Cameron County, Texas: commercial real estate data.
Cameron County, Texas had an estimated 431,874 residents on July 1, 2024, up 2.6 percent since the 2020 census base of 421,126, across 891 square miles. County output reached $17.39 bn in 2024, 6,732 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 163 7(a) approvals worth $69.0 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Cameron County
How many people live in Cameron County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024426,120
- Households138,433
- Average household size3.08
- Median household income$52,601
- Median age32.7
- Median gross rent$912 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$136,500
- Home value to household income2.6 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income20.8 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher22.1 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree7.0 percent
- Adults 25 and over257,360
- Population under 18122,156
- Share under 1828.7 percent
- Population 65 and over60,919
- Share 65 and over14.3 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 64243,045
- Civilian labor force184,980
- Unemployment rate5.9 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over60.9 percent
- Rank by population among Texas counties13th of 254
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included173rd of 3,222
Cameron County is the 13th largest of 254 Texas counties by population. A median home costs 2.6 times median household income, which is affordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 28.7 percent against 14.3 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Cameron County
Is Cameron County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 2024431,874
- Census 2020 base population421,126
- Population change since the 2020 census base2.55 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 20243,366
- Births, 20246,170
- Deaths, 20243,233
- Natural change, 20242,937
- Net domestic migration, 2024-1,946
- Net international migration, 20242,371
- Total net migration, 2024425
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 2024-5,088
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents995th of 3,144
The county has grown 2.55 percent since the 2020 census base. The population grew in 2024 from both sources: births exceeded deaths and more people moved in than left.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Cameron County
Where are people moving to Cameron County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving5,064
- People arriving, from those returns9,688
- Tax returns filed by households leaving5,376
- Net household movement-312
- Adjusted gross income arriving$290.4 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$5.7 m
- Average income of an arriving household$57,350
- Average income of a leaving household$52,960
- Largest single originHidalgo County (758 households)
- Largest single destinationHidalgo County (995 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hidalgo County | 758 | 1,507 | $34.9 m |
| Harris County | 376 | 775 | $15.5 m |
| Bexar County | 346 | 601 | $16.2 m |
| Travis County | 173 | 248 | $9.9 m |
| Nueces County | 129 | 254 | $6.4 m |
| Willacy County | 117 | 229 | $4.7 m |
| Dallas County | 101 | 179 | $4.6 m |
| Tarrant County | 97 | 187 | $6.1 m |
Households arriving report $4,390 more average income than households leaving, so the migration is raising local spending power rather than just moving it around. The largest single source of arrivals is Hidalgo County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Cameron County
What is the Cameron County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$17.39 bn
- County GDP, 2023$16.03 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20248.4 percent
- GDP change over five years47.0 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Texas areas BEA publishes21st of 254
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes290th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$40,803
Output grew 8.4 percent in the latest year and 47.0 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Cameron County
Employment by industry in Cameron County
- Covered employment, annual average156,619
- Establishments reporting7,200
- Average annual pay$44,590
- Average weekly wage$857
- Health care and social assistance, employment46,282
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$36,440
- Retail trade, employment17,538
- Retail trade, average annual pay$33,102
- Accommodation and food services, employment17,369
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$21,179
- Administrative and support and waste management services, employment9,401
- Administrative and support and waste management services, average annual pay$36,225
- Manufacturing, employment7,110
- Professional, scientific and technical services, employment5,508
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 46,282 | 1,150 | $36,440 |
| Retail trade | 17,538 | 1,032 | $33,102 |
| Accommodation and food services | 17,369 | 836 | $21,179 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 9,401 | 314 | $36,225 |
| Manufacturing | 7,110 | 246 | $62,212 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 5,508 | 564 | $109,183 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 4,558 | 332 | $60,086 |
| Construction | 3,867 | 423 | $52,924 |
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 46,282 jobs, 29.6 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Cameron County
How many businesses are in Cameron County?
- Establishments, all industries6,732
- Employment at those establishments123,749
- Annual payroll$4.54 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents15.8
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Cameron County
Building permits in Cameron County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 20242,347
- Declared construction value permitted$461.2 m
- Single family units authorized1,668
- Multifamily units authorized679
- Multifamily share of units28.9 percent
- Average declared value per unit$196,519
- Units authorized per 1,000 households17.0
Single-family homes are 71.1 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Cameron County
SBA loans in Cameron County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded163
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$69.0 m
- Average 7(a) approval$423,476
- Median 7(a) approval$150,000
- 10th percentile approval$15,000
- 90th percentile approval$1,241,140
- Largest single approval$4,718,200
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)2,393
- Jobs per approval14.7
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active44
- Distinct industries receiving approvals89
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer14.1 percent
- Loans on real estate terms23
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter135
- Franchise loans21
- Franchise share of approvals12.9 percent
- Most active lenderWells Fargo Bank National Association (33)
- 504 approvals recorded28
- 504 gross approval dollars$17.5 m
- Average 504 approval$625,143
- Median 504 approval$390,500
- Distinct CDCs active8
- 504 jobs per approval10.1
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved16.2
- Most active CDCBrownsville Local Development Company, Inc. (18)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$86.5 m
The average approval of $423,476 sits well above the median of $150,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 14.1 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Cameron County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Cameron County
Do SBA loans in Cameron County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded20
- Paid in full17
- Charged off3
- Status: Paid in full17
- Status: Exempt from disclosure110
- Status: Cancelled23
- Status: Charged off3
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed10
Only 20 loans have reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Cameron County
SBA lending by place in Cameron County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending12
- Brownsville, approvals78
- Harlingen, approvals37
- San Benito, approvals17
- Los Fresnos, approvals16
- La Feria, approvals4
- South Padre Island, approvals3
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Brownsville | 78 | $22,210,100 |
| Harlingen | 37 | $22,027,700 |
| San Benito | 17 | $2,085,100 |
| Los Fresnos | 16 | $12,940,100 |
| La Feria | 4 | $1,840,200 |
| South Padre Island | 3 | $3,775,800 |
| Port Isabel | 2 | $3,250,000 |
| Rancho Viejo | 2 | $40,000 |
| 4 other borrower cities | 4 | $857,600 |
Brownsville accounts for 78 approvals against 37 in Harlingen. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Cameron County
How large is Cameron County?
- Land area891 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Texas counties159th of 254
- Width, east to west44.5 mi
- Height, north to south38.3 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary2
- Residents per square mile of land478
- Establishments per square mile7.56
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Cameron County
Flood risk in Cameron County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Cameron County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 480101
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book19
- Of those, participating in the NFIP19
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Communities carrying a CRS class0
- Radon levels in Cameron County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/LZone 3
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Cameron County (community 480101), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Cameron County in radon zone 3, a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Cameron County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Cameron County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024426,120
- Households138,433
- Average household size3.08
- Median household income$52,601
- Median age32.7
Common questions
Cameron County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Cameron County, Texas?
The Census Bureau estimates 431,874 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 426,120, in 138,433 households, ranking 13th of 254 Texas counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Cameron County's population growing?
The population has grown 2.55 percent since the 2020 census base of 421,126, to 431,874 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 6,170 births against 3,233 deaths, with net migration of 425. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Cameron County?
$52,601. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $136,500, which is 2.6 times income, and median gross rent is $912 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Cameron County?
6,732 establishments, employing 123,749 people with an annual payroll of $4.54 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Cameron County?
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 46,282 jobs, 29.6 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 156,619 jobs at an average annual pay of $44,590, or $857 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Cameron County?
163 7(a) approvals totaling $69.0 m since FY2020, across 44 lenders, with a median approval of $150,000, plus 28 504 approvals worth $17.5 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Cameron County?
2,347 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $461.2 m. Multifamily was 28.9 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Cameron County?
Zone 3, a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Cameron County come from?
The largest single origin is Hidalgo County, with 758 households. Arriving households report an average income of $57,350 against $52,960 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Cameron County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Cameron County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Cameron County
Cities and places in Cameron.
53 Census places lie wholly or partly in Cameron County. All 53 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brownsville | city | 189,177 | 78 | Wholly in this county |
| Harlingen | city | 72,087 | 37 | Wholly in this county |
| San Benito | city | 24,709 | 17 | Wholly in this county |
| Los Fresnos | city | 8,291 | 16 | Wholly in this county |
| La Feria | city | 6,891 | 4 | Wholly in this county |
| Cameron Park | CDP | 5,955 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Primera | town | 5,344 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Port Isabel | city | 5,111 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Laureles | CDP | 4,224 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Laguna Vista | town | 3,673 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Santa Rosa | town | 3,215 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Combes | town | 3,178 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| South Padre Island | town | 2,891 | 3 | Wholly in this county |
| Rancho Viejo | town | 2,849 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| La Paloma | CDP | 2,797 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz | CDP | 2,552 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Palm Valley | city | 2,155 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Rio Hondo | city | 1,865 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Palmer | CDP | 1,435 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Rice Tracts | CDP | 1,384 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| South Point | CDP | 1,054 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Indian Lake | town | 962 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Los Indios | town | 948 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Reid Hope King | CDP | 932 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Bayview | town | 887 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Olmito | CDP | 887 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Arroyo Colorado Estates | CDP | 856 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Las Palmas II | CDP | 808 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Santa Maria | CDP | 669 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Solis | CDP | 663 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Ratamosa | CDP | 465 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| San Pedro | CDP | 446 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Orason | CDP | 424 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| La Tina Ranch | CDP | 405 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Tierra Bonita | CDP | 405 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Green Valley Farms | CDP | 371 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Laguna Heights | CDP | 357 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Arroyo Gardens | CDP | 335 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Bixby | CDP | 294 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Villa Pancho | CDP | 294 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Chula Vista | CDP | 284 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Bluetown | CDP | 271 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Iglesia Antigua | CDP | 211 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Juarez | CDP | 196 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Lozano | CDP | 149 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| La Feria North | CDP | 134 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Rangerville | village | 112 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| El Camino Angosto | CDP | 95 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Lago | CDP | 85 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Lasana | CDP | 54 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Yznaga | CDP | 47 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Villa del Sol | CDP | 31 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Del Mar Heights | CDP | 0 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
A further 1 of the county's 163 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Cameron County, the largest being Frisco (1). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.
Nearby