Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz: A Brief Overview


By: Laurie E. Jasinski

Published: June 12, 2007

Updated: September 22, 2023

Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz, located off U. S. Highway 281 just north of the Rio Grande and about twelve miles northwest of Brownsville and six miles south of San Benito, was classified as a census-designated place in 1990. This community includes Encantada, a colonia that was shown on highway maps by the early 1960s, as well as the colonias of Ranchito and El Calaboz. In 1990 the population was 1,143. That figure increased to 2,100 in 2000. The area consists of primarily Hispanic, lower-income families and is part of the San Benito Consolidated Independent School District (see EL CALABOZ and RANCHITO).

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The following, adapted from the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition, is the preferred citation for this entry.

Laurie E. Jasinski, “Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz, TX,” Handbook of Texas Online, accessed March 09, 2026, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/encantada-ranchito-el-calaboz-tx.

Published by the Texas State Historical Association.

TID: HJE12

June 12, 2007
September 22, 2023

Find out more about this place from our Texas Almanac.

Place
Encantada-Ranchito El Calaboz
Currently Exists
Yes
Place Type
Town
USGS ID
2034728
Town Fields
  • Has post office: No
  • Is Incorporated: No
Belongs to
  • Cameron County
Associated Names

Ranchito [El-

Ranchita]

Coordinates
  • Latitude: 26.03344220°
  • Longitude: -97.63307400°
Population Counts
People Year
1,143 1990
2,100 2000
2,255 2010
2,233 2019
1,981 2020
1,362 2021

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