El Refugio ("The Refuge") is a census-designated place (CDP) in Starr County, Texas, United States.

[4] According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 0.6 square miles (2.0 km2), all land.

El Refugio first appeared as a census designated place in the 2020 U.S.

About 40.0% of families and 51.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 74.0% of those under the age of eighteen and none of those sixty five or over.

The community is served by the Rio Grande City Grulla Independent School District (formerly Rio Grande City Consolidated Independent School District)[22]