 About 30.0% of families and 34.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 46.8% of those under age 18 and 24.8% of those age 65 or over.A 2000 Texas A&M study stated that of the residents of Cameron County, 43% do not have basic literacy skills.Within the 2010s decade, there has been a noticeable trend in the county population showing that percentage growth among the county's northern cities ( defined as major towns whose city limits lie entirely north or east of U.S. Highway 83 in the county ) on average has been greater than those cities on U.S. Highway 83 in the county, suggesting a possible desire among both locals and new residents from outside the Rio Grande Valley to move away from the population centers of the county.