The first European settlement in the area began in 1717 with the establishment of Mission Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de los Ais by Spanish missionaries.

It lasted until 1773 and is now preserved as Mission Dolores State Historic Site The town began in 1832 with land owned by Thomas S. McFarland.

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.

[7] As of the 2020 United States census, 1,920 people, 982 households, and 536 families resided in the city.

About 19.1% of families and 24.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.0% of those under age 18 and 30.7% of those age 65 or over.The city of San Augustine is served by the San Augustine Independent School District.