Edcouch, Texas

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Edcouch, Texas
settlement_type = City
nickname =
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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location of Edcouch, Texas


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Texas
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Hidalgo

government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
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unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 2.4
area_land_km2 = 2.4
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 0.9
area_land_sq_mi = 0.9
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 3342
population_density_km2 = 1379.9
population_density_sq_mi = 3573.9

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 18
elevation_ft = 59
latd = 26 |latm = 17 |lats = 40 |latNS = N
longd = 97 |longm = 57 |longs = 48 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 78538
area_code = 956
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 48-22528GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1335079GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Edcouch is a city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. Edcouch is located at the intersection of State Highway 107 and Farm to Market Road 1015. It is part of the McAllen–Edinburg–Mission Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Although in use as ranch land, Edcouch was sparsely settled prior to the 1900s.

During the early 1900s, land speculators began to buy up the land that was to become the Delta Area of the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. People from the northern part of the United States were invited to visit the area, and representatives of the land companies sold property to anyone who had the money to buy.

People from all parts of the nation began moving south. Mercedes, Donna, and Edinburg were small towns then, and the area now known as the Delta Area was, for the most part, unsettled. Weslaco was a newer town, developed by the land company from which it derived its name.

Among the first to settle the Delta area was R.R. Hill, who built a store on what is now known as Farm to Market Road 1015 and Mile 16-N, south of the current location of Edcouch. Not wanting to send his children 15 miles to Edinburg, Mr. Adolph Carlson donated a couple of acres of land at the corner of Mile 4-W and Mile 17-N for the purpose of building a school. Located at the current location of the Edcouch-Elsa High School, the Carlson School soon became a community center.

Realizing that the railroad would be coming through the area, land promoters began lobbying for it to run through their property. Mr. Ed Couch, a Weslaco land promoter and banker, owned property north of Elsa on Mile 17-N. Hoping for the railroad to come to his property, he secured a right of way. Not to be outdone, Mr. William George worked to influence the railroad to go through his property north of Mile 16-N, the location of the new town of Elsa.

Realizing that Mr. George was proving to have more influence in this matter, Mr. Couch made plans to build a town 2 miles east of Elsa, on property which he secured. The town of Edcouch was born. A Mr. Lackland opened a section of town east of what is now known as FM-1015, and began selling only to Latin Americans.

Within a year, Edcouch had 2 feedstores, a box factory, 2 ice plants, 2 lumber yards, 11 packing sheds, a theater, a furniture store, a funeral parlor, a variety store, 3 grocery stores, a real estate office, a telephone exchange, post office, bank, community center, jail, drugstore, cafe, barbershop, and even its own newspaper -- the Edcouch Enterprise.

It was much bigger then than it is now. Over the years, hurricanes and fires have destroyed many of its businesses, its once bustling down town has deteriorated, at least half of its remaining buildings vacant. The railroad ceased operations a few years ago and the tracks themselves were removed in 2000. It is today a low-income bedroom community with a population of under 3,000.

Boarded-up, underutilized, and irreparable commercial and residential buildings dominate the area. Large industrial canning and cotton facilities that long ago lost their luster dot the landscape. These are communities where Spanish is the language of commerce and the Catholic Church dominates the culture. Ninety-six percent of the population is Hispanic, and only Spanish is spoken in eight of every 10 households.

Unemployment typically fluctuates between 20 and 32 percent, due to the seasonal nature of agricultural work. Other job options are limited. The result is a poverty rate of 46 percent, one of Texas’ highest.

Fewer than 45 percent of Delta Region adults have graduated from high school or earned a GED, far below the national average of 80 percent. Only 6 percent have at least a bachelor’s degree. Because job opportunities are limited, residents who do complete college usually leave.

The Edcouch–Elsa School District is the region’s largest employer. Approximately 60 percent of households earn less than $25,000 annually, and median individual earnings run just under $11,000. More than 90 percent of the students in the two school districts are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches. The median home value is $35,300.

Texas’ rural population as a share of the state total fell between 2000 and 2005, a trend that is expected to persist. Population in the Delta Region, by contrast, rose by 6,900, or 18 percent, over the same period and is expected to continue rising. Many area residents originally came from Mexico as migrant farmworkers.

In recent years, the population has continued to grow as families reunite, U.S.–Mexico trade expands and the cost of living remains low. Many immigrant families move to this high-poverty area because land is relatively inexpensive, their extended families have established roots there, and educational opportunities and health care are better than what’s available in their hometowns. Others come because they can earn a living in the shadows of rural America. These communities attract people who enjoy the benefits of a rural setting, have access to employment and services in the nearby McAllen metro area, and can obtain owner financing for homes—important because credit and access to mainstream financial institutions are not always options.

Investment and Development. The lack of an educated workforce and the region’s isolation from major transportation links discourage business investment. The businesses that do exist are mostly small franchises in the fast-food and service industries. Indictments of public officials, political patronage and leadership instability are common, which causes distrust.

A lack of cooperation between area communities, deficient water and sewer infrastructure, and the absence of standard zoning regulations and building review processes have also paralyzed progress. The four municipal governments face these obstacles with small tax bases. As a result, they are commonly seen as ineffective and unresponsive to residents’ basic needs.

There is hope. With tremendous growth throughout the Lower Rio Grande Valley, we are seeing activity in the Edcouch area. New houses, apartment buildings, and even a few small businesses have emerged to fill the gaps between Edcouch and La Villa to its east, and Elsa to its west. There is room for additional growth to the north and south, although we’ve seen little of it. While it is doubtful that Edcouch will regain the industry and vigor it enjoyed in the 1920s and 1930s, there is little doubt that it will surpass its earlier population counts. The estimated population of Edcouch as of January 1, 2002 was 3,604.

The Rio Grande Valley Empowerment Zone, a 10-year program that ended in 2004, allocated over $40 million and attracted over $365 million in other funding for small business development, utility infrastructure and educational initiatives in South Texas. The Delta Region received nearly $5 million in RGVEZ grants and loans and another $13 million from other federal, state and local sources.

In late 2004, a group of local business owners, civic leaders and others released a blueprint for the future that builds on the empowerment zone’s momentum. The plan sets out five goals: (1) expand education and health care training facilities; (2) construct distribution centers for nearby major trade routes; (3) grow and sell specialty foods; (4) build on the ecotourism and hunting industries; and (5) capitalize on residents’ Spanish-language skills and friendly demeanor to attract more call center business.

Today, the Delta Region points to a market-style center, Mercado Delta, as a symbol of its ability to progress. Still under development, this indoor–outdoor facility will be anchored by Valley microbusinesses and provide retail space to local enterprises that sell locally grown produce, arts and crafts, gifts and other goods. Funded by a $500,000 grant from the Economic Development Administration, the center taps into the area’s entrepreneurial spirit. The hope is that the mercado will generate sustainable economic activity.

Geography

Edcouch is located o state Hwy 107 and fm 1015 North of Weslaco coor dms|26|17|40|N|97|57|48|W|city (26.294354, -97.963410)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.4 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 3,342 people, 891 households, and 757 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,573.9 people per square mile (1,372.7/km²). There were 985 housing units at an average density of 1,053.3/sq mi (404.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 76.33% White, 0.63% African American, 0.63% Native American, 19.84% from other races, and 2.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 97.13% of the population.

There were 891 households out of which 50.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were married couples living together, 23.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.0% were non-families. 13.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.75 and the average family size was 4.13.

In the city the population was spread out with 37.1% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $18,618, and the median income for a family was $20,208. Males had a median income of $18,708 versus $12,468 for females. The per capita income for the city was $6,096. About 43.4% of families and 48.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 60.3% of those under age 18 and 37.6% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Edcouch is served by the Edcouch-Elsa Independent School District.

In addition, Edcouch residents are allowed to apply to magnet schools operated by the South Texas Independent School District

References

External links

* [http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/EE/hge3.html EDCOUCH, TEXAS] ." "Handbook of Texas"