Power of the Purse: Contributions of Hispanic Americans in the Rio Grande Valley

New research from the American Immigration Council underscores the crucial role Hispanic Texans play in the Rio Grande Valley’s labor force, population growth, and economy. This new fact sheet was prepared in partnership with the Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Texans for Economic Growth.

Key Findings:

• Hispanic Texans in the Rio Grande Valley contribute more than $4 billion in taxes and hold nearly $15 billion in spending power. In 2019, Hispanic households earned $19.1 billion in income, with $2.6 billion going to federal taxes and $1.7 billion going to state and local taxes, leaving them with $14.8 billion in spending power that can be reinvested in local communities. Robust consumer spending by Hispanic households supports small businesses and keeps local economic corridors vibrant.
• Hispanic Texans are helping drive population growth in the Rio Grande Valley. The Hispanic population grew by 10.6 percent from 89.6 percent of the total population in 2010 to 91.5 percent in 2019, reaching nearly 1.3 million.
• Hispanic Texans play a crucial role in the region’s labor force. In 2019, 59.6 percent of the overall Hispanic population and 55 percent of the foreign-born Hispanic population, were active in the labor force, compared with 46.5 percent of the non-Hispanic population.
• Hispanic Texans in the region hold substantial voting power. In 2019, the Hispanic population made up 87.7 percent of eligible voters in the region, including Hispanic naturalized citizens, who on their own made up 13.3 percent.