Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about living and working in Brownsville?

1. Do you have any visitor information?
2. What is the population of Brownsville and the surrounding area?
3. What is the projected growth of Brownsville?
4. What is the cost of living?
5. Who are the major employers of Brownsville?
6. What is the unemployment rate?
7. What is the climate like?
8. Where can I find information about renting an apartment?
9. What is the daily newspaper?
10. What will it cost me to purchase a home in Brownsville?
11. What are the different school districts in and around Brownsville?
12. What is the sales tax rate?
13. Who provides telephone and utility service in Brownsville?
14. Who provides public transportation to the Brownsville?
15. What colleges and universities are in the Brownsville?
16. Do you have a directory of the Chamber's marketing and information lists?
17. What is the community profile?

1. Question: Do you have any visitor information?
Answer: Yes, and you can also contact the Brownsville Convention and Visitors Bureau
956-546-3721 or 800-626-2639
Address
Get Hours - Open Sunday–Thursday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday–Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

2. Question: What is the population of Brownsville and the surrounding area?
Answer:

	1990	2004 (Est)
City of Brownsville	98,962	161,225
Cameron County, TX	260,120	371,825
Rio Grande Valley, TX	701,888	1,110.136

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Texas State Data Center

3. Question: What is the projected growth of Brownsville?
Answer: Growth in Brownsville has been extraordinary –The estimated population in 2004 was 161,225 up from 139,722 at the 2000 Census. By 2010, the population is projected to reach 205,059. At the county level, the population now stands at 371,825. That’s up from 335,227 in 2000. By 2010, the county is expected to have 445,549 residents.

4. Question: What is the cost of living?
Answer:  The ACCRA Cost of Living Index measures differences between areas in the cost of consumer goods and services, scoring a city's affordability on a scale of 100.  An index higher than 100 translates into higher-than-average prices.  Brownsville's rate of 86.4 in the first quarter of 2007 means it has below-average costs.

Composite Index: 86.4 2007?Q1
Grocery Items:  83.6
Housing:  71.7
Utilities:  111.0
Transportation:  102.1
Health Care:  95.0
Miscellaneous Goods and Services: 86.8

5. Question: Who are the major employers of Brownsville?
Answer:
Brownsville Independent School District
The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College
Cameron County
Keppel AmFELs
Walmart
City of Brownsville
Convergy’s Corp.
Valley Baptist Medical Center- Brownsville
H.E.B. Food Stores
Valley Regional Medical Center
Trico Technologies
Brownsville Public Utilities Board
ORC Industries
Rich SeaPak
Dillard’s
National Electric Coil
Duro Bag Company
Brownsville Community Health Center
U.S. Postal Service
Unique Molded Products

6. Question: What is the unemployment rate?
Answer: The civilian labor force for Brownsville averaged 116,400 for 2004. In 2004 the average unemployment rate was 6.0 percent. For more information, visit: www.tracer2.com.

7. Question: What is the climate like?
Answer: The average daily temperature is 74 degrees. Summer daytime temperatures are in the 90's, and most winters pass without a freeze. January is the coldest month of the year with an average temperature of 63 degrees.

8. Question: Where can I find information about renting an apartment?
Answer: The Brownsville Chamber of Commerce has many member apartments. Ask us for a referral! Call 956-542-4341.

9. Question: What is the daily newspaper?
Answer: The daily newspaper is The Brownsville Herald, or call 956-542-4301

10. Question: What will it cost me to purchase a home in the Brownsville area?
Answer: As of first quarter of 2003 the median price for an existing single-family home was $156,700.

11. Question: What are the different school districts in and around Brownsville?
Answer:
Brownsville ISD
Los Fresnos ISD
For more information on school districts look in Education.

12. Question: What is Brownsville's sales tax rate?
Answer: The tax rate is 8.25 percent. For tax rates in Brownsville, look in Relocate to Brownsville: Taxes.

13. Question: Who provides telephone and utility service in Brownsville?
Answer: AT&t and Time Warner Cable provide local telephone services. The Brownsville Public Utilities Board, Magic Valley Electric Coop and AEP/CPL serve Brownsville. For more information look in Telephone and Utilities.

14. Question: Who provides public transportation in the Brownsville area?
Answer: Area bus service is provided by the Brownsville Urban System. Call 956-548-6050 for routes, fares, and schedules. Taxicabs and rental cars are also available.

15. Question: What colleges and universities are in the Brownsville area?
Answer:
The University of Texas at Brownsville
Texas Southmost College
For more information, look in Education.

16. Question: Do you have a directory of the Chamber's marketing and information lists?
Answer: Call 956-542-4341.

17. Question: Where can I find a community profile?
Answer: Click here for a demographic snapshot of Brownsville. For a condensed print version call 956-542-4341 to request a copy.