Los Fresnos, Texas
Los Fresnos, Texas | |
|---|---|
Location of Los Fresnos, Texas | |
| Coordinates: 26°4′24″N 97°28′41″W / 26.07333°N 97.47806°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Cameron |
| Area | |
• Total | 4.29 sq mi (11.11 km2) |
| • Land | 4.10 sq mi (10.62 km2) |
| • Water | 0.19 sq mi (0.48 km2) |
| Elevation | 23 ft (7 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 8,114 |
• Estimate (2021) | 8,152 |
| • Density | 1,979/sq mi (764.0/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 78566 |
| Area code | 956 |
| FIPS code | 48-44116[2] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1374724[3] |
| Website | cityoflosfresnos |
Los Fresnos is a city in Cameron County, Texas, United States. The population was 8,114 at the 2020 census, up from 5,542 at the 2010 census.[4] It is part of the Brownsville–Harlingen–Raymondville and the Matamoros–Brownsville metropolitan areas.
Located in south-central Cameron County, the city was named for the fresnos (Fraxinus berlandieriana)[5] scattered in the woods and along streams. In 1912, Lon Hill, an early landowner, formed a company to develop a canal system that would use the Rio Grande to irrigate land for farming. Railroad construction in the early 1900s began to bring settlers to the area, and by 1915, a post office was established. Because of the fertile, irrigated land, farm products increased, and with the long growing season in the Rio Grande Valley, farming flourished. Today, the city is still surrounded by fertile farm/ranch land. Major crops are cotton, sugarcane, grains, oranges, and red grapefruit.
Geography
Los Fresnos is located slightly south of the geographic center of Cameron County at 26°4′24″N 97°28′41″W / 26.07333°N 97.47806°W (26.073216, –97.478164).[6] It is 12 mi (19 km) north of the center of Brownsville and 18 mi (29 km) southeast of Harlingen.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Los Fresnos has a total area of 3.1 sq mi (7.9 km2), of which 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km2), or 3.98%, is covered by water.[4]
Situated slightly north of the city of Brownsville, Los Fresnos experiences average temperatures, which land the community within the humid subtropical climate zone, but like the rest of the lower Rio Grande Valley, fluctuating temperatures cause the area to transition between a humid subtropical climate and a tropical savanna climate. Due to this, tropical vegetation grows widely around the surrounding area. Temperature extremes range from highs near 100 °F in the summer down to around freezing temperatures about once or twice a year, and not at all during some years. In addition, Los Fresnos is prone to impact from hurricanes. Notable hurricanes to hit the area include Beulah, Allen, and Dolly. Thunderstorm activity occurs usually during the spring and fall when cold fronts cause instability with the region's warm climate. While not a common occurrence, the city occasionally experiences hail or brief tornadoes.
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 1,113 | — | |
| 1960 | 1,289 | 15.8% | |
| 1970 | 1,297 | 0.6% | |
| 1980 | 2,173 | 67.5% | |
| 1990 | 2,473 | 13.8% | |
| 2000 | 4,512 | 82.5% | |
| 2010 | 5,542 | 22.8% | |
| 2020 | 8,114 | 46.4% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 8,152 | [7] | 0.5% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1850–1900[9] 1910[10] 1920[11] 1930[12] 1940[13] 1950[14] 1960[15] 1970[16] 1980[17] 1990[18] 2000[19] 2010[20] | |||
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 8,114 people, 2,376 households, and 1,798 families residing in the city. The median age was 30.4 years. 32.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 10.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 88.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 81.9 males age 18 and over.[21]
98.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 1.4% lived in rural areas.[22]
Of the 2,376 households in Los Fresnos, 52.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 52.1% were married-couple households, 10.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 31.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 13.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 2,695 housing units, of which 11.8% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.2%.[21]
| Race | Number | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| White | 3,499 | 43.1% |
| Black or African American | 33 | 0.4% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 80 | 1.0% |
| Asian | 24 | 0.3% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | 7 | 0.1% |
| Some other race | 1,373 | 16.9% |
| Two or more races | 3,098 | 38.2% |
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) | 7,309 | 90.1% |
2000 census
As of the census[2] of 2000, 4,512 people, 1,296 households, and 1,092 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,868.9 inhabitants per square mile (721.6/km2). The 1,480 housing units averaged 613.0 per square mile (237.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 81.96% White, 0.42% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.02% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 14.38% from other races, and 2.99% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 84.62% of the population.
Of the 1,296 households, 53.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.7% were married couples living together, 17.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.7% were not families. About 14.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.48, and the average family size was 3.86.
In the city, the population was distributed as 36.4% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,793, and for a family was $27,670. Males had a median income of $20,459 versus $17,904 for females. The per capita income for the city was $9,507. About 28.5% of families and 34.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.8% of those under age 18 and 22.4% of those age 65 or over.
Government and infrastructure
The United States Postal Service operates the Los Fresnos Post Office.[24]
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operates the Port Isabel Service Processing Center, which is located in an unincorporated area adjacent to Port Isabel-Cameron County Airport, 13 miles (21 km) northeast of Los Fresnos.[25]
Local public transportation is provided by Valley Metro.
Sites of interest
The Los Fresnos Rodeo and the Cameron County Livestock Show is held annually on the third weekend in February. [26]
Los Fresnos Motocross Park has campsites available at the track to accommodate recreational vehicles and tents. Quads are also welcomed to race, with categories for every age and bike sizes, such as Mini 50-cc, 250-cc, quads, etc.
Little Graceland was located on West Highway 100 and contains a small collection of Elvis Presley memorabilia, including photos, posters, watches, and playing cards. It was operated by the late Simon Vega, who served with Presley in the Army in Germany from 1958 to 1960.
Education
Los Fresnos is served by the Los Fresnos Consolidated Independent School District.
The Ethel L. Whipple Memorial Library serves Los Fresnos.[5]
Media
Newspapers
- Los Fresnos News
Radio stations
- KFRQ 94.5FM – Official Site
- KKPS 99.5FM – Official Site Archived May 20, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- KNVO 101.1FM – Official Site
- KBFM 104.1FM – Official Site
- KLME 105.5FM
- KVLY 107.9FM – Official Site
References
- ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Los Fresnos". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
- ^ a b "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Los Fresnos city, Texas". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ a b "Home." Ethel L. Whipple Memorial Library. Retrieved on May 9, 2010.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "Decennial Census by Decade". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1900 Census of Population - Population of Texas By Counties And Minor Civil Divisions" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1910 Census of Population - Supplement for Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1930 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1960 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
- ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
- ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
- ^ "Post Office Location - LOS FRESNOS Archived 2010-04-05 at the Wayback Machine." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on May 9, 2010.
- ^ "Port Isabel Service Processing Center Archived May 27, 2010, at the Wayback Machine." U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Retrieved on July 21, 2010.
- ^ "Los Fresnos Rodeo". www.lfrodeo.com. Retrieved October 4, 2025.