Where is McAllen, Texas, USA?

Written and fact-checked by | Reviewed by WhereIG Editorial Team | Last updated: August 14, 2026, 18:45 ET

Where is McAllen Located? - McAllen is a city located in the Hidalgo County of Texas, United States. McAllen lies between 36.3911079 Degrees North latitudes and 86.1661024 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of McAllen, Texas

Where is McAllen, Texas

McAllen Map, Texas, USA

Where is McAllen?: The Google Map showing the location of McAllen in the U.S. state of Texas.

Where is McAllen Located?

McAllen is a city located in the Hidalgo County of Texas, United States. McAllen lies between 36.3911079 Degrees North latitudes and 86.1661024 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of McAllen city is 142210 people and the city has a total area of 65.7 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.

Most Viewed US Maps

USA Sttae MapUSA Region MapUSA Road Map
USA County MapWhere is USA in World Map?US ZIP Code Map
USA Time Zones MapUS State and Capitals MapUSA Physical Map
Looking for a U.S. City?
Find 4,400+ U.S. Cities by State - Explore Their Locations and Get Detailed Information

McAllen, Texas Quick Facts

AttributeDetails
CityMcAllen
CountyHidalgo County
StateTexas
State CapitalAustin
US RegionSouthern United States (West South Central Region)
Latitude26.2034° N
Longitude98.2300° W
Elevation112 ft (34 m)
Land Area61.29 sq mi
Water Area0.28 sq mi
Total Area61.57 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)142,210
Population Density2,320 per sq mi
ZIP Code(s)78501, 78502, 78503, 78504
Area Code(s)956
Time Zone StandardCentral Standard Time (CST, UTC−6)
Time Zone DaylightCentral Daylight Time (CDT, UTC−5)
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code48-45384
Congressional DistrictTexas's 15th Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in McAllen

CategoryDetails
Airport NameMcAllen International Airport
IATA CodeMFE
Major HighwaysU.S. Route 83, Interstate 2, U.S. Route 281, State Highway 107
International Border AccessLocated near the U.S.–Mexico border with connections to Reynosa, Tamaulipas
Local Transit ServiceMcAllen Metro public transportation system
  • McAllen is located in Hidalgo County, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley.
  • The city is one of the largest communities in South Texas and serves as a regional center for commerce, healthcare, education, and culture.
  • McAllen is known for its international trade, birding destinations, shopping districts, and strong cultural connections with Mexico.
  • The city developed from an agricultural settlement into a major metropolitan area along the U.S.–Mexico border.

Top Places to Visit in McAllen, Texas

Landmark NameType
Quinta MazatlánHistoric Nature Center
McAllen Botanical GardensBotanical Garden
International Museum of Art & ScienceMuseum
McAllen Heritage CenterHistory Museum
17th Street Entertainment DistrictEntertainment District
Fireman's ParkCommunity Park
Town Lake at Firemen's ParkRecreation Area
McAllen Performing Arts CenterPerforming Arts Venue
World Birding Center – Quinta MazatlánBirding and Nature Area
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge (nearby)Wildlife Refuge

Driving Distances from McAllen, Texas to Nearby Cities

CityState/CountryDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
EdinburgTexas1015 minutes
MissionTexas815 minutes
WeslacoTexas2025 minutes
HarlingenTexas4550 minutes
BrownsvilleTexas601 hour 15 minutes
Corpus ChristiTexas1502 hours 30 minutes
LaredoTexas1602 hours 45 minutes
San AntonioTexas2404 hours
AustinTexas3005 hours
HoustonTexas3505 hours 30 minutes

Colleges and Universities Near McAllen, Texas

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyPublicResearch UniversityMedicine, engineering, business, education, and research
South Texas CollegePublicCommunity CollegeWorkforce training, technology, healthcare, and transfer programs
Texas State Technical College – Harlingen CampusPublicTechnical CollegeEngineering technology, manufacturing, healthcare, and technical education
Texas A&M University–KingsvillePublicUniversityAgriculture, engineering, education, and sciences
Texas Southmost CollegePublicCommunity CollegeAcademic transfer, workforce education, and career programs

Waterbodies Near McAllen, Texas

McAllen is located in Hidalgo County in the Rio Grande Valley. Major nearby water resources include the Rio Grande River, Resaca waterways, Arroyo Colorado, and Falcon Reservoir. These waterways support agriculture, wildlife habitats, fishing, and outdoor recreation.

Stadiums and Sports Facilities in McAllen

McAllen features sports and recreation facilities including H-E-B Park, McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium, Denny's Field, and municipal recreation centers. H-E-B Park hosts professional soccer events and serves as a major sports and entertainment venue in the Rio Grande Valley.

McAllen, Texas — Key Historical Facts

  • McAllen was founded in 1904 and named after John McAllen, a Scottish immigrant and landowner associated with the area's early development.
  • The arrival of the railroad helped establish McAllen as an agricultural shipping and trading center.
  • The fertile Rio Grande Valley supported the growth of citrus farming, vegetables, cotton, and other agricultural industries.
  • McAllen developed into an important commercial center due to its location near the U.S.–Mexico border.
  • The city experienced significant population growth during the twentieth century through agriculture, international trade, healthcare, and tourism.
  • McAllen became known as a major birding destination because of its location along important migratory routes.
  • Today, McAllen is recognized for its diverse culture, international commerce, medical services, education, shopping, and role as a regional hub in South Texas.

References

Texas Maps and Info

Texas County MapMap of Texas CitiesTexas Blank MapTexas River MapTexas Map
Where TexasWhere is LubbockWhere is WacoAirports in TexasTexas Zipcodes
Where is DallasWhere is Fort WorthWhere is ArlingtonWhere is AustinWhere is Corpus Christi
Where is El PasoWhere is GarlandWhere is HoustonWhere is iIrvingWhere is Laredo