Tax numbers show strong holiday sales for most

HARLINGEN — The majority of the Valley’s big cities had a retail holiday season to remember, pandemic or no pandemic.

December sales tax allocations statewide totaled $1.05 billion for the month, a modest 0.7 percent increase over a year ago.

But cities in the Valley far outperformed those numbers, with most posting double-digit increases over the previous December.

In Cameron County, Los Fresnos (up 39.60 percent) and La Feria (up 26.94 percent) were the frontrunners, posting very impressive year-over-year gains.

But other cities weren’t too far behind, with Harlingen (up 15.45 percent), South Padre Island (up 13.59 percent), San Benito (up 13.44 percent), Rio Hondo (up 12.89 percent) and Port Isabel (up 3.96 percent).

Only Brownsville posted negative numbers for the month, down 2.71 percent.

In Willacy County, Raymondville was up 38.48 percent over the previous December, and Lyford was up 18.67 percent.

In Hidalgo County, Mission was up an astonishing 66.02 percent for the month, followed by Pharr (up 14.43 percent), Edinburg (up 11.98 percent), Weslaco (up 6.41 percent) and McAllen (up 1.43 percent).

Only Mercedes posted negative numbers for the month, down 19.15 percent from a year ago.

More Information:

City                              Dec. 2020                  For the year

HARLINGEN                   Up 15.45 percent        Up 11.99 percent

SAN BENITO                  Up 13.44 percent        Up 12.17 percent

LA FERIA                       Up 26.94 percent        Up 29.95  percent

RIO HONDO                   Up 12.89 percent        Up 14.21 percent

PORT ISABEL                 Up 3.96 percent          Up 8.39 percent

S. PADRE ISL.                Up 13.59  percent       Down 21.70 percent

BROWNSVILLE               Down 2.71 percent      Up 4.55 percent

LOS FRESNOS                Up 39.60 percent        Up 33.75 percent

RAYMONDVILLE              Up 35.48 percent        Up 28.30 percent

LYFORD                         Up 18.67  percent        Up 12.61

McALLEN                       Up 1.43 percent           Up 0.86 percent

EDINBURG                     Up 11.98 percent         Up 10.82 percent

PHARR                           Up 14.43 percent         Up 12.47 percent

MISSION                        Up 66.02 percent         Up 37.07 percent

MERCEDES                     Down 19.15 percent     Down 21.16 percent

WESLACO                       Up 6.41 percent           Up 9.19 percent

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