It is located on the north bank of the Rio Grande southeast of El Paso, and on the border of Mexico.

El Paso adjoins it on the west and the smaller city of San Elizario on the southeast; small unincorporated areas of El Paso County separate it from the nearby municipalities of Horizon City to the north and Clint to the east.

[8] Socorro was established in 1680 by local Manso and Piro Indians fleeing the Pueblo Revolt in northern New Mexico.

The probable date of a Mass celebrated in the mission church of Nuestra Señora de la Limpia Concepción del Socorro, October 13, 1680, is regarded as the founding date of the city in Texas, called Socorro, established by the Spaniards and the Piro they brought south with them from New Mexico during the Pueblo Revolt.

[17] Socorro is a city of sales and office employees, construction workers, builders, and service providers.

[citation needed] The Rio Vista Bracero Reception Center was designated a National Historic Landmark on December 11, 2023.

First created as an orphanage and poor farm in 1915, it became a processing center for the Bracero Program in 1950 which brought Mexicans to the United States as guest agricultural workers.

It is one of only 112 authorized replicas of the Pieta, finished by artist Michelangelo in 1499, which can be found in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City.

The city council is responsible for setting policy and enacting ordinances for the benefit of the residents and businesses in Socorro.

The city manager oversees the provision of services, including police, public works, human resources, accounting/purchasing, and planning and zoning.

[26] Other Socorro ISD schools include: Escontrias Early Childhood and KEYS Elementary Academy.