Life on the border feels bigger, busier, and more global here

Webb County is home to 270,966 residents across forty incorporated and unincorporated communities, though more than ninety percent live in Laredo, the county seat and border crossing hub. Median home values sit at $162,900, with prices ranging from under $100,000 in rural colonias to over $200,000 in newer Laredo subdivisions. The county lacks comprehensive school district data, but Laredo Independent School District and United Independent School District serve the majority of students. Transportation and warehousing dominate the economy with 18,154 employees, driven by the county's role as the busiest commercial land crossing into Mexico.

Cities Compared

Laredo dominates the county with the full range of housing options from under $100,000 to over $200,000, while smaller communities like El Cenizo, Bruni, and Aguilares offer rural living on large lots at lower prices. The county's unincorporated colonias provide the most affordable land but often lack city services.

Demographics

Webb County is 94.9 percent Hispanic, with a median age of 39.5 and a deeply bicultural character shaped by centuries of cross-border ties. The population is working-class, with a median household income of $67,891 and only 14.4 percent holding bachelor's degrees.

Economy

Webb County's economy revolves around international trade, with transportation and warehousing employing 18,154 workers at an average pay of $52,696. Healthcare, retail, and hospitality round out the major sectors, supporting the logistics workforce and cross-border commerce that defines the region.

Schools

Laredo Independent School District and United Independent School District serve the vast majority of Webb County students, with schools facing the challenges common to large, economically diverse border districts. Specific performance data is limited, but families should research individual campuses based on their location within Laredo.

Cost of Living

With a median home value of $162,900 and median rent of $1,033, Webb County offers affordable housing compared to major Texas metros. Texas has no state income tax, and the sixty-five percent homeownership rate reflects accessible entry points for buyers.

About Webb County

Webb County sits at the southernmost reach of Texas, pressed against the Rio Grande where the United States meets Mexico. This is not a county of rolling suburbs and satellite towns radiating from a central hub. Nearly everything in Webb County orbits Laredo, the county seat that claims more than ninety percent of the county's 270,966 residents. The city sprawls along the river, its downtown historic district anchored by San Augustin Cathedral and the Capitol of the Republic of the Rio Grande, while newer development pushes north and east into what was once ranch land. Beyond Laredo's city limits, Webb County is overwhelmingly rural — vast stretches of thornscrub and mesquite punctuated by small communities that exist primarily as service points for ranching operations and oil field workers.

The county's geography follows the Tamaulipan mezquital ecoregion, characterized by dense brush, caliche soils, and scorching summers. Interstate 35 cuts through Laredo as it makes its final approach to the border, carrying the heaviest commercial traffic of any highway crossing into Mexico. The World Trade Bridge and other international crossings funnel billions of dollars in goods through Webb County each year, making transportation and warehousing the dominant economic engine with more than 18,000 employees. This is not a county shaped by tech campuses or suburban office parks. The economy here revolves around the logistics of moving freight between two nations, and the rhythm of daily life is set by the constant flow of trucks, trains, and trade.

Historically, Webb County was carved from Nueces County in 1848, named for James Webb, who served as attorney general and secretary of state during the Republic of Texas. The county's roots reach back much further than statehood. Villa de Laredo was founded in 1755 under Spanish colonial rule, and the layers of history are visible in the architecture of downtown — from the Republic of the Rio Grande Capitol, where Federalists opposed to Santa Anna briefly established their own government in 1840, to Casa Vidaurri and Casa Ortiz, stone homes built on Spanish land grants that still stand along the old streets. Fort McIntosh, established in 1849 along the river, housed troops who patrolled the border and escorted travelers through what was then hostile territory. The last remaining brick barracks from 1880 still stands, a reminder of when this was the edge of the frontier.

The smaller communities scattered across Webb County tell the story of oil and ranching. Mirando City, founded in 1921 by oilman Oliver Winfield Killam as the center of operations for the first commercial oil field in south Texas, once bustled with workers and their families. Today it is a shadow of its former self, like many Texas oil towns that boomed and then contracted when the wells played out. Bruni, El Cenizo, and Aguilares serve as anchors for rural residents, but none have developed into significant population centers. The county's twenty-odd incorporated places outside Laredo are mostly colonias and small unincorporated settlements where families live on large lots, often without city services.

What draws people to Webb County is not the promise of suburban amenities or highly rated school districts. The median household income of $67,891 sits slightly below the Texas average, and only 14.4 percent of residents hold bachelor's degrees. This is a working-class county where 94.9 percent of residents identify as Hispanic, and Spanish is as commonly heard as English. The culture is deeply bicultural, shaped by centuries of cross-border family ties, trade, and shared history. People come here for work in logistics, healthcare, and retail, or because they have family roots that stretch back generations. The median home value of $162,900 makes homeownership accessible, and the sixty-five percent homeownership rate reflects a population that has put down roots.

Growth in Webb County means growth in Laredo. The city has absorbed nearly all new development, adding neighborhoods in every direction as it expands outward from the historic core. The northern reaches of Laredo blend into newer subdivisions with names like Las Haciendas and Los Centenarios, where families buy new construction on modest lots. The eastern edge of the city pushes toward ranch land that may eventually be platted and developed if growth continues. Outside the city, the landscape remains stubbornly rural. This is not a county where you will find charming small towns competing for transplants from Houston or San Antonio. It is a place defined by one major city and the vast, sparsely populated territory that surrounds it.

Laredo and the Smaller Communities That Surround It

Laredo dominates Webb County to a degree rarely seen in Texas. With more than 250,000 residents spread across ninety-two distinct neighborhoods, the city functions as the economic, cultural, and governmental center for the entire region. Downtown Laredo retains its historic character, with San Augustin Cathedral anchoring the old plaza and streets lined with buildings that date to the nineteenth century. The Capitol of the Republic of the Rio Grande, where Federalists briefly established their own government in 1840, now operates as a museum. This is the heart of the city, where the oldest families have roots and where civic life still centers. Moving north from downtown, the city transitions into mid-century neighborhoods and then into newer subdivisions that spread across former ranch land. The northern reaches of Laredo, including neighborhoods like Las Haciendas and Los Centenarios, offer newer construction and larger lots, attracting families who want modern amenities while staying within the city. The eastern edge of Laredo pushes into undeveloped territory, and this is where future growth will likely occur. Housing in Laredo ranges from modest older homes near downtown that sell in the low six figures to newer builds in the northern subdivisions that approach $200,000 or more. The Laredo Independent School District and United Independent School District serve the city, with schools facing the challenges common to large, economically diverse districts. Laredo suits people who want urban amenities, access to cross-border commerce, and a deeply bicultural environment where Spanish and English coexist naturally.

El Cenizo sits just north of Laredo along the Rio Grande, a small city of fewer than 4,000 residents that functions as a residential community for people working in Laredo. The housing stock consists largely of modest single-family homes on larger lots, and the town retains a rural character despite its proximity to the city. El Cenizo made national news in 2017 when it passed a sanctuary city ordinance, reflecting the political and cultural dynamics of a border community with deep ties to Mexico. The town offers affordability and space, but few amenities or services beyond the basics. It is a place for people who want to live near Laredo without paying city prices or dealing with city density.

Mirando City, located in the northern part of Webb County, was founded in 1921 by oilman Oliver Winfield Killam as the operational center for the first commercial oil field in south Texas. At its peak, the town had schools, churches, and a bustling main street. Today, Mirando City is a near ghost town, with a population that has dwindled to fewer than 200 residents. The oil that built the town is long gone, and most of the original structures have been abandoned or demolished. A few families remain, living in older homes on large lots, but the town offers no real amenities. Mirando City is a footnote in Texas oil history, a reminder of how quickly boom can turn to bust.

Bruni, located in the northwestern corner of Webb County, is a small community that serves ranchers and oil field workers. The population hovers around 400, and the town consists of a handful of streets with older homes and mobile homes. Bruni has a post office and a few small businesses, but residents drive to Laredo for groceries, healthcare, and most other services. The town is quiet, isolated, and appeals only to people who prefer extreme rural living or who work in the surrounding oil fields and ranches.

Aguilares sits along Highway 59 in the eastern part of Webb County, a small community of fewer than 1,000 residents. Like Bruni, Aguilares functions primarily as a residential base for people working in ranching or oil. The housing stock is modest, consisting of older single-family homes and mobile homes on large lots. The town has a school, a few churches, and not much else. It is a place for people who want space, quiet, and proximity to the land, not for those seeking suburban conveniences.

The remaining communities in Webb County — places like San Carlos II, Los Altos, La Coma, Valle Verde, Los Nopalitos, Botines, Colorado Acres, Four Points, La Presa, Hillside Acres, La Moca Ranch, and Laredo Ranchettes West — are unincorporated settlements or colonias scattered across the rural parts of the county. These are not towns in the traditional sense. They are clusters of homes, often on unpaved roads, where families live on large lots with limited access to city services. Some have water and electricity, others rely on wells and septic systems. These communities exist because land is cheap and regulations are minimal, allowing families to buy property and build modest homes without the costs associated with city living. They appeal to people who value independence and affordability over amenities and infrastructure.

Identifiers

GEOID

48479

State FIPS

48

County FIPS

479

Statistics

Neighborhoods

97

Population

266,037

Geography

Type

polygon

Area

8,743 km²

Data Source

Primary Source

tiger

Census Reference

QuickFacts

Frequently Asked Questions About Webb County

What is Webb known for?

Webb County is known as the busiest commercial land crossing into Mexico, with Laredo serving as the primary gateway for trade between the United States and Latin America. The county's identity is inseparable from its border location and bicultural character, shaped by centuries of Spanish, Mexican, and Texan history. San Augustin Cathedral, the Capitol of the Republic of the Rio Grande, and Fort McIntosh stand as reminders of the region's complex past, while the World Trade Bridge and other international crossings define its present. The county is 94.9 percent Hispanic, and Spanish is as commonly spoken as English. This is not a county of suburban sprawl or tech campuses. It is a working-class region where logistics, healthcare, and retail provide the bulk of employment. The culture is deeply rooted in cross-border family ties, with many residents maintaining connections to relatives in Mexico. Webb County is known for its role in the oil boom of the early twentieth century, when Oliver Winfield Killam discovered the first commercial oil field in south Texas and founded Mirando City. Today, the county's economy revolves around moving freight, not extracting resources, but the legacy of that oil boom remains visible in the ghost towns and abandoned structures scattered across the rural landscape.

What cities are in Webb County?

Laredo is by far the largest city in Webb County, home to more than 250,000 residents and serving as the economic and cultural center of the region. The city sprawls along the Rio Grande, with a historic downtown anchored by San Augustin Cathedral and newer subdivisions spreading north and east. El Cenizo, a small city of fewer than 4,000 residents, sits just north of Laredo along the river and functions as a residential community for workers commuting into the larger city. Mirando City, founded in 1921 as the center of operations for the first commercial oil field in south Texas, is now a near ghost town with fewer than 200 residents. Bruni, in the northwestern corner of the county, is a small community of around 400 people serving ranchers and oil field workers. Aguilares, located along Highway 59, has fewer than 1,000 residents and functions primarily as a base for people working in ranching or oil. The remaining communities — including San Carlos II, Los Altos, La Coma, Valle Verde, Los Nopalitos, Botines, Colorado Acres, Four Points, La Presa, Hillside Acres, La Moca Ranch, and Laredo Ranchettes West — are unincorporated settlements or colonias where families live on large lots with limited access to city services.

Is Webb County growing?

Webb County is growing, but nearly all of that growth is concentrated in Laredo. The city has expanded steadily over the past two decades, adding neighborhoods in every direction as it absorbs new residents drawn by jobs in logistics, healthcare, and retail. The northern reaches of Laredo, including subdivisions like Las Haciendas and Los Centenarios, have seen the most new construction, with developers targeting families who want modern homes on modest lots. The eastern edge of the city is pushing into undeveloped ranch land, and this is where future growth will likely occur if current trends continue. Outside Laredo, the rural parts of Webb County remain sparsely populated and show little sign of significant development. Small communities like El Cenizo, Bruni, and Aguilares have not experienced meaningful population growth, and the unincorporated colonias scattered across the county remain largely unchanged. The county's growth is driven by its role as a border crossing and logistics hub, not by suburban migration from other Texas metros.

What is the cost of living in Webb?

Webb County offers affordable housing compared to major Texas metros, with a median home value of $162,900 and median rent of $1,033. In Laredo, housing prices range from under $100,000 for older homes near downtown to over $200,000 for new construction in northern subdivisions. Smaller communities like El Cenizo and the rural colonias offer even lower prices, with land and older homes available in the low five figures. Texas has no state income tax, which helps offset other costs, though property tax rates in Webb County are not publicly available in the provided data. The median household income of $67,891 sits slightly below the Texas average, and the cost of living reflects the working-class character of the region. Groceries, utilities, and other daily expenses are generally lower than in Austin or San Antonio, but the trade-off is fewer amenities and services. For buyers seeking affordability and homeownership, Webb County provides accessible entry points, with a sixty-five percent homeownership rate that reflects a population able to buy rather than rent.

How are the schools in Webb?

Webb County students are served primarily by Laredo Independent School District and United Independent School District, both of which face the challenges common to large, economically diverse border districts. Specific performance data and TEA ratings are not available in the provided information, but families should research individual campuses based on their location within Laredo. The county's smaller communities, including El Cenizo, Bruni, and Aguilares, have limited school options, with students often attending small campuses that serve multiple grades. The rural colonias scattered across Webb County generally fall within the boundaries of larger districts, but access to schools can be complicated by distance and transportation. Only 14.4 percent of Webb County residents hold bachelor's degrees, reflecting the limited emphasis on higher education in a region where logistics, retail, and service jobs dominate the economy. Families prioritizing highly rated schools and robust extracurricular programs may find Webb County's options limited compared to suburban districts in other parts of Texas.

What is the job market like in Webb?

Webb County's job market is dominated by transportation and warehousing, which employs 18,154 workers at an average pay of $52,696. This sector is driven by Laredo's role as the busiest commercial land crossing into Mexico, with billions of dollars in goods moving through the county each year. Healthcare and social assistance is the second-largest employer, with 17,432 workers earning an average of $35,097, followed by retail trade with 12,510 employees. Accommodation and food services, driven by cross-border traffic and local demand, employs nearly 11,000 workers, though wages average just $21,006. Wholesale trade, professional services, and finance round out the major sectors, but none approach the scale of logistics. The job market here is not about tech startups or corporate headquarters. It is about moving freight, providing healthcare, and serving the daily needs of a working-class population. For people with experience in logistics, trucking, or supply chain management, Webb County offers steady work. For those seeking high-paying professional jobs or diverse industries, options are limited.

Is Webb good for families?

Webb County can work for families who value affordability, bicultural immersion, and proximity to the border, but it is not a county with the suburban amenities and highly rated schools that draw families to other parts of Texas. Laredo offers parks, youth sports, and a full range of city services, but the school districts face the challenges common to large, economically diverse systems. Housing is affordable, with new construction in northern Laredo providing modern homes for families willing to prioritize price over prestige. The smaller communities outside Laredo offer space and quiet, but few amenities or services. Safety varies by neighborhood, with some parts of Laredo experiencing higher crime rates due to the county's border location. Families should research specific areas and schools carefully. For families with ties to Mexico or who want their children to grow up bilingual and bicultural, Webb County offers an authentic environment that cannot be replicated in suburban Austin or Dallas. For families prioritizing top-tier schools, low crime, and abundant recreational options, other Texas counties may be a better fit.

How does Webb compare to nearby areas?

Webb County differs sharply from adjacent counties due to its border location and urban concentration. Duval County to the north is rural and sparsely populated, with an economy centered on ranching and oil rather than trade. Jim Hogg County to the northeast is similarly rural, with small towns and limited economic activity. Zapata County to the northwest shares the border with Mexico but lacks a city the size of Laredo, remaining more rural and less developed. Webb County's economy, driven by international trade and logistics, dwarfs its neighbors in scale and complexity. The median home value of $162,900 is higher than in surrounding rural counties, reflecting Laredo's urban character. The bicultural identity of Webb County is more pronounced than in counties farther from the border, where Hispanic populations are smaller and English dominates. Compared to Bexar County and San Antonio to the north, Webb County is more affordable but offers fewer job opportunities outside logistics and healthcare. For people seeking border culture and affordable homeownership, Webb County stands apart. For those seeking suburban growth and diverse employment, counties closer to major metros are a better choice.

Explore Webb County with a Texas Ally Advisor

Whether you're drawn to Laredo's bicultural energy or the wide-open spaces of rural Webb County, a Texas Ally advisor can help you navigate the market and find the right property. Connect with an advisor who knows the border region and can guide your search.