User:Steven1947/Winter texans

Winter Texans are those people who migrate to the Texas (RGV) Rio Grande Valley, in the winter months, to escape the colder North American weather. These U.S. and Canadian citizens begin their arrival as early as September and stay as late as May to enjoy the warmer climate. In 2008 an estimated one million Winter Texans visited the Valley, which nearly doubled it's population.

The continued growth of the RGV is directly connected to these part-time Winter Texan residents who infuse millions of dollars into it's economy. The RGV retail, food and services industries make the bulk of their income during those months when the Winter Texans are present.

The Rio Grande Valley region is made up of four counties: Starr County, Hidalgo County, Willacy County, and Cameron County. It extends from the boarder, west of Roma to South Padre Island, a distance of just over 130 miles

As of January 1, 2008, the Texas State Data Center estimated the population of the Rio Grande Valley at 1,138,872.[2] Over 80% of the residents of the Valley are either "Chicano", "Spanish", "Tejano", "Hispanic" or "Latino".[]