Hidalgo County

Administrative district in the far south of Texas; area 4,064 sq km/1,569 sq mi, population (1990) 383,500. This winter resort and farming area on the Rio Grande produces a high percentage of the state's citrus crop. The county seat is at Edinburg; other important municipalities include McAllen, Mission, Pharr, and Mercedes.

Vegetable and cotton farming and livestock ranching are also significant in Hidalgo County, as is the processing of regional crops and livestock. There are gas and oil refineries, clay mines, and brick and tile works.