Freer is a city in Duval County, Texas, United States. Its population was 2,461 at the 2020 census.

Geography

Freer is located in northwestern Duval County at 27.87917°N, -98.61611°W (27.879156, –98.616237). U.S. Route 59 passes east–west through the city as Riley Street. Once outside the city limits, US 59 leads northeast 68 mi to Beeville and southwest 59 mi to Laredo. Texas State Highway 16 (Norton Avenue) crosses US 59 in the center of town and leads north 111 mi to San Antonio and southwest 92 mi to Zapata on the Rio Grande. Texas State Highway 44 passes through the center of Freer on Riley Street with US 59, but leads east 25 mi to San Diego, the Duval County seat, and 35 mi to Alice, and west 47 mi to Interstate 35 at Encinal. According to the United States Census Bureau, Freer has a total area of 10.5 km2, of which 0.03 km2, or 0.30%, is covered by water.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, 2,461 people, 809 households, and 663 families were residing in the city.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, 3,241 people, 1,111 households, and 845 families resided in the city. The population density was 804.3 PD/sqmi. The 1,334 housing units had an average density of 331.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 80.59% White, 0.46% African American, 0.68% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 14.87% from other races, and 3.15% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 77.38% of the population. Of the 1,111 households, 42.0% had children under 18 living with them, 56.3% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.9% were not families. About 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.92, and the average family size was 3.40. In the city, the age distribution was 33.1% under 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.2 males. The median income for a household in the city was $25,078, and for a family was $26,475. Males had a median income of $26,789 versus $17,159 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,457. About 18.4% of families and 21.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.5% of those under age 18 and 25.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The city is served by the Freer Independent School District.

Notable people

Media

KBRA-FM radio at 95.9 MHz.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, Freer has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.