According to estatelearning, San Benito, Texas is a city located in Cameron County in the southern tip of the state. The city is situated on the Rio Grande River and lies at an elevation of about 33 feet above sea level. It has a semi-arid climate with temperatures ranging from warm to hot during most of the year. The average temperature is around 80 degrees Fahrenheit in July and January averages around 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
The city was first settled by Spanish colonists in 1757 and became part of Mexico after Mexico gained independence from Spain. After the Mexican-American War, San Benito was annexed by the United States and became part of Texas. The city has had a long history of political activism, especially during the civil rights movement when it was home to many protests and demonstrations against segregation.
San Benito’s economy is mainly based on agriculture and tourism with some manufacturing, retail, and service industries as well. The area produces a variety of crops such as cotton, corn, wheat, sorghum, citrus fruits, vegetables, melons, peanuts, onions and garlic. Additionally San Benito’s location near the border has made it attractive for industries that rely on international trade such as warehousing and logistics companies.
The San Benito Consolidated Independent School District serves the educational needs of its students from pre-K through 12th grade. It consists of five elementary schools (K-5), two middle schools (6-8), one high school (9-12), one alternative school (K-12) and one early college high school (9-14). There are also several private schools located within San Benito’s boundaries offering religious or Montessori education options for families who prefer them over public schooling options.
Some notable landmarks in San Benito include La Lomita Chapel which dates back to 1852; Resaca de la Palma State Park which celebrates local history; and Valle Vista Golf Course which offers picturesque views overlooking downtown San Benito while golfers enjoy their game on this championship course designed by renowned golf architect Robert Trent Jones Jr.. Additionally there are numerous historic sites throughout the city including historical markers detailing battles fought during Mexican Independence Day as well as numerous murals depicting moments from local history painted across buildings downtown.
Population: 23,444. Estimated population in July 2020: 24,699 (+5.4% change)
Males: 11,117 (47.4%), Females: 12,327 (52.6%)
Cameron County
Zip code: 78586
Median resident age: 29.7 years
Median household income: $24,027
Median house value: $39,500
Races in San Benito:
- Hispanic (86.9%)
- Other race (20.5%)
- White Non-Hispanic (12.5%)
- Two or more races (2.4%)
- American Indian (0.6%)
(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)
Ancestries: German (2.8%), United States (2.2%), English (2.2%), Irish (1.6%).
Elevation: 40 feet
Land area: 11.0 square miles
Population
San Benito, Texas is a small city located in Cameron County, in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. As of the 2010 census, San Benito had a population of 24,250 people. The median age is 28 years old and the median household income is $30,715. The most common ethnicities are Hispanic (90%) and White (7%). San Benito is predominantly Catholic (88%), with other religious affiliations including Protestantism (9%) and non-denominational Christian (2%). The city has a variety of industries that provide jobs for its citizens including retail, manufacturing and agricultural services. The unemployment rate was 8% in 2020, which was lower than the national average. Education levels range from a high school diploma to college degrees. San Benito also has an active military presence with numerous branches represented in town.
San Benito’s economy is diverse with both traditional businesses as well as innovative new ventures. The city has recently seen an influx of technology companies who are attracted to its low cost of living and access to international markets through nearby ports. In addition to traditional industries such as agriculture and retail, San Benito also supports a vibrant tourism industry that includes great restaurants, recreational activities and cultural attractions such as the Rio Grande Valley Museum of Art and History and the San Benito Historical Museum & Library.
The city also boasts multiple parks for residents to enjoy including La Paloma Park which features sports fields, playgrounds, picnic areas and walking trails; plus Veterans Memorial Park which offers a public pool complex open year-round as well as fitness centers for adults and children alike. With its friendly people, cultural attractions, great restaurants and outdoor activities San Benito offers something for everyone!
For population 25 years and over in San Benito
- High school or higher: 51.8%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 9.8%
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.0%
- Unemployed: 12.0%
- Mean travel time to work: 19.1 minutes
For population 15 years and over in San Benito city
- Never married: 27.1%
- Now married: 54.6%
- Separated: 3.4%
- Widowed: 6.8%
- Divorced: 8.2%
17.8% Foreign born (17.3% Latin America).
Population change in the 1990s: +2,416 (+11.5%).
Hospitals
Hospital/medical center in San Benito:
- DOLLY VINSANT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (400 E HWY 77 PO BOX 42)
Other hospitals/medical centers near San Benito:
- RIO GRANDE STATE CENTER (about 7 miles; HARLINGEN, TX)
- SOUTH TEXAS HOSPITAL (about 7 miles; HARLINGEN, TX)
- VALLEY BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER (about 7 miles; HARLINGEN, TX)
Airports
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to San Benito:
- VALLEY INTL (about 6 miles; HARLINGEN, TX; Abbreviation: HRL)
- BROWNSVILLE/SOUTH PADRE ISLAND INT’L (about 23 miles; BROWNSVILLE, TX; Abbreviation: BRO)
- MC ALLEN MILLER INTL (about 42 miles; MC ALLEN, TX; Abbreviation: MFE)
Other public-use airports nearest to San Benito:
- PORT ISABEL-CAMERON COUNTY (about 21 miles; PORT ISABEL, TX; Abbreviation: PIL)
- MID VALLEY (about 23 miles; WESLACO, TX; Abbreviation: T65)
- CHARLES R JOHNSON (about 32 miles; PORT MANSFIELD, TX; Abbreviation: T05)
Amtrak stations near San Benito:
- 6 miles: HARLINGEN (215 E. MONROE ST.) – Bus Station. Services: enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones.
- 19 miles: BROWNSVILLE (1134 E. ST. CHARLES) – Bus Station. Services: enclosed waiting area, intercity bus service.
Colleges and Universities
College/University in San Benito:
- REYNALDO GARZA SCHOOL OF LAW (Location: 905 N SHORE DR; Private, for-profit)
Colleges and Universities
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to San Benito:
- TEXAS STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE-HARLINGEN (about 7 miles; HARLINGEN, TX; Full-time enrollment: 2,167)
- THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT BROWNSVILLE (about 17 miles; BROWNSVILLE, TX; Full-time enrollment: 6,044)
- TEXAS SOUTHMOST COLLEGE (about 17 miles; BROWNSVILLE, TX; Full-time enrollment: 4,556)
- THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-PAN AMERICAN (about 41 miles; EDINBURG, TX; Full-time enrollment: 9,651)
- SOUTH TEXAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 42 miles; MCALLEN, TX; Full-time enrollment: 7,142)
- TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY-KINGSVILLE (about 95 miles; KINGSVILLE, TX; Full-time enrollment: 4,860)
- TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY-CORPUS CHRISTI (about 110 miles; Corpus Christi, TX; Full-time enrollment: 5,282)
Schools
Public high school in San Benito:
- SAN BENITO H S (Students: 1,506; Location: 450 S WILLIAMS RD; Grades: 10 – 12)
Biggest public primary/middle schools in San Benito:
- MILLER JORDAN MIDDLE (Students: 1,221; Location: 700 N MCCULLOUGH; Grades: 06 – 08)
- BERTA CABAZA MIDDLE (Students: 987; Location: 2901 SHAFER RD; Grades: 06 – 08)
- SAN BENITO VETERANS MEMORIAL ACADE (Students: 850; Location: 450 S WILLIAMS RD; Grades: 09 – 09)
- FRED BOOTH (Students: 740; Location: 845 ZARAGOZA ST; Grades: PK – 05)
- LA PALOMA EL (Students: 616; Location: 240 N CROCKETT ST; Grades: PK – 05)
- DOWNS EL (Students: 557; Location: 1302 N DOWLING; Grades: PK – 05)
- RANGERVILLE EL (Students: 544; Location: 17558 LANDRUM PARK RD; Grades: PK – 05)
- RAUL GARZA JR EL (Students: 542; Location: 846 8TH ST; Grades: PK – 05)
- LA ENCANTADA EL (Students: 541; Location: 1 MILE FARM RD 1577; Grades: PK – 05)
- CASH EL (Students: 475; Location: 400 N PONCIANA ST; Grades: PK – 05)
Libraries
Library in San Benito:
- SAN BENITO PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $131,254; Location: 101 W ROSE ST; 35,712 books; 452 audio materials; 1,330 video materials; 110 serial subscriptions)