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El Paso stands on the Rio Grande, across the border from Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico. The two cities, along with Las Cruces, form a combined international metropolitan area, sometimes referred as the Paso Del Norte or El Paso–Juárez–Las Cruces, with over 2.7 million people occupying the combined area. The El Paso-Juárez region is the largest bilingual, binational work force in the Western Hemisphere. This unique border situation is what helps to drive the economy of the city with many companies having their workforce split between the two countries. Agriculture is also a large part of the economy in El Paso. The Rio Grande valley in this area has been irrigated since prehistoric times and produces bountiful harvests of cotton, pecans, and alfalfa, and lesser amounts of numerous vegetables and fruits. In addition, the county has a strong economy bolstered by Fort Bliss and the businesses that serve it.

The county’s hallmark of educational excellence is evident in the local school districts, the wide selection of respected private schools, and the selection of leading institutions of higher education. Exemplary teachers and strong academic programs have earned El Paso County schools a reputation as some of the finest in Texas. The El Paso Independent School District, the largest in the county, offers a solid K-12 education, offering parents true choice in selecting the type of academic environment that best fits their child’s unique learning style. Parents may choose from a more traditional setting to magnet programs and internal charters that specialize in a particular theme or subject matter. There are also many private schools in the area, and many opportunities for higher education, including the University of Texas at El Paso and El Paso Community College as well as Howard Payne University, Park University, University of Phoenix and Webster University.