Mercedes
Known as the “Queen of the Valley,” the city of Mercedes ideally sits in the center of the Rio Grande Valley, within the southeastern portion of Hidalgo County. This family friendly community provides a low cost of living, a pro-business attitude and a highly appealing year-round sub-tropic climate perfect for outdoor activities.
Mercedes sits within 90 minutes of six wildlife refuges, including the noteworthy Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, and close to destinations suitable for both sport fishing and game hunting. Its location also offers a convenient link to the popular Mexican port of call city of Progreso, which is lined with shops, an authentic local market, restaurants and world-class beaches.
The city itself is recognized as the premier retail center of the Valley, featuring the region’s largest factory outlet mall, the Rio Grande Premium Outlets, and a thriving central business district with more than 65 diverse businesses. Mercedes also hosts two exceptional golf courses, a public planetarium and one of the state’s top 10 largest livestock shows.
The Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show draws well over 160,000 guests each year during its 10-day run in March. The show has been a staple in the community since its inaugural year in 1939, attracting guests from all over Texas and beyond. Main features include livestock exhibitions, rodeo competitions, carnival rides, car shows, youth education programming and plenty of food, drinks and live music.
The advantages to life in this South Texas city are unrivaled, with a quality of life that is perfect for families, employers, visitors and Winter Texans.