Brownsville is the largest city in the lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas. It has a population of around 200,000 people and is located 25 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico, adjacent to Matamoros, Mexico. Brownsville has a semi-tropical climate with warm weather year-round that encourages outdoor activities. It is a major international seaport and its economy depends heavily on trade with Mexico through the Port of Brownsville.

1. Brownsville
Brownsville is easily the largest city in the lower Rio Grande Valley and is a prospering,
international seaport. It is also the county seat of Cameron County. The city lies roughly
33 feet above see level and is situated approximately 25 miles inland from the Gulf of
Mexico. Matamoros, Tamaulipas lies adjacent to Brownsville across the Mexican border.
The city boasts one of the most beautiful semi-tropical climates in Texas, with an average
temperature of 74 degrees and 25.55 inches of precipitation per year. The relative
humidity averages approximately 75.25%. This beautiful weather encourages residents to
partake in several outdoor recreational activities throughout the year. Matamoros and
South Padre Island are located only minutes away and are ideal vacation spots for the
residents of Brownsville.
The population of Brownsville has almost reached the 200,000 mark and their sister city,
Matamoros, has a population exceeding 750,000. Brownsville is considered one of the
fastest growing areas in the nation.
There are several interesting local attractions in Brownsville including the Gladys Porter
Zoo, the Port of Brownsville, the Children’s Museum of Brownsville, Camille Lightnery
Playhouse, and the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art.
The largest shopping mall in the city, and the primary mall in the Brownsville-Harlingen
metroplex, is Sunrise Mall. There used to be another mall in the city, Amigoland Mall,
but the University of Texas purchased the building after several of the tenants relocated to
Sunrise Mall after it was remodeled in 2000.
Approximately 52.38% of the population of Brownsville is part of the active work force.
Of them, roughly 24% of them are females. An estimated 71.69% of workers 16 years of
age or over commute to work alone by van, truck, or car. A mere 1.27% of the population
uses public transit, including taxicabs. The percentage of people who work from home is
about 2.18%.
The population of Brownsville is approximately 139,722. The average household income
is estimated to be $24, 468. 27.56% of the population is involved with management,
professional, and related occupations. Construction, extraction, and maintenance
occupations make up 9.42% of Brownsville. 26.73% of the workforce is involved with
sales and office occupations, and roughly 16.86% of the population is involved with
production, transportation, and material moving occupations.
The Port of Brownsville, located 2 miles from downtown, plays a very important role in
the city’s economy. It links the road networks from Mexico and the Gulf Intracoastal
Waterway of Texas to the city.
Monterrey, Mexico, situated 198 miles to the West, is the port’s Hinterland. It is one of
Latin America’s largest industrial cities and is where Brownsville draws cargo.