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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