[3] Joseph Birkbeck, the founder of Freeland, was born near Brough, in the county of Westmorland, England, on May 2, 1802.

After acquiring land from Edward Lynch the same year of his arrival, Birkbeck built a log cabin in a small valley between modern-day Freeland and Upper Lehigh.

Developing coal mines in the nearby region created a steep increase in population and a demand for building lots.

South Heberton has long since lost its identity and is now simply a cluster of houses along Schwabe Street, which is now part of Freeland.

The first death at this place was that of William, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Birkbeck, which occurred February 11, 1846.

Prior to the opening of Howey's tavern, Birkbeck accommodated parties, who were prospecting for anthracite deposits, in his own home.

[7] The population steadily increased due to the expanding coal mining industry in the region.

Since a large demographic of people in Freeland are of Irish descent, every year, there is a St. Patrick's Day parade through downtown, which is followed by a dinner.

The race usually consists of nine bars throughout the borough, as well as some that do not technically fall within the municipal entity.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.66 square miles (1.7 km2), all land.

Pennsylvania Route 940 runs through Freeland; it provides a direct link to Hazleton and White Haven.

The main ancestries reported by white Freeland residents on the 2000 Census were Italian (17.5%), Polish (13.0%), Irish (12.3%), German (7.7%), and Slovak (6.6%).