Each year, millions of trucks and trains transport $1 trillion in goods into and out of the U.S. through the largest ports of entry across the borders with Mexico and Canada. Of the $580 billion worth of good imported in the U.S., $320 billion went through just 10 ports. Similarly, of the 10.4 million trucks that crossed into the U.S. in 2011, 7.6 million went through just 10 ports. Based on data provided by the Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 24/7 Wall st. reviewed the 10 busiest border towns in the country.

Click here to see America’s Busiest Border Towns

By far, the largest import into the country in 2011 was mineral fuels like oil, which accounted for $147 billion, or a full quarter, of the total national imports. In addition to fuels, other top imports include computers and computer parts, cars and other vehicles, and electrical machinery. Together, the four account for more than half of all U.S. imports.

The importance of the international ports to these towns is seen in the  employment breakdown in these areas. In the El Paso and Laredo metro regions, 7.4% and 12.4% of workers respectively were employed in the transportation and warehousing sector in 2011. Only 14 cities of the more than 350 U.S. metro areas have a higher proportion of workers employed in this sector.

While the presence of a major border crossing comprises a large part of many of these regional economies, this does not mean they are booming. For example, in Laredo, Texas, where more than 15% of all truck traffic into the U.S. in 2011 took place, just shy of a third of all residents live below the poverty line. This is the third-highest rate of any major metropolitan area in the country. Hidalgo, Texas, another high-traffic border city, is part of the McAllen metropolitan statistical area — the poorest area in the country.

Part of the reason for the high poverty rate in some of these border towns, particularly the southern ones, is likely the proximity to Mexico and the large number of recent immigrants in these cities. More than a quarter of residents in McAllen, Laredo, and El Paso are foreign-born, and most of these are relatively poor immigrants from Mexico. In McAllen, more than 30% of the population are non-native citizens. In the U.S. as a whole, that number is just 13%.

Based on data from the Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics covering border crossings and the method of entry used, 24/7 Wall St. determined the busiest borders in the nation based on the number of trucks entering the U.S. via that town’s port. We also used BTS figures to analyze exports and imports and commodities trade across these border areas. Other figures relating to income, poverty and residents’ citizenship are from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2011 American Community Survey.

These are America’s busiest border towns.

10. Nogales, Ariz.
> Truck traffic: 287,091
> Total value of trade: $22.1 billion
> Most traded commodity: Vehicles and vehicle parts
> Value of most traded commodity: $5.9 billion

This busy port separates Nogales, Ariz., from Nogales, Mexico. Nogales is currently undergoing an expansion project as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The project, which is expected to be completed in 2014, will have primary and secondary inspection areas for vehicles, a pedestrian-processing center and a new canine kennel, among other additions. The most traded commodity at the port in 2011 was vehicles and vehicle parts, with just under $6 billion worth going through the border in 2011.

9. Calexico East, Calif.
> Truck traffic: 312,973
> Total value of trade: $11.8 billion
> Most traded commodity: Electrical machinery and equipment
> Value of most traded commodity:$3.4 billion

Calexico, located at the southern tip of California, is often mentioned in relation to the rampant drug trade in the area, with busts and cases of drug-related violence often making headlines. The region is one of the top locations for cocaine seizures. When it comes to legal goods, by far the most traded product in 2011 was electrical machinery, with more than $3.3 billion worth of those goods shipped. A ready lane was opened at the Calexico East Port of Entry in 2011, which allowed for shorter wait times to cross the border.

Also Read: The States Doling Out the Best (and Worst) Benefits

8. Blaine, Wash.
> Truck traffic: 338,570
> Total value of trade: $18.9 billion
> Most traded commodity: Nuclear reactors and machinery
> Value of most traded commodity: $2.4 billion

Nearly 340,000 trucks crossed this border between Blaine, Wash., and Surrey, British Columbia, in 2011. Approximately 235,000 of those trucks were carrying merchandise. About $18.9 billion worth of goods passed through the port in 2011. The most traded commodity through Blaine was nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances, with about $2.4 billion worth shipped in or out of the country through this port in 2011.

7. Hidalgo, Texas
> Truck traffic: 453,235
> Total value of trade: $24.5 billion
> Most traded commodity: Electrical machinery and equipment
> Value of most traded commodity: $9.2 billion

More fruits and nuts, in dollar value, went through Hidalgo’s port in 2011 than any other port in the U.S., with total trade value exceeding $1 billion. But like many other ports, the most traded commodity was electrical machinery, with $9.2 billion worth of these goods exchanged. In addition to freight trucks, Hidalgo’s port of entry is among the busiest in terms of personal vehicles, with nearly 4.9 million vehicles traveling through the port each year.

6. Port Huron, Mich.
> Truck traffic: 673,707
> Total value of trade: $83.0 billion
> Most traded commodity: Vehicles and vehicle parts
> Value of most traded commodity: $16.2 billion

Port Huron connects the eastern part of Michigan with Ontario, Canada. Nearly 674,000 trucks entered the country using the Port Huron port, with 556,000 of those vehicles actually carrying goods across the border. Roughly $3.2 billion worth of organic chemicals were traded through the port in 2011, more than in any other port. More than $2.2 billion worth of paper products went through the barrier, also more than in any other port. But the most traded product, in terms of value, was vehicles at $16.2 billion.

5. El Paso, Texas
> Truck traffic: 714,699
> Total value of trade: $59.9 billion
> Most traded commodity: Electrical machinery and equipment
> Value of most traded commodity:$20.7 billion

With more than 6 million people entering the U.S. by foot alone at this port last year, El Paso’s border crossing is by far the largest in terms of pedestrian traffic. It is also the busiest port in terms of personal vehicle traffic, with more than 9 million cars crossing the border in 2011. In 2011, $59.9 billion worth of goods was transported through the port. A large percentage of the metro region’s total employment — 7.4% in all — was in the transportation, warehousing and utilities sector, the ninth-highest out of all metropolitan areas.

4. Otay-Mesa, Calif.
> Truck traffic:744,929
> Total value of trade: $33.2 billion
> Most traded commodity: Electrical machinery and equipment
> Value of most traded commodity: $13.7 billion

The Otay-Mesa port is located at the southern tip of California in the San Diego metropolitan area, connecting the U.S. to Tijuana, Mexico. In 2011, approximately $33.2 billion worth of goods were traded at the port. Electrical machinery was the most traded commodity, with $13.7 billion trading hands in 2011. Similar to Calexico, the area has been associated with drug smuggling. Elaborate drug tunnels connecting the two countries and aimed at evading law enforcement officials have been often discovered.

Also Read: The Cities Where Violent Crime is Soaring

3. Buffalo-Niagara Falls, N.Y.
> Truck traffic: 926,447
> Total value of trade: $82.1 billion
> Most traded commodity: Vehicle and vehicle parts
> Value of most traded commodity: $17.0 billion

The port in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls area was the busiest port on the East Coast for truck traffic as of 2011, with approximately 926,000 trucks crossing the border. The port was also second to El Paso’s port-of-entry in terms of personal vehicle traffic, with more than 5.9 million cars crossing the border. Vehicle and vehicle parts was the largest commodity passing through the port, with $17 billion worth being carried through in 2011. The port was also the busiest in terms of trade of pharmaceuticals, tobacco and coffee, among others.

2. Detroit, Mich.
> Truck traffic: 1,474,775
> Total value of trade: $120.9 billion
> Most traded commodity: Vehicle and vehicle parts
> Value of most traded commodity: $48.7 billion

More than $120 billion worth of commodities passed through Detroit’s port-of entry in 2011. By far, the most common commodity moved through the port in terms of value was vehicles and vehicle parts, with about $48.7 billion worth traded in 2011. The ports have had a significant impact on the regional economy. A study by Martin Associates, an economic consulting firm, found that in 2010, cargo and vessel activities boosted state and federal coffers by nearly $290 million and led to more than $255 million in compensation for the approximately 5,600 employees within the Detroit port system.

Also Read: The Cities Where Everyone Has a Job

1. Laredo, Texas
> Truck traffic: 1,695,916
> Total value of trade: $144.9 billion
> Most traded commodity: Vehicles and vehicle parts
> Value of most traded commodity: $34.0 billion

There were nearly 1.7 million truck crossings at Laredo’s port in 2011, with almost 1.3 million of those trucks containing goods at the time of entry. The port was also the fourth-busiest in terms of passenger vehicle traffic, second for train traffic, and third for pedestrian traffic. Trade activity is a vital component to the economy of Laredo. As of 2011, 11% of those employed in the Laredo metropolitan area worked in transportation, warehousing and utilities, tied for the second-most among all metro areas in the country.

Follow Samuel on Twitter: SWeigley

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.