Freeport is said to have been established circa 1830. It was called Freeport due to an absence of fees to use the dock ('free port') at the junction of Four Mile Creek and Lafayette Creek.[5]
Historically, the economy of Freeport was largely dependent on the local timber industry through sawmills and logging, as well as the processing of turpentine.[6]
After the introduction of the railroad in Defuniak Springs, Freeport lost its position as the economic powerhouse in Walton County. Today it has a sizeable population of people who serve at Eglin AFB.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 28.0 km2 (10.8 sq mi), of which 10.8 square miles (28 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) (0.28%) is water.
Freeport is situated at the junction of Four Mile Creek and Lafayette Creek, which empty out into LaGrange Bayou, which is connected to the Choctawhatchee Bay.
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 5,861 people, 959 households, and 760 families residing in the city.[11]
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 1,787 people, 636 households, and 343 families residing in the city.[12]
In 2010, the population density was 110.4 inhabitants per square mile (42.6/km2). There were 563 housing units at an average density of 52.2/sq mi (20.2/km2).
2000 Census
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 1,190 people, 500 households, and 327 families living in the city. The population density was 110.4 inhabitants per square mile (42.6/km2). There were 563 housing units at an average density of 52.2/sq mi (20.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.77% White, 2.35% African American, 2.18% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 2.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.09% of the population.
In 2000, there were 500 households, out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.90.
In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.4 males.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $25,735, and the median income for a family was $33,214. Males had a median income of $31,375 versus $19,219 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,114. About 18.0% of families and 21.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.0% of those under age 18 and 23.2% of those age 65 or over.
