counties in 2011 (pop. 50,000+)"
#49 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest percentage of residents relocating to other counties in 2011"
#59 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest percentage of residents relocating from other counties between 2010 and 2011 (pop. 50,000+)"
#67 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest Particulate Matter (PM10) Annual air pollution readings in 2012 (µg/m3)"
#73 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest number of deaths per 1000 residents 2007-2013 (pop. 50,000+)"
#83 on the list of "Top 101 counties with highest percentage of residents voting for Obama (Democrat) in the 2012 Presidential Election (pop. 50,000+)"
#93 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Catholic adherents"
#93 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Catholic adherents (pop. 50,000+)"
#97 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Catholic congregations (pop. 50,000+)"
#98 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest percentage of residents relocating from other counties between 2010 and 2011"
#98 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Catholic congregations"
Click here to upload your Cameron County photos (outside city limits)
30.0 years
33.0 years
(48.1%)
(51.9%)
, Starr County 
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