Winter Texans will start making their way south to the Rio Grande Valley in less than a month, but a local organization says the numbers have been dropping recently, according to KRGV.
Retirees from as far away as Canada travel to the Valley each year to escape the cold, often staying for three or more months in an RV, condo or with family. Changes in RV park ownership and closures suggest there is less demand from retirees.
The economic impact of the seasonal population increase is significant. According to a 2021 study by Welcome Home RGV, Winter Texans spend $1.2 billion every season, including money spent by visiting family and friends.
“Winter Texans are a huge driver for South Texas,” Welcome Home RGV Owner Kristi Collier said. “Each Winter Texan couple spends about $13,000 a season,” Collier said.
But the number of Winter Texans coming to the area is shrinking, Collier said, adding that they’re seeing that effect in RV parks.
