Frio County

Frio County Offices

Frio County Town List

Frio county is at Courthouse 500 East San Antonio Street Pearsall, Texas 78061. The county dates back to 1858. It came from Atascosa, Bexar, and Uvalde counties and was later organized in 1871. Frio got the name from the Frio river that flows through it. This river is famous for being cold in the entire region.  

Sometimes, it gets icy. Frio county’s seat is Pearsall. This is the largest city in the region, housing most government offices, malls, and businesses in the county. 

Continue reading for more information about Frio County. We’ve covered the history, population, education, employment, and county offices, among other topics. 

 Frio County Attractions and Activities 

The following are some attractions and amenities you can enjoy while visiting Frio County: 

• Brazos River State Park – A state park with a campground, fishing, hiking trails, swimming pool, playground, picnic area, boat ramp, nature center, museum, gift shop, and cabins. Additionally, you’ll access lodge rooms, restaurants, a marina, horseback riding, a golf course, tennis courts, a volleyball court, a basketball court, and horseshoe pits. 
• Fort Concho National Historic Site – Located on the banks of the Rio Grande, this fort was built by Confederate troops during the Civil War. Today, visitors will find exhibits depicting life in the early 1900s. Several buildings have been restored or reconstructed to their original condition. You’ll be able to see how soldiers lived, worked, and played here. 
• Bigfoot Museum: Bigfoot Museum has over 100 years of history. Its mission is to preserve the rich heritage of Big Foot Country and its people. The museum features local Indian culture, pioneer days, cowboy lore, wildlife, geology, fossils, minerals, Native American art, historical photos, and much more. 
• Hondo Canyon Caverns & Nature Center – Explore underground caverns filled with stalagmites and stalactites, view live cave animals, and learn about the natural environment. 
• Frio Pioneer jail museum – Built in 1875, the historic courthouse served as the first permanent home for the sheriff and his deputies until the present day. Besides serving as a law enforcement facility, the building housed the district attorney’s office, clerk’s office, courtroom, jury room, and even a prison cell.   

Population and Demographics 

According to the US Census Bureau, Frio county has 20,306 people as per the 2019 census. The median household income is $46,729. In terms of education, there were 8,837 students enrolled in school districts across the county. Of those, 7,973 attended public schools, and 1,864 went to private/charter schools. 

Frio has a land size of 1,133.50 square miles, of which most is plain lands followed by urbanized areas. As far as water bodies go, there are many lakes within the county limits. These include Lake Kyote, Triple S lake, Howard Lake, and Miracle lake. These lakes provide recreational activities such as boating, camping, fishing, and hunting.  

Healthcare in Frio County 

Regarding health care, there are several hospitals in the county. They include Frio Regional Hospital, Memorial Medical Center, and South Plains Regional Health System. These hospitals offer various services ranging from emergency treatment to outpatient procedures. 

Additionally, the county offers emergency services through EMS. It provides ambulance service 24/7. 

Regarding sanitation, Frio county does not have any sewage system. However, it has septic tanks that can handle waste disposal. This means that if your property doesn’t have sewer lines, then you need to make sure that they’re appropriately installed before putting up a house. If you don’t do so, then you may face problems like flooding when heavy rains occur.  

Education in Frio County 

Education is key to the prosperity of a county. Without formal educational institutions, the economy cannot grow. Education plays a vital role in creating jobs and improving lives. For these reasons, counties invest heavily in educating their residents. 

In Frio county, there are two major types of schools: primary and secondary schools. Primary schools serve kindergarten through grade 6, while secondary schools cater to grades 7-12. Both kinds of schools come under the supervision of the Texas Department of Public Instruction. Some schools in the county include; 

• Pearsall Independent School District 
• Pearsall Intermediate School 
• Pearsall High School 
• Faith Cristian Academy

Colleges include: 

• Southwest Texas College 
• Sul Ross State University 

Students pursue courses in business administration, liberal arts, science, engineering technology, nursing, criminal justice, teacher certification programs, and more in the colleges. There are also vocational training centers where students learn how to become welders or carpenters, among other things.  

Economy and Employment Opportunities 

The county people are employed or self-employed in different sectors of industry. Agriculture remains one of the significant sources of employment in the area. Other industries include manufacturing, construction, transportation, energy production and distribution, healthcare, retail trade, accommodation, and food services. Besides, there are administrative support and waste management opportunities. 

When students complete coursework, they can apply for jobs in the county or volunteer. The latter includes working with non-profit organizations. Additionally, some graduates opt to pursue higher education at universities across the country.  

County Government Offices 

Some of the county government offices include; 

The Judge Office- the role of the county judge office is to provide legal help to citizens who require assistance with court cases. The office is under Judge Arnulfo C. Luna. Contact them at 830-334-2154. 

The Tax Assessor/Collector Office – This office collects taxes on behalf of the state government. Call the office at 830-334-2152. 

The Clerk’s Office handles all official documents, including birth certificates, marriage licenses, and death certificates. The office is under Aaron Thomas Ibarra. Call 830-334-2214. 

The County Attorney’s office is under Joseph Sindon. You can contact the office at 830-334-2162. 

The County Auditor’s office is under Crystal Marquez. The auditor’s role is to ensure that tax money collected by the assessor/collector office goes towards its intended purpose. You can call them at 830-334-0000. 

Frio County Sheriff’s Office is under Michael “Mike” Morse. The office ensures public safety within the county. They have jurisdiction over misdemeanor crimes like traffic violations, domestic violence, assault, theft, etc. you can reach them at 830-334-3311. 

The Treasury office is under Honorable Pete Jasso Martinez. Contact them at 830-334-0040.  

Conclusion 

In summary, Frio County has a lot to offer. It offers an excellent quality of life. People here enjoy their time outdoors because mountains and lakes surround it. In addition, the weather conditions are favorable throughout the year. Furthermore, the economy is stable and growing.