Pearsall, Texas

Geography

Pearsall is located near the center of Frio County at 28°53′29″N 99°5′42″W (28.891458, -99.094873). Interstate 35 bypasses the city on the west side, with access from Exits 99, 101, and 104. I-35 leads northeast 55 miles (89 km) to San Antonio and south 100 miles (160 km) to Laredo.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Pearsall has a total area of 5.9 square miles (15.4 km²), of which 0.02 square miles (0.04 km²), or 0.27%, is water.

In 2003, Pearsall annexed the unincorporated neighborhood of West Pearsall, increasing the population of the town by about 350 people.

Northwest of Pearsall is the ghost town of "Frio Town", the site of a 1958 episode, "Friotown", of the ABC/Warner Brothers western television series Texas John Slaughter, with Tom Tryon in the title role. Prior to 1886, the community was known as "Frio City".

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Pearsall has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, 7,157 people reside in Pearsall with 2,201 households, and 1,688 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,694.7 people per square mile (654.8/km²). There were 2,470 housing units at an average density of 584.9/sq mi (226.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 73.80% White, 0.39% African American, 0.71% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 22.01% from other races, and 2.79% from two or more races. 84.24% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,201 households out of which 41.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 18.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.3% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.99 and the average family size was 3.47.

In the city, the population was spread out with 30.6% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 102.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $21,602, and the median income for a family was $23,470. Males had a median income of $21,295 versus $14,720 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,383. 35.0% of the population and 30.4% of families were below the poverty line. 43.2% of those under the age of 18 and 40.0% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Government and infrastructure

The United States Postal Service operates the Pearsall Post Office.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operates the South Texas Detention Facility in an unincorporated area in Frio County near Pearsall.

Education

Pearsall Independent School District has four schools - Ted Flores Elementary, Pearsall Intermediate, Pearsall Junior High, and Pearsall High School.

Notable people