Brownsville–Harlingen metropolitan area

The Brownsville–Harlingen Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of one county–Cameron–in the Rio Grande Valley region of South Texas, anchored by the cities of Brownsville and Harlingen. The 2012 U.S. Census Bureau estimate places its metropolitan area population at 415,557, ranking as the eighth most populous metropolitan area in the state of Texas. It is also a component of the Brownsville–Harlingen–Raymondville combined statistical area, which covers two counties (Cameron and Willacy) and had an estimated population of 416,766 as of July 1, 2009.[1]

Brownsville–Harlingen metropolitan area
Metropolitan statistical area
Brownsville–Harlingen Metropolitan Statistical Area
Map of Texas highlighting the Brownsville–Harlingen MSA covering Cameron County
Country	United States
State(s)	Texas
Largest city	Brownsville
Area
• Total	1,602.2 sq mi (4,150 km2)
Population  (2012 including Cameron County)
• Total	415,557
• Rank	126th in the U.S.

Brownsville is frequently cited as having one of the highest poverty rates in the United States, with more than 35% of area residents living under the federal poverty line. The typical Brownsville-Harlingen, Texas household earns $32,093 a year, or $21,564 less than the typical American household. 64.6% of Brownsville area adults have at least a high school diploma, 22.3 percentage points fewer than the national average. About 29% of area households rely on food stamps, the third highest percentage of any metro area in the country.[2]