Teague (pronounced "TIG") is a city in Freestone County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,384 at the 2020 census.
Settlement
Teague, Texas, was initially settled around the time of the Civil War and developed significantly during the latter half of the 19th century. Originally known as Brewer, the community grew as a small settlement. In April 1886, a resident wrote that all they needed was a jeweler and shoemaker. The resident went on to inventory all the businesses they had, such as a good dry goods and grocery store, a blacksmith and wood shop, and a barber. Later in 1886, a gin was to open. The 1895 Rand McNally atlas shows Brewer with a post office and no express office or railroad. Also in 1895, Brewer Baptist Church ministered by A. B. Tedder had 109 members. The arrival of the Trinity and Brazos Valley Railway in 1906 was pivotal for Teague's development. The railway company established its machine and car shops in the town, which led to rapid growth and the town being renamed Teague. This renaming was done by the railway magnate Benjamin Franklin Yoakum in honor of his mother, Narcissa Teague, and her parents, who were early pioneers in Freestone County. Teague was incorporated as a municipality in 1906 and officially recognized as a city in 1907.
In its early years, Teague thrived as a significant railway hub and a shipping center for local cotton farmers. By 1914, the town had a diverse array of services and amenities, including multiple churches, public schools, waterworks, an electric light plant, an ice plant, banks, cotton gins, a cottonseed oil mill, a cotton compress, and several newspapers. The population reached approximately 3,300 by that time. However, the Great Depression and subsequent economic challenges led to a decline in the number of businesses and population. Despite these hardships, Teague's population saw steady growth from the mid-1980s onwards, with the community adapting and evolving through various economic shifts, including the rise of natural gas production as an important industry.
Teague also has a 3300-foot-long airport used primarily for recreational use.
Recent
In recent years, Teague has seen a variety of community events and developments that highlight its vibrant local culture and civic engagement. Recently, the town hosted numerous events, including holiday celebrations, fairs, and educational workshops. The Fourth of July festivities included a fireworks show and community picnics, while the annual Peach Festival in Fairfield featured music, food trucks, and a 5K run. The Teague Public Library has also been active, offering programs like arts and crafts classes, science days, and a real Mad Hatter Bubble Show.
On the civic front, Teague has continued to maintain its community-oriented focus through various public services and development projects. The city has seen active participation in local government elections, with positions such as mayor and aldermen being regularly contested. Additionally, the Teague Economic Development Corporation has been involved in promoting local business growth and infrastructure improvements.
Geography
Teague is located in western Freestone County. U.S. Route 84 passes through the northern side of the city, leading northeast to Fairfield, the county seat, and northwest to Mexia. Texas State Highway 179 (Main Street) leads east to Dew.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Teague has a total area of , of which is land and , or 3.69%, is water.
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2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Teague had a population of 3,384, 1,322 households, and 802 families residing in the city.
The median age was 38.3 years. 26.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 88.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 85.2 males age 18 and over.
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census
! Race !! Number !! Percent
|-
| White || 2,043 || 60.4%
|-
| Black or African American || 569 || 16.8%
|-
| American Indian and Alaska Native || 34 || 1.0%
|-
| Asian || 5 || 0.1%
|-
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 9 || 0.3%
|-
| Some other race || 447 || 13.2%
|-
| Two or more races || 277 || 8.2%
|-
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 820 || 24.2%
|}
2000 census
As of the census
The school received an accountability rating of A for the 2021-2022 school year.
In the Class of 2021, 97.3% of students received their high school diplomas on time or earlier. The dropout rate for students in grades 9-12 was 0.2% during the 2020-2021 school year.
The average ACT score was 20.8.
As of the 2021-2022 school year, an average teacher's salary was $53,708, which is $5,179 less than the state average. On average, teachers had 13.1 years of experience.