Editing Del Rio, Texas

{{Short description|City in the United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Del Rio, Texas
| official_name            = City of Del Rio
| image_skyline            = City Hall Municipal Building, Del Rio, Texas.jpg
| image_caption            = City Hall
| image_size               = 250px
| image_blank_emblem       = Del Rio, TX Logo.png
| blank_emblem_type        = Logo
| image_map                = File:ValVerde County DelRio.svg
| mapsize                  = 250px
| map_caption              = Location of Del Rio, Texas
<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = United States
| subdivision_type1        = State
| subdivision_name1        = [[Texas]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Texas|County]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Val Verde County, Texas|Val Verde]]
<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = [[Council-manager government|Council-Manager]]
| leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name              = 
| leader_title1            = [[City Manager]]
| leader_name1             = 
| established_title        = 
| established_date         = 
| established_title2       = <!-- Incorporated (town) -->
| established_date2        = 
| established_title3       = <!-- Incorporated (city) -->
| established_date3        = 
<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref                = Imperial
| area_total_km2           = 53.12
| area_total_sq_mi         = 20.51
| area_land_km2            = 52.94
| area_land_sq_mi          = 20.44
| area_water_km2           = 0.18
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.07
<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_note          = 
| settlement_type          = [[City (Texas)|City]]
| population_total         = 34,673
| population_density_sq_mi = 1749.60
| population_density_km2   = 675.53
<!-- General information -->
| timezone                = CST
| utc_offset              = −6
| timezone_DST            = CST
| utc_offset_DST          = −5
| coordinates             = {{coord|29|22|15|N|100|52|48|W|region:US-TX|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes     = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft            = 984
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
| postal_code_type        = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code             = 78840-78843, 78847
| area_code               = [[Area code 830|830]]
| area_code_type          = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| blank_name              = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info              = 48-19792
| blank1_name             = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info             = 2410316<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2410316}}</ref>
| website                 = [http://www.cityofdelrio.com/ CityOfDelRio.com]
| footnotes               = 
}}

'''Del Rio''' (in [[Spanish language|Spanish]], ''Del Río'', "from the river") is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Val Verde County, Texas|Val Verde County]]<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=2011-06-07 |title=Find a County |website=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=2011-05-31 }}</ref> in southwestern [[Texas]], United States. As of [[2020 United States census|2020]], Del Rio had a population of 34,673.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/all?q=Del%20Rio%20city,%20Texas | title=Explore Census Data }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mayor |url=https://www.cityofdelrio.com/government/mayor |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=City of Del Rio |language=en}}</ref>

==History==
The Spanish established a small settlement south of the [[Rio Grande]] in present-day Mexico, and some Spanish colonists settled on the north side of the Rio Grande as early as the 18th century. 

The United States acquired the territory following the Mexican War and, after the American Civil War, [[Paula Losoya Taylor]] in 1862 was the first Anglo-American to build a ''[[hacienda]] '' in the area.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/12013771/|title=Early Del Rioans Fought to Survive|last=Zumwalt|first=Glenda|date=4 July 1977|work=Del Rio News Herald|access-date=29 June 2017|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> 

[[San Felipe Springs]], about {{convert|8|mi|0|abbr=on}} east of the Rio Grande on the U.S. side of the border, has historically produced  {{convert|90|e6USgal|m3|abbr=on}} of water a day. This was critical to the arid region. Developers acquired several thousand acres of land adjacent to the springs, and to San Felipe Creek formed by the springs, from the state of Texas in exchange for building a canal system to irrigate the area. 

The developers sold tracts of land surrounding the canals to recover their investment and show a profit. The initial investors (William C. Adams, Joseph M. Hudson, John P. Grove, Donald Jackson, John Perry, Joseph Ney, Randolph Pafford, A. O. Strickland, and James H Taylor) formed the San Felipe Agricultural, Manufacturing, and Irrigation Company in 1868. The organization completed construction of a network of irrigation canals in 1871 to support agriculture. Residents referred to the slowly developing town as San Felipe Del Rio. Local lore among the [[Tejano]]s said the name came from early Spanish explorers, who offered a mass at the site on St. Philip's Day, 1635.

In 1883, local residents requested a post office be established. The United States Postal Department shortened "San Felipe del Rio" to "Del Rio" to avoid confusion with San Felipe de Austin. In 1885, Val Verde County was organized and Del Rio was designated as the county seat. The City of Del Rio was incorporated on November 15, 1911.

The San Felipe community was started by the Arteaga family. Arteaga Street and Arteaga Park are named after them. Together the communities are still part of a rural region.

Ranchers and farmers recruited Mexican workers during the early decades of the 20th century, especially during World War II, when so many American men were at war. After the war, the government withdrew visas and deported workers, including some who were citizens, as well as children born here.

Like many border communities, Del Rio has been affected in the early 21st century by migrants arriving from Mexico, Central and South America. Migrants from the Caribbean have also crossed the border here.

In September 2021, approximately 30,000 [[Haiti|Haitian]] migrants crossed the border at Del Rio.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Chappell|first=Bill|date=2021-09-24|title=Haitian Migrants Have Now Been Cleared From Del Rio Border Camp, U.S. Says|language=en|work=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/09/24/1040446618/biden-border-agents-horses-haiti-migrants-dangerous-wrong|access-date=2021-09-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925002044/https://www.npr.org/2021/09/24/1040446618/biden-border-agents-horses-haiti-migrants-dangerous-wrong|archive-date=2021-09-25}}</ref> The [[United States Border Patrol]] moved many to a camp underneath the [[Del Río–Ciudad Acuña International Bridge]].<ref name=":0" /> The squalid conditions in the camp attracted widespread national attention.<ref name=":0" />

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|52.3|sqkm|abbr=on}}, of which {{convert|52.2|sqkm|abbr=on}} are land and {{convert|0.1|sqkm|abbr=on}}, or 0.24%, is covered by water.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Del Rio city, Texas |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=February 1, 2012 }}</ref>

Del Rio lies on the northwestern edges of the [[Tamaulipan mezquital]], also called the South Texas brush country. It is also near the southwestern corner of the [[Edwards Plateau]], which is the western fringe of the famous, oak savanna-covered [[Texas Hill Country]]; that area is dotted with numerous small springs; one of these is the San Felipe Springs, which provides a constant flow of water to San Felipe Creek. The creek supplied fresh water for drinking and irrigation to early settlers of Del Rio, and the springs are still the town's water supply.

The Del Rio region, to just west of the [[Pecos River]], has a mix of desert shrub and steppe vegetation depending on soil type, with the gray-leafed cenizo (''[[Leucophyllum]]'' spp.), several different acacias, cacti, and grama grasses dominant members of local flora. The terrain is mostly level, but some areas are dissected with substantial canyons and drainages, though none of the upland areas are elevated enough to be considered mountains.

===Climate===
Del Rio experiences a [[hot semi-arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''BSh'') with mild winters and hot, humid summers. High dewpoint temperatures occur during much of the warmer months, due to the terrain and prevailing surface winds from the southeast. In the spring and fall seasons, severe thunderstorms often build on the [[Serranías del Burro]] to the distant west of Del Rio, occasionally affecting Del Rio and uplands to the north. This occurs due to the uplift of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico which is channeled along the Rio Grande, combined with intense heating of lowland areas or frontal and dryline activity.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spc.noaa.gov/publications/edwards/delburro.pdf|title=SUPERCELLS OF THE SERRANIAS DEL BURRO (MEXICO)|last=Edwards|first=Roger}}</ref> Temperatures peak in late summer and then quickly drop during autumn.

{{Weather box
|location = [[Del Rio International Airport]], Texas (1991–2020 normals,{{efn|Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the highest and lowest temperature readings during an entire month or year) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.}} extremes 1905–present)
|single line = Yes
|collapsed = Y
|Jan record high F = 92
|Feb record high F = 99
|Mar record high F = 103
|Apr record high F = 107
|May record high F = 112
|Jun record high F = 115
|Jul record high F = 112
|Aug record high F = 113
|Sep record high F = 110
|Oct record high F = 106
|Nov record high F = 96
|Dec record high F = 91

|Jan avg record high F = 81.4
|Feb avg record high F = 87.4
|Mar avg record high F = 92.1
|Apr avg record high F = 97.9
|May avg record high F = 102.0
|Jun avg record high F = 103.3
|Jul avg record high F = 104.4
|Aug avg record high F = 104.1
|Sep avg record high F = 100.2
|Oct avg record high F = 94.6
|Nov avg record high F = 85.4
|Dec avg record high F = 80.0
|year avg record high F = 106.9

|Jan high F = 67.5
|Feb high F = 72.7
|Mar high F = 80.1
|Apr high F = 87.0
|May high F = 93.1
|Jun high F = 98.4
|Jul high F = 100.4
|Aug high F = 101.0
|Sep high F = 93.8
|Oct high F = 85.6
|Nov high F = 74.8
|Dec high F = 67.8
|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 55.6
|Feb mean F = 60.5
|Mar mean F = 68.1
|Apr mean F = 74.9
|May mean F = 82.1
|Jun mean F = 87.7
|Jul mean F = 89.5
|Aug mean F = 89.9
|Sep mean F = 83.5
|Oct mean F = 74.8
|Nov mean F = 63.7
|Dec mean F = 56.1
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 43.6
|Feb low F = 48.4
|Mar low F = 56.1
|Apr low F = 62.8
|May low F = 71.1
|Jun low F = 77.0
|Jul low F = 78.7
|Aug low F = 78.8
|Sep low F = 73.3
|Oct low F = 64.1
|Nov low F = 52.5
|Dec low F = 44.3
|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 26.9
|Feb avg record low F = 29.8
|Mar avg record low F = 35.2
|Apr avg record low F = 43.8
|May avg record low F = 55.0
|Jun avg record low F = 67.0
|Jul avg record low F = 70.4
|Aug avg record low F = 70.5
|Sep avg record low F = 58.2
|Oct avg record low F = 42.8
|Nov avg record low F = 33.1
|Dec avg record low F = 27.4
|year avg record low F = 24.4

|Jan record low F = 12
|Feb record low F = 11
|Mar record low F = 19
|Apr record low F = 33
|May record low F = 45
|Jun record low F = 49
|Jul record low F = 63
|Aug record low F = 60
|Sep record low F = 43
|Oct record low F = 28
|Nov record low F = 17
|Dec record low F = 10

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.61
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.63
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.18
|Apr precipitation inch = 1.50
|May precipitation inch = 3.06
|Jun precipitation inch = 2.32
|Jul precipitation inch = 1.48
|Aug precipitation inch = 2.69
|Sep precipitation inch = 2.63
|Oct precipitation inch = 2.08
|Nov precipitation inch = 0.91
|Dec precipitation inch = 0.70
|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 3.9
|Feb precipitation days = 4.5
|Mar precipitation days = 5.0
|Apr precipitation days = 5.0
|May precipitation days = 7.0
|Jun precipitation days = 5.2
|Jul precipitation days = 3.7
|Aug precipitation days = 4.2
|Sep precipitation days = 5.9
|Oct precipitation days = 5.5
|Nov precipitation days = 4.4
|Dec precipitation days = 4.4

|Jan snow inch = 0.0
|Feb snow inch = 0.1
|Mar snow inch = 0.0
|Apr snow inch = 0.0
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.0
|Nov snow inch = 0.0
|Dec snow inch = 0.0
|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 0.0
|Feb snow days = 0.1
|Mar snow days = 0.0
|Apr snow days = 0.0
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.0
|Nov snow days = 0.0
|Dec snow days = 0.0

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USW00022010&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Del Rio INTL AP, TX
|access-date = July 3, 2023
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=ewx
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS San Antonio
|access-date = July 3, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

==Demographics==

{{US Census population
| 1880 = 50
| 1890 = 1980
| 1900 = 2098
| 1910 = 5688
| 1920 = 10589
| 1930 = 11693
| 1940 = 13343
| 1950 = 14211
| 1960 = 18612
| 1970 = 21330
| 1980 = 30034
| 1990 = 30705
| 2000 = 33867
| 2010 = 35591
| 2020 = 34673
| align-fn = center
| footnote = [https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html U.S. Decennial Census]<br />[https://web.archive.org/web/20140320184712/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/48/4819792.html]
}}

===2020 census===

{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Del Rio racial composition'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US4819792&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><br> (''NH = Non-Hispanic''){{efn|Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.<ref>{{cite web |title=About the Hispanic Population and its Origin |url=https://www.census.gov/topics/population/hispanic-origin/about.html |website=www.census.gov |access-date=18 May 2022}}</ref>}}
!Race
!Number
!Percentage
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] (NH)
|4,530
|13.06%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] (NH)
|383
|1.1%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] (NH)
|36
|0.1%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] (NH)
|247
|0.71%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] (NH)
|23
|0.07%
|-
|Some Other Race (NH)
|61
|0.18%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed/Multi-Racial]] (NH)
|319
|0.92%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]]
|29,074
|83.85%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''34,673'''
|
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 34,673 people, 12,300 households, and 8,898 families residing in the city.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, 33,867 people, 10,778 households, and 8,514 families resided in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,194.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The 11,895 housing units averaged a density of 770.6 per square mile (297.5/km{{sup|2}}). The [[Race (United States Census)|racial makeup]] of the city was 13.05% White American, 7.21% African American, 0.70% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 17.79% from other races, and 2.68% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 81.04% of the population.

Of the 10,778 households, 42.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.3% were married couples living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.0% were not families. About 18.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.09 and the average family size was 3.56.

In the city, the population was distributed as 31.7% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,387, and for a family was $30,788. Males had a median income of $27,255 versus $17,460 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $12,199. About 22.9% of families and 27.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 35.8% of those under age 18 and 26.4% of those age 65 or over.

===Micropolitan area===

Del Rio is the principal city of the Del Rio [[United States micropolitan area|micropolitan statistical area]], which includes all of Val Verde County;<ref>[https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/omb/bulletins/fy2008/b08-01.pdf Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081117030421/http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/bulletins/fy2008/b08-01.pdf |date=2008-11-17 }}, [[Office of Management and Budget]], 2007-11-20.  Accessed 2008-12-10.</ref> the micropolitan area had an estimated population over 50,000 in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metro_general/2006/CBSA-EST2006-01.csv |title=Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2006 (CBSA-EST2006-01) |format=[[comma-separated values|CSV]] |work=2006 Population Estimates |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]], Population Division |date=2007-04-05 |access-date=2007-04-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070914155415/http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metro_general/2006/CBSA-EST2006-01.csv |archive-date=September 14, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Located across from Del Rio, in the Mexican state of [[Coahuila]], is the city of [[Ciudad Acuña]], with a city population of 201,161.

==Economy==
===Laughlin Air Force Base===
In 1942, the [[United States Army Air Corps|Army Air Corps]] opened Laughlin Field {{convert|9|mi|abbr=on}} east of Del Rio, as a training base for the [[Martin B-26]], but the base was deactivated in 1945. As the [[Cold War]] pressures built, along with new border-control issues, Laughlin Field was rebuilt and renamed [[Laughlin Air Force Base]] and was again used as a home for flight training. Laughlin plays a large part in the Del Rio community as the area's largest employer. Today 
Laughlin Air Force Base is the largest pilot training base in the Air Force.

===Val Verde Correctional Facility===
The [[GEO Group]], a private correctional facility corporation based in [[Boca Raton, Florida]], manages the [[Val Verde Correctional Facility]] in Del Rio. It has a contract to house offenders for the county, for the [[U.S. Marshals Service]] (male/female) prisoners, and [[United States Customs and Border Protection|U.S. Customs and Border Protection]] detainees. The facility opened in 2001 with 688 beds. In 2007, the facility was expanded to its current capacity of 1,400 beds. It is one of the major employers in the Del Rio area and meets standards required by state and federal guidelines.

==Arts and culture==
Some of the earliest surviving cultural artefacts in the region are various [[Pictogram|pictographs]] found in local caverns in and near the town. Some of these pictographs date back 4,200 years, when the people of [[Pre-Columbian era|precontact]] cultures in the region created pictographs in the caverns of the Lower Pecos Canyonlands Archeological District, a proposed [[National Historic Landmark]].<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-09-28|title=Lower Pecos Canyonlands Archeological District|url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalhistoriclandmarks/upload/2020-September-Lower-Pecos-Canyonlands-Redacted-508-FINAL-FOR-SECRETARY-part01-reduced.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506145316/https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalhistoriclandmarks/upload/2020-September-Lower-Pecos-Canyonlands-Redacted-508-FINAL-FOR-SECRETARY-part01-reduced.pdf|archive-date=2021-05-06|access-date=2021-09-26|website=www.nps.gov|publisher=[[National Park Service]]}}</ref>{{Rp|page=1}} The pictographs are preserved in part by the Shumla Archaeological Research and Education Center, a local group that  documents the pictographs, and creates educational material about them.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Us|url=https://shumla.org/about-us/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908215547/https://shumla.org/about-us/|archive-date=2021-09-08|access-date=2021-09-26|website=shumla.org|publisher=Shumla Archaeological Research and Education Center}}</ref>

The Whitehead Memorial Museum carries on the history of the culture created in Del Rio. It also includes mementos of [[Roy Bean|Judge Roy Bean]].

The Laughlin Heritage Museum Foundation educates the public about the importance of air power in sustaining the national security of the United States, and to preserve the heritage of [[Laughlin Air Force Base|Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas.]]

Del Rio is home to the oldest continuously running winery in Texas, the Val Verde Winery. The winery was established in 1883 by Italian immigrant Frank Qualia. He brought with him his family tradition of winemaking. Today, the winery is operated by third-generation vintner Thomas Qualia. [[File:Brown Plaza.jpg|alt=|thumb|Brown Plaza in Del Rio]]A cultural melting pot, Del Rio is home to people of a mix of ethnic and racial backgrounds, including [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]], [[Black Seminole]], [[Mestizo]], and [[Tejanos|Tejano]]. 

Del Rio offers a variety of Southwestern cuisine including: [[Tex-Mex]], steakhouses, [[Barbecue in Texas|barbecue]], [[Mexican cuisine|authentic Mexican food]], and [[Pan dulce|''Pan Dulce'']] or [[Pan dulce|Mexican pastries]].

The Upstagers have been performing award-winning live theater in Del Rio since 1977.

The Casa de la Cultural is a non-profit organization that has provided community-focused outlets for the youth and adults in Del Rio for over 40 years. It offers a revolving variety of classes based on the educational and cultural needs of the community, such as: [[Ballet Folklorico]], Guitar, Singing, Knitting, Pottery, Art Camps, [[Zumba|Latino Aerobics]] and Literacy classes. In the early 2000s, the Casa de la Cultura began Noches Musicales, a live summer music festival with food vendors and live music. The Casa de la Cultura celebrated their 14th annual Live Music Festival in June 2021.



The Del Rio Council for the Arts provides affordable arts and education and entertainment to the community and its surrounding areas. [[File:Paul Poag Theatre.jpg|alt=|thumb|Paul Poag Theatre]]

Del Rio is home to the annual event of the George Paul Memorial Bullriding, which is the oldest such stand-alone event in the world.<ref name="paul">[http://www.georgepaulmemorialbullriding.com/ George Paul Memorial Bullriding. Retrieved: May 13, 2011.]</ref>

Some of the most notable celebrations in the community include:  Cinco de Mayo, the July 4th Independence Day City-Wide Celebration, [[Cry of Dolores|16 de Septiembre]], Fiesta de Amistad, and the Fiesta of Flight Air Show. Del Rio held its first ever [[Pride parade|Pride]] event in June 2019.

Del Rio is home to [[consulate]]s of [[Guatemala]] and Mexico.<ref>{{cite web|last=Barrio|first=Luis|date=2019-08-26|title=Guatemalan Consulate reaches out to the community|url=https://www.kgns.tv/content/news/Guatemalan-Consulate--558323141.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924165909/https://www.kgns.tv/content/news/Guatemalan-Consulate--558323141.html|archive-date=2019-09-24|access-date=2021-09-26|website=[[KGNS-TV]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2021-05-04|title=Ubicación y horarios|trans-title=Location and hours|url=https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/delrio/index.php/representacion/contacto|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926214727/https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/delrio/index.php/representacion/contacto|archive-date=2021-09-26|access-date=2021-09-26|publisher=[[Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (Mexico)]]|language=es}}</ref>

The area is home to various [[Religion in the United States|religious groups]] including: [[Christianity|Christian]], [[Baptists|Baptist]], [[Catholic Church|Catholic]], [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal]], [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]], [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]], [[Methodist Episcopal Church|Methodist]], [[Nondenominational Christianity|Non-Denominational]], [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]], [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]], [[Baptism with the Holy Spirit|Spirit-Filled]], [[Judaism]], [[Seventh-day Adventist Church|Seventh Day Adventist]], and many more.

==Education==
The city is served by the [[San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District]]. About 10,450 students are enrolled and 637 teachers are employed at 14 campuses throughout the district.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}} Del Rio is also home to Del Rio Heritage Academy High School, and Premier High School, two [[charter school]]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Del Rio|url=https://heritageacademy.net/del-rio/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908180944/https://heritageacademy.net/del-rio/|archive-date=2021-09-08|access-date=2021-09-26|website=heritageacademy.net|publisher=Heritage Academy|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Premier High School - Del Rio|url=https://premierhighschools.com/del-rio/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908180932/https://premierhighschools.com/del-rio/|archive-date=2021-09-08|access-date=2021-09-26|website=premierhighschools.com|publisher=Premier High Schools|language=en}}</ref>

===Higher education===
Two four-year [[University|universities]] have campuses in Del Rio: [[Sul Ross State University]] and [[Park University]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The Del Rio Campus|url=https://www.sulross.edu/the-del-rio-campus/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908223034/https://www.sulross.edu/the-del-rio-campus/|archive-date=2021-09-08|access-date=2021-09-26|website=www.sulross.edu|publisher=[[Sul Ross State University]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Laughlin AFB Campus Center|url=https://a2e.park.edu/location/park-university-at-laughlin-afb-in-del-rio-tx/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908055219/http://a2e.park.edu/location/park-university-at-laughlin-afb-in-del-rio-tx/|archive-date=2017-09-08|access-date=2021-09-26|website=a2e.park.edu|publisher=[[Park University]]}}</ref>

[[Southwest Texas Junior College]], a two-year [[community college]], has a campus in Del Rio.<ref>{{cite web|title=Del Rio|url=https://www.swtjc.edu/about/locations-and-maps/del-rio.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814012501/https://www.swtjc.edu/about/locations-and-maps/del-rio.html|archive-date=2021-08-14|access-date=2021-09-26|website=www.swtjc.edu|publisher=[[Southwest Texas Junior College]]}}</ref>[[File:Del Rio, Texas (circa 1910-1930).jpg|thumb|right|Main Street, circa 1910-1930]]

==Media==
=== Print ===
The ''[[Del Rio News-Herald]]'' was a [[daily newspaper]] published in Del Rio, covering [[Val Verde County, Texas|Val Verde County]], and was owned by [[Southern Newspapers]] Inc.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://delrionewsherald.com/site/about/|title=Del Rio News-Herald|publisher= Del Rio News-Herald|access-date=August 14, 2012}}</ref> The newspaper had a daily circulation of 10,400 and a Sunday circulation of 13,500.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://sninews.com/|title=Southern Newspapers|publisher= Southern Newspapers |access-date=August 14, 2012}}</ref> After disruption and losses during the first year of the [[Covid 19 pandemic]], the newspaper closed in November 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/11/18/del-rio-news-herald-announces-closure-final-edition-to-be-published-wednesday/|title=Del Rio News-Herald announces closure; final edition to be published Wednesday|date=Nov 18, 2020|website=KSAT|access-date=Sep 20, 2021}}</ref>

In 2020, ''The 830 Times,'' a local news website covering Del Río and the wider region of Southwest Texas, launched its print and online newspaper. It is published weekly.

=== Radio ===
There are multiple radio stations licensed to the area in and around Del Rio including, [[KDLK-FM]], [[KTDR]], [[KVFE]], [[KWMC (AM)|KWMC]], [[KDRN]], [[Texas Public Radio|KTPD]], [[American Family Radio|KDLI]].

In 2014, [[KVFE]], a Christian station owned by Inspiracom, was launched to fill one of the ministry's remaining gaps on the US–Mexico border.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rbr.com/kvfe-fm-launches-in-texas/|date=February 19, 2014|title=KVFE-FM launches in Texas|work=RBR|access-date=August 15, 2019}}</ref>

In 2016, [[Texas Public Radio]] opened a transmitter in Del Rio.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tpr.org/post/texas-public-radio-expands-del-rio|work=Texas Public Radio|title=Texas Public Radio Expands To Del Rio|date=May 5, 2016|access-date=August 15, 2019}}</ref>[[File:Kress Building 1.jpg|alt=|thumb|Kress Building]]

=== Digital ===
In 2020, ''The 830 Times'' launched. It is a local news website covering Del Rio and the wider region of Southwest Texas. <ref>{{cite web|title=About Us|url=https://830times.com/about/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804073733/https://830times.com/about/|archive-date=2021-08-04|access-date=2021-09-26|website=830times.com|publisher=The 830 Times|language=en}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
[[Del Rio International Airport]] (FlyDRT) serves the city and surrounding area. [[American Airlines]] has operated flights twice daily between Del Rio and [[Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport]] in the past. The route is currently served by two cargo airlines. On January 5, 2023, the City of Del Rio announced that American Airlines will terminate service to DRT effective April 3, 2023, leaving Del Rio without scheduled air passenger service.

Transportation services to the citizens of Del Rio is provided by the City of Del Río Transportation Department.

[[Amtrak]] provides passenger rail service to [[Del Rio station]] through its combined ''[[Sunset Limited]]''/''[[Texas Eagle]]'' service. Trains serve the station thrice-weekly in each direction, with direct service to Los Angeles, San Antonio, New Orleans, Chicago, and points in between.

===Major highways===
* {{jct|state=TX|US|90}} connects with [[Alpine, Texas|Alpine]], [[Marfa, Texas|Marfa]], and Van Horn to the west and [[Uvalde, Texas|Uvalde]] and [[San Antonio, Texas|San Antonio]] to the east.
*{{jct|state=TX|US|277}} connects with [[San Angelo, Texas|San Angelo]] to the north and [[Crystal City, Texas|Crystal City]] and [[Laredo, Texas|Laredo]] (via U.S. Route 83 south) to the southeast.
*{{jct|state=TX|US|377}} crosses sparsely populated [[West Texas]] through several small towns before eventually reaching [[Fort Worth, Texas|Fort Worth]].
*{{jct|state=TX|Loop|79}} in Val Verde County and Del Rio, known as a Super Two Loop, opened for traffic in mid-May 2012. It connects with U.S. Route 90, U.S. Route 277, and U.S. Route 377; Loop 79 is part of the Ports to Plain Corridor Infrastructure and the future [[Interstate 27]] that extends from Laredo to [[Raton, New Mexico]].
*{{jct|state=TX|Spur|239}}
*{{jct|state=TX|Spur|297}}

==Notable people==
* [[Jessica Alba]] (born 1981), actress, was a resident when her father was stationed at Laughlin AFB
* [[Consuelo González Amezcua]] (1903–1975), [[outsider art]]ist and poet<ref name="Telgen1993">{{cite book|author=Diane Telgen|title=Notable Hispanic American Women|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dCWqXOE5lmgC&pg=PA183|year=1993|publisher=VNR AG|isbn=978-0-8103-7578-9|pages=183–}}</ref>
* [[William Beckmann]] (born 2000), [[country music]] singer-songwriter
* [[Lance Blanks]] (1966-2023), [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] player
* [[Larvell Blanks]] (born 1950), [[Major League Baseball|MLB]] infielder
* [[Sid Blanks]] (1941-2021), halfback for the [[Houston Oilers]] and [[Boston Patriots]]
* [[John R. Brinkley]] (1885–1942), quack doctor and radio pioneer
* [[Radney Foster]] (born 1959), [[country music]] singer-songwriter
* [[Bob Gruber]] (born 1958), retired [[offensive tackle]] in the [[National Football League|NFL]] and [[USFL]]
* [[Todd Hays]] (born 1969), bobsledder who won the silver medal at the [[2002 Winter Olympics]]
* [[Cory James]] (born 1993), NFL football player for the [[Oakland Raiders]]
* [[Jay Kerr]] (born 1948), actor who has appeared in various movies and television series
* [[Jack Mayfield]] (born 1990), an American [[professional baseball]] [[infielder]]
* [[Shawn Michaels]] (born 1965), a professional wrestler
* [[Evelyn Peirce]] (1907–1960), actress
* [[Jeremy Silman]] (1954–2023), chessplayer
* [[Jerry Edwin Smith]] (born 1946), judge of the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit]]
* [[Byron Velvick]] (born 1964), pro fisherman and reality show contestant
* [[Hooks Warner|Hoke Hayden "Hooks" Warner]] (1894–1947), MLB player for the [[Chicago Cubs]] and [[Pittsburgh Pirates]]

==Neighborhoods==
{{Unreferenced section|date=October 2024}}
Rincon del Diablo: The section where Barron St. meets Magnolia Street.

Barrio Chihuahua: In the southern part of the city, this neighborhood, named after the Chihuahua Soccer Field, is located between West Gibbs to the north, Texas State Spur 29 to the west, Garfield Ave., West Garfield to the southeast, and S. Ave F to the far east.

Buena Vista: Located near Buena Vista Park. Lake Amistad and North Del Rio are located past the Buena Vista area.

Cienegas Terraces: Outside the city limits, it is home to the "Duck Pond" and various ranches, on the west side of the city.

Eastside: Named by locals after the school on the corner of Bedell & 7th Street, the neighborhood is also home to Star Park. Surrounded by Veterans Boulevard to the west and E. Gibbs to the south, the neighborhood is home to the Val Verde Regional Medical Center.

San Felipe: The original neighborhood in Del Rio, the city originally got its name from it as in "San Felipe del rio", south of Barrio Chihuahua and the Northside. Home of the San Felipe Creek.

Qualia: Home to [[Val Verde Winery]], the oldest operating winery in Texas.<ref>{{cite web|title=Val Verde Winery History|url=http://www.valverdewinery.com/history|url-status=live|website=Val Verde Winery|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716035247/http://www.valverdewinery.com:80/history |archive-date=2014-07-16 }}</ref> Next door to the San Felipe neighborhood. Residents living within the Qualia area reference the neighborhood as "the one by the Winery," Many historical markers are located within the vicinity.

Westside: Home to Del Rio International Airport, the neighborhood is surrounded to the north by W. 15th, 18th, and 17th Streets, to the east by Veterans Blvd., and to the south by W. Gibbs bordering Chihuahua.

Comalia: A neighborhood isolated by the Woodlawn cemetery and a bridge that leads to the U.S.-Mexico border crossing, it can be found by traveling down W. 2nd Street.

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Portal|Texas}}
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Del Rio}}
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.cityofdelrio.com/ City of Del Rio official website]
* [http://www.drchamber.com/ Del Rio Chamber of Commerce]

{{Val Verde County, Texas}}
{{Texas}}
{{Texas county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Del Rio, Texas| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Texas]]
[[Category:Cities in Val Verde County, Texas]]
[[Category:Mexico–United States border crossings]]
[[Category:County seats in Texas]]
[[Category:Micropolitan areas of Texas]]
[[Category:Texas populated places on the Rio Grande]]