A growing South Texas community experiencing new development
Alamo, a border city of roughly 19,500, is defined by its proximity to Mexico, with the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge and the Donna-Rio Bravo International Bridge less than 15 miles away. The Rio Grande Valley – where Alamo is located – has experienced a rapid boom in construction over the last five years, introducing new subdivisions, small businesses and chain restaurants. Large retail employers in the city include Walmart and H-E-B, and the vast Alamo Mercadome is the biggest flea market in the Valley. Alamo is known as “The Refuge to the Valley,” a reference to the city’s proximity to the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, a 2,088-acre preserve with nearly 400 species of birds, as well as rare butterflies. It draws 165,000 visitors annually, resulting in $34 million of tourism-related revenue each year.
Alamo hosted it's 22nd Annual PSJA Tri-City Parade in October.
Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge was established in 1943 for the protection of migratory birds.
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Alamo offers housing options under $250,000
In 2024, the median home price in Alamo was just over $186,000, according to ATTOM Data Solutions, a real estate data provider. This number is lower compared to similarly sized Rio Grande Valley cities like Donna, which has a median price of roughly $215,000. Newer homes, however, can command higher prices. “It’s a growing city, and there’s a lot of new construction that’s moving fast. As soon as they’re completed, they’re selling,” says Isabel Cantu, a Realtor with Imperio Real Estate who has sold homes in the area for several years, noting that new three-bedroom homes around 1,500 square feet are priced closer to $250,000. Manufactured homes are typically the most affordable option, with prices ranging from $100,000 to $150,000; they are often found in 55-plus communities that are popular with Winter Texans, or snowbirds from colder climates. Alamo Country Club, a gated 55-plus community with 526 homes around a private 9-hole golf course, has single-family homes ranging from around $100,000 to $200,000.
Modern style homes are adjacent to Audie Murphy Middle School.
Various modern style homes can be found in Alamo.
Single story brick style home adjacent to Robert G. Balli Park.
Modern style homes are abundant throughout Alamo.
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Direct routes in and around Alamo
The Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge is about 12 miles from Alamo, while the Donna-Rio Bravo International Bridge is about 13 miles southeast of town. Interstate 2 is a major route in South Texas, allowing residents to drive 9 miles west to the business district in McAllen. The largest city in the Valley, Brownsville, is roughly 53 miles away via I-2 and I-69E. Residents have a roughly 70-mile drive east along I-2 and I-69 to popular Gulf beach destinations, including South Padre Island. The closest airport is the McAllen International Airport, less than 10 miles away. The airport offers select flights through American Airlines, United, Delta and Aeromexico, which provides direct international flights. The main hospital is South Texas Health System ER Alamo on I-2.
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PSJA ISD offers an award-winning music education program
Alamo is served by Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District (PSJA ISD), which earns a B-plus from Niche. The city has nine elementary schools, Alamo Middle School and PSJA Memorial Early College High School. PSJA Academies supports students working toward a certificate or associate degree from South Texas College. Students in this program will continue attending high school but will also travel to the Academies’ facility for half the school day. The school district has been recognized as one of the Best Communities for Music Education by The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation.
The Rio Grande Valley is home to 10 universities and colleges for those seeking higher education close to Alamo. In October, the communities of Pharr, San Juan and Alamo come together for the PSJA ISD Tri-City Red Ribbon Parade, which the school district has held annually for more than 20 years. Students can help build creative floats for their school or perform as part of the marching band or dance team.
Audie Murphy Middle School offers an abundant variety of fine arts for it's students.
Augusto Guerra Elementary School is accepting Pre-K through 5th grade students.
Audie Murphy Middle School is a great place to enter students in the early college program.
PSJA Memorial Early College High School
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Commercial development and renovated municipal buildings
Alamo’s downtown area is a short Main Street lined by a compact park and the brightly painted storefronts of family-owned salons, tailors and small markets. Just north of I-2 is the Mercadome, known as the largest flea market in the Rio Grande Valley. Open seven days a week, this outdoor market has everything from local farmers with fresh fruit to leatherworkers selling handbags. The market also doubles as a dancehall with regular live music and entertainment.
Alamo sits between two prominent shopping hubs; to the east is the Rio Grande Valley Premium Outlets while McAllen’s La Plaza, one of the largest shopping malls in South Texas, is roughly 9 miles west on Interstate 2. Lya Yllades, Public Information Director for the City of Alamo, says that the city recently approved plans for a new police office, court building and renovations for the fire department. The area around Ridge Road and Alamo Road is seeing rapid development as well; Yllades notes that a new Stripes and McDonald’s have been added, with plans to add a movie theater and an IHOP near the expressway. “This area has a lot of available land, which means there’s huge potential for even more businesses to come in and help boost the local economy.”
The Landmark on Tower offers various family friendly games in it's establishment.
Mercadome offers various types of fresh produce at an affordable price.
An adornments of wall art unique to The Original Willies Bar-B-Q located in Alamo.
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Wildlife preserves, city parks and a growing events calendar
The Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge is 7 miles south of downtown for bird- and butterfly-watching. In the city, residents can enjoy the baseball field, basketball court and skate park at Alamo Sports Complex and the Alamo Municipal Pool on East De Soto Avenue. Central Park, which is a small stretch of green space near downtown, is often transformed into an event venue for small festivals and community gatherings. The annual Watermelon Festival and BBQ Cook-off takes place each spring and features live music, food, a beer garden and carnival rides. “We’re also excited about new events in the works, such as a Fall Festival,” Yllades says. “There’s a biweekly vendors' market at Central Park that we’re hoping to start next year, and even a film festival.”
Various species of plants bloom year round in the subtropical environment in Alamo.
Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge offers various lush walking trails within its park.
This walking trail is located adjacent to PSJA Memorial Early College High School.
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Alamo’s crime data shows less violent crime than the state average
While Alamo has an overall higher crime rate than Texas, the city has a lower violent crime rate than the state, according to 2023 data from the FBI. The FBI reports that Alamo has 448 crimes per 100,000 people, 39.5 percent higher than the state's overall crime rate. Most of Alamo's crime is related to stolen property, specifically stolen motor vehicles. But Texas' violent crime rate is 37.5 percent higher than Alamo's. Since 2022, Alamo's overall crime rate has gone up roughly 3 percent, while Texas' overall crime rate has ticked down by 3 percent.
Subtropical climate and some drought risk
Alamo’s hottest season falls between May and September, with temperatures rarely falling below 92°F. From December through February, winter temperatures rarely exceed 76°F and it can often be windy. The city has a minor risk from both drought and flood, due to its location in the Rio Grande Valley watershed.
Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge offers public access to it's trails and parks within the refuge.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
