Winter Texans will start making their way south to the Rio Grande Valley in less than a month, but a local organization says the numbers have been dropping recently.

Retirees from as far away as Canada travel to the Valley each year to escape the cold, often staying for three or more months in an RV, condo, or with family. Changes in RV park ownerships and closures suggest there is less demand from retirees.

Sue Hoogland makes the trip every year from Florence, Wisconsin. She started heading south nearly 20 years ago to avoid northern winters, visiting Arizona and Florida along the way. A few years ago, she noticed fewer neighbors around her.

"Covid hit and everything changed," Hoogland said.

Hoogland spoke to Channel 5 News over video call from her home in Wisconsin. She said one destination kept bringing her back.

"I don’t want to go to Florida. I love South Texas," Hoogland said.

The economic impact of the seasonal population increase is significant. According to a 2021 study by Welcome Home RGV, Winter Texans spend $1.2 billion every season, including money spent by visiting family and friends.

"Winter Texans are a huge driver for South Texas," Welcome Home RGV Owner Kristi Collier said. "Each Winter Texan couple spends about $13,000 a season," Collier said.

But the number of Winter Texans coming to the area is shrinking, Collier said, adding that they’re seeing that effect in RV parks.

“Isla Blanca closed for two years; that's taken a hit," Collier said. "We've lost several RV parks just due to their location. We've had a number of them go through ownership changes."

Channel 5 News reported several businesses noticing a drop in Winter Texan visits as Isla Blanca Park undergoes renovations. Hoogland was among those who stayed at Isla Blanca but found an RV park in Port Isabel instead of moving further from the coast.

"It’s just right there. There's nothing like it," Hoogland said.

Welcome Home RGV is working with activity directors at different RV parks to create activities that appeal to the new generation of retirees and keep them coming back.

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