East of the U.S.-Mexico border, Laredo’s La Guadalupe is a modest community steeped in tradition and culture, thriving on the businesses of those who call the community home. Known as a colonia—Spanish for neighborhood—La Guadalupe is Laredo’s first affordable housing project. Planned in the 1930s, it was completed in the 1940s by clearing 12 city blocks to make way for 272 dwellings. Once additional housing became available, businesses flourished, and traditions came alive. “It was my first home, and everyone was looked out for,” says Carlos Valle, who lived in the community for 22 years with his parents and five other siblings. A retired professor who taught history and urban studies at Laredo College and Texas A&M International University, Valle describes La Guadalupe as a melting pot. “It’s a diverse mix of people. Firefighters, police officers, teachers, county employees and business owners,” he says. One such business owner was his father, who ran Superior Bakery on Callaghan Street for decades until they closed several years ago. Living in a four-bedroom home with a yard—a first for Valle—he said the colonia was, and still is, run by the matriarchs of families. “Our mother was friends with all the other mothers,” he says. “They ruled this tight community and were the heartbeat of La Guadalupe.” Neighborhood residents have easy access to mom and pops, meat markets, parks, schools, tortillerias, a library and churches. The towering Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church sits at the heart of the community and is the epicenter for celebrations and traditions. Its biggest is put on by the dance troupe Danza Guadalupana, performing an annual centuries-old ritual to honor the Virgin of Guadalupe. Beyond tradition and a small-town community feel, La Guadalupe is 2 miles from downtown Laredo, giving residents easy access to all its attractions, shopping and dining.
Traditions and religious celebrations abound
The impact of a traditional Mexican “posada,”—Spanish for celebration—radiates through Laredo, and this neighborhood is no different. The 37-member Danza Guadalupe has been honoring their traditions for over 20 years, but this religious dance ceremony dates back more than100 years in Mexico. “It’s not a celebration but rather a prayer ritual. “It’s been passed down for generations,” says Dr. Norma Cantú, Ph.D. Cantú is a Murchison Distinguished Professor of the Humanities at Trinity University in San Antonio. Raised in Laredo, Dr. Cantú is also a folklorist and poet who taught at Texas A&M International University for over 20 years. “They’re known across the region and South Texas. There are a lot of these groups, and they’re usually affiliated with a Catholic church.” Known as Matachines, the dancers bring music, food and art to honor the Virgin of Guadalupe every December 12. While Danza Guadalupana serves this community, the most well-known and oldest is Los Matachines de la Ladrillera, which holds ceremonies twice a year in the neighboring La Ladrillera community. The troupe wears traditional dress—a “penacho” or headdress, colorful vest and nagüillas, an embroidered skirt with sequins, beads and bells that jingle as they dance intricately choreographed steps. “They will carry a rosary and decorate with images of the Virgin of Guadalupe,” Dr. Cantú says. “At night, they hold the vigil.” The group dances throughout December at Our Lady Guadalupe Catholic Church and the neighboring St. Patrick’s Catholic Church to the north, but the feast is the most culturally significant day. Quinceañeras and the newly popular celebration of Cincuentañeras for women turning 50 are also traditions in La Guadalupe. “There are a lot of parties that go on. They have them at the Posada Hotel in downtown Laredo; they’re really nice,” says Dr. Cantú. The neighborhood is also home to the Boys & Girls Club of Laredo, an institution since it was first developed. The organization offers music lessons, arts and crafts classes and youth sports leagues.
Mom-and-pops define the culinary landscape
Mom and pops define the cultural and culinary landscape of La Guadalupe. Camellia’s Flower Shop, Primo’s Barbershop and Llyod’s Upholstery are a few of the neighborhood’s locally-owned businesses that have served the community for years. Asador Las Palmas is the most popular restaurant in the neighborhood, known for its $2 breakfast tacos, barbacoa and menudo, a traditional Mexican soup. Ay Carbon is a tiny, unassuming shack known only to locals that serves up parrilladas, brisket and el pastor tacos. Other shopping and dining options are directly to the west along Santa Ursula Avenue and Laredo’s historic shopping district on San Bernardo Avenue. Enchiladas and tortas are the go-to meals at El Padrino and La Paisana draws in customers with its cheap flautas and taquitos. Los Perez Meat Market provides fresh cuts and produce. Residents can get basics at Miriam’s Grocery and essentials at Family Dollar to the west on Clark Boulevard and H-E-B, less than 2 miles west on Guadalupe Street. Downtown Laredo is less than 2 miles away, which offers a farmers’ market and The Outlet Shoppes at Laredo.
A $8 million park project planned for the area
Zacate Creek Linear Park runs along La Guadalupe’s eastern edge. The 22-acre greenbelt stretches to the Rio Grande and is filled with trails and parks for residents to enjoy. “It’s a really nice linear park that connects the entire city,” says Jesus Najar, Architectural Program Manager for Preservation Manager and longtime Laredo resident. “Las Palmas Trail is very popular and a spectacular site for bird watching.” It’s also the site of a significant part of history. The Battle of Laredo was the only Civil War fight in Laredo between Confederate and Union troops, which resulted in a Confederate victory over 4,000 cotton bales, which were exported into Mexico. The greenbelt’s Scott Street Park offers plenty of space for picnics, or residents can stroll across the bridge to reach Seven Flags Park. This park provides a skatepark, a playground, and soccer fields. In June 2024, the Laredo Housing Authority approved over $61,000 to renovate the Colonia Guadalupe Community Center, which has served residents since the neighborhood was first developed. The center will have two auditoriums, computers and other modern renovation upgrades when completed. Along with upgrades to the community center, the greenbelt will also get a makeover. “The city is working to redevelop the Zacate Creek Park area, so that will become a nice piece of infrastructure and green space,” Najar says. In April 2024, Zacate Creek Linear Park received $7.6 million, partially funded through an Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program grant. The City of Laredo and Webb County covered the rest of the financing. The Zacate Creek District Corridor, as it will be called, will include new trails, an open-air visitor center and places to rent kayaks and bikes. An existing amphitheater will also be restored; additional bridges, bike repair stations, a community garden and picnic tables will be added.
Quaint cottages under $300,000
La Guadalupe contains over 270 single-family houses, primarily stone and brick cottages and other quaint Mexican architecture. Home prices range from around $50,000 for a two-bedroom, 600-square-foot home to around $270,000 for a 2,000-square-foot four- or five-bedroom home. Residents enjoy sidewalks to stroll the grid streets, along with paved, spacious driveways, covered front porches and fenced-in backyards shaded by towering palms and mature oaks. Most homes are within walking distance of schools, parks, markets and a church.
Excellent extracurriculars in La Guadalupe
Laredo Independent School District serves the area, and local students can attend Bruni Elementary within the neighborhood, followed by Christen Middle School and Martin High School in the Los Amores community. Bruni, which offers a science fair, earned a C on Niche and Christen Middle earned a C-minus. Earning a B-minus on Niche, Martin High offers cross-country and volleyball teams and a robotics club. College-bound students who want to stay close to home can attend Laredo College, walkable from the neighborhood or a 1-mile drive south. Niche ranked the two-year institution the fourth-best community college in Texas by Niche.
Home to the largest George Washington celebration
Downtown Laredo also hosts events for the area, including the annual Jamboozie, a music festival held in March, and the Laredo International Sister Cities Festival, held every July. The three-day celebration transforms the Sames Auto Arena into an indoor Mercado with artisans from Mexico selling hand-made jewelry, clothing, food and other items. Its biggest and oldest, however, is the George Washington Birthday Celebration. One of the largest in the country, the festival has been a tradition for over 100 years and features more than 25 events, two parades, an air show, a jalapeno festival and a two-week carnival.
Two miles from downtown Laredo
Interstate 35 and Highway 83 run along the western edge of La Guadalupe, providing access to the rest of the area. Downtown Laredo is less than 2 miles away, and the Laredo International Airport is 6 miles. Public transportation is convenient via El Metro Transit, and bus stops are sprinkled throughout the neighborhood, mainly clustered around Sanchez Street and San Eduardo Avenue.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Vicky Pineda,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Scott Street Park
Transit
Airport
Laredo International
11 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
La Guadalupe
US
Homicide
7
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
8
4
Robbery
7
4
Burglary
6
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
21
Median Year Built
1966
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Vicky Pineda,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,242
Median Age
32
Population Density
12 ppl/acre
Population under 18
32.4%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.4%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$22,722
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$32,555
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
47.2%
Significantly below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
5.5%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
1.6%
% Population in Labor Force
59.3%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
19''
Average Winter Low Temperature
47°F
Average Summer High Temperature
101°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
50/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
68/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
