Peñitas is a U.S. city in Hidalgo County, Texas. The population was 6,460 at the 2020 census, up from 4,403 at the 2010 census. It is part of the McAllen–Edinburg–Mission and Reynosa–McAllen metropolitan areas.

Peñitas, Texas
Coordinates: 26°13′52″N 98°26′42″W / 26.23111°N 98.44500°W / 26.23111; -98.44500
Country United States
State Texas
CountyHidalgo
Area
 • Total
9.41 sq mi (24.36 km2)
 • Land9.37 sq mi (24.26 km2)
 • Water0.04 sq mi (0.11 km2)
Elevation
145 ft (44 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
6,460
 • Density690/sq mi (270/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
78576
Area code956
FIPS code48-56696
GNIS feature ID1388195
Websitewww.cityofpenitas.com

Geography

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Peñitas is located in southwestern Hidalgo County at 26°13′52″N 98°26′42″W / 26.23111°N 98.44500°W / 26.23111; -98.44500 (26.231111, –98.445000).[2] It is bordered to the west by the city of La Joya. U.S. Route 83 runs through Peñitas, leading east 14 miles (23 km) to McAllen and west 26 miles (42 km) to Rio Grande City.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.0 square miles (10.3 km2), of which 2.0 acres (8,234 m2), or 0.08%, are water.[3]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
19901,077
20001,1678.4%
20104,403277.3%
20206,46046.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[4]

2020 census

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Peñitas ethnic composition[5]
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[a]
Ethnies Number Percentage
White (NH) 109 1.69%
Black or African American (NH) 6 0.09%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 2 0.03%
Asian (NH) 7 0.11%
Some Other ethnies (NH) 7 0.11%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) 6 0.09%
Hispanic or Latino 6,323 97.88%
Total 6,460

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 6,460 people, 1,537 households, and 1,400 families residing in the city.

2000 census

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As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 1,167 people, 319 households, and 279 families residing in the city. The population density was 582.1 inhabitants per square mile (224.8/km2). There were 421 housing units at an average density of 210.0 per square mile (81.1/km2). The ethnic makeup of the city was 83.29% White, 0.09% African American, 0.09% Native American, 16.20% from other races, and 0.34% from two or more ethnicities. Hispanic or Latino of any ethnicity were 98.03% of the population.

There were 319 households, out of which 48.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.7% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 12.5% were non-families. 10.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.66 and the average family size was 3.99.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 32.9% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,071, and the median income for a family was $28,355. Males had a median income of $21,932 versus $14,583 for females. The per capita income for the city was $8,500. About 25.4% of families and 28.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.9% of those under age 18 and 28.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education

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Peñitas is served by the La Joya Independent School District.[9][10] Schools include JFK Elementary School,[11] C. Chavez Middle School,[12] and La Joya High School.[13]

In addition, South Texas Independent School District operates magnet schools that serve the community.

Government and infrastructure

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The United States Postal Service operates the Peñitas Post Office.[14]

References

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  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  3. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Penitas city, Texas". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  4. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  5. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  6. ^ https://www.census.gov/ [not specific enough to verify]
  7. ^ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  8. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  9. ^ "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Penitas city, TX." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on September 17, 2018.
  10. ^ "SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Hidalgo County, TX." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 2, 2018.
  11. ^ "Elementary School Zones 2017-2018 Archived 2018-09-16 at archive.today." La Joya Independent School District. Retrieved on September 16, 2018.
  12. ^ "Middle School Zones 2017-2018 Archived 2018-09-16 at archive.today." La Joya Independent School District. Retrieved on September 16, 2018.
  13. ^ "High School Zones 2017-2018 Archived 2018-09-16 at archive.today." La Joya Independent School District. Retrieved on September 16, 2018.
  14. ^ "Post Office Location - PENITAS Archived 2010-05-19 at the Wayback Machine." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on May 9, 2010.
  1. ^ Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.[6][7]
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