Freeport, Texas

Last updated

Freeport, Texas
City
Motto: 
"Where Fun Happens" [1]
TXMap-doton-Freeport.PNG
Location in the state of Texas
Brazoria County Freeport.svg
USA Texas location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Freeport
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Freeport
Coordinates: 28°57′34″N95°21′25″W / 28.95944°N 95.35694°W / 28.95944; -95.35694
Country United States
State Texas
County Brazoria
Incorporated February 10, 1917
Government
 • Type Council-Manager
 •  City Council Mayor Brooks Bass
Jeff Peña
Jerry Cain
George Matamoros
Winston Rossow
 •  City Manager Lance Petty
Area
[2]
 • Total
17.70 sq mi (45.84 km2)
 • Land15.40 sq mi (39.88 km2)
 • Water2.30 sq mi (5.96 km2)
Elevation
5 ft (2 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
10,696
 • Density788.15/sq mi (304.31/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
77541-77542
Area code 979
FIPS code 48-27420 [3]
GNIS feature ID1357720 [4]
Website www.freeport.tx.us

Freeport is a city in Brazoria County, Texas, United States, located on the Gulf of Mexico, founded in 1912. According to the 2020 census, the city population was 10,696, [5] down from 12,049 in 2010, where Hispanic or Latino were 52% of the population.

Contents

Freeport's economic growth began in 1939 with the construction of Dow Chemical Company facilities, which remain its largest employer and are the largest integrated chemical manufacturing facility in the United States.

In 2002, Freeport LNG was founded; an LNG export terminal was developed in the early 2010s after the US shale gas revolution and came online in 2019. In June 2022 a pipeline rupture and explosion closed the terminal until February 2023.

History

Freeport Sulphur No.6 entering Freeport harbor, 1923 Freeport Sulphur No. 6.jpg
Freeport Sulphur No.6 entering Freeport harbor, 1923

Freeport was founded as a European-American settlement in November 1912 by the Freeport Sulphur Company. [6] The population was 300. However, by 1929, that population had grown to 3,500, and to 4,100 by 1939, influencing a steady increase of economic expansion in Freeport. [7]

By 1937, a Freeport School District had been established, consisting of several segregated schools and 27 teachers. There were two white schools, one black school, and a white high school. [7]

Freeport's most substantial economic growth began with the construction of Dow Chemical Company facilities in the city during 1939. As of 2007, this company is the community's largest employer. [7] As of 2011, Freeport had Dow's largest single manufacturing site in the 21st century. [8]

In July 1957, Freeport merged with Velasco. This had been a temporary capital of the Republic of Texas during the 19th century. Soon thereafter, Freeport's population numbered 11,619. [7] In 2003, the city annexed nearby Bryan Beach. [9]

Geography

Freeport is located in southern Brazoria County at 28°57′34″N95°21′25″W / 28.95944°N 95.35694°W / 28.95944; -95.35694 (28.959527, –95.356941), [10] near the mouth of the Brazos River in the Gulf of Mexico. In 2003, the city annexed 3.5 miles (5.6 km) of beach bounded on the northeast by the village of Quintana and continuing southwest to the mouth of the Brazos River. This beach is known as Bryan Beach. It is just a few miles away from Surfside and Quintana beaches.

Texas State Highway 288, the Nolan Ryan Expressway, leads north from Freeport 17 miles (27 km) to Angleton, the county seat, and 61 miles (98 km) to downtown Houston. Texas State Highway 36 leads northwest 15 miles (24 km) to Brazoria.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Freeport has a total area of 17.1 square miles (44.2 km2), of which 14.9 square miles (38.7 km2) is land and 2.1 square miles (5.5 km2), or 12.36%, is water. [5]

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Freeport has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. [11]

Climate data for Freeport, Texas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1959–present)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °F (°C)83
(28)		83
(28)		88
(31)		95
(35)		98
(37)		103
(39)		100
(38)		104
(40)		105
(41)		96
(36)		90
(32)		84
(29)		105
(41)
Mean maximum °F (°C)76.9
(24.9)		78.5
(25.8)		81.3
(27.4)		85.6
(29.8)		90.0
(32.2)		93.5
(34.2)		95.0
(35.0)		96.6
(35.9)		94.4
(34.7)		89.7
(32.1)		84.1
(28.9)		79.2
(26.2)		97.3
(36.3)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)64.1
(17.8)		67.2
(19.6)		72.7
(22.6)		78.1
(25.6)		84.2
(29.0)		89.7
(32.1)		91.5
(33.1)		92.0
(33.3)		89.0
(31.7)		82.5
(28.1)		73.6
(23.1)		66.9
(19.4)		79.3
(26.3)
Daily mean °F (°C)55.2
(12.9)		58.7
(14.8)		64.5
(18.1)		70.5
(21.4)		77.4
(25.2)		83.1
(28.4)		84.9
(29.4)		85.1
(29.5)		81.2
(27.3)		73.9
(23.3)		64.3
(17.9)		57.8
(14.3)		71.4
(21.9)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)46.2
(7.9)		50.1
(10.1)		56.3
(13.5)		62.8
(17.1)		70.6
(21.4)		76.4
(24.7)		78.3
(25.7)		78.1
(25.6)		73.4
(23.0)		65.3
(18.5)		55.0
(12.8)		48.7
(9.3)		63.4
(17.4)
Mean minimum °F (°C)31.7
(−0.2)		36.2
(2.3)		39.7
(4.3)		48.0
(8.9)		59.4
(15.2)		68.4
(20.2)		72.4
(22.4)		72.0
(22.2)		63.4
(17.4)		49.1
(9.5)		39.0
(3.9)		34.1
(1.2)		29.3
(−1.5)
Record low °F (°C)15
(−9)		15
(−9)		25
(−4)		36
(2)		41
(5)		57
(14)		64
(18)		65
(18)		45
(7)		34
(1)		26
(−3)		13
(−11)		13
(−11)
Average precipitation inches (mm)4.02
(102)		2.44
(62)		2.91
(74)		2.87
(73)		3.87
(98)		4.74
(120)		4.18
(106)		4.98
(126)		7.06
(179)		4.37
(111)		4.69
(119)		3.80
(97)		49.93
(1,268)
Average snowfall inches (cm)0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)9.78.26.96.16.17.88.27.99.66.67.49.694.1
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)0.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.0
Source: NOAA [12] [13]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1920 1,798—
1930 3,16275.9%
1940 2,579−18.4%
1950 6,012133.1%
1960 11,61993.3%
1970 11,9973.3%
1980 13,44412.1%
1990 11,389−15.3%
2000 12,70811.6%
2010 12,049−5.2%
2020 10,696−11.2%
U.S. Decennial Census [14]
Freeport racial composition as of 2020 [15]
(NH = Non-Hispanic) [a]
RaceNumberPercentage
White (NH)2,42322.65%
Black or African American (NH)1,12510.52%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)320.3%
Asian (NH)530.5%
Some Other Race (NH)260.24%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)2392.23%
Hispanic or Latino 6,79863.56%
Total10,696

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 10,696 people, 4,224 households, and 2,993 families residing in the city.

According to the census [3] numbers as of 2016, there were 12,153 people, 3,788 households with an average of 3.17 persons per household. The median gross rent was $711.00 and the owner-occupied housing rate was 49.5%. The racial makeup of the city was 33.2% non-Hispanic White, 13.9% African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 20.91% from other races, and 3.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 52.0% of the population. Languages spoken in the household other than English is 49.4%.

The mean travel time to work for workers age 16+ was 15.2 minutes. In 2012, there were approximately 1,230 businesses in Freeport.

In the city, the median age for females is 29 years old and for males is 28. 34.1% of the population is 18 years of age or younger.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,044. The per capita income for the city was $17,707. About 27.5% of families were below the poverty line. [18]

Economy

Port Freeport is a seaport on the Gulf of Mexico and is currently ranked 26th in international tonnage. The associated chemical plants provide a stable economy. Freeport is the site of the Dow Chemical Company's Texas Operations facility, which is the company's largest integrated site [8] and the largest integrated chemical manufacturing facility in the United States. [19] Chemical production includes Alkalines And Chlorine, Industrial Gases, Industrial Inorganic Chemicals, Plastics Materials And Resins, Synthetic Rubber, Cyclic Crudes And Intermediates, Industrial Organic Chemicals, Agricultural Chemicals, Adhesives And Sealants, and Petroleum Refining. [19]

In 2002, Freeport LNG was founded; LNG import came online in 2008, an LNG export terminal was developed in the early 2010s after the US shale gas revolution and came online 2019. LNG in Freeport comes from Texas shale formations cracked open through hydraulic fracturing. In June 2022, a pipeline rupture caused methane to leak and an explosion after which the LNG terminal was closed for 8 months. [20]

Government

Freeport is in Texas' 14th congressional district, [21] and is represented by Congressman Randy Weber.

Media

The Brazosport Facts in Clute is a local paper. It was headquartered in Freeport until the move to Clute in 1976. [22]

The Houston Chronicle is the metropolitan area newspaper.

Education

Brazosport High School Brazosport High School.jpg
Brazosport High School

Public education

Schools in Freeport include Brazosport High School (Grades 9–12), Freeport Intermediate School (Grades 7–8), Lanier Middle School (Grades 5–6), Freeport Elementary, and Velasco Elementary School but this place shut down (Grades Pre-K–4). They are all maintained through Brazosport Independent School District. [23]

The $19.2 million Freeport Elementary facility opened in 2018. VLK Architects designed the building. The student capacity is 750. [24]

Velasco Elementary was a Kindergarten through grade 4 school until 2017, when it became a grade 2–4 school for all of Freeport. Grades K–1 were moved to O. A. Fleming Elementary, which was scheduled to close in 2018 and be replaced by Freeport Elementary. [24]

Previously Freeport had O.A. Fleming Elementary School (PK–1), [25] and Jane Long Elementary School (grades 2–4). [26] Jane Long was scheduled to close in 2017, with Fleming taking grades K–1 and Velasco Elementary taking over grades 2–4. Fleming was scheduled to close when the new Freeport Elementary School opened in 2018. [24]

Tertiary education

It is within the zone for Brazosport College. [27] The Texas Legislature designated the Brazosport ISD as in the Brazosport College zone. [28]

Libraries

The Freeport Library is a part of the Brazoria County Library System. [29]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race. [16] [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brazoria County, Texas</span> County in Texas, United States

Brazoria County is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, the population of the county was 372,031. The county seat is Angleton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angleton, Texas</span> City in and county seat of Brazoria County, Texas, United States

Angleton is a city in and the county seat of Brazoria County, Texas, United States, within the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metropolitan area. Angleton lies at the intersection of State Highway 288, State Highway 35, and the Union Pacific Railroad. The population was 19,429 at the 2020 census. Angleton is in the 14th congressional district, and is represented by Republican Congressman Randy Weber.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brazoria, Texas</span> City in Brazoria County, Texas, United States

Brazoria is a city in Brazoria County, [{Texas]], United States, and is part of the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 2,866.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clute, Texas</span> City in Brazoria County, Texas, United States

Clute is a city in Brazoria County, Texas, United States, within the Houston metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 10,604. The city gained some fame with the discovery of a fossilized mammoth named Asiel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iowa Colony, Texas</span> City in Bazoria County, Texas, United States

Iowa Colony is an incorporated Home Rule City in Brazoria County, Texas, United States, in the Houston metropolitan area. As of the 2020 Census, the city had a population of 8,154.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jones Creek, Texas</span> Village in Bazoria County, Texas, United States

Jones Creek is a village in Brazoria County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,975 at the 2020 census. It is the first location in Texas where Stephen F. Austin settled.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Jackson, Texas</span> City in Brazoria County, Texas, United States

Lake Jackson is a city in Brazoria County, Texas, United States, within the Greater Houston metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 28,177.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oyster Creek, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

For the river in Fort Bend and Brazoria Counties, Texas see: Oyster Creek (Texas).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quintana, Texas</span> Town in Texas, United States

Quintana is a town in Brazoria County, Texas, United States. Its population was 26 as of the 2020 census, down from 56 at the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richwood, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Richwood is a city in Brazoria County, Texas, United States. The population was 4,781 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Surfside Beach, Texas</span> City in Brazoria County, Texas, United States

Surfside Beach, also known locally as Surfside, is a city in Brazoria County, Texas, United States, that is situated on Follet's Island by the Gulf of Mexico near the city of Freeport. The population was 640 at the 2020 census. The city has claimed the "Cradle of Texas Liberty" title due to the fact that the Treaty of Velasco which ended hostilities between Texas and Mexico was signed at Fort Velasco, which was located near the city's current City Hall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sweeny, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Sweeny is a city in Brazoria County, Texas, United States, the westernmost incorporated town in the county. The population was 3,626 as of 2020. The city's motto is "A City with Pride". The city was once known as Adamston.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Columbia, Texas</span> City in Brazoria County, Texas, United States

West Columbia is a city in Brazoria County, Texas, United States. The city is centered on the intersection of Texas Highways 35 & 36, 55 miles (89 km) southwest of downtown Houston. The population was 3,644 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wild Peach Village, Texas</span> Census-designated place in Brazoria County, Texas, United States

Wild Peach Village is a census-designated place (CDP) in Brazoria County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,329 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pearland, Texas</span> City in Brazoria County, Texas, United States

Pearland is a city in Brazoria County, with portions extending into Fort Bend and Harris counties, in Texas, United States. The city of Pearland is a principal city within the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metropolitan statistical area. At the 2020 U.S. census, the city's population was 125,828, up from a population of 91,252 at the 2010 census. Pearland's population growth rate from 2000 to 2010 was 142 percent, which ranked Pearland as the 15th-fastest-growing city in the U.S. during that time period, compared to other cities with a population of 10,000 or greater in 2000. Pearland is the third-largest city in the Greater Houston area after Houston and Pasadena, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Velasco, Texas</span> Ghost town in Texas, United States

Velasco was a town in Texas, United States, that was later merged with the city of Freeport by an election conducted by eligible voters of both municipalities on February 9, 1957. The consolidation effort passed by a margin of 17 votes. Founded in 1831, Velasco is situated on the east side of the Brazos River in southeastern Texas. It is 16 miles (26 km) south of Angleton, and 4 miles (6.4 km) from the Gulf of Mexico.

Brazosport Independent School District is a school district based in Clute, Texas (USA) in Greater Houston. The district serves the cities, towns, and villages of Clute, Freeport, Jones Creek, Lake Jackson, Oyster Creek, Quintana, Richwood, and Surfside Beach. In addition it serves the unincorporated area of Turtle Cove.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brazosport High School</span> Public school in Freeport, Texas, United States

Brazosport High School is a public high school located at the intersection of Brazosport Boulevard and West 2nd Street in Freeport, Texas, United States. It handles grades nine through twelve and is part of the Brazosport Independent School District.

Rosharon, is a census-designated place (CDP) in Brazoria County, Texas, United States, at the intersection of Farm to Market Road 521 and Farm to Market Road 1462. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 1,152. There are areas outside of the CDP, with Rosharon postal addresses, in Fort Bend County.

Port Freeport is the geographically smallest deep-water seaport along the U.S Gulf Coast. Located in Freeport, Texas , it has rail access, and both private and public facilities. It is ranked 10th in the nation for chemicals, 19th in the nation for total tonnage, 26th in the nation for container traffic, and handles over 100,000 vehicles per year and more than 1,000 ships per year. Forbes magazine (2017) ranked Port Freeport as one of the top 10 fastest growing seaports for exports in the U.S.

References

  1. ↑ "The City of Freeport Texas". The City of Freeport Texas. Retrieved October 19, 2012.
  2. ↑ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  3. 1 2 "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. 1 2 "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Freeport city, Texas". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  6. ↑ Haynes, Williams (1959). Brimstone, The Stone That Burns. Princeton: D. Van Norstrand Company, Inc. pp. 75–85.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Freeport, TX, Handbook of Texas, Retrieved 12 August 2007.
  8. 1 2 "Texas Operation – Freeport, Texas" (PDF). Dow Chemical Company . Retrieved January 9, 2011.
  9. ↑ Evans, Thayer. "Freeport annexes part of Bryan Beach area". Chron. Houston Chronicle. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  10. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  11. ↑ Climate Summary for Freeport, Texas
  12. ↑ "NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  16. ↑ https://www.census.gov/ [ not specific enough to verify ]
  17. ↑ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  18. ↑ §https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/freeportcitytexas/PST045216
  19. 1 2 "Detailed Facility Report". echo.epa.gov. Retrieved January 12, 2025.{{cite web}}: Text "ECHO" ignored (help); Text "US EPA" ignored (help)
  20. ↑ Erdenesanaa, Dylan Baddour, Delger (February 23, 2023). "Natural Gas Terminal Reopens After Massive Explosion" . Retrieved January 12, 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  21. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 24, 2009. Retrieved May 16, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  22. ↑ "The History of The Facts". Brazosport Facts. Archived from the original on August 31, 2015. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  23. ↑ "Brazosport Independent School District". Brazosport Independent School District. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved October 19, 2012.
  24. 1 2 3 Calahan, Erinn (April 5, 2017). "BISD breaks ground on new Freeport Elementary campus". Brazosport Facts . Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Elementary Boundary Zones" (PDF). Brazosport Independent School District . Retrieved June 17, 2020. - Compare to a map of the Surfside Beach city limits.
  26. ↑ "Brazosport ISD School Feeder Patterns". Brazosport Independent School District. Archived from the original on April 2, 2017. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Brazosport College Map" (PDF). Brazoria County Appraisal District. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  28. ↑ Texas Education Code Sec. 130.170. BRAZOSPORT COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.
  29. ↑ "Brazoria County Library System". Brazoria County Library System. Archived from the original on October 31, 2012. Retrieved October 19, 2012.


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.