Brownsville, Texas
Brownsville (/ˈbraʊnzˌvɪl/) is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the seat of Cameron County, located on the western Gulf Coast in South Texas, adjacent to the border with Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. The city covers 145.2 sq mi (376.066 km2), and had a population of 186,738 at the 2020 census.[9] As of the 2020 U.S. Census, it is the 139th-largest city in the United States and 18th-largest in Texas. It is part of the Matamoros–Brownsville metropolitan area. The city is known for its year-round subtropical climate, deep-water seaport, and Hispanic culture.
Brownsville, Texas
1848
February 7, 1853
Fort Brown, named for Jacob Brown
John Cowen
Helen Ramirez
145.19 sq mi (376.03 km2)
131.53 sq mi (340.66 km2)
13.66 sq mi (35.37 km2) 4%
370.58 sq mi (905.76 km2)
33 ft (10 m)
186,738
1,420/sq mi (548.2/km2)
216,444 (US: 178th)
3,485.3/sq mi (1,345.7/km2)
421,017 (US: 130th)
472.5/sq mi (182.4/km2)
441,181 (US: 94th)
Brownsvillian
48-10768[4]
1372749[5]
The city was founded in 1848 by American entrepreneur Charles Stillman after he developed a successful river-boat company nearby. It was named for Fort Brown, itself named after Major Jacob Brown, who fought and died while serving as a U.S. Army soldier during the Mexican–American War (1846–1848). As a county seat, the city and county governments are major employers. Other primary employers fall within the service, trade, and manufacturing industries, including a growing aerospace and space transportation sector. It operates international trading through the Port of Brownsville. The city experienced a population increase in the early 1900s, when steel production flourished.
Due to significant historical events, the city has multiple houses and battle sites listed under the National Register of Historic Places. The city played a primary role in the Mexican–American War with the Siege of Fort Texas and the first engagements of the war: The Battle of Palo Alto and The Battle of Resaca de la Palma. Several key events of the American Civil War took place in the city, such as the Battle of Brownsville and the Battle of Palmito Ranch. The city was also involved in the Texas Revolution. Brownsville's idiosyncratic geographic location has made it a wildlife refuge center. Several state parks and historical sites are protected by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Brownsville has a predominantly Hispanic population, which at 93.9% is the third-highest proportion of Hispanic Americans of any city in the United States outside of Puerto Rico.[10]
Education[edit]
Primary and secondary education[edit]
Brownsville Independent School District (BISD) serves most of the city. Enrollment in the 2018–2019 school year was 44,402 students,[140] 95% of whom are economically disadvantaged. Enrollment at BISD reached a high of 49,991 students in 2010–2011, and has declined an average of 1,000 students per year since 2014–2015.[141] It is the 17th largest school district in Texas. There are seven high schools within the district: Homer Hanna, Gladys Porter, James Pace, Simon Rivera, Lopez, BECHS, and Veterans Memorial.[142]
A portion of northern Brownsville is served by the Los Fresnos Consolidated Independent School District.[143] South Texas Independent School District, a magnet school district, operates a medical academy in northern Brownsville.[144] There are several private parochial elementary and middle schools located throughout the community.[145] The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brownsville operates Catholic schools in the Rio Grande Valley, including Brownsville.[146]
