Neighborhood in Brownsville, Cameron County

Living in 21 Subdivision Colonia, Brownsville

C-

15th of 15areas in Brownsville
Overall score 36 of 100 vs Texas neighborhoods
Brownsville overall: C

21 Subdivision Colonia is a neighborhood in Brownsville, TX, home to about 2,200 people. It gets a C-, just below the middle of Texas neighborhoods, and ranks 15th of 15 areas we score in Brownsville. It does best on cost of living and worst on health.

  • Affordable
  • Jobs and income scores low (16 of 100)
  • Getting around scores low (19 of 100)

Closest everyday places

Grocery store0.2 mi
Pharmacy0.4 mi
Park0.5 mi
Cafe0.6 mi
Restaurant0.4 mi
Gym1.9 mi
Hospital or urgent care0.6 mi
Childcare0.6 mi
Library0.8 mi

Straight-line distance from the middle of where people live. Overture Maps.

Population
2,180
Median rent
$850
Median home value
$135,000
Household income
$54,300
Average commute
26 min
Homes owned
77%
Loading map

What it's like to live in 21 Subdivision Colonia

21 Subdivision Colonia is a neighborhood in Brownsville with about 2,200 residents, homes built around 1990, mostly owner-occupied (77%) and 40% of households with children.

Our grade for 21 Subdivision Colonia is C-. That puts it 15th of 15 areas we grade in Brownsville, a city that gets a C overall.

Pros of living in 21 Subdivision Colonia

  • Groceries close by. The nearest grocery store is about 0.2 miles from the middle of the neighborhood.
  • Parks within walking distance. The closest park is about 0.5 miles away.

Cons of living in 21 Subdivision Colonia

  • Longer commutes. The average commute is 26 minutes, against 21 for Brownsville as a whole.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hurricanes and heat waves as very high in this part of town.

21 Subdivision Colonia report card

Each grade compares 21 Subdivision Colonia with every neighborhood in Texas. Safety is not graded for single neighborhoods because police report crime for the whole city.

  • Cost of living: grade A

    Median rent $850, homes cost 2.5x income.

    90 of 100 vs TX areas

  • Jobs and income: grade D

    Median household income $54,300, 5.0% unemployed.

    16 of 100 vs TX areas

  • Schools: grade B

    Nearby schools average 84 of 100 on the state rating.

    65 of 100 vs TX areas

  • Safety: no grade

    Citywide, 405 violent crimes per 100k, 1,528 property crimes per 100k.

    No score vs TX areas

  • Errands and things to do: grade C

    Most everyday stores and services within a mile of homes.

    44 of 100 vs TX areas

  • Getting around: grade D

    Average commute 26 min, 14% work from home.

    19 of 100 vs TX areas

  • Education levels: grade F

    14% have a bachelor’s degree.

    8 of 100 vs TX areas

  • Health: grade F

    43% of adults uninsured.

    6 of 100 vs TX areas

  • Home ownership: grade C+

    77% of homes owner-occupied.

    50 of 100 vs TX areas

  • Internet access: grade D-

    79% of homes have broadband.

    13 of 100 vs TX areas

21 Subdivision Colonia compared with Brownsville

Better than Brownsville

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 30%18 points lower than Brownsville (48%)
  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 77%15 points higher than Brownsville (62%)
  • Median rent: $8508% lower than Brownsville ($923)

Worse than Brownsville

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 14%10 points lower than Brownsville (25%)
  • Average commute: 26 min23% higher than Brownsville (21 min)
  • Homes with broadband internet: 79%7 points lower than Brownsville (86%)

Closest public schools

Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings. Check the attendance zone for any address with the district.

  • BGarza at Southmost ElementaryElementary, Brownsville ISD0.1 mi
  • ABesteiro MiddleMiddle, Brownsville ISD1.1 mi
  • BLopez Early College High SchoolHigh, Brownsville ISD1.3 mi

Cost of living in 21 Subdivision Colonia

Median rent in 21 Subdivision Colonia is $850 a month, 8% lower than the Brownsville median. A household would need about $34,000 a year to keep that rent at 30% of income.

The median home is worth $135,000, about the same as the Brownsville median, which means a monthly payment of about $883 with property tax at today's mortgage rates.

MeasureHereBrownsvilleTexas
Median rent8% lower than Brownsville$850$923$1,403
Median home value4% lower than Brownsville$135,000$139,900$283,800
Home value to income7% lower than Brownsville2.5x2.7x3.6x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent18 points lower than Brownsville30%48%52%
Homes owned by the people living in them15 points higher than Brownsville77%62%63%
Vacant homesAbout the same as Brownsville8.3%7.8%9.4%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Brownsville199019951992

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$883
Mortgage payment
$739
Property tax
$144
Median rent, for comparison
$850

Based on a $135,000 home in 21 Subdivision Colonia, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median for the surrounding Census tract, or the county where that is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.

Work, income and getting around

MeasureHereBrownsvilleTexas
Median household income4% higher than Brownsville$54,300$52,130$78,476
Unemployment rate1 points lower than Brownsville5.0%6.2%5.3%
People below the poverty lineAbout the same as Brownsville23%24%14%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher10 points lower than Brownsville14%25%34%
Average commute23% higher than Brownsville26 min21 min27 min
Workers who work from home6 points higher than Brownsville14%8.4%14%
Workers who walk, bike or take transit2 points lower than Brownsville0%2.1%2.6%
Homes with broadband internet7 points lower than Brownsville79%86%91%

Natural hazard risk

FEMA National Risk Index for the Census tracts in this area.

  • River floodingLow
  • Coastal floodingHigh
  • HurricanesVery high
  • TornadoesModerate
  • HailHigh
  • Heat wavesVery high
  • WildfiresHigh
  • Winter stormsModerate
  • Strong windModerate

Who lives in 21 Subdivision Colonia

Under 1822%
18 to 3429%
35 to 6426%
65 and over23%
Race and ethnicity
White0%
Hispanic or Latino100%
Black0%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race0%

Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.

Other neighborhoods in Brownsville

  1. 1A-Southwest BrownsvilleMedian rent $1,470
  2. 2BLos EbanosMedian rent $1,000
  3. 3BValle Hermosa Colonia
  4. 4BSouth BrownsvilleMedian rent $1,010
  5. 5B-RiversideMedian rent $680
  6. 6C+West BrownsvilleMedian rent $1,160
  7. 7C+Los Cuates South ColoniaMedian rent $970
  8. 8C+Northwest BrownsvilleMedian rent $820

Similar neighborhoods in other cities

Areas elsewhere in Texas with the closest mix of grades.

  1. DEl DoradoHouston
  2. CSouthwest SocorroSocorro
  3. D+Central Southwest HoustonHouston

Questions about 21 Subdivision Colonia

Is 21 Subdivision Colonia a good place to live?

21 Subdivision Colonia is a neighborhood in Brownsville, TX, home to about 2,200 people. It gets a C-, just below the middle of Texas neighborhoods, and ranks 15th of 15 areas we score in Brownsville. It does best on cost of living and worst on health.

How much does it cost to live in 21 Subdivision Colonia?

Renters in 21 Subdivision Colonia pay a median of $850 a month, 8% lower than the Brownsville median. The median home is worth $135,000, 4% lower than the Brownsville median. A median home costs 2.5x the median household income, compared with 2.7x across Brownsville.

What schools serve 21 Subdivision Colonia?

The closest rated public schools are Garza at Southmost Elementary (elementary, rated B), Besteiro Middle (middle, rated A) and Lopez Early College High School (high, rated B). School zones can differ from the closest school, so check with the district.

This area is built from 2 Census block groups closest to the 21 Subdivision Colonia name on the map, so its edges are approximate. Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency, FEMA National Risk Index, Overture Maps. How we grade.