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Harlingen, TX
City in Cameron County, Texas. ZIP codes: 78550, 78552.
Population
72,087
Land area
40.3sq mi
People per sq mi
1,790
ZIP codes
2
Harlingen and its ZIP codes
Harlingen at a glance
- Harlingen is about 15 times as dense as Texas as a whole.
- It is the 58th most populous of 1,795 cities and towns in Texas.
- Households here earn a median of $53,645 a year, 32% less than the Texas figure of $78,476.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $140,600 (50% below Texas) and median rent is $928 a month.
Local data for Harlingen, TX
Counts from official public data
- Hospitals3
- Emergency Rooms1
- Nursing Homes6
- Schools42
- Colleges2
- Libraries1
- Banks18
- Post Offices2
- Parks29
- Grocery Stores19
- Restaurants288
- Affordable Housing6
- Home Health Agencies8
- Hospice Care8
- Dialysis Centers3
- Community Health Centers2
- Mental Health & Addiction Treatment3
- Private Schools5
- Community Colleges & Trade Schools2
- Toxic Release Facilities4
Housing and community stats
Harlingen, TX, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$53,645
Poverty rate
25.1%
Median home value
$140,600
Median rent
$928/mo
Homeownership
56.1%
Bachelor's or higher
22.6%
Median age
33.4
Average commute
17.9 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Mexican Americans (54,038), German Americans (3,368), Irish Americans (1,586).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Cameron County. PPP loans are for Harlingen.
Unemployment rate
5.9%
Sep 2026, -1.6 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$47,042
154,673 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$39,990
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$2.9B
FY 2026, $6,785 per person
How people get to work
Harlingen, TX, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone76.2%
- Carpooled9.9%
- Public transit0.3%
- Walked1.5%
- Bicycle0.2%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.6%
- Worked from home10.4%
Average one-way commute: 17.9 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Harlingen, TX, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
Top: cold wave
Storm events since 1996
851
Countywide, mostly drought
Flood insurance policies
12,201
9.7% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
97° / 51°F
28.2 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Harlingen, TX, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
40.1%
U.S. 33.3% +6.8 pts
Diabetes
18.6%
U.S. 12.1% +6.5 pts
Smoking
13.3%
U.S. 12.8% +0.5 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
33.1%
U.S. 11.1% +22.0 pts
ZIP codes in Harlingen
2 in or overlapping Harlingen. Population shown
Cities near Harlingen
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| JuarezCensus-designated place | 3.4 mi | 0.2 |
| Las Palmas IICensus-designated place | 4.1 mi | 0.3 |
| Palm ValleyCity | 4.7 mi | 0.6 |
| El Camino AngostoCensus-designated place | 4.9 mi | 0.3 |
| Arroyo Colorado EstatesCensus-designated place | 5 mi | 1.1 |
| RangervilleVillage | 5.3 mi | 3.5 |
| San BenitoCity | 5.9 mi | 15.8 |
| CombesTown | 6 mi | 3.2 |
| LasanaCensus-designated place | 6.2 mi | 0.8 |
| PrimeraTown | 6.7 mi | 2.8 |
| Villa del SolCensus-designated place | 7.1 mi | 0.2 |
| LagoCensus-designated place | 7.3 mi | 0 |
| PalmerCensus-designated place | 7.6 mi | 1.1 |
| Rio HondoCity | 8.1 mi | 1.7 |
| La Feria NorthCensus-designated place | 8.3 mi | 1.1 |
| La PalomaCensus-designated place | 8.3 mi | 2.2 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Harlingen, TX in?
- Harlingen is in Cameron County, Texas.
- What ZIP codes are in Harlingen, TX?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Harlingen include 78550, 78552.
- What is the population of Harlingen, TX?
- About 72,087 people live in Harlingen, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Harlingen?
- Nearby places include Juarez (3.4 mi), Las Palmas II (4.1 mi), Palm Valley (4.7 mi), El Camino Angosto (4.9 mi), Arroyo Colorado Estates (5 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023