Elderly Hispanic and non-Hispanic rural and urban noninstitutionalized residents of three Texas counties (Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy) which border Mexico showed significant differences in educational attainment, income, occupation, and family support. Face-to-face interviews were conducted by mostly bilingual elderly volunteers. Age distribution was similar for 646 Hispanics and 155 non-Hispanics--140 Anglos and 15 Blacks; 90% of Hispanics and 33% of non-Hispanics did not complete high school; 75% of Hispanics had incomes less than $5,000, derived primarily from government assistance; four-fifths of urban and two-thirds of rural non-Hispanics had incomes greater than $5,000 and were several times more likely to have retirement pensions or private income; 50% of non-Hispanics and 15% of Hispanice had held white collar jobs. More non-Hispanics lived alone or with spouses; more Hispanics lived with spouses and children, children, or other kin. Both urban and rural Hispanics evidenced a more extensive, more supportive kinship network. Hispanic elderly had greater frequency of interaction with family members and received more frequent monetary support and twice as much service support from family. Survey findings may help policymakers avoid overestimating family support when reducing public services and may promote understanding of cultural differences in treatment of the elderly. (LFL)