During the episode American Doll (2016), older daughter Becky runs to her room crying, a crash is heard, and she shouts, "Hey! We're built on top of The Cleveland Show (2009) set!". The Cleveland Show had been canceled before Bordertown's debut on the Sunday-night "Animation Domination" on FOX.
The fictional town Mexifornia is clear based on the twin border towns of Mexicali (Mexico) and Calexico (U.S.). "Mexifornia" is also the name given to the purported Hispanicization of the state of California, a subject of political debate.
Gertrude, the Buckwalds' youngest, is a parody of Honey Boo Boo; she even competes in a pageant during the episode Heart Attack (2016).