San Juan's growing melting pot on the Southern US border
Thousands of migrating birds and butterflies aren’t the only ones attracted to San Juan in the Rio Grande Valley. In 1992, San Juan’s population was just shy of 11,000. By 2000, that number almost doubled. Currently, over 35,000 call it home, with most identifying as Latino. “It’s a very fast-paced, growing city that is growing upwards because it can’t grow out,” says Cameron Coleman, a Realtor with GRT Realty. “We’ve got a lot of people coming to the area from other states as well as people from in-state moving down south.” The city’s leading industries include local agriculture and tourism related to the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle National Shrine. The city also profits from binational trade with Reynosa, accessible by the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge, 22 miles away. San Juan is also close to Pharr, Alamo, and McAllen, home to one of the most prominent shopping malls in South Texas.
Beautiful mural on the wall located next to the New Generation Barbershop in San Juan.
A town in San Juan filled with modern style homes.
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6 miles from La Plaza Mall
Several convenient retail options surround the buzzy business corridor along Interstate 2. Residents can stock up on essentials or eat authentic Mexican jalapeno stuffed tacos and chicken wings in the Las Tiendas shopping center. Larger-scale retail and chain restaurants are found in neighboring cities. Main Event Pharr, a restaurant chain that doubles as an arcade and bowling alley, and Cinemark Pharr Town Center and XD are located in the Pharr Town Center off Interstate 2. For large department stores and other chain restaurants, residents drive to La Plaza Mall, 7 miles away in McAllen. Several prominent flea markets are along I-2, including Mercadome Flea Market and Alamo Dance Hall.
Gonzalez Boots located in San Juan offers a grand variety of cowboy boots and clothing.
Big Boys Vintage Toys & Collectibles offers a variety of novelty items along with comic books.
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Thousands flock to San Juan every week for local attractions
The National Shrine of Lady of San Juan del Valle was designated as a minor basilica by then-Pope John Paul II in 1999. It is home to the statue of Our Lady of San Juan and related artistic homages and made headlines when a plane crashed through its roof in the 1970s. “People from all over the valley go to that church,” says Karen Carreno, a Star Properties Real Estate Realtor who lives nearby McAllen. The Catholic church draws more than 25,000 tourists per week. The adjacent Gelman Stained Glass Museum houses the most comprehensive collection of stained-glass windows in the United States.
Locals enjoy annual celebrations often involving cook-offs, including the Christmas BBQ and Cinco de Mayo Fiestas.
This flamboyant mural is a great cultural representative of the roots of San Juan.
Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle national shrine in San Juan.
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San Juan housing is priced significantly lower than Texas
San Juan has become a popular spot for winter Texans moving from northern states like Oklahoma and Colorado to escape the cold and experience milder temperatures. At $253,900, San Juan’s median home price is roughly 33% less than Texas and 64% less than the United States. Subdivisions are on the rise on both sides of Interstate 2. Near the highway, these developments are filled with empty lots priced from $50,000 to $60,000, as well as contemporary custom homes with private driveways and attached garages. Large plots of land near the San Juan wetlands along South Stewart Road tend to be priced between $450,000 and $1.3 million, depending on acreage.
Multiple variety of modern style homes can be found in San Juan.
Modern style home with brick accent and wood porch located in San Juan.
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Home to the tallest flagpole in South Texas
San Juan is an active city, and soccer is the game of choice for many residents. Organized soccer on school-related fields and pick-up games at various green spaces throughout the community are prevalent. Baseball is a popular pastime, too, and the lighted diamonds at San Juan Municipal Park attract plenty of regular activity. The park also is a central site of the community’s annual showcase event, Noche De Paz. Liberty Park is home to the tallest flagpole in South Texas. Kids can enjoy Aqua Planet Waterpark and the nearby Pharr Aquatic Center when temperatures become oppressive. On North 1st Street, Firemen’s Park is often frequented for its scenic lake. Pedal boats, kayaks and paddleboard rentals are offered through H20Hut and include a life jacket.
The Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge is along the Mexico border, a significant spot for birding and butterfly observation. Hidalgo County Precinct 2 Hike & Bike Trail is less than 1 mile off San Antonio Street. It provides almost 5 miles of paved path, uninterrupted by traffic.
San Juan is located in southern Hidalgo County in the Rio Grande Valley Region.
Liberty Park has a miniature Statue of Liberty within it's premises.
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Welcome to "Bear Country" on the southern border of Texas
The city is part of two school districts: Pharr-San Juan-Alamo School District and Hildalgo Independent School District, which earn B-plus and B ratings from Niche, respectively. “The school district is so advanced in modern technology, and the high schools have very good early college programs,” Coleman says. “They offer a lot of resources to students.” One of these resources includes free broadband internet to households with enrolled students in the area. Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Early College High earns a B-plus, a particular point of pride in San Juan. The mascot is the Bear, and the city’s water tower reminds residents and visitors that they are in “Bear Country.” Magnet schools in the town are operated by the South Texas Independent School District.
San Juan is located in southern Hidalgo County in the Rio Grande Valley Region.
Alfred Sorensen Elementary School is home to the Cubs.
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Getting in and around San Juan
Interstate 2 connects to U.S. Route 281 about 1 mile west in neighboring Pharr and provides easy travel throughout the region and into Mexico. Farm Road 1426 and State Highway Spur 374 are two other nearby throughways. McAllen is roughly 6 miles away, offering an international airport, a large shopping mall and South Texas Health System hospitals. The city of Mission is approximately 13 miles away via I-2.
Valley Metro is a popular form of transportation for the residents of San Juan.
The city of San Juan has easy access to the surrounding cities via Interstate 2.
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Weather and safety information in San Juan
The city experiences dry winters and sweltering summers of up to 98 degrees Fahrenheit. Much of Hildago County – which includes the City of San Juan – is experiencing high levels of drought, and residents are strongly encouraged to practice water conservation. Located in the Lower Rio Grande Basin, the city receives most of its water from the Rio Grande, stored in the Amistad and Falcon reservoirs. Water from these reservoirs is allocated for local agriculture, especially citrus farming. According to a report by the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), Amistad, the largest reservoir built on the Rio Grande River, was 25.2% full in August 2024. Water levels for both reservoirs were just under 2% lower than the year prior.
According to data collected by the FBI, San Juan reported a jump in crime in 2023 from the year prior. Violent crime increased significantly at 62%, while property crime remained roughly the same. San Juan experienced a crime rate 13% less than Texas' state average.
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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.
