Freeport, Texas
Encyclopedia
Freeport is a city in Brazoria County
, Texas
within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown
metropolitan area and is situated in Southeast Texas
. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the city population was 12,708.
The Dow Chemical Company
is the major employer in Freeport, and the city is home to the company's largest integrated site.
Freeport is in the 14th congressional district
, and is represented by Congressman Ron Paul
.
Freeport was officially founded in November 1912 by the Freeport Sulphur Company. The population was 300, however by 1929 that population grew to 3,500 and to 4,100 in 1939. Such a population growth also influenced a steady increase of economic expansion in Freeport.
By 1937, a Freeport School District had been established which consisted of several segregated schools and twenty-seven teachers. There were two white schools, one black school, and a high school.
Freeport's most substantial economic growth began with the construction of Dow Chemical Company
facilities in the city during 1939. The company still provides the majority of economic resources for the community. It is the largest single site of the company today.
In July 1957, Freeport merged with Velasco, Texas
, the first capital of the Republic of Texas
during the 19th century. Soon thereafter, Freeport's population numbered 11,619. In 2003, the city annexed nearby Bryan Beach.
, a major seaport on the Gulf of Mexico
. The associated chemical plants provide a stable and vibrant economy. Freeport is the site of the Dow Chemical Company's
Texas Operations facility, which is the company's largest integrated site.
and First Lady of the United States
Laura Bush
in the year 2000 started an initiative in Freeport called "The Main Street Program." The program is an attempt to revitalize the economy and entrepreneurial spirit throughout the city, specifically the downtown area.
The Freeport Main Street Program is a subprogram of The National Trust for Historic Preservation
and in turn the Texas Historical Commission
and is supervised by an advisory board. Freeport Main Street merged with the Freeport Historical Commission in 2007. Freeport was recognized as a National Main Street City in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 13.3 square miles (34.4 km²), of which, 11.9 square miles (30.8 km²) of it is land and 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²) of it (10.54%) is water.
Freeport is near the Gulf of Mexico. In 2003, the city annexed 3.5 miles (5.6 km) of beach bounded on the north by the Village of Quintana and continuing south to the mouth of the Brazos River. This beach is known as Bryan Beach and is maintained as a city park. It is just a few miles away from both Surfside Beach
and Quintana Beach
. This continues to be Freeport's main tourist attraction.
Houston, Texas
lies about 50 miles (80.5 km) northwest of Freeport.
of 2000, there were 12,708 people, 4,163 households, and 3,097 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,069.6 people per square mile (413.0/km²). There were 4,841 housing units at an average density of 407.5 per square mile (157.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 61.55% White, 13.38% 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 52.05% of the population.
There were 4,163 households out of which 45.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples
living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.6% were non-families. 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.05 and the average family size was 3.59.
In the city the population was spread out with 35.7% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 16.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 121.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,245, and the median income for a family was $32,421. Males had a median income of $30,714 versus $17,028 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $12,426. About 22.3% of families and 22.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.1% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.
(Grades 9-12), Freeport Intermediate School (Grades 7-8), Lanier Middle School (Grades 5-6), O.A. Fleming Elementary School, Jane Long Elementary School, and Velasco Elementary School (Grades Pre-K-4). They are all maintained through the Brazosport Independent School District
. Many athletics events for the district take place in Freeport at Hopper Field
.
Since the late 1990s, several schools have been rebuilt or are currently being rebuilt due to old age. Such schools include Freeport Intermediate School, O.A. Fleming Elementary School, Velasco Elementary School, and Brazosport High School.
The city is served by the Brazosport College
.
The Freeport Library is a part of the Brazoria County Library System.
Brazoria County, Texas
Brazoria County[p] is a county in the U.S. state of Texas, located on the Gulf Coast within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. Regionally, parts of the county are within the extreme southern-most fringe of the regions locally known as Southeast Texas. Brazoria County is among a...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown
Greater Houston
Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown is a 10-county metropolitan area defined by the Office of Management and Budget. It is located along the Gulf Coast region in the U.S. state of Texas...
metropolitan area and is situated in Southeast Texas
Southeast Texas
Southeast Texas is a subregion of East Texas located in the southeast corner of the U.S. state of Texas. The subregion is geographically centered around the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown and Beaumont–Port Arthur metropolitan areas...
. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the city population was 12,708.
The Dow Chemical Company
Dow Chemical Company
The Dow Chemical Company is a multinational corporation headquartered in Midland, Michigan, United States. As of 2007, it is the second largest chemical manufacturer in the world by revenue and as of February 2009, the third-largest chemical company in the world by market capitalization .Dow...
is the major employer in Freeport, and the city is home to the company's largest integrated site.
Freeport is in the 14th congressional district
Texas's 14th congressional district
Texas's 14th district for the United States House of Representatives is a Congressional district that covers the area south and southwest of the Greater Houston region, including Galveston, in the state of Texas. The district was created as a result of the 1900 U.S. Census and was first contested...
, and is represented by Congressman Ron Paul
Ron Paul
Ronald Ernest "Ron" Paul is an American physician, author and United States Congressman who is seeking to be the Republican Party candidate in the 2012 presidential election. Paul represents Texas's 14th congressional district, which covers an area south and southwest of Houston that includes...
.
History
By 1937, a Freeport School District had been established which consisted of several segregated schools and twenty-seven teachers. There were two white schools, one black school, and a high school.
Freeport's most substantial economic growth began with the construction of Dow Chemical Company
Dow Chemical Company
The Dow Chemical Company is a multinational corporation headquartered in Midland, Michigan, United States. As of 2007, it is the second largest chemical manufacturer in the world by revenue and as of February 2009, the third-largest chemical company in the world by market capitalization .Dow...
facilities in the city during 1939. The company still provides the majority of economic resources for the community. It is the largest single site of the company today.
In July 1957, Freeport merged with Velasco, Texas
Velasco, Texas
Velasco was a town in Texas, United States, that was later annexed by the city of Freeport. Founded in 1831, Velasco is situated on the east side of the Brazos River in southeast Texas. It is sixteen miles south of Angleton, Texas, and four miles from the Gulf of Mexico.The town's early history is...
, the first capital of the Republic of Texas
Republic of Texas
The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...
during the 19th century. Soon thereafter, Freeport's population numbered 11,619. In 2003, the city annexed nearby Bryan Beach.
Economy
An important pillar of the economy is the Port of FreeportPort of Freeport
The Port of Freeport is a major deepwater seaport in Freeport, Texas ....
, a major seaport on the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
. The associated chemical plants provide a stable and vibrant economy. Freeport is the site of the Dow Chemical Company's
Dow Chemical Company
The Dow Chemical Company is a multinational corporation headquartered in Midland, Michigan, United States. As of 2007, it is the second largest chemical manufacturer in the world by revenue and as of February 2009, the third-largest chemical company in the world by market capitalization .Dow...
Texas Operations facility, which is the company's largest integrated site.
Freeport Main Street Program
A visit from former First Lady of TexasThe Yellow Rose of Texas
"The Yellow Rose of Texas" is a traditional folk song. The original love song has become associated with the legend of how an indentured servant named Emily Morgan "helped win the battle of San Jacinto, the decisive battle in the Texas Revolution."...
and First Lady of the United States
First Lady of the United States
First Lady of the United States is the title of the hostess of the White House. Because this position is traditionally filled by the wife of the president of the United States, the title is most often applied to the wife of a sitting president. The current first lady is Michelle Obama.-Current:The...
Laura Bush
Laura Bush
Laura Lane Welch Bush is the wife of the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush. She was the First Lady of the United States from January 20, 2001, to January 20, 2009. She has held a love of books and reading since childhood and her life and education have reflected that interest...
in the year 2000 started an initiative in Freeport called "The Main Street Program." The program is an attempt to revitalize the economy and entrepreneurial spirit throughout the city, specifically the downtown area.
The Freeport Main Street Program is a subprogram of The National Trust for Historic Preservation
National Trust for Historic Preservation
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is an American member-supported organization that was founded in 1949 by congressional charter to support preservation of historic buildings and neighborhoods through a range of programs and activities, including the publication of Preservation...
and in turn the Texas Historical Commission
Texas Historical Commission
The Texas Historical Commission is an agency dedicated to historic preservation within the state of Texas. It administers the National Register of Historic Places for sites in Texas....
and is supervised by an advisory board. Freeport Main Street merged with the Freeport Historical Commission in 2007. Freeport was recognized as a National Main Street City in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
Geography
Freeport is located at 28°57′34"N 95°21′25"W (28.959527, -95.356941).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 13.3 square miles (34.4 km²), of which, 11.9 square miles (30.8 km²) of it is land and 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²) of it (10.54%) is water.
Freeport is near the Gulf of Mexico. In 2003, the city annexed 3.5 miles (5.6 km) of beach bounded on the north by the Village of Quintana and continuing south to the mouth of the Brazos River. This beach is known as Bryan Beach and is maintained as a city park. It is just a few miles away from both Surfside Beach
Surfside Beach, Texas
Surfside Beach is a city in Brazoria County, Texas, United States that is situated on the Gulf of Mexico just west of Galveston Island. The city is part of the Greater Houston area. The population was 763 at the 2000 census...
and Quintana Beach
Quintana, Texas
Quintana is a town in Brazoria County, Texas, United States. The population was 38 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Quintana is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000,...
. This continues to be Freeport's main tourist attraction.
Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
lies about 50 miles (80.5 km) northwest of Freeport.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 12,708 people, 4,163 households, and 3,097 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,069.6 people per square mile (413.0/km²). There were 4,841 housing units at an average density of 407.5 per square mile (157.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 61.55% White, 13.38% African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 20.91% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 3.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 52.05% of the population.
There were 4,163 households out of which 45.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.6% were non-families. 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.05 and the average family size was 3.59.
In the city the population was spread out with 35.7% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 16.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 121.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,245, and the median income for a family was $32,421. Males had a median income of $30,714 versus $17,028 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $12,426. About 22.3% of families and 22.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.1% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Schools in Freeport include Brazosport High SchoolBrazosport High School
Brazosport High School is a secondary school located at the intersection of Brazosport Boulevard and West 2nd Street in Freeport, Texas. It handles grades nine through twelve and is part of the Brazosport Independent School District....
(Grades 9-12), Freeport Intermediate School (Grades 7-8), Lanier Middle School (Grades 5-6), O.A. Fleming Elementary School, Jane Long Elementary School, and Velasco Elementary School (Grades Pre-K-4). They are all maintained through the Brazosport Independent School District
Brazosport Independent School District
Brazosport Independent School District is a school district based in Freeport, Texas .The district serves the cities, towns, and villages of Clute, Freeport, Jones Creek, Lake Jackson, Oyster Creek, Quintana, Richwood, and Surfside Beach...
. Many athletics events for the district take place in Freeport at Hopper Field
Hopper Field
Hopper Field is a stadium located in Freeport, Texas on the campus of Brazosport High School. It is currently home to the high school football teams of the Brazosport Independent School District , and seats 10,478. The stadium opened in 1949. In 2004, an artificial turf known as "Momentum Turf"...
.
Since the late 1990s, several schools have been rebuilt or are currently being rebuilt due to old age. Such schools include Freeport Intermediate School, O.A. Fleming Elementary School, Velasco Elementary School, and Brazosport High School.
The city is served by the Brazosport College
Brazosport College
Brazosport College, or BC, is a public, coeducational college located in Lake Jackson, Texas. The college was opened in 1968, and offers two-year and four-year degrees...
.
The Freeport Library is a part of the Brazoria County Library System.
External links
- Freeport's Official Homepage
- Brazosport ISD's Official Homepage
- Freeport Offshore Fishing Charter
- Historic materials about Freeport, hosted by the Portal to Texas History
- Handbook of Texas: Freeport
- http://texashistory.unt.edu/search.tkl?type=coverage_place&q=United%20States%20-%20Texas%20-%20Brazoria%20County