Valley cities recorded a strong month in February, with sales tax allocations trending positive for nearly every major city.

Hidalgo County posted an especially strong month, the second in a row, with double-digit gains over a year ago for most cities.

McAllen continued its retail comeback, up 6.41 percent in February over last year.

Other big gainers from a year ago were Weslaco (up 23.73 percent), Pharr (up 11.79 percent), Edinburg (up 10.56 percent) and Mission (up 10.14 percent).

Only Mercedes posted a loss year-over-year, down 3.19 percent for the month.

In Cameron County, Rio Hondo led the way with a gain of 24.10 percent over February 2020. Following were Los Fresnos (up 17.33 percent), La Feria (up 16.19 percent), San  Benito (up 12.21 percent), Harlingen (up 3.41 percent), Brownsville (up 3.52 percent) and South Padre Island (up 2.52 percent).

Port Isabel was the only major city to post negative numbers for the month, down 0.16 percent.

In Willacy County, Raymondville posted a gain of 34.66 percent over last February and Lyford was plus 0.99 percent.

Statewide, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar sent cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts $677.3 million in local sales tax allocations for April, 3.5 percent less than in April 2020. These allocations are based on sales made in February by businesses that report tax monthly.


Sales Tax Receipts

Source: Texas Comptroller’s Office; allocations based on sales made in February by businesses that report tax monthly