Clute is a city in Brazoria County, Texas, within the Houston metropolitan area and at the center of the Brazosport industrial region along the upper Gulf Coast. It is one of a cluster of closely connected coastal communities — including Freeport, Lake Jackson, Jones Creek, Oyster Creek, Quintana, Richwood, and Surfside Beach — that together form the Brazosport area, anchored by petrochemical plants, manufacturing, and the Port of Freeport. The city's economy and daily life are shaped by that industrial and maritime base. Manufacturing of plastics, machinery, metal products, and fabricated vessels is significant, commercial fishing contributes to the area, and Port Freeport serves as a deepwater gateway for the region's industries. Clute's 2020 census population was about 10,600, with many residents employed in manufacturing, construction, and retail trades tied to the Brazosport economy. Clute is best known for the Great Texas Mosquito Festival, a long-running annual summer celebration held at Clute Municipal Park that has become one of the signature events of the entire Brazosport area, drawing visitors with its playful, community-centered spirit. The city's history reaches back to the junction of early land grants in the region, and it has grown steadily since the mid-20th century alongside the expansion of the petrochemical industry. Education is provided by the Brazosport Independent School District, which is headquartered in Clute and operates schools across the Brazosport area, including Clute Intermediate School and the district's high schools. The coastal location puts Gulf beaches at Surfside Beach and Quintana within minutes, and fishing, boating, and waterside recreation are part of everyday life. State Highway 288 links the Brazosport area north to Houston, connecting Clute to the larger metropolitan economy.