[2] Friona was established as a small community in 1898 by XIT Ranch, originally called Frio, which is also the word for "cold" in Spanish.

The community served as a shipping point for the Pecos and Northern Texas Railroads.

In 1906, the George G. Wright Land CO. chose the community for a colonization project, promising settlers of fertile soil, and a healthful climate.

The community then became known as Friona after the opening of a post office in March 16, 1907 and started to construct various buildings, which were a hotel, livery stable and a bank.

[6] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.4 square miles (3.6 km2), all land.

[7] As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,171 people, 1,409 households, and 1,084 families residing in the city.

The racial makeup of the city was 69.9% Hispanic, 28.2% White, 0.9% Black, 0.3% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, and 0.3% from two or more races.

In 1954, following Brown v. Board Of Education, Friona was the first school in Texas to integrate black students.