Frio County, Texas


Frio County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 18,385. Its county seat is Pearsall. The county was created in 1858 and later organized in 1871. Frio is named for the Frio River, whose name is Spanish for "cold".

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which are land and is covered by water.

Major highways

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 18,385 and a median age of 33.0 years; 24.8% of residents were under age 18, and 13.2% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 123.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 134.7 males age 18 and over.
As of the 2020 census, the racial makeup of the county was 46.3% White, 3.9% Black or African American, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 27.3% from some other race, and 20.6% from two or more races, with Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprising 77.1% of the population.
As of the 2020 census, 49.3% of residents lived in urban areas while 50.7% lived in rural areas.
As of the 2020 census, there were 5,190 households, 37.9% of which had children under age 18; 45.4% were married-couple households, 19.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 28.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 6,340 housing units, 18.1% of which were vacant, 64.7% owner-occupied, 35.3% renter-occupied, with a 1.1% homeowner vacancy rate and a 10.1% rental vacancy rate.

Racial and ethnic composition

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, 16,252 people, 4,743 households, and 3,642 families resided in the county. The population density was. The 5,660 housing units averaged. The racial makeup of the county was 71.86% White, 4.87% Black or African American, 0.58% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 19.76% from other races, and 2.50% from two or more races. About 73.76% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 4,743 households, 40.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.20% were married couples living together, 16.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.20% were not families. About 20.60% of all households was made up of individuals, and 9.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.98 and the average family size was 3.44.
In the county, the population was distributed as 28.70% under the age of 18, 11.20% from 18 to 24, 30.80% from 25 to 44, 18.70% from 45 to 64, and 10.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 121.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 130.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $24,504, and for a family was $26,578. Males had a median income of $23,810 versus $16,498 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,069. About 24.50% of families and 29.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.20% of those under age 18 and 30.40% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Frio County has leaned Democratic at the presidential level. It voted Republican in 2004, 2020, and 2024.

Communities

Cities

School districts include:
The designated community college is Southwest Texas Junior College.