{{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Laredo | settlement_type = City | image_skyline = {{multiple image | border = infobox | perrow = 1/2/2/1 | total_width = 280 | caption_align = center | image1 = Laredo Downtown.JPG | caption1 = Downtown Laredo | image2 = Laredo US Post Office, Court House and Custom House.jpg | caption2 = Laredo U.S. Post Office | image3 = San Agustin Cathedral.JPG | caption3 = San Agustin Cathedral | image4 = San Agustin Plaza in Laredo, Texas LCCN2014630559.tif | caption4 = San Agustin Plaza }} | image_flag = Flag of the Republic of the Rio Grande.svg | image_seal = Seal of the City of Laredo.svg | seal_size = | image_shield = Laredo Coat of Arms.png | shield_size = | image_blank_emblem = | blank_emblem_size = | nicknames = The Gateway City, Gateway to Mexico,<ref>{{Citation |last=author |first=Unknown authorUnknown |title=English: The Seal of the City of Laredo as provided by the City of Laredo website. |date=2023-08-02 |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Seal_of_the_City_of_Laredo.svg |access-date=2025-10-10}}</ref> The City Under Seven Flags, The City of Saints and Generals<ref>{{cite web |title=Google Maps |url=https://www.google.com/maps/@27.5071343,-99.5066557,3a,15y,297.25h,92.88t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sO-YUfzdYbYLQrtSLpyfNeA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-2.8799999999999955%26panoid%3DO-YUfzdYbYLQrtSLpyfNeA%26yaw%3D297.25!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDcyNy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D |access-date=30 July 2025}}</ref> | motto = | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 9 | mapframe-point = none | pushpin_map = Texas#USA | pushpin_map_caption = Location within Texas##Location within the United States | pushpin_relief = 1 | pushpin_label = Laredo | coordinates = {{coord|27|31|25|N|99|29|25|W|region:US-TX|display=it}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = United States | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_type2 = County | subdivision_type3 = Metropolitan area | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name1 = Texas | subdivision_name2 = Webb | subdivision_name3 = Laredo–Nuevo Laredo Metropolitan Area | subdivision_name4 = | established_title = Founded | established_date = August 25, 1755 | established_title2 = Settled as | established_date2 = ''Villa de San Agustín de Laredo'' | established_title3 = <!-- Incorporated (city) --> | established_date3 = | founder = Tomás Sánchez | named_for = Laredo, Spain | government_type = Council–manager | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = Dr. Victor D. Treviño<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cityoflaredo.com/government/mayor-city-council/mayor-dr-victor-d-trevi-o |title=Dr. Victor D. Treviño Mayor Term December 2022 to November 2026 |publisher=City of Laredo |date=3 January 2022}}</ref> | leader_title1 = City Council | leader_name1 = {{collapsible list|bullets=yes |title = Members |1 = Giblert Gonzalez<ref name="citycouncil">{{cite web|title=Mayor and City Council|url=https://www.cityoflaredo.com/government/mayor-city-council|website=City of Laredo|access-date=June 30, 2025}}</ref> |2 = Ricardo Richtie Rangel Jr.<ref name="citycouncil" /> |3 = Melissa R. Cigarroa<ref name="citycouncil" /> |4 = Ricardo "Rick" Garza<ref name="citycouncil" /> |5 = Ruben Gutierrez, Jr.<ref name="citycouncil" /> |6 = Dr. David Tyler King<ref name="citycouncil" /> |7 = Vanessa Perez (Mayor Pro Tempore)<ref name="citycouncil" /> |8 = Alyssa Cigarroa<ref name="citycouncil" /> }} | leader_title2 = City manager | leader_name2 = Robert A. Eads | unit_pref = Imperial | area_magnitude = | area_total_km2 = 279.61 | area_total_sq_mi = 107.96 | area_land_km2 = 275.81 | area_land_sq_mi = 106.49 | area_water_km2 = 3.80 | area_water_sq_mi = 1.47 | area_water_percent = | area_urban_km2 = | area_urban_sq_mi = | area_metro_km2 = 418.96 | area_metro_sq_mi = 161.76 | elevation_m = 137.2 | elevation_ft = 438 | population_total = 255,205 | population_as_of = 2020 | pop_est_as_of = 2021 | pop_est_footnotes = | population_est = 256,153 | population_density_sq_mi = 2396.5 | population_urban = 251,462 (US: 163rd)<ref name="urban area">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/geography/guidance/geo-areas/urban-rural.html|title=List of 2020 Census Urban Areas|website=census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 7, 2023}}</ref> | population_density_urban_sq_mi = 3,916.6 | population_metro = 267,114 (US: 186th) | population_rank = US: 88th | population_density_metro_km2 = auto | population_density_metro_sq_mi = auto | population_demonyms = {{Unbulleted list|Laredoan|Laredense}} | demographics_type2 = GDP | demographics2_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web|title=Total Gross Domestic Product for Laredo, TX (MSA) |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/NGMP29700|work=Federal Reserve Economic Data |publisher=Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis}}</ref> | demographics2_title1 = Metro | demographics2_info1 = $17.010 billion (2022) | postal_code_type = ZIP Codes | postal_code = 78040–78046, 78049 | area_code = 956 | area_code_type = Area code | unemployment_rate = | website = [https://www.cityoflaredo.com/ cityoflaredo.com] | footnotes = | leader_title3 = Police chief | leader_name3 = Claudio Trevino | timezone = CST | utc_offset = −6 | timezone_DST = CST | utc_offset_DST = −5 | blank_name = FIPS code | blank_info = 48-41464<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> | blank1_name = GNIS feature ID | blank1_info = 1339633<ref name="GR3-u">{{cite gnis|1339633|Laredo|2026-02-23}}</ref> | area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_48.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref> }}
'''Laredo''' ({{IPA|en|ləˈɹeɪdoʊ|audio|LL-Q1860 (eng)-Noaius Paticus-Laredo.wav}}; {{IPA|es|laˈɾeðo|audio|LL-Q1321 (spa)-Noaius Paticus-Laredo.wav}}) is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the county seat and largest city of Webb County, on the north bank of the Rio Grande in South Texas, across from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Founded in 1755, Laredo grew from a village to the capital of the short-lived Republic of the Rio Grande to the largest inland port on the Mexican border. Laredo's economy is primarily based on international trade with Mexico, and as a major hub for three areas of transportation: land, rail, and air cargo. The city is on the southern end of I-35, which connects manufacturers in northern Mexico through Interstate 35 as a major route for trade throughout the U.S. It has four international bridges and two railway bridges.
According to the 2020 census, the city's population was 255,205, making it the 11th-most populous city in Texas and third-most populated U.S. city on the Mexican border, after San Diego, California, and El Paso, Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/laredocitytexas/PST045222|title=QuickFacts: Laredo city, Texas|website=Census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 7, 2023}}</ref> Its metropolitan area is the 178th-largest in the U.S. and includes all of Webb County, with a population of 267,114. Laredo is also part of the cross-border Laredo-Nuevo Laredo metropolitan area with an estimated population of 636,516.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=&men=gcis&lng=en&dat=32&geo=-2&srt=pnan&col=aohdq&pt=a&va=x|title=World Gazetteer: America – largest cities (per geographical entity)|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001090654/http://world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=&men=gcis&lng=en&dat=32&geo=-2&srt=pnan&col=aohdq&pt=a&va=x|archive-date=October 1, 2007}}</ref>
Laredo's Hispanic proportion of 95.15% is one of the highest proportion of Hispanic Americans of any city in the United States outside of Puerto Rico.<ref name="2020Hispanic">{{cite web |title=P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=P2%3A%20HISPANIC%20OR%20LATINO,%20AND%20NOT%20HISPANIC%20OR%20LATINO%20BY%20RACE&g=0100000US%24160000_0400000US72%240500000&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2&hidePreview=true |website=2020 Census |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=October 10, 2021 }}</ref>
Texas A&M International University and Laredo College are in Laredo. Laredo International Airport is within the Laredo city limits, while the Quetzalcoatl International Airport is nearby in Nuevo Laredo on the Mexican side.
The biggest festival, Washington's Birthday Celebration, is held during the later part of January and the majority of February, attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Events – WBCA |url=https://wbcalaredo.org/events/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |language=en}}</ref>
==History== {{see also|Timeline of Laredo, Texas}} thumb|250px|Map of Laredo in 1892 200px|right|thumb|Laredo Center for the Arts in the downtown square [[File:Plaza Theater, downtown Laredo, TX IMG 7673.JPG|200px|right|thumb|Though the facility has been closed since 1999, the marquee of the Plaza Theater in downtown Laredo has been renovated. A citizens committee sought without success to establish a private–public partnership to reopen the Plaza as a live-entertainment venue.<ref>"Aldo Amato, "Plaza Theater: Future Glory Eyed: Investors willing to give it another try", ''Laredo Morning Times'', April 9, 2014, p. 1</ref> In 2018, the city council sought private entities, nonprofit organizations, and an architect to make the facility useful again.]] The Spanish colonial settlement of Villa de San Agustín de Laredo was founded in 1755 by Don Tomás Sánchez de la Barrera, while the area was part of the Nuevo Santander region in the Spanish viceroyalty of New Spain. Villa de San Agustín de Laredo was named after Laredo, Cantabria, Spain and in honor of Saint Augustine of Hippo. In 1840, Laredo was the capital of the independent Republic of the Rio Grande, set up in opposition to Antonio López de Santa Anna; it was brought back into Mexico by military force.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
In 1846 during the Mexican–American War, the town was occupied by the Texas Rangers. After the war, the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo ceded the land to the United States. A referendum was taken in the town, which voted to petition the American military government in charge of the area to return the town to Mexico. When this petition was rejected, many who had been in the area for generations, moved across the river into Mexican territory, where they founded Nuevo Laredo. Many others, especially original land grantees on the north side of the Rio Grande remained, becoming Texans in the process. In 1849, the United States Army set up Fort McIntosh (originally Camp Crawford). Laredo was rechartered as a city in 1852.
Laredo is one of the oldest crossing points along the Mexico–United States border, and the nation's largest inland port of entry. In 2005, Laredo celebrated the 250th anniversary of its founding.
The etymology of the name for the Spanish town of Laredo is unclear. Some scholars say the name stems from ''glaretum'', which means "sandy, rocky place". Others state Laredo stems from a Basque word meaning "beautiful pastures".<ref>[http://nuevolaredo.usconsulate.gov/nuevolaredo/Nuevo_Laredo_History.html Laredo Origin] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070803193151/http://nuevolaredo.usconsulate.gov/nuevolaredo/Nuevo_Laredo_History.html |date=August 3, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.e-local.gob.mx/wb2/ELOCAL/EMM_tamaulipas|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517163702/http://www.e-local.gob.mx/wb2/ELOCAL/EMM_tamaulipas|url-status=dead|title=Laredo Origin|archive-date=May 17, 2011}}</ref> Laredo might also stem from the Latin ''larida'', which means gull.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lmtonline.com/local/article/Operator-needed-for-historic-Plaza-Theater-after-13184906.php|title=Operator needed for historic Plaza Theater after unanimous vote by the Laredo City Council|author=Julia Wallace|newspaper=Laredo Morning Times|date=August 27, 2018|access-date=August 30, 2018}}</ref>
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma brought his Bach Project to the Juarez–Lincoln International Bridge in April 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/04/13/713092703/cellist-yo-yo-ma-plays-bach-in-shadow-of-border-crossing|title=Cellist Yo-Yo Ma Plays Bach in Shadow of Border Crossing|last1=Martinez|first1=Norma|last2=Terrazas|first2=Lauren|date=April 13, 2019|website=NPR News|access-date=April 14, 2019|last3=Morgan|first3=Jack}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/14/us/yo-yo-ma-us-mexico-border-trnd/index.html |title=Cellist Yo-Yo Ma plays a concert at a US-Mexico border crossing to make a point|last=Jackson|first=Amanda|date=April 14, 2019 |publisher=CNN|access-date=April 16, 2019}}</ref>
==Geography== [[File:Laredo-Nuevo Laredo Metropolitan Area.JPG|thumb|200px|right|NASA satellite image of Laredo and Nuevo Laredo (2007)]]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 102.6 square miles (265.7 km{{sup|2}}), of which 1.5 square miles (3.9 km{{sup|2}}) (1.37%) are covered by water.<ref>{{cite web|title=Boundary Map of Laredo, Texas|url=https://www.maptechnica.com/city-map/Laredo/TX/4841464|website=MapTechnica|access-date=January 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104233720/https://www.maptechnica.com/city-map/Laredo/TX/4841464|archive-date=January 4, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Location=== Laredo is on the west end of the Rio Grande Plains, south of the Edwards Plateau, west of the Coastal Plains, and east of the Mexican Mountains. The area consists of a few hills and flat land covered with grasses, oaks, and mesquite.
===Bodies of water=== Notable geographic features are the Rio Grande and Chacon Creek's man-made reservoir, Lake Casa Blanca, in Lake Casa Blanca International State Park. The lake is {{convert|371|acre|km2|1}} of land and {{convert|1650|acre|km2|0}} of water. The six major creeks are Chacon Creek, San Ildefonso Creek, San Ygnacio Creek, Santa Isabel Creek, Sombrerillito Creek, and Zacate Creek, all of which drain into the Rio Grande. Several man-made reservoirs include the San Ildefonso Creek Lake (second-largest reservoir), and the Sombrerillito Creek Lake (third-largest reservoir).
===Climate=== Laredo is considered to have a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen, ''BSh''). with sweltering temperatures in the summer and mild temperatures during the winter. Its weather is affected by the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains to the west, the Gulf of Mexico to the east, and the Chihuahuan Desert of Northern Mexico and West Texas. Moisture from the Pacific is cut off by the Mexican mountain range.
The normal monthly mean temperature ranges from {{convert|57.6|°F|1}} in January to {{convert|89.1|°F|1}} in August; official record temperatures range from {{convert|11|°F|1}} on December 30, 1983, up to {{convert|115|°F|1}} on May 7, 1927, June 17, 1908, and June 19, 2023.<ref name = "NOWData NWS Corpus Christi, TX (CRP)"/> On average, temperatures reach {{convert|100|°F|1}} or higher on 74.2 afternoons annually, and fall to or below the freezing mark on 4.6 mornings, although, in five seasons,{{efn|1931–32, 1949–50, 2012–13, 2014–15 and 2015–16.}} the annual minimum temperature was above freezing.<ref name = "NOWData NWS Corpus Christi, TX (CRP)"/><ref name = NOAA/>
Rainfall averages {{convert|19.7|in|mm|abbr=on}} annually, with higher amounts typically occurring from May to October, with peaks in May and September separated by a secondary minimum due to a westward shift of the subtropical anticyclone and divergence between the westerlies and trade winds.<ref>{{cite book|author-link=Glenn Thomas Trewartha|last=Trewartha|first=Glenn Thomas|title=The Earth's Problem Climates|year=1961|pages=67–68, 71–72}}</ref> Actual annual rainfall has ranged from {{convert|6.65|in|mm|1|disp=or}} in 2011 to {{convert|42.28|in|mm|1|disp=or}} in 1971. The highest monthly rainfalls have been {{convert|12.94|in|mm|1|disp=or}} in September 1923, {{convert|12.45|in|mm|1|disp=or}} in July 1919, {{convert|12.29|in|mm|1|disp=or}} in June 1973 and {{convert|11.54|in|mm|1|disp=or}} in September 1971. The heaviest daily rainfall has been {{convert|7.55|in|mm|1|disp=or}} on July 28, 1903. In contrast, not even a trace fell for 108 days from May 12 to August 28 of 1917.
Measurable snow in Laredo has occurred in only five seasons since records began in 1902:<ref name = "NOWData NWS Corpus Christi, TX (CRP)"/> # on December 27–28, 1925 and January 22–23, 1926, totalling {{convert|3.7|in|m|sigfig=2}} # on December 14, 1947, with {{convert|1.0|in|m|sigfig=2}} # on January 9, 1967, with {{convert|2.7|in|m|sigfig=2}} # on Christmas Eve 2004, with {{convert|1.1|in|m|sigfig=2}} # on December 7–8, 2017, with {{convert|1.3|in|m|sigfig=2}}
{{Weather box |location = Laredo, Texas (1991–2020 normals,{{efn|Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.}} extremes 1902–present{{efn|Records for Laredo observed at:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://threadex.rcc-acis.org/|title=Threaded Extremes|website=threadex.rcc-acis.org}}</ref> *Fort McIntosh, Texas from November 15, 1902–December 31, 1931 *Laredo City Weather Bureau Office (precipitation only), January 1932–February 1944 *Two differing locations, March 1944–December 2009 *Laredo International Airport since January 2010}}) |single line = Y |Jan record high F = 98 |Feb record high F = 103 |Mar record high F = 105 |Apr record high F = 111 |May record high F = 115 |Jun record high F = 115 |Jul record high F = 113 |Aug record high F = 111 |Sep record high F = 110 |Oct record high F = 107 |Nov record high F = 101 |Dec record high F = 95 |Jan mean F = 57.6 |Feb mean F = 61.9 |Mar mean F = 69.6 |Apr mean F = 76.6 |May mean F = 82.8 |Jun mean F = 87.6 |Jul mean F = 88.7 |Aug mean F = 89.1 |Sep mean F = 83.7 |Oct mean F = 74.8 |Nov mean F = 66 |Dec mean F = 58.5 | Jan avg record high F = 86.6 | Feb avg record high F = 90.7 | Mar avg record high F = 96.9 | Apr avg record high F = 102.0 | May avg record high F = 104.8 | Jun avg record high F = 106.1 | Jul avg record high F = 106.9 | Aug avg record high F = 106.2 | Sep avg record high F = 103.3 | Oct avg record high F = 98.0 | Nov avg record high F = 90.6 | Dec avg record high F = 84.9 | year avg record high F = 109.1 |Jan high F = 68.4 |Feb high F = 73.9 |Mar high F = 80.8 |Apr high F = 88.4 |May high F = 94.1 |Jun high F = 99.0 |Jul high F = 100.3 |Aug high F = 100.8 |Sep high F = 94.1 |Oct high F = 87.1 |Nov high F = 76.5 |Dec high F = 68.9 |year high F= |Jan low F = 46.8 |Feb low F = 51.7 |Mar low F = 58.3 |Apr low F = 64.9 |May low F = 71.5 |Jun low F = 76.2 |Jul low F = 77.1 |Aug low F = 77.4 |Sep low F = 73.1 |Oct low F = 65.8 |Nov low F = 55.6 |Dec low F = 48.0 |year low F= | Jan avg record low F = 30.2 | Feb avg record low F = 33.0 | Mar avg record low F = 39.0 | Apr avg record low F = 48.3 | May avg record low F = 59.2 | Jun avg record low F = 68.9 | Jul avg record low F = 70.8 | Aug avg record low F = 71.7 | Sep avg record low F = 61.7 | Oct avg record low F = 45.0 | Nov avg record low F = 37.2 | Dec avg record low F = 30.5 | year avg record low F = 28.0 |Jan record low F = 15 |Feb record low F = 16 |Mar record low F = 25 |Apr record low F = 32 |May record low F = 37 |Jun record low F = 56 |Jul record low F = 62 |Aug record low F = 60 |Sep record low F = 45 |Oct record low F = 28 |Nov record low F = 21 |Dec record low F = 11 |rain colour = green |Jan rain inch = 0.77 |Feb rain inch = 0.65 |Mar rain inch = 1.34 |Apr rain inch = 1.30 |May rain inch = 2.82 |Jun rain inch = 1.81 |Jul rain inch = 1.86 |Aug rain inch = 1.58 |Sep rain inch = 3.87 |Oct rain inch = 1.66 |Nov rain inch = 0.97 |Dec rain inch = 1.05 |year rain inch= |unit rain days = 0.01 in |Jan rain days = 5.4 |Feb rain days = 4.7 |Mar rain days = 4.6 |Apr rain days = 3.7 |May rain days = 5.2 |Jun rain days = 4.7 |Jul rain days = 4.4 |Aug rain days = 4.5 |Sep rain days = 7.7 |Oct rain days = 4.1 |Nov rain days = 4.4 |Dec rain days = 6.1 |source 1 = NOAA<ref name = "NOWData NWS Corpus Christi, TX (CRP)">{{cite web |url=https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=crp |title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date = July 15, 2020}}</ref><ref name = NOAA> {{cite web |url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00415060&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Laredo 2, TX |access-date = June 15, 2023 }} </ref> }}
==Demographics== {{Historical populations |type= USA |1757|85 |1770|185 |1790|708 |1820|1430 |1830|2052 |1860|1256 |1870|2046 |1880|3521 |1890|11319 |1900|13429 |1910|14855 |1920|22710 |1930|32618 |1940|39274 |1950|51910 |1960|60678 |1970|69678 |1980|91449 |1990|122899 |2000|176576 |2010|236091 |2020|255205 |align-fn= center |source=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="USCensusEst2019">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|access-date=May 21, 2020}}</ref> |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/decennial-census|title=Decennial Census of Population and Housing|website=The United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br/>Texas Almanac: 1850–2010<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.texasalmanac.com/sites/default/files/images/CityPopHist%20web.pdf|title=Texas Almanac: City Population History 1850–2000|website=Texasalmanac.com|access-date=August 27, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/index.html|title=Population Estimates: City and Town Totals: Vintage 2012|access-date=May 21, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601194334/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/index.html|archive-date=June 1, 2013 }}</ref> }}
===Racial and ethnic composition=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |+'''Laredo city, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small> !Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small> !Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Laredo city, Texas |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US4841464&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=}}</ref> !Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Laredo city, Texas |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US4841464&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=}}</ref> !{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Laredo city, Texas |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US4841464&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=}}</ref> !% 2000 !% 2010 !{{partial|% 2020}} |- |White alone (NH) |8,891 |8,086 |style='background: #ffffe6; |9,181 |5.04% |3.42% |style='background: #ffffe6; |3.60% |- |Black or African American alone (NH) |276 |478 |style='background: #ffffe6; |773 |0.16% |0.20% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.30% |- |Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) |122 |87 |style='background: #ffffe6; |131 |0.07% |0.04% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.05% |- |Asian alone (NH) |773 |1,313 |style='background: #ffffe6; |1,290 |0.44% |0.56% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.51% |- |Pacific Islander alone (NH) |15 |11 |style='background: #ffffe6; |25 |0.01% |0.00% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.01% |- |Some Other Race alone (NH) |22 |121 |style='background: #ffffe6; |450 |0.01% |0.05% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.18% |- |Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) |261 |245 |style='background: #ffffe6; |537 |0.15% |0.10% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.21% |- |Hispanic or Latino (any race) |166,216 |225,750 |style='background: #ffffe6; |242,818 |94.13% |95.62% |style='background: #ffffe6; |95.15% |- |'''Total''' |'''176,576''' |'''236,091''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''255,205''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%''' |}
===2020 census=== As of the 2020 census, 255,205 people, 75,037 households, and 58,294 families resided in the city.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME%2CDP1_0021P%2CDP1_0024P%2CDP1_0025C%2CDP1_0049C%2CDP1_0045C%2CDP1_0069C%2CDP1_0073C%2CDP1_0125P%2CDP1_0126P%2CDP1_0129P%2CDP1_0133P%2CDP1_0137P%2CDP1_0138P%2CDP1_0139P%2CDP1_0141P%2CDP1_0142P%2CDP1_0143P%2CDP1_0145P%2CDP1_0146P%2CDP1_0147C%2CDP1_0148C%2CDP1_0149C%2CDP1_0156C%2CDP1_0157C%2CDP1_0158C%2CDP1_0159P%2CDP1_0160P&for=place%3A41464&in=state%3A48|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=February 13, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>
The median age was 30.6 years. 30.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 10.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.1 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>
98.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 2.0% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME%2CP2_002N%2CP2_003N&for=place%3A41464&in=state%3A48|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=February 13, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>
There were 75,037 households in Laredo, of which 48.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.4% were married-couple households, 15.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 28.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 16.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>
There were 80,734 housing units, of which 7.1% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.2%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>
{| class="wikitable" |+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census<ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N%2CP1_003N%2CP1_004N%2CP1_005N%2CP1_006N%2CP1_007N%2CP1_008N%2CP1_009N%2CP2_001N%2CP2_002N%2CH1_001N%2CH1_002N&for=place%3A41464&in=state%3A48|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=February 13, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref> ! Race !! Number !! Percent |- | White || 97,301 || 38.1% |- | Black or African American || 1,118 || 0.4% |- | American Indian and Alaska Native || 1,603 || 0.6% |- | Asian || 1,389 || 0.5% |- | Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 51 || 0.0% |- | Some other race || 50,126 || 19.6% |- | Two or more races || 103,617 || 40.6% |- | ''Hispanic or Latino (of any race)'' || 242,818 || 95.1% |}
===2010 census=== According to the 2010 U.S. census, the racial composition of Laredo was: * Non-Hispanic Whites: 3.86% * Black or African American: 0.5% * Native American: 0.4% * Asian: 0.6% * Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 0.00% * Two or more races: 1.5% * other races 9.3% * Hispanic or Latino (of any race) – 95.6% (Mexican 86.9%, Puerto Rican 0.4%, Cuban 0.1%, other Hispanic or Latino 8.3%) thumb|left|Map of racial distribution in Laredo, 2010 U.S. Census. Each dot is 25 people: {{legend inline|outline=white|white|text=⬤|textcolor=#ff0000|White}} {{legend inline|outline=white|white|text=⬤|textcolor=#0000ff|Black}} {{legend inline|outline=white|white|text=⬤|textcolor=#00ffaa|Asian}} {{legend inline|outline=white|white|text=⬤|textcolor=#ffa600|Hispanic}} {{legend inline|outline=white|white|text=⬤|textcolor=#ffff07|Other}}
As of the 2010, Laredo is the 81st-largest city in the United States and the 10th-largest in Texas. According to the 2010 census<ref name="GR2"/><ref>{{cite web|publisher=U.S. Census |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=&_geoContext=&_street=&_county=Laredo,+Texas&_cityTown=Laredo,+Texas&_state=&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010 |access-date=August 27, 2017 |title=American FactFinder – Community Facts |website=factfinder.census.gov |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200211180325/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=&_geoContext=&_street=&_county=Laredo,+Texas&_cityTown=Laredo,+Texas&_state=&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010|archive-date=February 11, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metro_general/2006/CBSA-EST2006-01.xls|title=U.S. Census Bureau Estimate for the Laredo, Texas Metropolitan Area in 2006|website=Census.gov |access-date=August 27, 2017}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> there were 236,091 inhabitants in the city.
According to respondents' self-identification on the 2010 Census, the vast majority of Laredo's population is of Hispanic origin (95.6%), mostly Mexican (86.9%). Most Hispanics who did not identify themselves as Mexican identified as "other Hispanic or Latino" (8.3% of the total population). About 84.3% of the population identifies as white Hispanic, while only 11.3% identifies as Hispanic but not white; 4.4% of the population was not Hispanic or Latino (3.4% non-Hispanic White, 0.2% non-Hispanic Black or African American, 0.6% non-Hispanic Asian, 0.1% from some other race (non-Hispanic), and 0.1% of two or more races (non-Hispanic)).
The 2005 estimate listed 99,675 males and 108,112 females. The average household contained 3.69 occupants. The population density was {{convert|2,250.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.
Of the 60,816 households, 56,247 or 92.5% were occupied: 33,832 were owner-occupied units and 22,415 were renter-occupied units. About 62.0% were married couples living together, 18.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.7% were not families. Around 12.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 3.69, and the average family size was 4.18.
The city's population is distributed as 35.5% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 15.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,019, and for a family was $32,577. The per capita income for the city was $12,269; 29.2% of families were below the poverty line.
According to the United States Census Bureau, at a 2000 census, Laredo was the second-fastest growing city in the United States, after Las Vegas.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lmtonline.com/front-news/article_bc29f02c-237e-11e6-8757-2bf8d080f65d.html|title=Laredo named one of the safest cities for drivers|date=May 28, 2016|author=Julia Wallace|newspaper=The Laredo Morning Times|access-date=June 10, 2016}}</ref>
In 2016, the violent crime rate in Laredo dropped to 379 per 100,000 inhabitants, according to AreaVibes. The violent crime rate in Dallas was 694 per 100,000 inhabitants. In Houston, it was 967 per 100,000 inhabitants.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}}
==Economy==
[[File:Walker Plaza off Interstate 35 in Laredo, TX IMG 1808.JPG|thumb|The Walker Plaza office complex in Laredo was built in the early 1990s by the family of South Texas rancher Gene S. Walker Sr.]] thumb|Laredo Federal Credit Union on McPherson Road thumb|The former Cotulla Barbeque on McPherson Road at Taylor Street was closed, razed in 2012, and replaced by office buildings.
South Texas banking institutions in Laredo include Falcon International Bank, International Bank of Commerce, and Texas Community Bank.
Laredo is the largest inland port in the United States, and Nuevo Laredo the largest in Latin America. This is due to their respective locations, served by Interstate Highway 35 / Mexican Federal Highway 85, the effects of NAFTA, dozens of twin assembly plants on the Mexican side, and dozens of import export agencies to expedite trade. In January 2014, the Laredo customs district processed "$20 billion in two-way trade with Mexico", about half that for the entire US with Mexico for the month.<ref>{{cite news |last=Aguilar |first=Julian |date=March 13, 2014 |title=In Laredo, a Quiet Symbol of Closer Ties With Mexico |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/14/us/in-laredo-a-quiet-symbol-of-closer-ties-with-mexico.html |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=June 5, 2015 |quote=The South Texas city houses America's busiest inland port. In January alone, the Laredo customs district saw about $20 billion in two-way trade with Mexico, according to WorldCity, a Florida-based company that uses census data to track trade patterns. That figure represented about half of the $41 billion that the United States saw in overall trading with its southern neighbor for the month. }}<br/>{{cite web |url=http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/187931 |title=The City of Laredo Transfers Ownership of World Trade Bridge to GSA |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=March 13, 2014 |publisher=United States General Services Administration |access-date=June 5, 2015 |quote=Since its inception the World Trade Bridge Port of Entry has become the busiest commercial port on the southwest border. |archive-date=January 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118085809/http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/187931 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Laredo is a shopping destination for Mexican shoppers from Northern Mexico. In 2015, the ''San Antonio Express-News'' reported the number of Mexican shoppers has declined due to drug war-related violence in Nuevo Laredo.<ref>{{cite news |last=MacCormack |first=John |date=September 22, 2012 |title=Laredo's image hammered by drug violence |url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/The-collateral-damage-of-drug-war-3886817.php |newspaper=San Antonio Express-News |access-date=June 5, 2015}}</ref>
===Trade===
thumb|View across the Rio Grande at Laredo, Texas (postcard, {{Circa|1909}}) More than 47% of United States international trade headed for Mexico and more than 36% of Mexican international trade crosses through the Laredo port of entry.<ref>[http://madmax.lmtonline.com/askus/transportation/stories/trans1.htm "National report lists Laredo as largest inland port"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060514141905/http://madmax.lmtonline.com/askus/transportation/stories/trans1.htm |date=May 14, 2006 }}, ''Laredo Morning Times''</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dallasfed.org/research/swe/2006/swe0606b.html|title=Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas "Southwest Economy "|website=Dallasfed.org|access-date=August 27, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927122437/http://www.dallasfed.org/research/swe/2006/swe0606b.html|archive-date=September 27, 2007}}</ref> Laredo's economy revolves around commercial and industrial warehousing, import, and export. As a major player in international trade, the Laredo area benefited from passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which has encouraged trade. The Laredo port of entry consists of four international bridges (with a proposed fifth one) crossing the Rio Grande into the Mexican states of Tamaulipas and Nuevo León.
===Retail sales===
Retail sales attract shoppers from Northern Mexico and South Texas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.malldelnorte.com/shop/malldelnorte.nsf/DemographPDFWeb/Demographics/$File/MallDelNorte-%202006%20Update.pdf?OpenElement|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928022523/http://www.malldelnorte.com/shop/malldelnorte.nsf/DemographPDFWeb/Demographics/%24File/MallDelNorte-%202006%20Update.pdf?OpenElement|url-status=dead|title=Shopping Demographics in the Laredo Area|archive-date=September 28, 2007}}</ref> There is one indoor shopping mall in Laredo, Mall del Norte, The Outlet Shoppes at Laredo, and another has not progressed past planning: Laredo Town Center, part of downtown redevelopment. There are dozens of shopping centers. The Streets of Laredo Urban Mall is an association created by businesses on Iturbide Street in the San Agustin historical district to beautify and renovate the area, which has a pedestrian scale.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.laredosnews.com/archives/october2003/local_01.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006105434/http://www.laredosnews.com/archives/october2003/local_01.htm|url-status=dead|title=LareDOS Article "Streets of Laredo Urban Mall|archive-date=October 6, 2007}}</ref> *Mall Del Norte {{convert|1198199|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} *The Outlet Shoppes at Laredo<ref>Kendra Ablaza, "Official confirms 31 stores: Opening set for 2016, ''Laredo Morning Times'', July 9, 2015, pp. 1, 12A</ref> *Streets of Laredo Urban Mall
===Labor market information===
As of October 2007, Laredo's labor market was in the following industries by percentage of number employed: Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (32%), Information (1%), Financial Activity (5%), Professional and Business Services (6%), Education and Health Services (15%), Leisure and Hospitality (10%), Government (23%), Mining and Construction (5%), Manufacturing (2%), and Other Services (2%).
Laredo has increased the number of nonagricultural jobs from 55,100 in January 1996 to 86,600 in October 2007. Laredo has had a higher job growth rate (2%–6.5%) than the state as a whole because of expanded international trade through NAFTA. In 2007, Laredo experienced a job growth rate of 2.5% with the unemployment rate as of October 2007, standing at 4.1% or 3,700 unemployed persons, as compared to 3.9% in Texas statewide. This is a significant drop since the mid-1990s, when Laredo's unemployment was over 15%.
Laredo has had positive job market growth since the mid-1990s; setbacks in the mining (oil/gas) industry shifted a few thousand workers to other industries such as international trade and construction. Many large employers in the oil and gas industries shut down operations in Laredo and across Texas, and shifted to foreign countries. The same effect occurred in the garment industry (Levis and Haggar) along the Texas border area. Laredo lost its only garment-producing company (Barry), costing the jobs of about 300 workers. Laredo's strong job growth rate in retail and transportation services limited the adverse effects of long-term unemployment from the few massive layoffs of the late 1990s. Laredo's success with international trade is also a vulnerability; it depends on changes to Mexico's economy, that status of immigration laws (along with daily border crossings: shoppers and commercial trade), and terrorism.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.southtexasworkforce.org/labor-market-information|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080628201836/http://www.southtexasworkforce.org/labor-market-information|url-status=dead|title=Laredo Labor Market, South Texas Workforce Commission|archive-date=June 28, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Texas Metro Market Overview: Laredo: Labor page 14|url=http://recenter.tamu.edu/mreports/2011/Laredo.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203144126/http://recenter.tamu.edu/mreports/2011/Laredo.pdf|archive-date=February 3, 2015|access-date=August 27, 2017|website=Recenter.tamu.edu}}</ref>
====Top employers====
{|class="sortable wikitable" style="margin:1em auto;" !Employer !Category !Employees |- style="vertical-align: top;" |United Independent School District ||Education ||6,179 |- style="vertical-align: top;" |Laredo Independent School District ||Education ||4,500 |- style="vertical-align: top;" |City of Laredo ||Government ||2,371 |- style="vertical-align: top;" |Laredo Sector Border Patrol ||Immigration ||2,000 |- style="vertical-align: top;" |H-E-B ||Grocery ||1,626 |- style="vertical-align: top;" |Webb County ||Government ||1,500 |- style="vertical-align: top;" |Laredo Medical Center||Health care ||1,300 |- style="vertical-align: top;" |Texas A&M International University ||Education ||1,215 |- style="vertical-align: top;" |McDonald's ||Food ||1,200 |- style="vertical-align: top;" |Walmart ||Retail ||937 |-Oreil'y auto parts ||Retail/auto parts || |- style="vertical-align: top;" |Concentrix (formerly Convergys) ||Call Center ||860 |- style="vertical-align: top;" |Doctors Hospital||Health Care ||811 |- style="vertical-align: top;" |International Bank of Commerce ||Financial Services ||661 |- style="vertical-align: top;" |Stripes Convenience Stores ||Retail/Convenience ||337 |- style="vertical-align: top;" |Laredo Energy Arena ||Entertainment ||293 |- style="vertical-align: top;" |Falcon International Bank ||Financial Services ||292 |}
===Agriculture=== Laredo is a major center for the cattle ranching in the state.<ref name="surveillance" /> Cattle here suffer from the cattle fever tick, ''Rhipicephalus microplus'' (syn. ''Boophilus microplus'').<ref name="surveillance" /> Researchers and ranchers are concerned about pyrethroid resistance developing and spreading here, as it has in nearby areas of the state and neighboring Tamaulipas state.<ref name="surveillance">This review {{cite journal | journal=Journal of Medical Entomology | issn=0022-2585 | year=2021 | issue=4 | volume=58 | publisher=Oxford University Press (OUP) (Entomological Society of America (ESA)) | last1=Showler | first1=Allan | last2=Leon | first2=Adalberto | last3=Saelao | first3=Perot | title=Biosurveillance and Research Needs Involving Area-Wide Systematic Active Sampling to Enhance Integrated Cattle Fever Tick (Ixodida: Ixodidae) Eradication | doi=10.1093/jme/tjab051 | pages=1601–1609 | pmid=33822110 | s2cid=233036282| doi-access=free }} cites this study {{cite journal | year=2020 | issue=4 | volume=113 | first9=David | first8=Glen | first7=Nathan | first6=Juan | first5=Robert | first4=Pia | first3=Joseph | first1=Donald | last10=Leon | last9=Wagner | last8=Scoles | last7=Stone | last5=Miller | last4=Olafson | last3=Busch | last1=Thomas | pages=298–309 | first10=Adalberto | first2=Guilherme | last6=Mosqueda | last2=Klafke | publisher=Oxford University Press (OUP) (Entomological Society of America (ESA)) | journal=Annals of the Entomological Society of America | issn=0013-8746 | title=Tracking the Increase of Acaricide Resistance in an Invasive Population of Cattle Fever Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and Implementation of Real-Time PCR Assays to Rapidly Genotype Resistance Mutations | s2cid=216254066 | doi=10.1093/aesa/saz053| doi-access=free }}</ref> Because the situation is so severe, the main office of the country's {{visible anchor|Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program}} is located here.<ref name="sitrep" /> This program is operated by USDA APHIS.<ref name="sitrep">{{cite web|access-date=December 5, 2022|publisher=Texas A&M AgriLife|url=https://tickapp.tamu.edu/invasive-ticks/cattle-fever-tick-situation-report/|title=Cattle Fever Tick Situation Report}}</ref> The {{visible anchor|Deutch Strain}} of this tick was collected here by Davey ''et al.'', 1980 and is now a commonly used laboratory strain negative for pyrethroid resistance.<ref name=melt>This review {{cite journal |year=2020 |id=108993 |volume=278 |first3=Srikant |first2=Anil |first1=Rinesh |last3=Ghosh |last2=Sharma |last1=Kumar |title=Menace of acaricide resistance in cattle tick, ''Rhipicephalus microplus'' in India: Status and possible mitigation strategies |journal=Veterinary Parasitology |article-number=108993 |publisher=Elsevier B.V. (American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists (AAVP) & European Veterinary Parasitology College (EVPC) & World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP) |doi=10.1016/j.vetpar.2019.108993 |pmid=31954273 |s2cid=210715482}} cites this study {{cite journal|journal=International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance |publisher=Australian Society for Parasitology (ASP) (Elsevier) |year=2019 |volume=9 |pages=100–111 |first6=Teresa |first5=Daniela |first4=Donald |first3=Jason |first2=Robert |first1=Guilherme |last7=Leon |last6=Arroyo |last5=Sanchez |last4=Thomas |last3=Tidwell |last2=Miller |first7=Adalberto |last1=Klafke |title=High-resolution melt (HRM) analysis for detection of SNPs associated with pyrethroid resistance in the southern cattle fever tick, ''Rhipicephalus'' (''Boophilus'') ''microplus'' (Acari: Ixodidae) |issn=2211-3207 |doi=10.1016/j.ijpddr.2019.03.001 |pmid=30889438 |pmc=6423475}}</ref>
==Arts and culture==
===Annual celebrations===
The Washington's Birthday Celebration,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wbcalaredo.org/|title=121st Washington's Birthday Celebration|website=Wbcalaredo.org|access-date=August 27, 2017}}</ref> a month-long event that celebrates George Washington's birthday, is the largest annual celebration of its kind in the United States, with 400,000 attendees. It was founded in 1898 by the Improved Order of Red Men, local chapter Yaqui Tribe No. 59. The first celebration was a success, and its popularity grew rapidly; in 1923, it received its state charter. In 1924, the celebration held its first colonial pageant, which featured 13 girls from Laredo, representing the 13 original colonies. The celebration includes parades, a carnival, an air show, fireworks, live concerts, and a citywide prom during which many of Laredo's elite dress in very formal attire. The related Jalapeño Festival is one of the United States' top 10 eating festivals.
Jamboozie is held in late January in downtown Laredo as part of the Washington's birthday celebrations. Similar to New Orleans' Mardi Gras, the Jamboozie is a colorful event, with many people dressed in beads, masks, and flamboyant outfits.
===Museums===
[[File:Rio Grande Republic Capitol.jpg|thumb|left|Republic of the Rio Grande Capitol Building Museum]] The '''Republic of the Rio Grande Museum'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.webbheritage.org/index_files/21RRG.htm|title=Republic of the Rio Grande Museum Home Page|website=Webbheritage.org|access-date=August 27, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201141219/http://www.webbheritage.org/index_files/21RRG.htm|archive-date=February 1, 2015}}</ref> is in the downtown historical district next to the historic La Posada Hotel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=La Posada Hotel |url=https://www.laposada.com/ |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=www.laposada.com |language=en}}</ref> What was once the capitol building now showcases memorabilia from the short lived Republic of the Rio Grande. It displays pictures, books, and furniture from the 19th century Laredo area, and offers guided tours for school-aged children and adults year-round. Because of this Republic, Laredo had flown seven flags instead of the traditional Six Flags over Texas.
The '''Laredo Water Museum,'''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Laredo Water Museum |url=https://laredoutilities.com/laredo-water-museum/ |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=Laredo Utilities Department |language=en-US}}</ref> opened in 2017,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Valerie |date=2017-05-30 |title=Laredo Water Museum Now Open |url=https://www.kgns.tv/content/news/Laredo-Water-Museum--425321234.html |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=kgns.tv |language=en}}</ref> is a facility operated by the Laredo Utilities Department which focuses on educating the public about Laredo's water infrastructure. The museum is located at 2702 Anna St. next to the Jefferson Water Treatment Plant; likewise the Rio Grande. Some topics include: water treatment, river ecology, history along the Rio Grande, and water footprints.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Video Gallery |url=https://laredoutilities.com/fire-hydrant-meter/video-gallery/ |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=Laredo Utilities Department |language=en-US}}</ref> Admission is free, and operation hours can be found on their homepage.<ref name=":0" />
The '''Imaginarium of South Texas'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=HOME |url=https://www.istx.org/ |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=istx |language=en}}</ref> (formerly Laredo Children's Museum), located in a restored building on the Laredo College Fort McIntosh Campus, is a children's museum that provides a hands-on experience with science, technology, and art for Laredo's youth. A second museum was planned on the Texas A&M International University campus; however there has been no further development.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gyroscopeinc.com/laredo.html|title=Second Imaginarium Museum on TAMIU Campus|website=Gyroscopeinc.com|access-date=August 27, 2017|archive-date=June 28, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100628150243/http://gyroscopeinc.com/laredo.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The Nuevo Santander Museum Complex{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}} is composed of restored buildings of Fort McIntosh, a historical collection of photographs of the fort, the main guardhouse, which has World War I (1914–1918) memorabilia, and a science and technology museum.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}
===Art and Performing Arts=== thumb|Current center for the arts entrance thumb|Market Plaza and Flores Avenue, Laredo, Texas (postcard, {{Circa|1907}})The '''Laredo Center for the Arts(LC4A)'''<ref>{{cite web |title=laredocenter4thearts |url=https://laredocenterforthearts.wildapricot.org |access-date=August 27, 2017 |website=}}</ref> is a non-profit gallery located in the historic city hall and market building at the Old Mercado Plaza in downtown Laredo. The center consists of one gallery and a hall: the Lilia G. Martinez Gallery and the Mezzanine Hall, respectively. The LC4A displays artwork from regional artists and provides community events for children and adults.
The '''Daphne Art Foundation''' is a non-profit gallery located on the intersection of Washington St. and Santa Maria Ave. in a former residence which also hosts regional artists and community events.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Daphne Art Foundation |url=https://www.daphneart.org/about |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=DaphneArtFoundation |language=en}}</ref>
The '''Pan American Courts Art Complex''' is a multipurpose event and art center which hosts alternating food trucks, art exhibitions, the MUSA Alternative Art Space, and vendors.'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/panamericancrts/?fbclid=IwY2xjawL8L11leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFkRjZJNjRrU1Fwd1RyN2UxAR7PHXVRdEsdfaMIPLQuSFYGey6RD2VlvykpiAxbBuJ9FnBt1sFs0EcDPds-6w_aem_9jfFXPcCsgdnYM7YQqtntQ |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=www.instagram.com}}</ref>''' The site was originally a motel, the Pan American Courts and Cafe which opened on August 8, 1946.<ref>{{Cite web |title=THC Quarterly Agenda July 2025 - Texas Historical Commission |url=https://thc.texas.gov/sites/default/files/2025-07/THC_Quarterly_HPD_July2025.pdf |access-date=Aug 3, 2025}}</ref>
The '''MUSA Alternative Art Space''' is an art gallery located at the Pan American Courts Art Complex.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MUSA Alternative Art Space | website=Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100049722974249 |access-date=Aug 3, 2025}}</ref>
'''Casa Ortiz''' is a historic former residence which dates from the 1830s, and is used as an event venue and art gallery.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Two shows tomorrow at Casa Ortiz Jacob Cárdenas and Coaster Show. And at 9pm a documentary in the courtyard Music by Carlos Morales |website=Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19ZYxFz84r/ |access-date=Aug 3, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Casa Ortiz, 1830 Historical Marker |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=269483 |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=www.hmdb.org |language=en}}</ref>
'''Los Olvidados''' is a cafe and art gallery which hosts various artworks, performances by local musicians, and vendors markets.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Los Olvidados |website=Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/LOSOLVIDADOSLDO |access-date=Aug 3, 2025}}</ref>
The '''Laredo Little Theater'''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Theatre |first=Laredo Little |title=Laredo Little Theatre |url=https://laredolittletheatre.org/ |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=Laredo Little Theatre |language=en-US}}</ref> provides Laredo with live stage performances and hosts comedians.
===Planetarium===
The Lamar Bruni Vergara Science Center Planetarium<ref>[http://tamiu.edu/coas/planetarium/ The Lamar Bruni Vergara Science Center Planetarium Home Page] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061230132249/http://www.tamiu.edu/coas/planetarium/ |date=December 30, 2006 }}</ref> is on the Texas A&M International University campus. The planetarium surrounds audiences in a dome with an accurate image of the night sky showing all the motions and cycles of the Sun, Moon, planets, and constellations in the sky.
===Libraries=== thumb|The Joe A. Guerra Laredo Public Library at the intersection of McPherson Road and Calton Street Laredo has five libraries as of 2025. The Joe A. Guerra Laredo Public Library<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laredolibrary.org/|title=Home|website=Laredolibrary.org|access-date=August 27, 2017}}</ref> was first housed on the second floor of the City Hall, now known as the Laredo Center for the Arts, in 1916. In 1974, the Laredo Public Library moved to the historic Bruni Plaza in downtown Laredo. In 1993, the citizens of Laredo approved the construction of a new main library at McPherson and Calton Roads, which opened on February 1, 1998.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lmtonline.com/front-news/article_de52b832-5065-11e6-8bfc-2fa436572485.html|title=Laredo Public Library renamed after former city councilman|author=Judith Rayo|newspaper=The Laredo Morning Times |date=July 22, 2016|access-date=July 24, 2016}}</ref> The Laredo Public Library has a {{convert|60000|sqft|m2|-3|abbr=on}}.
The '''Joe A. Guerra Laredo Public Library''',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Jose |date=2019-08-30 |title=Joe A. Guerra Laredo Public Library {{!}} Laredo Public Library |url=https://www.laredolibrary.org/locations/lpl-main/ |access-date=2025-08-03}}</ref> the main library, is in central Laredo; the Bruni Plaza Branch Library<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Jose |date=2019-08-30 |title=Bruni Branch Library {{!}} Laredo Public Library |url=https://www.laredolibrary.org/locations/bruni-branch-library/ |access-date=2025-08-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.laredolibrary.org/bruni.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070804191557/http://www.laredolibrary.org/bruni.html|url-status=dead|title=Laredo Public Library Bruni Branch |archive-date=August 4, 2007}}</ref> is downtown north of Washington Street; the '''Barbra Fasken Branch Library'''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Jose |date=2019-08-30 |title=Barbara Fasken Branch Library {{!}} Laredo Public Library |url=https://www.laredolibrary.org/locations/barbara-fasken-branch-library/ |access-date=2025-08-03}}</ref> is located at the Barbra Fasken Recreation Center near Mines Road(FM 1472); the '''Lamar Bruni Vergara Inner City Branch Library'''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Jose |date=2019-08-30 |title=Lamar Bruni Vergara Inner City Branch {{!}} Laredo Public Library |url=https://www.laredolibrary.org/locations/lamar-bruni-vergara-inner-city-branch/ |access-date=2025-08-03}}</ref> is located in central laredo north of Lyon Street; and the '''Sophie Christen McKendrick, Francisco Ochoa, and Fernando A. Salinas Branch Library(McKendrick Ochoa Salinas Branch Library)'''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Jose |date=2019-08-30 |title=McKendrick Ochoa Salinas Branch Library {{!}} Laredo Public Library |url=https://www.laredolibrary.org/locations/mckendrick-ochoa-salinas-express-library/ |access-date=2025-08-03}}</ref> is in south Laredo on U.S. Route 83.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.laredolibrary.org/santo.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070810211915/http://www.laredolibrary.org/santo.html|url-status=dead|title=Laredo Public Library Santo Niño Branch|archive-date=August 10, 2007}}</ref>
The '''San Isidro Branch Library''' is a proposed new library in north Laredo. The location and design of the library are still pending; however, the cost is estimated to be ~4.4 Million dollars for an estimated 12,000 sq.ft.<ref>{{Cite web |title=City of Laredo Adopted Capital Improvement Plan |url=https://www.cityoflaredo.com/home/showpublisheddocument/16968/638652117169300000 |access-date=Aug 3, 2025}}</ref>
===Churches and architecture===
{{Main|List of buildings in Laredo, Texas}}
thumb|upright|San Agustin Cathedral
thumb|Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church
thumb|Renovated St. Patrick's Catholic Church is on Del Mar Boulevard across from the Laredo Fire Department.
[[File:First United Methodist Church of Laredo, TX revised photo IMG 2005.JPG|thumb|The First United Methodist Church near the intersection of McClelland and Guadalupe; the cornerstone from the 1916 building on Hidalgo Street downtown was moved to the current location in 1949.]]
Most of Laredo's architecture is of Spanish Colonial, American, and Mexican flavor. Most of Laredo's Spanish Colonial-style buildings are in downtown Laredo. More modern American architecture can be seen along Interstate Highway 35, as well as in the downtown area<ref>{{cite web |last=ROBINSON |first=WILLARD B. |title=CHURCH ARCHITECTURE |date=June 12, 2010 |url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/cgc02 |website=Tshaonline.org|access-date=August 27, 2017}}</ref>
Our Lady of Guadalupe is an imposing structure in Romanesque Revival Lombard (North Italian) style. It was designed by Leo M. J. Dielmann of San Antonio, a popular architect of Catholic buildings, and built for a Mexican-American and Hispanic congregation in the inner city, at San Jorge Avenue and Callaghan St. Dielmann was commissioned by church authorities to design churches for similar congregations in Houston and San Antonio. He also did the San Agustin parish school, and may have had a hand in the San Agustin church, itself.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/drtsa/00011/drt-00011.html|title=A Guide to the Leo M. J. Dielmann Papers, Drawings, and Photographs, 1847–1961|website=Lib.utexas.edu|access-date=August 27, 2017}}</ref>
Both the First United Methodist Church, in 1949, and the Christ Church Episcopal, were designed by Henry Steinbomer, a popular and prolific San Antonio architect who is credited with more than 100 churches and related buildings during the 1940s and 50s, from the Lower Rio Grande Valley mostly in South and West Texas, from the Sacred Heart Cathedral in San Angelo to Union Church in Monterrey, Mexico.<ref>{{cite web |title=STEINBOMER, HENRY JOHN|last=KENDALL |first=DOROTHY STEINBOMER |date=June 15, 2010 |url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fst92 |website=Tshaonline.org|access-date=August 27, 2017}}</ref>
Other Laredo churches include Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Assembly of God, Mormon, and nondenominational congregations.
====National Register of Historic Places sites====
*Barrio Azteca Historic District *Fort McIntosh *San Agustin de Laredo Historic District *Hamilton Hotel, architects Atlee B. Ayers and Robert Ayers, the tallest building in Laredo *U.S. Post Office, Court House, and Custom House *Webb County Courthouse, finished 1909 to designs in the Beaux-Arts style by renowned architect Alfred Giles
====List of the tallest buildings====
thumb|The former Hamilton Hotel, the tallest building in Laredo {|class="wikitable" ! Rank<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.emporis.com/city/102906/laredo-tx-usa|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929160041/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/bu/?id=102906|url-status=usurped|title=Laredo | Buildings | EMPORIS|archive-date=September 29, 2007|website=Emporis}}</ref> ! Building Name !! Height!! Floors !Year built |- valign="top" |01 ||Hamilton Hotel ||150 ft (46 m)||12 ||1923 |- valign="top" |02||San Agustin Cathedral ||141 ft (43 m) ||N/A ||1872 |- valign="top" |03 ||Rio Grande Plaza ||– ||15 ||1975 |- valign="top" |04 ||Holiday Inn Laredo ||– ||14 ||1984 |- valign="top" |05 ||Laredo National Bank ||– ||10 ||1926 |- valign="top" |06 ||Senior Citizens Home ||– ||8 ||– |- valign="top" |07 ||Laredo Medical Center ||– ||7 ||1999 |- valign="top" |08 ||Gateway Inn ||– ||6 ||– |- valign="top" |09 ||Rialto Hotel ||– ||6 ||1925 |-valign="top" |10 ||Walker Plaza ||– ||5 ||1995 |}
===Laredo in multimedia===
====Film and television====
''Streets of Laredo'' is a 1949 Western film starring William Holden, Macdonald Carey, and William Bendix<ref>José David Saldívar, ''The Dialectics of Our America: Genealogy, Cultural Critique, and Literary History'' (Duke University Press, 1991), [https://books.google.com/books?id=oUd2nLGZgZIC&pg=PA52&dq=%22Streets+of+Laredo%22+film&ei=8FsqSfLuE47mM9OMtLYD 52].</ref> as three outlaws who rescue a young girl, played by Mona Freeman. When they become separated, two reluctantly become Texas Rangers, while the third continues on a life of crime.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0717163/|title="Laredo" on ''Tales of Wells Fargo'', December 23, 1957|publisher=Internet Movie Database|access-date=February 7, 2013}}</ref>
In 1958, ABC aired the second episode, "Ambush in Laredo", of the 17-part miniseries, ''Texas John Slaughter.''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0561217/|title=''Texas John Slaughter'': "Ambush at Laredo", November 14, 1958|publisher=Internet Movie Database|access-date=December 6, 2012}}</ref>
The 1959 Western film, ''Gunmen from Laredo'', stars Robert Knapp, Walter Coy, Paul Birch, and Ron Hayes. He winds up in prison on a false murder charge, but the marshal allows him to escape to pursue the man who killed his wife.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052869/|title=''Gunmen from Laredo'' (1959)|publisher=Internet Movie Database|access-date=December 6, 2012}}</ref>
The 1983 film ''Eddie Macon's Run'', based on a James McLendon novel, features John Schneider as Eddie Macon, who is wrongly convicted of mostly minor crimes. While performing at a prison rodeo in Huntsville, Texas, he escapes and heads for Laredo, where he hopes to join his family in Mexico. Carl "Buster" Marzack (Kirk Douglas) is a cop in hot pursuit of Eddie. Without transportation, Eddie journeys on foot. He ends up in the woods, where he is nearly killed. He meets Jilly Buck (Lee Purcell), a bored rich girl who agrees to help him.<ref>{{cite web |author=Hal Erickson|title=Eddie Macon's Run (1983) |department=Movies & TV Dept.|work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/15288/Eddie-Macon-s-Run/overview|access-date=August 5, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024180054/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/15288/Eddie-Macon-s-Run/overview|date=2013|archive-date=October 24, 2013|author-link=Hal Erickson (author)}}</ref>
''Lone Star'' is a 1996 American mystery film written and directed by John Sayles and set in a small town in Texas. The ensemble cast features Chris Cooper, Kris Kristofferson, Matthew McConaughey, and Elizabeth Peña and deals with a sheriff's investigation into the murder of one of his predecessors. The movie was filmed in Del Rio, Eagle Pass, and Laredo.{{citation needed|date=April 2024|reason="Template:IMDb title" failed.}}
The 2011 series, ''Bordertown: Laredo'', is a 10-episode documentary on the Arts and Entertainment Network based on the work of the narcotics unit of the Laredo Police Department.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aetv.com/bordertown-laredo/ |title=Bordertown: Laredo |website=aetv.com |access-date=December 6, 2012}}</ref>
====Music====
Laredo has been the subject of several songs in popular culture. One of the most popular songs is the "Streets of Laredo", originally known as "A Cowboy's Lament" and written by Frank H. Maynard, who lived mostly in Colorado. It has been recorded by artists such as Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, Waylon Jennings, John Cale, Roy Rogers, and Prefab Sprout (who also made a lyrical reference to Laredo in an early song, "Cue Fanfare"), and is even featured in a ''Charlie's Angels'' episode ("Pretty Angels all in a Row", season two, episode three). On October 28, 1958, in the episode "The Ghost" of the ABC/WB Western series, ''Sugarfoot'', "The Streets of Laredo" is performed by child actor Tommy Rettig.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ctva.biz/US/Western/Sugarfoot_02_(1958-59).htm|title=The Ghost|publisher=Classic Television Archives|access-date=December 11, 2013}}</ref> Another song is Laredo Tornado from the British rock band ELO.
The first song on Marty Robbins' 1966 LP ''The Drifter'' was "Meet Me Tonight in Laredo".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Marty-Robbins-The-Drifter/release/3462152|title=Marty Robbins - The Drifter|website=Discogs|date=1966 }}</ref>
From 1959 to 1972, the six-member singing group, The Rondels, were part the musical scene in Laredo. Members were Carlos Saenz Landin, Humberto Donovan, Roberto Alonzo, Sammy Ibarra, Joe Lee Vera and Noe Adolfo Esparza. With their disbanding, a community member recalls The Rondels "left a large void that will never be forgotten."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lmtonline.com/opinion/letters/article/Writer-The-Rondels-were-top-musical-group-of-the-10958762.php|title=Writer: The Rondels were top musical group of the 60s|newspaper=Laredo Morning Times|author=Juan Cisneros|date=February 25, 2017|access-date=March 1, 2017}}</ref>
The song Laredo from the indie rock band Band of Horses, contained in their Grammy-nominated album Infinite Arms, was placed at number 28 in Rolling Stone magazine's top 50 songs of 2010.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20111006042440/http://newmusicreviews.net/rolling-stone-50-best-songs-of-2010/ "Rolling Stone – 50 Best Songs of 2010"]}} ''newmusicreviews.net'' – December 18, 2010</ref>
==Sports==
===Current teams===
====Laredo Heat====
The Laredo Heat is a United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League team. The team's home stadium is the Texas A&M International University Soccer Complex. The team was founded in 2004. In the 2006 season, the Laredo Heat finished runner-up, yet made it only to the first round of the Open Cup. In the 2007 season, the Laredo Heat were the Southern Conference champions and won the PDL championship. The Heat were on hiatus for the 2016 and 2017 seasons.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Scavuzzo|first1=Diane|title=SABBATICAL FOR PDL'S LAREDO HEAT |url=http://goalnation.com/sabbatical-for-pdls-laredo-heat/|website=goalnation.com|access-date=March 18, 2018|date=December 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318122048/http://goalnation.com/sabbatical-for-pdls-laredo-heat/|archive-date=March 18, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> In November 2017, the Heat announced they will be an expansion team of the National Premier Soccer League in 2018. The Heat recently announced they will also be joining the United Premier Soccer League for the 2020 season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Heat SC Joins the UPSL |website=UPSL.com |date=December 3, 2019 |url=https://div1.upsl.com/news/2019/12/03/upsl-announces-texas-expansion-with-laredo-heat-sc |access-date=December 3, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Davis|first1=Zach|date=November 28, 2017|title=Heat SC returning to Laredo in 2018 |url=https://www.lmtonline.com/sports/article/Heat-SC-returning-to-Laredo-in-2018-12390589.php|website=lmtonline.com|access-date=March 17, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=November 28, 2017 |title=LAREDO HEAT SOCCER CLUB JOINS THE NPSL |url=http://www.npsl.com/news_article/show/861202 |website=npsl.com |access-date=March 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318121528/http://www.npsl.com/news_article/show/861202 |archive-date=March 18, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
====Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos====
The Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos (Owls of the Two Laredos) are a Mexican League baseball team based in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. The team splits their home schedule between Parque la Junta in Nuevo Laredo and Uni-Trade Stadium in Laredo.<ref name="Spedden">{{cite web |first=Zach|last=Spedden|title=Laredo Approves Deal With Tecolotes Dos Laredos |url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2017/11/21/laredo-approves-deal-with-tecolotes-dos-laredos/|website=Ballpark Digest|publisher=August Publications |date=November 21, 2017|access-date=November 21, 2017}}</ref>
===Defunct teams===
{|class="wikitable" |- ! Club !! Sport !! League !! Venue !! Championships !! Years active |- |Laredo Apaches |Baseball |Texas–Louisiana League |Veterans Field |0 |1995 |- |Laredo Broncos |Baseball |United League Baseball |Veterans Field |0 |2006–2010 |- |Laredo Bucks |Ice hockey |Central Hockey League |Laredo Energy Arena |2 |2002–2012 |- |Laredo Bucks |Ice hockey |USA Central Hockey League |Sames Auto Arena |0 |2018 |- |Laredo Honey Badgers |Indoor soccer |Professional Arena Soccer League |Laredo Energy Arena | |Never |- |Laredo Law |Arena football |AF2 |Laredo Energy Arena |0 |2003–2004 |- |Laredo Lemurs |Baseball |AAIPB |Uni-Trade Stadium |1 |2012–2016 |- |Laredo Lobos |Arena football |AF2 |Laredo Energy Arena |0 |2005–2007 |- |Laredo Rattlesnakes |Indoor football |Lone Star Football League |Laredo Energy Arena |0 |2011–2013 |- |Laredo Roses |Women's Football |Sugar N Spice Football League |Uni-Trade Stadium | |2012–2016 |- |Laredo Swarm |Basketball |American Basketball Association |Laredo Energy Arena | |2015–2017 |- |Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos |Baseball |Mexican Baseball League |Veterans Field |5 |1985–2004 |- |Toros de Los Dos Laredos |Basketball |Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional |Laredo Energy Arena |2 |2007–2013 |}
====Laredo Honey Badgers====
The Laredo Honey Badgers were a proposed professional indoor soccer team that was founded in April 2013, expected to make its debut in the Professional Arena Soccer League with the 2013–2014 season. The team was to play its home games at the Laredo Energy Arena.<ref name="pro130418">{{cite news |first=Ryan |last=Bailey |publisher=KGNS-TV |location=Laredo, Texas |title=Indoor Soccer Coming to Laredo |url=http://www.pro8news.com/sports/Indoor-Soccer-Coming-to-Laredo-203715721.html |date=April 18, 2013 |access-date=May 28, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029195825/http://www.pro8news.com/sports/Indoor-Soccer-Coming-to-Laredo-203715721.html |archive-date=October 29, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="pasl130418">{{cite news |publisher=Professional Arena Soccer League |title=Professional Arena Soccer League Coming to Laredo Energy Arena |url=http://proarenasoccerleague.pointstreaksites.com/view/proarenasoccerleague/news/news_71084 |date=April 18, 2013 |access-date=May 28, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515151737/http://proarenasoccerleague.pointstreaksites.com/view/proarenasoccerleague/news/news_71084 |archive-date=May 15, 2013 }}</ref> The official name and colors (black and chrome) of the team were decided with fan participation.<ref name="pro130518">{{cite news |publisher=KGNS-TV |location=Laredo, Texas |title=Indoor Soccer Coming to Laredo |url=http://www.pro8news.com/sports/Laredo-Names-New-Indoor-Soccer-Team-208034821.html |date=May 18, 2013 |access-date=May 28, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029200037/http://www.pro8news.com/sports/Laredo-Names-New-Indoor-Soccer-Team-208034821.html |archive-date=October 29, 2013 }}</ref> However, after several delays the team postponed its launch and eventually ceased operations.
====Laredo Lemurs====
The Laredo Lemurs, a professional baseball team, played their first season in the independent American Association in 2012 with home games at Uni-Trade Stadium. They won the South Division in their inaugural season, but were eliminated in the first playoff round. The Lemurs won the league championship in 2015 but ceased operations after the 2016 season.
====Laredo Roses====
The '''Laredo Roses''' were a professional women's full contact football team in the South Texas Sugar N Spice Football League<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sugarnspicefootball.com/index.php?option%3Dcom_content%26view%3Dcategory%26layout%3Dblog%26id%3D1%26Itemid%3D5 |title=SSFL News |access-date=June 17, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201101030/http://sugarnspicefootball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=1&Itemid=5 |archive-date=February 1, 2015 }}</ref> that began play in the 2012 season. The Roses played their home games at the Uni-Trade Stadium. The female players used short-shorts and half-cut jerseys during games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://laredoroses.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117021421/http://laredoroses.com/|url-status=dead|title=Laredo Roses|archive-date=November 17, 2015}}</ref>
====Laredo Swarm====
Laredo Swarm was a semi-professional basketball in the relaunched American Basketball Association. They started playing in 2015 in Laredo Energy Arena. The team was disbanded before the 2017–2018 season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Davis|first1=Zach|title=Swarm will not return this year|url=https://www.lmtonline.com/sports/article/Swarm-will-not-return-this-year-12292571.php|website=lmtonline.com|access-date=March 18, 2018|date=October 19, 2017}}</ref>
===Stadiums and arenas===
====Sames Auto Arena====
thumb|With the City of Laredo's approval on July 1, 2018, the SMG-managed venue signed a five-year contract with the oldest local dealership Sames Auto Group. |alt= The Sames Auto Arena is at US 59/Loop 20 and Jacaman Road. The arena was strongly pushed to fruition by former Laredo Mayor Betty Flores and was home to the former Laredo Bucks. The {{convert|178000|sqft|m2|-2|adj=on}}, $36.5 million facility seats 8,002 people for ice hockey and arena football, and up to 10,000 for concerts. It has fourteen luxury suites, four meeting rooms and a private club for two hundred charter members. It was completed in mid-2002 through an increase in the Laredo sales tax of .25 percent. Sports that can be played in the arena include ice hockey, arena football, indoor soccer, basketball, wrestling, and boxing. The arena has hosted many events such as The Laredo Hunting and Fishing Show, Miss Texas USA, Laredo Home and Garden Show and the South Texas Collectors Exp's Comic Con. Every year, Laredo College, TAMIU, United ISD and Laredo ISD have their graduation ceremonies here. Well-known artists and bands that have performed in the arena include Lil Wayne, Rihanna, Kesha, Pitbull, Flo Rida, Shakira, Enrique Iglesias, Tool, Aerosmith, Kiss, Elton John, Styx, REO Speedwagon, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ricky Martin, George Lopez, T.I., Ludacris, Cher, Hilary Duff, Monster Jam, and WWE.
====Uni-Trade Stadium====
The Uni-Trade Stadium is Laredo's newest baseball field. The stadium is near the Laredo Energy Arena. The project was approved by the city council and was voted in favor of (with 61.32% of the votes in favor 38.68% against) constructing it with money collected since 2004 by a .25 percent sales tax increase. There is a surplus of about $15 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lmtonline.com/articles/2008/11/05/front/news/doc4910db428601a924663642.txt|title=Laredo Morning Times; Webb County Vote Totals|website=Lmtonline.com|access-date=August 27, 2017}}</ref> The stadium was home to the Laredo Lemurs of the independent American Association from 2012 to 2016. Beginning in 2018, the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League play half of their home games at the stadium and the other half at Estadio Nuevo Laredo.<ref name="Spedden"/>
====Student Activity Complex====
thumb|Entrance to the Student Activity Complex United Independent School District's students use the Student Activity Complex on State Highway 359 for football, soccer, and baseball. Opened in the summer of 2002, it has the city's first artificial grass stadium. The SAC was also the home of the Laredo Heat. The capacity is 8,500 spectators.
====Texas A&M International University Soccer Complex====
Texas A&M International University Soccer Complex (also known as Dustdevil Field and TAMIU Soccer Complex) was built in 2006 and renovated in 2007. The soccer complex is on the Texas A&M International University campus. The complex has two soccer stadiums with a seating capacity of four thousand each. The Dustdevil Field is the new home stadium to the 2007 champion team Laredo Heat member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League (PDL) and the TAMIU Dustdevils women and men's soccer teams member of the Lone Star Conference, NCAA Division II.<ref>[http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=19159977&BRD=2290&PAG=461&dept_id=473478&rfi=8 Laredo Morning Times article; Laredoans of the Year; LMT names sports leaders Shashi and Priya Vaswani (renovation of the TAMIU Soccer Complex)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102071305/http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=19159977&BRD=2290&PAG=461&dept_id=473478&rfi=8 |date=November 2, 2011 }}</ref>
====Shirley Field====
The original Shirley Field was next to the Civic Center and R&T Martin High School on San Bernardo Avenue. It was built in 1937, along with Martin High School. Shirley Field was the location for outdoor athletics for Laredo Independent School District and also hosts the annual Border Olympics events. It seats up to about 6,000 fans with additional seating at the 2 endzones. Professional Mexican soccer teams have played various exhibition games here, noting the real grass allows for "better" soccer games. The various sports played on the stadium are football, soccer and track & field events. Major renovations are slated for this historic stadium. In November 2009 Shirley Field was demolished and was rebuilt by the 2011 football season. The total cost of the reconstruction was $12,000,000 and it now seats 8,000 fans and features artificial turf.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kgns.tv/news/local/73012197.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302125908/http://www.pro8news.com/news/local/73012197.html|url-status=dead|title=Local|archive-date=March 2, 2012|website=kgns.tv}}</ref>
====Krueger Field====
Krueger Field is in north Laredo and is owned by United Independent School District. The stadium has a capacity of 5,000 and is used to play football and soccer high school games. It is home to United High School's football and soccer teams.
====Veterans Field====
Veterans Field is a 5,000 seat baseball park which was known as West Martin Field. Major renovation is happening to update the 1950 ball park. Veterans Field was also the home to the five-time champion Mexican Baseball League team Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos from 1985 to 2003. Veterans Field is also home to the Texas A&M International University's Lone Star Conference NCAA Division II Dustdevils baseball team.
====Laredo Civic Center====
Prior to the construction of the Laredo Energy Arena most major concerts and shows were performed at the Laredo Civic Center. The Laredo Civic Center complex has an auditorium with 1,979 seats and a banquet and exhibit hall with 1,635 seats.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ci.laredo.tx.us/other/miscellaneous.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808035357/http://www.ci.laredo.tx.us/other/miscellaneous.html|url-status=dead|title=Laredo Civic Center|archive-date=August 8, 2007}}</ref>
==Parks and recreation==
===Lake Casa Blanca=== Lake Casa Blanca International State Park features a {{convert|1680|acre|ha|0|adj=on}} artificial lake and recreational activities.
===Golf===
Laredo has three 18-hole golf courses: the Laredo Country Club,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.memberstatements.com/Clubs/laredo/login.cfm|title=Laredo Country Club Website|website=Memberstatements.com|access-date=August 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232815/https://www.memberstatements.com/Clubs/laredo/login.cfm|archive-date=March 3, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> the Casa Blanca Golf Course,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.casablancagolfcourse.com/|title=ラクトフェリンはライオンがオススメの理由|website=Casablancagolfcourse.com|access-date=August 27, 2017}}</ref> and Laredo's newest course Max A. Mandel Municipal Golf Course.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themaxlaredo.com/home|title=Max A. Mandel Municipal Golf Course|website=Themaxlaredo.com|access-date=August 27, 2017}}</ref> The Laredo Country Club is an 18-hole private course with {{convert|7125|yd}} of golf. The golf course has a rating of 74.6, a slope rating of 133, and has a par of 72. The country club was designed by Joseph S. Finger and was opened in 1983.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.golflink.com/golf-courses/course.aspx?course=1082156|title=Laredo Country Club, Laredo, TX|website=GolfLink|access-date=August 27, 2017}}</ref> The Casa Blanca Golf Course is an 18-hole course with {{convert|6590|yd}} of golf. The golf course has a rating of 72.5, a slope rating of 125, and has a par of 72. The golf course was designed by Leon Howard and was opened in 1967.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.golflink.com/golf-courses/course.aspx?course=1059556|title=Casa Blanca Golf Course, Laredo, TX|website=GolfLink|access-date=August 27, 2017}}</ref> The Max A. Mandel Municipal Golf Course is an 18-hole course with {{convert|7200|yd}} of golf. The golf course has a par of 72. The golf course was designed by Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course Architects and was opened in 2012.
===Parks, recreational centers, plazas, and baseball fields===
The City of Laredo owns eight recreational centers, thirty-four developed parks, twenty-two undeveloped parks or under construction, five baseball fields, and four plazas. The parks total area is {{convert|618|acre|km2}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ci.laredo.tx.us/parks/html/home.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080502020223/http://www.ci.laredo.tx.us/parks/html/home.htm|url-status=dead|title=Parks & Recreation Department|archive-date=May 2, 2008}}</ref>
====David B. Barkley Plaza (original)====
thumb|David B. Barkley Plaza flag A memorial honoring the forty-one Hispanic soldiers who have received the Medal of Honor was built in Laredo, Texas in 2002. The plaza was named after the only Laredo Medal of Honor recipient David B. Barkley. The David B. Barkley Plaza had a bronze statue of David B. Barkley, and had an American flag that measured 100 ft by 50 ft, with a flagpole measuring 308 ft tall, which made it the tallest in the United States from 2002 to 2005. The memorial was at {{Coord|27|30|22|N|99|30|8|W|region:US-TX_type:landmark|name=David B. Barkley Plaza}}.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>
''Acuity Insurance'' built the former second tallest flagpole in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, which is the location of the company's headquarters in 2004, but was toppled on News Year's Eve that year due to a windstorm. The David B. Barkley Plaza flagpole was removed in 2005, and that same year ''Acuity Insurance'' built the former tallest flagpoles of the country. The second one was built in July 2005, but ended up being removed 2 years later in 2007. The third one was built in April 2008 but removed months later due to concerns over its movement in winds. The current tallest was also built by the same company in July 2014.<ref>[http://madmax.lmtonline.com/textarchives/070504/s1.htm Laredo Morning Times; Monument to medal holders unveiled early] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726140015/http://madmax.lmtonline.com/textarchives/070504/s1.htm |date=July 26, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.modernsteel.com/Uploads/Issues/July_2007/30767_flagpole_web.pdf|title=Modern Steel Construction|website=Modernsteel.com|access-date=August 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218135326/http://modernsteel.com/Uploads/Issues/July_2007/30767_flagpole_web.pdf|archive-date=December 18, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Acuity Flagpole {{!}} Acuity |url=https://www.acuity.com/about/flagpole |access-date=2025-08-02 |website=www.acuity.com |language=en}}</ref>
====City of Laredo Shiloh Trail==== {{empty section|date=October 2025}}
==Government==
===Municipal government===
thumb|Administrative headquarters of the Laredo Fire Department are on Del Mar Boulevard across from St. Patrick's Catholic Church.
The Laredo city government is a strong city council – weak mayor system. The mayor presides over the eight-member city council, but only votes to break a tie. City Council elections are based on single-member districts and campaigns have no party affiliations. Municipal elections are now held in November (formerly in May) of even-numbered years. The municipal government is administered by the city manager hired by the city council. All city elected offices have a four-year term and are nonpartisan though most officials have a Democratic party preference or affiliation.
City council meetings are held on Mondays and can be viewed on the public-access television cable TV channel or live online at Public Access Channel live stream.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ci.laredo.tx.us/ngovt.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110502014932/http://www.ci.laredo.tx.us/ngovt.html|url-status=dead|title=City of Laredo Government|archive-date=May 2, 2011}}</ref>
{{hidden begin |title = List of mayors of Laredo, Texas |titlestyle = background:#F8F8FF;width:60% }} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" ! width="25%"|Name ! width="8%"|Portrait ! width="20%"|Term start ! width="20%"|Term end |- | William Franklin Alexander<ref name=mayors>{{cite web |url=http://www.cityoflaredo.com/History/Mayors_History.pdf |title=History of Laredo Mayors |publisher= City of Laredo|access-date=June 28, 2016 }}</ref> | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1852 | 1854 |- | Bartolome Garcia | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1855 | 1855 |- | Santos Benavides | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1856 | 1856 |- | Refugio Benavides | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1857 | 1857 |- | Bartolome Garcia | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1858 | 1858 |- | Refugio Benavides | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1859 | 1859 |- | Tomas Treviño | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1860 | 1860 |- | Juan Francisco Farias | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1861 | 1861 |- | Bartolome Garcia | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1862 | 1864 |- | Nicolas Sanchez | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1865 | 1865 |- | Agustin Salinas | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1866 | 1867 |- | Samuel M. Jarvis | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1868 | 1868 |- | Agustin Salinas | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1866 | 1867 |- | Hugh James | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1874 | 1876 |- | Atanacio Vidaurri | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1877 | 1877 |- | Rosendo Garcia | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1878 | 1878 |- | Julian Garcia | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1879 | 1880 |- | Porfirio Benavidez | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1881 | 1882 |- | Dario Sanchez | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1883 | 1883 |- | Porfirio Benavides | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1884 | 1884 |- | Dario Sanchez | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1885 | 1885 |- | E. A. Atlee | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1886 | 1890 |- | C. A. McLane | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1891 | 1894 |- | Andrew Hans Thaison | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1895 | 1895 |- | L. J. Christian | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1896 | 1898 |- | A. E. Vidaurri | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1899 | 1900 |- | Amador Sanchez | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1901 | 1909 |- | Robert McComb | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1910 | 1919 |- | L. Villegas | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1920 | 1925 |- | Albert Martin | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1926 | 1939 |- | Hugh Cluck | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1940 | 1953 |- | J. C. Martin Jr. | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1954 | 1977 |- | Aldo Tatangelo | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1978 | 1990 |- | Saul N. Ramirez Jr. | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1990 | 1997 |- | Betty Flores | <!-- PORTRAIT--> | 1998 | 2006 |- | Raul G. Salinas | 50px | 2006 | 2014 |- | Pete Saenz | 50px | 2014 | |- |} {{Clear}}{{hidden end}}
The council then named the assistant city manager, Horacio De Leon, as the acting city manager.<ref>{{cite news |author=Julia Wallace |date=May 16, 2017 |title=In fallout from FBI raids, Laredo city manager announces retirement |newspaper=Laredo Morning Times |url=http://www.lmtonline.com/local/politics/article/In-fallout-from-FBI-raids-Laredo-city-manager-11149155.php |access-date=May 17, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lmtonline.com/local/politics/article/Mayor-happy-with-outcome-11151708.php|title=Laredo mayor calls city manager's retirement 'convenient for both sides'|newspaper=Laredo Morning Times|author=Julia Wallace|date=May 2017|access-date=May 18, 2017}}</ref> Robert Alexander Eads was selected as City Manager on March 4, 2020,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lmtonline.com/local/article/Garner-resigns-as-LPD-chief-11024047.php|title=Ray Garner resigns as LPD chief|newspaper=Laredo Morning Times|date=March 24, 2017|access-date=March 31, 2017}}</ref>
===State and federal representation=== The United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas Laredo division is a relatively new building adjacent to the Webb County Courthouse.
The United States Border Patrol Laredo Sector Headquarters is at 207 W. Del Mar Blvd, Laredo, Texas.
The United States Postal Service operates its main Post Office at 2700 East Saunders Street south of Laredo International Airport.<ref>"[http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/laredo-2700-e-saunders-st-laredo-tx-1369880 Post Office Location – LAREDO] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100714222336/http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/laredo-2700-e-saunders-st-laredo-tx-1369880 |date=14 July 2010 }}." United States Postal Service. Retrieved May 21, 2010.</ref> Postal branches are downtown and at 2395 East Del Mar Boulevard.<ref>"[http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/del-mar-2395-e-del-mar-blvd-laredo-tx-1432975 Post Office Location – DEL MAR] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713083258/http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/del-mar-2395-e-del-mar-blvd-laredo-tx-1432975 |date=13 July 2010 }}." United States Postal Service. Retrieved May 21, 2010.</ref><ref>"[http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/el-centro-1300-matamoros-st-laredo-tx-1362172 Post Office Location – EL CENTRO] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100714222315/http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/el-centro-1300-matamoros-st-laredo-tx-1362172 |date=14 July 2010 }}." United States Postal Service. Retrieved May 21, 2010.</ref>
The Texas Army National Guard armory is at 6001 E. Bob Bullock Loop 20 Laredo, Texas.
The Colburn Memorial United States Army Reserve Center is at 1 W End Washington St, Laredo, Texas.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) operates the Laredo Parole Office.<ref>"[http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/parole/parole-directory/paroledir-rgnldisparoff4.htm Parole Division Region IV] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904002737/http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/parole/parole-directory/paroledir-rgnldisparoff4.htm |date=4 September 2011 }}." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved May 21, 2010.</ref>
The private prison operator GEO Group runs the Rio Grande Detention Center in Laredo, which opened in 2008 and holds a maximum of 1900 federal detainees.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rio Grande Detention Center|url=http://www.geogroup.com/maps/locationdetails/31|website=GEO Group|access-date=July 30, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160722020305/http://www.geogroup.com/maps/locationdetails/31|archive-date=July 22, 2016}}</ref>
==Education== ===Elementary and secondary===
[[File:Newman Elementary School, Laredo, TX IMG 1824.JPG|thumb|Newman Elementary School at 1300 Alta Vista Blvd. is named for the late businessman B. P. Newman and his widow, Peggy.]] Two school districts, the Laredo Independent School District and the United Independent School District, and eight private schools serve Laredo.
The '''Laredo Independent School District'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laredoisd.org/|title=Home – Laredo Independent School District |website=Laredoisd.org|access-date=August 27, 2017|archive-date=August 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827023646/http://www.laredoisd.org/|url-status=dead}}</ref> (LISD) serves the areas in central Laredo. The LISD high schools are Cigarroa High School, Martin High School, J. W. Nixon High School and the Laredo Early College High School. LISD also has three magnet schools: Dr. Dennis D. Cantu Health Science Magnet School, LISD Magnet for Engineering and Technology Education, and Vidal M. Trevino School of Communications and Fine Arts.
The '''United Independent School District''' serves the rest of Laredo and northern Webb County. The UISD high schools are John B. Alexander High School, Lyndon B. Johnson High School, Laredo Early College High School, United High School, and United South High School. UISD has three magnet schools: John B. Alexander Health Science Magnet, United Engineering Magnet, and the United South Business Magnet. There are thirty-nine schools within UISD and more are under construction or development. United ISD is one of the state's fastest growing districts, serving almost forty thousand students and covering an area the physical size of Rhode Island.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}
thumb|Former downtown campus of St. Augustine Parochial School Several private schools also serve the city: * Saint Augustine High School, Catholic school, 9th–12th<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.st-augustine.org/|title=St. Augustine High School – St. Augustine High School|website=St-augustine.org|access-date=August 27, 2017}}</ref> * Laredo Christian Academy, Assemblies of God, Grades PK–12th * United Day School, PK–8th * Mary Help of Christians School, Catholic school, PK–8th * Blessed Sacrament School, Catholic school, PK–7th * Our Lady of Guadalupe School, Catholic school, PK–6th * St. Peter Memorial School, Catholic school, PK–6th * Saint Augustine School, Catholic school, now elementary and middle, PK–8th, established 1928, enrollment 485 (2008)
The city also has several charter schools, including: * Gateway Academy K–12
===Colleges and universities=== Laredo is home to three higher education institutions Laredo College (LC),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.laredo.edu/cms/index_400.aspx|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805054924/http://www.laredo.edu/cms/index_400.aspx|url-status=dead|title=Laredo Community College |website=www.laredo.edu|archive-date=August 5, 2012}}</ref> Texas A&M International University (TAMIU),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tamiu.edu|title=TAMIU Home|first=Rory|last=King|website=Tamiu.edu|access-date=August 27, 2017}}</ref> and the University of Texas Education and Research Center at Laredo (UT Center at Laredo).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-23 |title=The University of Texas Education and Research Center at Laredo {{!}} The University of Texas System |url=https://www.utsystem.edu/offices/ut-center-laredo |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=www.utsystem.edu |language=en}}</ref>
Laredo College is a two-campus institution which offers two-year Associate's degrees. The main campus, Laredo College Fort McIntosh Campus, is at the western end of downtown Laredo near the Rio Grande, on the site of the former Fort McIntosh. This fort played a major role in the development of Laredo, as it protected the community from Indian raids in its early history. Several of the old buildings at the fort were converted into classrooms, but after renovation programs nearly all of the campus structures are now modern. The smaller, newer second campus, Laredo College South Campus, is in south Laredo along U. S. Route 83.
thumb|left|Texas A&M International University Library Texas A&M International University, one of the member schools of the Texas A&M University System, offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. On April 22, 2004,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tamiu.edu/newsinfo/4-22-04/article1.shtml|title=Texas A&M International University|website=Tamiu.edu|access-date=August 27, 2017|archive-date=August 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828012943/http://www.tamiu.edu/newsinfo/4-22-04/article1.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in Austin, Texas approved Texas A&M International University to grant its first PhD in International Business Administration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tamiu.edu/coba/phd/index.shtml |title=Texas A&M; International University - College of Business Administration Ph.D. International Business Administration |access-date=June 17, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907195537/http://www.tamiu.edu/coba/phd/index.shtml |archive-date=September 7, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tamiu.edu/catalog/current/phd-ib.shtml|title=Texas A&M International University|website=Tamiu.edu|access-date=August 27, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828061945/http://www.tamiu.edu/catalog/current/phd-ib.shtml|archive-date=August 28, 2017}}</ref> The university was an extension of Texas A&I-Kingsville and later the former Laredo State University.
The UT Center at Laredo is located north of Business U.S. Highway 59 at the intersection of McPherson Road and Bustamante Street and neighbors the Laredo Medical Center hospital. The center offers graduate certificates, bachelors degrees, and doctoral degrees in various health related fields from five UT System institutions.
==Media== {{see also|List of newspapers in Texas|List of radio stations in Texas|List of television stations in Texas}}
===Newspapers=== {|class="sortable wikitable" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0;" !Name !Frequency !Language !City |- style="vertical-align: top;" |Laredo Morning Times |Daily |English |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |LareDOS (Defunct, 2014<ref>{{cite web|last1=MacCormack |first1=John|title=Sharp-penned watchdog in Laredo calls it quits |url=http://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Sharp-penned-watchdog-in-Laredo-calls-it-quits-5802805.php|website=San Antonio Express-News |date=October 6, 2014|publisher=Hearst|access-date=September 28, 2015}}</ref>) |Monthly |English |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |El Mañana / Laredo Sun |Daily |Spanish / English |Nuevo Laredo/Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |El Lider Informativo |Daily |Spanish |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |El Diario de Nuevo Laredo |Daily |Spanish |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |Primera Hora |Daily |Spanish |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;"| |Última Hora |Daily |Spanish |Nuevo Laredo |}
===Television=== According to Nielsen Media Research, the Laredo region (which includes Webb and Zapata counties) is ranked 185th market by population size in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nielsen.com/content/dam/corporate/us/en/public%20factsheets/tv/nielsen-2012-local-DMA-TV-penetration.pdf|title=Nielson: Local Television Market Universe Estimates|website=Nielsen.com|access-date=August 27, 2017}}</ref> The first station to broadcast in Laredo was KGNS in 1956, followed by KVTV in 1973, then KJTB (now KLDO) in 1985.
The only notable television network missing from Laredo's airwaves is PBS or Cozi TV. Laredo had a full-power local The CW affiliate, KGNS-DT2, but on July 3, 2014, the affiliation switched to ABC. Prior to that KJTB channel 27, from January 1985 to October 1988 was Laredo's ABC affiliate. KJTB was later bought by Entravision and affiliated the station to Telemundo and changed its callsign to KLDO. Today KLDO is affiliated to Univision. Before KJTB, KGNS, an NBC affiliate had a secondary affiliation to ABC from its founding in 1956 through KJTB's founding in 1985. On November 6, 2013, KGNS reached an agreement to add the ABC affiliation. The ABC affiliate launched in July 2014 when KGNS dropped The CW programming and added ABC programming.<ref>[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/71776/gray-to-air-abc-on-kgns-subchannel Gray to Air ABC on KGNS Subchannel] ''TVNewsCheck'', November 6, 2013.</ref> In October 2015 KVTV now KYLX started broadcasting The CW Programming on its digital subchannel 13.2.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gray-expands-its-partnership-with-the-cw-network-300193285.html |title=Gray Expands Its Partnership with The CW Network |publisher=Gray Television, Inc. |website=www.prnewswire.com |access-date=April 18, 2018}}</ref>
In December 2014, all Nuevo Laredo stations turned off analog television broadcasting and started broadcasting digitally only.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tdt.mx/tdt/cuando-me-toca/?localidad=NUEVO+LAREDO%2C+NUEVO+LAREDO%2C+TAMAULIPAS&id-localidad=246454&x=6&y=16 |title=¿Cuándo me toca? | Televisión Digital Terrestre |access-date=November 14, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314003732/http://www.tdt.mx/tdt/cuando-me-toca/?localidad=NUEVO+LAREDO%2C+NUEVO+LAREDO%2C+TAMAULIPAS&id-localidad=246454&x=6&y=16 |archive-date=March 14, 2014 }}</ref>
{|class="sortable wikitable" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0;" |'''VC''' |'''DT''' |'''DTV''' |'''Dish''' |'''Spectrum''' |'''Callsign''' |'''Network''' |'''Resolution''' |'''City of License''' |- style="vertical-align: top;"| |1.1 |23.1 |{{•}} |{{•}} |98 |XHLNA |Azteca Uno |HD 1080i |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;"| |1.2 |23.2 |{{•}} |{{•}} |{{•}} |XHLNA-TDT2 |ADN 40 |SD 480i |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;"| |2.1 |29.1 |{{•}} |{{•}} |{{•}} |XHLAR |Las Estrellas |HD 1080i |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" | 3.1 | 35.1 |{{•}} |{{•}} |{{•}} | XHCTNL | Imagen Televisión |HD 1080i | Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left | 3.4 | 35.4 |{{•}} |{{•}} |{{•}} | XHCTNL-TDT4 | Excélsior TV |SD 480i | Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |4.1 |25.1 |{{•}} |{{•}} |14 |XHBR |Televisa Nuevo Laredo |HD 1080i |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |5.1 |25.1 |{{•}} |{{•}} |{{•}} |XHBR-TDT2 |Canal 5 |SD 480i |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |6.1 |32.1 |{{•}} |{{•}} |15 |XHNAT |Multimedios Plus |HD 720p |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;"| |6.2 |32.2 |{{•}} |{{•}} |{{•}} |XHNAT-TDT2 |Milenio TV |SD 480i |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;"| |6.3 |32.3 |{{•}} |{{•}} |{{•}} |XHNAT-TDT3 |Teleritmo |SD 480i |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;"| |6.4 |32.4 |{{•}} |{{•}} |{{•}} |XHNAT-TDT4 |MVS TV |SD 480i |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;"| |7.1 |33.2 |{{•}} |{{•}} |{{•}} |XHLAT-TDT |Azteca 7 |HD 1080i |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;"| |7.2 |33.9 |{{•}} |{{•}} |{{•}} |XHLAT-TDT2 |a+ |SD 480i |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |8.1 |8.3 |8 |8 |10 |KGNS |NBC |HD 1080i |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |8.2 |8.4 |12 |15 |9 |KGNS-DT2 |ABC |HD 720p |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |8.3 |8.5 |{{•}} |16 |25 |KGNS-DT3 |Telemundo |HD 720p |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |8.4 |8.6 |{{•}} |{{•}} |{{•}} |KGNS-DT4 |Ion Television |SD 480i |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |8.5 |8.7 |{{•}} |{{•}} |{{•}} |KGNS-DT5 |True Crime Network |SD 480i |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |8.6 |8.8 |{{•}} |{{•}} |{{•}} |KGNS-DT6 |Ion Plus |SD 480i |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |10.1 |10.1 |{{•}} |16 |25 |KXNU |Telemundo |HD 720p |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |10.2 |10.2 |13 |13 |6 |KXNU |CBS |SD 480p |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |{{•}} |{{•}} |{{•}} |{{•}} |11 |KLRN |PBS |Analog |San Antonio |- style="vertical-align: top;"| |13.1 |13.3 |13 |13 |6 |KYLX |CBS |HD 1080i |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;"| |13.2 |13.4 |9 |{{•}} |19 |KYLX-LD2 |The CW |SD 480i |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |15.1 |15.1 |{{•}} |{{•}} |{{•}} |KLMV |MeTV |SD 480i |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |15.2 |15.2 |{{•}} |{{•}} |{{•}} |KLMV-LD2 |Estrella TV |SD 480i |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |15.3 |15.3 |{{•}} |{{•}} |{{•}} |KLMV-LD3 |Movies! |SD 480i |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |15.4 |15.4 |{{•}} |{{•}} |{{•}} |KLMV-LD4 |Jewelry TV |SD 480i |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |17.1 |17.1 |{{•}} |{{•}} |99 |XEFE |Once TV |HD 1080i |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;"| |27.1 |19.1 |{{•}} |27 |78.1 |KLDO |Univision |HD 1080i |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;"| |27.2 |19.2 |{{•}} |{{•}} |1248 |KLDO-DT2 |LATV |SD 480i |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;"| |27.3 |19.3 |{{•}} |{{•}} |{{•}} |KLDO-DT3 |TBD |SD 480i |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;"| |27.4 |19.4 |{{•}} |{{•}} |{{•}} |KLDO-DT4 |Stadium |SD 480i |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;"| |27.5 |19.5 |{{•}} |{{•}} |{{•}} |KLDO-DT5 |Court TV |SD 480i |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;"| |31.1 |31.1 |39 |39 |16 |KXOF |Fox / MyNet |HD 720p |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;"| |31.2 |31.2 |{{•}} |{{•}} |{{•}} |KXOF-CD2 |Grit |SD 480i |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;"| |31.3 |31.3 |{{•}} |{{•}} |{{•}} |KXOF-CD3 |Laff |SD 480i |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;"| |39.1 |27.1 |{{•}} |{{•}} |77 |KETF |Unimas |HD 720p |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |39.2 |27.2 |{{•}} |{{•}} |{{•}} |KETF-CD2 |Comet |SD 480i |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |39.3 |27.3 |{{•}} |{{•}} |{{•}} |KETF-CD3 |Charge! |SD 480i |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;"| |39.4 |27.4 |{{•}} |{{•}} |4 |KETF-CD4 |Azteca America |HD 720p |Laredo |}
===Radio=== According to Arbitron, the Laredo region (which includes Jim Hogg, Webb, and Zapata counties) is ranked 191st market by population size.<ref>{{cite web |title=This content is blocked. Contact the site owner to fix the issue |website=Arbitron |url=http://www.arbitron.com/home/mm001050.asp |access-date=October 19, 2010 |archive-date=April 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110414180218/http://www.arbitron.com/home/mm001050.asp |url-status=dead}}</ref>
====AM radio==== {|class="sortable wikitable" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0;" !Frequency !Callsign !Brand !City of License |- style="vertical-align: top;" |530 |WPMQ285 |TxDOT HAR |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |790 |XEFE |La Mera Ley |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |890 |KVOZ |Radio Cristiana |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |960 |XEK |La Grande |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |1000 |XENLT |Radio Formula |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |1090 |XEWL |La Romantica |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |1300 |KLAR |Radio Poder |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |1340 |XEBK |Mega 95.7 |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |1370 |XEGNK |Radio Mexicana |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |1410 |XEAS |Ke Buena |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |1490 |KLNT |Super Tejano |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |1550 |XENU |La Rancherita |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |1610 |WQA200 |CBP Information |Laredo |}
====FM radio==== {|class="sortable wikitable" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0;" !Frequency !Callsign !Brand !Format !City of License |- style="vertical-align: top;" |88.1 |KHOY |Catholic Radio |Religious |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |88.9 |XHLDO |Radio Tamaulipas |Public Radio |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |89.9 |KBNL |Radio Manantial |Spanish religious |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |91.3 |XHNOE |Stereo 91 |Spanish Contemporary |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |92.7 |KJBZ |Z93 |Tejano |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |93.7 |"XHNLT"<sup>PR</sup> |Radio Estereo Uncion FM |Christian Radio |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |94.1 |XHTLN |Imagen / RMX Laredo |Talk / Contemporary |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |94.9 |KQUR |Digital 94.9 |Spanish Pop |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |95.3 |XHLPZ |La Traviesa |Spanish Regional |Lampazos |- style="vertical-align: top;" |95.7 |XHBK |Mega 95.7 |Spanish Contemporary |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |96.5 |"XHTWO"<sup>PR</sup> |Radio Two |Norteño |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |97.1 |XHNLO |La Caliente |Norteño |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |98.1 |KRRG |Big Buck Country |Country |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |99.3 |XHNK |40 Principales |Top 40 |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |100.1 |none |The Blitz |Classic Rock and Heavy Metal |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |100.5 |KBDR |La Ley |Tejano |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |101.5 |XHAS |Ke Buena |Norteño |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |102.3 |XHMW |Stereo Vida |AC/Oldies |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |102.9 |none<sup>PR</sup> |La Guerrera de la Frontera |International |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |103.3 |none<sup>PR</sup> |XRock |Classic rock |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |104.5 |none<sup>PR</sup> |2 Beat |Electronica |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |104.9 |XHNLR |Radio UAT |University Radio |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |105.1 |none<sup>PR</sup> |RN Radio |Spanish |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |105.5 |none<sup>PR</sup> |Mas Musica |Spanish |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |106.1 |KNEX |Hot 106.1 |Urban / Rhythmic Top 40 |Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |106.5 |none<sup>PR</sup> |Radio Voz |Norteño |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |107.3 |XHGTS |107.3 Me Gusta |Spanish Pop |Nuevo Laredo |- style="vertical-align: top;" |162.55 |WXK26 |NOAA Weather Radio |Weather |Laredo |} <sup>PR</sup>:Suspected pirate radio stations since they are not licensed with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States or COFETEL in Mexico.<ref>{{cite web |title=Infraestructura de Estaciones de Radio FM |trans-title=FM Radio Station Infrastructure |date=2012-09-12 |url=http://www.cofetel.gob.mx/es_mx/Cofetel_2008/Cofe_estaciones_fm_in |publisher=Dirección General Adjunta de Trámites y Servicios de la Unidad de Sistemas de Radio y Televisión |language=es |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630180021/http://www.cofetel.gob.mx/es_mx/Cofetel_2008/Cofe_estaciones_fm_in |archive-date=June 30, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=FM Query Results |publisher=Federal Communications Commission |url=http://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?state=&call=&city=nuevo+laredo&arn=&serv=&vac=&freq=0.0&fre2=107.9&facid=&class=&dkt=&list=1&dist=&dlat2=&mlat2=&slat2=&NS=N&dlon2=&mlon2=&slon2=&EW=W&size=9 |access-date=June 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119092333/http://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?state=&call=&city=nuevo+laredo&arn=&serv=&vac=&freq=0.0&fre2=107.9&facid=&class=&dkt=&list=1&dist=&dlat2=&mlat2=&slat2=&NS=N&dlon2=&mlon2=&slon2=&EW=W&size=9 |archive-date=January 19, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Some pirate stations are suspected, due to the fact other licensed stations nearby share the same frequency, such as 106.5 Radio Voz and KMAE from nearby Bruni, Texas and 103.3 Radio 33 and XHAHU-FM from nearby Anáhuac, Nuevo León, each city less than 50 miles from Laredo.
==Infrastructure== ===Health care=== thumb|Laredo Medical Center, formerly Mercy Hospital, is the largest hospital in Laredo.
thumb|Doctor's Hospital in Laredo
thumb|Laredo Specialty Hospital, near the Laredo Medical Center, handles certain patients requiring long-term care.
In addition to the University of Texas Health Science Center branch, there are five other principal medical centers in Laredo: the Laredo Medical Center, Doctor's Hospital, Gateway Community Health Center, Providence Surgical & Medical Center, and the Laredo Specialty Hospital.
Doctors Hospital<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.doctorshosplaredo.com/p1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928044510/https://www.doctorshosplaredo.com/p1.html|url-status=dead|title=Doctor's Hospital Of Laredo Homepage|archive-date=September 28, 2007}}</ref> is Laredo's second-largest medical center. The hospital complex is over {{convert|250000|sqft|m2|-3}}, with 180 licensed beds on a {{convert|58|acre|ha|adj=on}} campus. Affiliated with Universal Health Services, it is on Loop 20 in north Laredo. The Doctors Regional Cancer Treatment Center offers comprehensive cancer services.
The Providence Surgical & Medical Center<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.uhsinc.com/hospitals.php?type=ambulatory|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206103743/http://www.uhsinc.com/hospitals.php?type=ambulatory|url-status=dead|title=Providence Surgical & Medical Center|archive-date=February 6, 2012}}</ref> is an ambulatory health care center in north-central Laredo and also owned by Universal Health Services.
The Gateway Community Health Center<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gatewaychc.com/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617102311/http://www.gatewaychc.com/index.html|url-status=dead|title=Gateway Community Health Center|archive-date=June 17, 2015}}</ref> is the third-largest medical center in Laredo. The health center's main building is {{convert|64000|sqft|m2|-2}}. The Medical center moved to its new $11,000,000 building in 2006. The main Gateway Community Health Center is in East Laredo, close to U.S. Highway 59. It also has three branches in the Laredo area: the South Clinic, El Cenizo Community Center, and Quad City Community Center.
Gateway Community Health Center services include:
The Laredo Specialty Hospital<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lsh.ernesthealth.com/|title=LSH – We are passionate, patient caregivers.|website=lsh.ernesthealth.com|access-date=August 27, 2017}}</ref> is the fourth-largest medical center in Laredo. It is owned by Ernest Health Inc. and was founded by Elmo Lopez Jr. on May 22, 2006. It admitted its first patient within hours of operation. The grand opening took place in March 2007.
===Transportation=== In 2016, 82.3 percent of working Laredo residents commuted by driving alone, 10.2 percent carpooled, 0.9 percent used public transportation, and 1.9 percent walked. About 2 percent of working Laredo residents commuted by all other means, including taxi, bicycle, and motorcycles. About 2.6 percent worked at home.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Census Reporter|title=Means of Transportation to Work by Age|access-date=May 6, 2018|url=https://censusreporter.org/data/table/?table=B08101&geo_ids=16000US4841464&primary_geo_id=16000US4841464}}</ref>
In 2015, 6.5 percent of city of Laredo households were without a car, which decreased slightly to 5.9 percent in 2016. The national average was 8.7 percent in 2016. Laredo averaged 1.85 cars per household in 2016, compared to a national average of 1.8 per household.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Car Ownership in U.S. Cities Data and Map|journal=Governing|date=December 9, 2014|url=http://www.governing.com/gov-data/car-ownership-numbers-of-vehicles-by-city-map.html|access-date=May 4, 2018}}</ref>
====Air==== thumb|Laredo International Airport thumb|Tex-Mex Railway International Bridge view from Laredo Laredo is served by the Laredo International Airport. Daily flights are available to Houston (George Bush Intercontinental Airport) and to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Tri-weekly flights to Las Vegas, Nevada are available. After Laredo Air Force Base closed in the mid-1970s, the federal government handed over the old air force base and property to the City of Laredo for a new municipal airport. From the mid-1970s until the mid-1990s, the airport used a small terminal for passenger airline service and several old hangars for air cargo and private aircraft. A new state-of-the art passenger terminal was built along the then newly constructed Loop 20 to accommodate larger jets and to increase passenger air travel through Laredo. Expansion of air cargo facilities, taxiways and aprons, air cargo carriers such as DHL, FedEx, UPS, BAX, and others have responded by adding commercial air cargo jet services. Laredo also has two medical helipads, at Laredo Medical Center and Doctor's Hospital.
====Mass transit==== El Metro is the public transit system that operates in the city with 21 fixed routes and Paratransit services, with approximately 4.6 million passengers per year. El Metro works with a fleet of over 47 fixed route buses, 2 trolleys and 18 Paratransit/El Lift vans. The El Metro hub is in downtown Laredo at El Metro Transit Center. The center also houses Greyhound Lines and provides fee-based daily parking for downtown shoppers and workers.
====Rural transit==== Rural transportation is provided by the Webb County operated "El Aguila Rural Transportation" (the Eagle) bus services. El Aguila serves fixed daily routes from rural communities (Bruni, El Cenizo, Mirando City, Oilton, and Rio Bravo) to the downtown El Metro Transit Center.
==Road bridges== {| class="wikitable" !Bridge !Bridge number !Location !Opened !Pedestrians !Non-commercial vehicles !Commercial vehicles |- | Gateway to the Americas International Bridge | 1 | San Agustin Historical District | 1889/1954 | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} |- | Juárez–Lincoln International Bridge | 2 | Southern terminus of Interstate 35 | 1976 | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes2}} limited (e.g. buses) |- | Colombia-Solidarity International Bridge | 3 | Nuevo León, Mexico / Texas border | 1992 | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |- | World Trade International Bridge | 4 | Northern Terminus of Loop 20,<br>Western terminus of Interstate 69W,<br>Western terminus of U.S. Highway 59 | 2000 | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} |}
==Rail bridges== {| class="wikitable" !Bridge !Bridge number !Location |- | Patrick J. Ottensmeyer International Railway Bridge (formerly known as the Texas-Mexican Railway International Bridge) (Laredo International Railway Bridge)<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stephens |first=Bill |date=December 17, 2024 |title=CPKC completes second span over the Rio Grande at the Laredo gateway |language=en-US |work=Trains |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/cpkc-completes-second-span-over-the-rio-grande-at-the-laredo-gateway/ |access-date=December 18, 2024}}</ref> | 1 | Downtown Laredo, Texas |- | Patrick J. Ottensmeyer International Railway Bridge (Right Next to Laredo International Railway Bridge 1) (Construction completed Feb. 2025)<ref>{{Cite web |title=CPKC dedicates Patrick J. Ottensmeyer International Railway Bridge |url=https://www.cpkcr.com/en/media/Ottensmeyer-feb2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430013219/https://www.cpkcr.com/en/media/Ottensmeyer-feb2025 |archive-date=April 30, 2025 |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=www.cpkcr.com |language=en-CA |url-status=live }}</ref> |2 | Downtown Laredo, Texas |}
===Proposed=== {| class="wikitable" !Bridge !Bridge number !Location |- | Union Pacific International Railway Bridge project | 3 | Northwest Laredo area |- | Laredo-Colombia International Railway Bridge | 4 | Nuevo León / Texas border |- |Green Corridors "Elevated Guideway"<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-09 |title=Presidential Permit Authorizing Green Corridors, LLC, to Construct, Maintain, and Operate a Commercial Elevated Guideway Border Crossing Near Laredo, Texas, at the International Boundary Between the United States and Mexico |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/06/presidential-permit-authorizing-green-corridors-llc-to-construct-maintain-and-operate-commercial-elevated-guideway-border-crossing-near-laredo-texas-at-the-international-boundary-between-the-us-mexico/ |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=The White House |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Laredo Project {{!}} Green Corridors |url=https://greencorridors.com/pegasi/ |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=greencorridors.com |language=en-US}}</ref> |5 |Nuevo León / Texas border |}
==Highways==
===Major highways===
====Major highways in Laredo and their starting and ending points==== *25px Interstate 35 Laredo—Duluth *25px Interstate 69W Laredo—Victoria following I-69 to Port Huron *25px Interstate 2 is proposed to be extended to Laredo following US 83 and the southern end of Loop 20. If it is extended, I-2's terminus would be I-69W. *25x25pxInterstate 27 is proposed to be extended to Laredo from Lubbock, Tx. following various routes till it meets with US 83. Once extended, I-27 will run concurrently with I-35 starting at mile marker 18 in north Webb County. *25px U.S. Highway 59 Laredo—Lancaster. Included on the I-69W corridor. *25px U.S. Highway 83 Brownsville—Laredo—Westhope *25x25px State Highway 84 Laredo: FM1472—I-35 *25px State Highway 255 Laredo—Laredo–Colombia Solidarity International Bridge *25px State Highway 359 Laredo—Skidmore *25px State Loop 20 Loop around Laredo
====Major highways in Nuevo Laredo and their starting and ending points==== *20px Mexican Federal Highway 85 Nuevo Laredo-Mexico City *20px Mexican Federal Highway 2 Matamoros-Nuevo Laredo-Colombia-Ciudad Acuña *Tamaulipas State Highway 1 Nuevo Laredo-Monterrey *Nuevo León State Highway Spur 1 Colombia-Anáhuac
===Minor highways=== *25px Farm to Market Road 1472(Mines Road) Laredo—Colombia Solidarity International Bridge *25x25px Farm to Market Road 3338(Las Tiendas Road) Laredo: FM1472—SH255 *25x25px State Highway Spur 400(Clark Boulevard) Laredo: Arkansas Avenue—Loop 20 *25x25px State Highway Spur 260(Jaime Zapata Memorial Highway) Laredo: US83—SH359/Loop 20 *25x25px State Highway Spur 259 Laredo: SH359—Loop 20
==Notable people== {{More citations needed section|date=October 2025}}
===Born in Laredo=== [[File:TomDeLay.jpg|thumb|upright=0.65|Tom DeLay, the Republican House Majority Leader from 2003 to 2006, was born in Laredo.]] * Pedro "Pete" Astudillo, composer * David Barkley-Cantu, first Mexican-American to be awarded the Medal of Honor * Freddie Benavides, former professional baseball player * Santos Benavides, Confederate States of America colonel * Esther Buckley (1948–2013), member of the United States Commission on Civil Rights from 1983 to 1992; Laredo educator * Kaleb Canales (born 1978), assistant coach of the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association * Quico Canseco, Republican U.S. Representative representing Texas's 23rd congressional district from 2010 to 2012 * Orlando Canizales, professional boxer, Career W 50 L 5 D 1 * Francisco G. Cigarroa, chancellor of University of Texas System * Henry Cuellar, Democrat U.S. Representative from Texas's 28th congressional district since 2005, former Texas Secretary of State (2001) and state representative (1987–2001)<ref>{{Cite web |title=CUELLAR, Henry |url=https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/C001063 |access-date=October 3, 2025 |website=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress}}</ref> * Tony Dalton, actor and screenwriter * Elizabeth De Razzo (born 1980), actress * Tom DeLay, former U.S. Representative for Texas's 22nd congressional district, former House Majority Leader, Republican from Sugar Land, Texas * Ramón H. Dovalina (born 1943), educator; president of Laredo Community College from 1995 to 2007 * Elma Salinas Ender (born 1953), first Hispanic woman state court judge in Texas; served on the 341st District Court from 1983 until her retirement in 2012 * Audrey Esparza (born 1986), actress * Megan Frazee (born 1987), women's professional basketball player, (2009–) * Betty Flores (born 1944), first woman mayor of Laredo, 1998–2006 * Alfonso Gomez-Rejon (born 1973), film and television director * Roxanne Perez (born 2001), professional wrestler in WWE * Raquel Rodriguez (born 1991), professional wrestler in WWE (resided in Laredo) * Armando Hinojosa (born 1944), sculptor, designed Tejano Monument in Austin and "Among Friends There Are No Borders" at the Laredo International Airport * Jovita Idar (1885–1946), was a Mexican-American journalist, political activist and civil rights worker, who fought for the rights of Mexican Americans and women * John King, Professional baseball pitcher for The Texas Rangers * Rodney Lewis (born 1954), oil and natural gas industrialist based in San Antonio * Sebastián Ligarde (born 1954), actor * Paul Magnier (born 2004), professional French cyclist * Thomas C. Mann (1912–1999), Pointman for Latin America policy for President Lyndon Johnson. * Jose C. "Pepe" Martin Jr. (1913–1998), mayor of Laredo from 1954 to 1978; convicted federal felon popularly known as ''el patron'' * César A. Martínez (born 1944), artist, prominent in the Chicano world of art * Carlos Mercado (born 1999), soccer player<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mack |first=Jason |date=March 10, 2025 |title=Mercado's journey from Laredo to MLS continues with new Orlando City deal |url=https://www.lmtonline.com/local/article/soccer-b-goalie-goalkeeper-contract-next-lions-mls-20201755.php |access-date=April 13, 2025 |work=Laredo Morning Times}}</ref> * Alicia Dickerson Montemayor, Democratic political activist and educator * Amado Maurilio Peña Jr. (born 1943), American visual artist and art educator * Federico Peña, former mayor of Denver, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, and former U.S. Secretary of Energy, Democrat * William Merriweather Peña (1919–2018), architect * Roel Ramírez (born 1995), professional baseball player * Ana Rodriguez, Miss USA finalist, finished third runner up, 2011 * Johnny Rodriguez, Tex-Mex Country singer * Pete Saenz (born 1951), mayor of Laredo since November 12, 2014; former trustee of Laredo Community College and Laredo lawyer * Poncho Sanchez (born 1951), conga player, Latin jazz bandmaster & salsa singer * Antonio R. "Tony" Sanchez Jr., oilman and banker, 2002 Democratic nominee for governor of Texas * Edgar Valdez Villarreal (born 1973), nicknamed ''La Barbie'', Mexican-American drug lord and former leader of Los Negros<ref>{{cite web|agency=Agence France-Presse|title=Mexico orders Laredo-born drug lord 'La Barbie' extradited to US|url=http://www.laredosun.us/notas.asp?id=12217|work=Laredo Sun|access-date=November 22, 2010|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214062345/http://laredosun.us/notas.asp?id=12217|archive-date=December 14, 2010}}</ref> * Kathleen King von Alvensleben, architect * Peggy Webber (born 1925), actress * Jack Wheeler (1944–2010), co-founder of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund; aide to U.S. Presidents Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush * Judith Zaffirini (born 1946), First Latina elected to the Texas State Senate.
===Other notable people===
* Steve Asmussen (born 1965), horse breeder who won three legs of the Triple Crown * Norma Elia Cantú (born 1947), Chicana postmodernist writer and a professor of English at the University of Texas at San Antonio * Thomas Haden Church, actor in film ''Sideways'' and sitcom ''Wings'' * Edmund J. Davis (1827–1883), governor of Texas from 1869 to 1873; resided in Laredo during parts of the 1850s * Ned Kock, information systems professor affiliated with Texas A&M International University * Jack Lanza, ex-professional wrestler, now WWE producer * Juan L. Maldonado (born 1948), sixth president of Laredo Community College * Saul N. Ramirez Jr., mayor of Laredo from 1990 to 1998 * Richard Peña Raymond, state representative from Webb County since 2001; previously represented Duval County * Jerry D. Thompson (born 1943), historian affiliated with Texas A&M International University * Jeremy Vuolo, (born 1987), is an American former soccer player for Major League Soccer and the North American Soccer League. * Robert G. Whitehead (1916–2007), businessman/artist who marketed "Blue Star" first-aid ointment * Roger L. Worsley (born 1937), president of Laredo Community College, 1985 to 1995
==Sister cities== During the month of July, Laredo sponsors the Laredo International Sister Cities Festival, which was founded in 2003. The festival is an international business, trade, tourism, and cultural expo. All of Laredo's sister cities are invited to participate. In 2004, the Laredo International Sister Cities Festival received the best overall Program award from the Sister Cities International.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.visitlaredo.com/magazine.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080603091145/http://www.visitlaredo.com/magazine.html|url-status=dead|title=visitlaredo.com Laredo International Sister Cities Festival|archive-date=June 3, 2008}}</ref>
Laredo's sister cities are:<ref>{{cite web|title=Sister Cities|url=https://www.cityoflaredo.com/SisterCities/SisterCityIndex.htm|website=cityoflaredo.com|publisher=City of Laredo|access-date=October 26, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917161950/https://www.cityoflaredo.com/SisterCities/SisterCityIndex.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> {{div col|colwidth=20em}} *{{flagicon|MEX}} Acámbaro, Mexico (2004) *{{flagicon|MEX}} Campeche, Mexico *{{flagicon|MEX}} Cerralvo, Mexico *{{flagicon|CHN}} Chenzhou, China (2001) *{{flagicon|MEX}} Ciénega de Flores, Mexico (1987) *{{flagicon|MEX}} Ciudad Valles, Mexico *{{flagicon|CRI}} La Cruz, Costa Rica *{{flagicon|MEX}} Cuernavaca, Mexico *{{flagicon|MEX}} General Escobedo, Mexico *{{flagicon|MEX}} General Terán, Mexico *{{flagicon|MEX}} Guadalajara, Mexico *{{flagicon|MEX}} Guadalupe, Mexico (2000) *{{flagicon|MEX}} Los Herreras, Mexico *{{flagicon|NZL}} Hutt, New Zealand *{{flagicon|MEX}} Jerez, Mexico (1987) *{{flagicon|MEX}} Lampazos de Naranjo, Mexico (2000) *{{flagicon|ESP}} Laredo, Spain (1978) *{{flagicon|MEX}} Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico *{{flagicon|MEX}} León, Mexico *{{flagicon|MEX}} Mexticacán, Mexico (2002) *{{flagicon|MEX}} Monclova, Mexico (2003) *{{flagicon|MEX}} Montemorelos, Mexico *{{flagicon|AUS}} Murray Bridge, Australia (1984) *{{flagicon|MEX}} Nuevo Laredo, Mexico (1986) *{{flagicon|MEX}} Papantla, Mexico *{{flagicon|ARG}} San Antonio de Areco, Argentina *{{flagicon|MEX}} San Miguel de Allende, Mexico (2001) *{{flagicon|TWN}} Tainan, Taiwan *{{flagicon|MEX}} Tepatitlán de Morelos, Mexico *{{flagicon|MEX}} Tijuana, Mexico *{{flagicon|MEX}} Tlahualilo, Mexico (1988) *{{flagicon|MEX}} Tonalá, Mexico *{{flagicon|MEX}} Torreón, Mexico 2004) *{{flagicon|MEX}} Veracruz, Mexico (1992) *{{flagicon|CHN}} Wenzhou, China *{{flagicon|CHN}} Wuwei, China (2004) *{{flagicon|CHN}} Zixing, China (2002) {{div col end}}
==See also== {{portal|Geography|North America|United States|Texas}} *Laredo–Nuevo Laredo *Nuevo Laredo *Webb County, Texas {{clear}}
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==Bibliography== {{See also|Timeline of Laredo, Texas#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Laredo, Texas}}
==External links== {{sister project links|voy=Laredo}} *[http://www.cityoflaredo.com/ City of Laredo Homepage] *[http://www.laredochamber.com/ Laredo Chamber of Commerce] *[http://www.visitlaredo.com/ Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau] *[http://www.ldfonline.org/ Laredo Development Foundation] *{{Handbook of Texas|id=hdl02|name=Laredo, Texas}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20051023202139/http://www.laredotexas.gov/cityhistory.html Laredo History provided by the City Of Laredo] *[http://texashistory.unt.edu/browse/contributor/LPL/ Historic Photos from the Laredo Public Library] hosted by the [http://texashistory.unt.edu/ Portal to Texas History]
{{Laredo, Texas}} {{Texas county seats}} {{Webb County, Texas}} {{Laredo Community College presidents}} {{USPopulousCities}} {{authority control}}
Category:Laredo, Texas<!--please leave the empty space as standard--> Category:Cities in Webb County, Texas Category:County seats in Texas Category:Laredo–Nuevo Laredo Category:Divided cities Category:Capitals of former countries Category:Former colonial and territorial capitals in the United States Category:Populated places established in 1755 Category:1755 establishments in New Spain Category:Cities in Texas Category:Texas populated places on the Rio Grande Category:Hispanic and Latino American culture in Texas