Perhaps surprisingly, Fresno in Texas shares its name with a city in California. A settler from Fresno, California, chose the name. Fresno is an unincorporated community in Fort Bend County. It’s located about 20 miles northeast of Richmond.
Fresno’s history is rooted in cotton plantations. The land Fresno sits on was patented in 1824. In 1910, Fresno got its own post office. By 1914, Fresno had a telephone connection. There was also a general store and a hardware store. At that time, the population of Fresno was 32.
The town of Fresno faced hardship. By 1933, Fresno had only ten inhabitants. There was only one business. However, Fresno persevered. In 1936, Fresno had three rows of dwellings. These dwellings lined both sides of a paved highway. The International-Great Northern Railroad served the town.
Fresno’s population began to recover. By 1946, the population rose to 100. This level was maintained throughout the 1960s. In 1970, the population increased to 120. Two years later, it grew to 161. During the 1970s and 1980s, Fresno experienced more rapid growth. This growth was due to Houston’s expansion.
In 1990, Fresno had a population of 3,182. By 2000, it more than doubled to 6,603. The 2020 census recorded 24,486 people living here. Fresno is part of the Houston metropolitan area. It is bordered by Houston to the north. Missouri City lies to the west and northwest. Arcola is to the south and southwest. Pearland is to the east of Fresno.
The Fort Bend Tollway has helped Fresno residents. It provides another option for traveling into Houston. The tollway stretches 6.2 miles from Highway 6 to U.S. Highway 90. A trip down FM 521 or State Highway 288 can take 30 to 45 minutes during rush hour. The tollway offers a quicker alternative.
Today, Fresno has farms, lakes, and estates. Fresno is known for its accommodating spirit. The United States Postal Service operates the Fresno Post Office. It is located at 2723 Farm to Market Road 521. For recreation, visit the Mustang Community Center in Fresno.