Edinburg is located just north of McAllen on US 281.
The seat of Hidalgo County, it is the home of the Texas University-Pan American campus.
During its early years it served a ranching community, but the arrival of irrigation in 1915 spurred an agricultural economy. Edinburg became a center for buying and processing cotton, grain, and citrus produce. Other economic developments included vegetable, sorghum, corn, sugarcane, and poultry (eggs) industries. In the 1950s the economy diversified further to include peach and melon production, food-processing plants, cabinetry, oilfield equipment, concrete products, agricultural chemicals, and corrugated boxes.
In the 1970s tourism increased significantly. The South Texas Symphony Association was launched in 1976, and sponsors the Valley Symphony Orchestra, the Valley Symphony Chorale, and the South Texas Chamber Orchestra.
The 1990 population was 29,885.
