McAllen is a metro area of 891,977 people. The median age is 30.5, younger than the US median of 38.9. Since 2000 the metro area has risen by half, up 322,514 people. 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, below the 36% national rate. 26.7% of people across the metro live below the federal poverty line. Home values have roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $140,900.
At a glance
Lower income
median household income $54,338, below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 30.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 68%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about McAllen
What changed most since 1990
Population383,545 → 891,977(+133%)US over the same years: +35%
Poverty rate41.9% → 26.7%(−15.2 pts)US over the same years: −0.8 pts
White share14.1% → 6.0%(−8.2 pts)US over the same years: −17.8 pts
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans
Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)29.9%(5,806)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)23.7%(4,590)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era33.4%(6,485)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War3.7%(711)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0.8%(150)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 19,401 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time
McAllen, decade by decade
McAllen population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
Year
Population
Median household income
Median home value
Bachelor's degree+
Diversity score
1990
383,545
$40,088
$85,442
11.5%
31.7
2000
569,463
$45,292
$83,796
12.9%
26.1
2010
774,769
$45,860
$105,016
15.1%
21.5
2020
870,781
$50,719
$109,084
19.3%
19.0
2024
891,977
$54,338
$140,900
20.6%
18.9
Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.
How many people live in McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX?
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX has about 891,977 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX?
The typical household in McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX earns about $54,338 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX expensive?
In McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX, the median home is worth about $140,900, and the typical rent is about $957 a month.
How educated are people in McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX?
About 20.6% of adults age 25 and over in McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX?
About 26.7% of people in McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX live below the federal poverty line.
Has McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX grown since 1990?
Yes, McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX has grown since 1990. The population has added about 508,432 residents, a change of about 133 percent over that period.
