Mission Valley & Southeast

The historic Mission Valley — also known as the Lower Valley — follows the Rio Grande southeast from Downtown through Socorro, San Elizario, and on to Fabens, Tornillo, and Clint. This corridor is the oldest continuously settled part of the region, home to the Ysleta Mission (1682) and the San Elizario Presidio Chapel. Socorro (pop. ~38,600) is the second-largest city in the county. Communities here blend rural agricultural character with suburban growth, and many residents have deep multigenerational roots in the valley.