Freeport is a city in Brazoria County, Texas, United States, located on the Gulf of Mexico. According to the 2020 census, the city population was 10,696,[5] down from 12,049 in 2010.
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. This company is the community's largest employer.[7] Freeport has the company'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]
Freeport is located in southern Brazoria County at 28°57′34″N 95°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]
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]
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%