Brownsville and Edinburg posted the Rio Grande Valley’s strongest economic gains from 2015 to 2024, outpacing longtime retail leader McAllen, according to sales tax data. Smaller cities including Donna, La Feria and Los Fresnos posted triple-digit growth, while Raymondville and Roma lagged behind.

The numbers track gross sales, taxable sales, and the number of businesses reporting taxable activity — called outlets — over the nine-year span. They highlight which cities are capturing more consumer spending, where new businesses are opening, and which communities are struggling to keep pace with the region’s rapid economic shifts.

Brownsville closes in on McAllen

McAllen remains the Valley’s largest market, with $10.2 billion in gross sales and nearly $4 billion in taxable sales in 2024. That represents a 42% increase in gross and a 50% increase in taxable sales since 2015. The city also added roughly 25% more outlets, meaning more businesses were actively reporting sales.

Brownsville, however, grew much faster. Gross sales jumped 75.5% to $6.5 billion, and taxable sales increased 50.6% to $2.2 billion. The city added nearly 30% more outlets. Analysts say the surge reflects retail growth as well as manufacturing and trade tied to international bridges and the Port of Brownsville.