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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 and is about sixteen miles away from Angleton.
BASF is the major employer in Freeport, as the company operates a large chemical plant complex in Freeport.
Freeport is in the 14th congressional district [1], and is represented by Congressman Ron Paul.
History
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.[4]
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.[4]
Freeport's most substantial economic growth began with the construction of Dow Chemical facilities in the city during 1939. The company still provides the majority of economic resources for the community.[4]
In July 1957, Freeport merged with Velasco, Texas, the first capital of the short-lived Republic of Texas during the 19th century. Soon thereafter, Freeport's population numbered 11,619.[4]
Freeport Main Street Program
A visit from former First Lady of Texas and current 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.[5] 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? / ?28.95944, -95.35694 (28.959527, -95.356941)[6].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.3 square miles (34.4 km˛), of which, 11.9 square miles (30.8 km˛) of it is land and 1.4 square miles (3.6 km˛) of it (10.54%) is water.
Freeport is very near the Gulf of Mexico. In 2003, the city annexed 3.5 miles 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 northwest of Freeport.
Demographics
As of the census[2] 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/km˛). There were 4,841 housing units at an average density of 407.5/sq mi (157.3/km˛). 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 97.2 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.
Education
Schools in Freeport include Brazosport High School (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.
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.
References
External links
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![[1]](http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/preview/congdist/tx14_109.gif){kind=link}