The community was named after sugar planter Henry Newton Pharr. In 1900 Henry N. Pharr for a number of years was a director of the State National Bank of New Iberia, Louisiana, and was a former president of the Louisiana - Rio Grande Sugar Company and the Louisiana - Rio Grande Canal Company, which at one time owned and which, in 1910, built the town of Pharr on this land. Pharr has grown rapidly since the late 20th century, from a population of 32,921 in 1990 to an estimated 77,320 in 2016. In 1987 Pharr annexed Las Milpas. In 2006, Pharr received "The All America City" award.
Climate
Pharr has a humid subtropical climate, similar to that of the Tampa Bay Area of Florida but with less precipitation and slightly higher summer maximum temperatures. The average high in January is, and the average low is. In August the average high is, and the average low is. The warm season is long, with average highs and lows similar to August's from June through September. The average annual precipitation is. Most precipitation occurs in the warm season, with the least precipitation distinctly occurring in the cooler winter. As September is the peak of the north Atlantic hurricane season and tropical storms and hurricanes occasionally drop copious amounts of rainfall on the region, this month tends to be by far the wettest, averaging of precipitation. The driest month is March, with of precipitation. Despite frequent temperatures above, occasionally as early as February and as late as the end of October, the highest temperature ever recorded in Pharr is, once in 1998 and once in 1999. The lowest temperature ever recorded in Pharr is, on January 12, 1962, which is far lower than would be expected at the same latitude in Florida or on the west coast of North America, due to Pharr's location closer to the middle of the continent.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 46,660 people, 12,798 households, and 10,878 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,240.2 people per square mile. There were 16,537 housing units at an average density of 794.0 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 79.46% White, 0.24% African American, 0.72% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 17.29% from other races, and 2.04% from two or more races. 90.62% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 12,798 households out of which 47.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.2% were married couples living together, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.0% were non-families. 13.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.64 and the average family size was 4.02. In the city, the population was spread out with 34.8% under the age of 18, 11.3% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 15.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.7 males. The median income for a household in the city was $24,333, and the median income for a family was $25,916. Males had a median income of $19,169 versus $16,737 for females. The per capita income for the city was $9,462. 35.5% of the population and 30.8% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 46.6% of those under the age of 18 and 23.1% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Government and infrastructure
Pharr City Hall is located at 118 S Cage Blvd - Pharr, Texas 78577. The Innovation & Technology department operates its official website, as well as its local government television on Time Warner Cable channel 17.12. All current social media platforms are used to allow for interactive governmental operations. The Pharr–Reynosa International Bridge is operated by the city of Pharr. The Texas Department of Transportation operates the Pharr District Office in Pharr. The United States Postal Service operates the Pharr Post Office in Pharr.
Transportation
Highways
Pharr has I-2/U.S. 83 as its major east–west artery. U.S. 281 runs north–south through the city and intersects I-2/U.S. 83 at the center of the city and continues south to the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge. From I-2/U.S. 83 at the center of the city north to Edinburg, U.S. 281 is co-signed with I-69C.
