[6] The area that is now Hidalgo was first settled by Spanish colonists led by José de Escandón circa 1749.

[5] As of the 2020 United States census, there were 13,964 people, 3,774 households, and 3,220 families residing in the city.

8.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The United States Postal Service operates the Hidalgo Post Office.

The library, designed by Hidalgo native Eduardo Vela, opened on April 8, 1998.

[16] Hidalgo used to be the home to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA G League, who played in the local Payne Arena, and the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros of the USL Championship, who play in the H-E-B Park.

The Payne Arena is also a concert venue serving the McAllen–Edinburg–Mission and Reynosa–McAllen metropolitan areas.