Athens, Texas

Athens is a city and the county seat of Henderson County,[7] Texas, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 12,710.[8] The city has called itself the "Black-Eyed Pea Capital of the World."[9] Athens was selected as one of the first "Certified Retirement Communities" in Texas.[10] It was named after Athens, Alabama, by one of the early residents who came from there; not Greece's capital.[11]

This article is about the city in Texas. For other uses, see Athens (disambiguation).
Athens, Texas
City
City Hall in Athens, 508 E. Tyler St.
Motto(s): 
"Hamburgers – Heritage – Texas"[1]
Location of Athens, Texas
Coordinates: 32°12′10″N 95°50′57″W
Country United States
StateTexas
CountyHenderson
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • City CouncilMayor Monte Montgomery
Toni Clay
Aaron Smith
Edward McCain
Robert Gross
 • City ManagerElizabeth Borstad
Area
 • Total20.20 sq mi (52.31 km2)
 • Land17.83 sq mi (46.19 km2)
 • Water2.37 sq mi (6.13 km2)
Elevation
489 ft (149 m)
Population
 • Total12,710
 • Estimate 
(2019)[4]
12,753
 • Density715.13/sq mi (276.11/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
75751-75752
Area codes430, 903
FIPS code48-04504[5]
GNIS feature ID1329816[6]
Websiteathenstx.gov

Geography

Athens is located in central Henderson County at 32°12′10″N 95°50′57″W (32.202782, -95.849140).[12]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 19.2 square miles (49.7 km2), of which 16.8 square miles (43.6 km2) are land and 2.4 square miles (6.1 km2), or 12.32%, are covered by water.[8] Lake Athens is a 1,799 acre reservoir located in the eastern half of the city.[13]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1860240—
1870545127.1%
1880368−32.5%
18901,035181.3%
19102,261—
19203,17640.5%
19304,34236.7%
19404,7659.7%
19505,1949.0%
19607,08636.4%
19709,58235.2%
198010,1976.4%
199010,9677.6%
200011,2973.0%
201012,71012.5%
2019 (est.)12,753[4]0.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]

As of the census[5] of 2010, there were 12,710 people, 4,110 households, and 2,807 families residing in the city. The population density was 772.8 people per square mile (298.3/km2). There were 4,549 housing units at an average density of 311.2 per square mile (120.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 72.14% White, 19.23% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 6.17% from other races, and 1.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 17.37% of the population.

There were 4,110 households, out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together,

15.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% are classified as non-families by the United States Census Bureau. Of 4,110 households, 131 are unmarried partner households: 106 heterosexual, 14 same-sex male, and 11 same-sex female households. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.4% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,372, and the median income for a family was $35,359. Males had a median income of $27,388 versus $19,375 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,561. About 14.7% of families and 18.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.5% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

According to the city's most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the city's various funds had $8.0 million in revenues, $8.6 million in expenditures, and $4.2 million in total assets, $0.7 million in total liabilities, and $0.7 million in cash and investments.[15]

The structure of the management and coordination of city services is:[16]

City department Director
City Manager Elizabeth Borstad
City Secretary Bonnie Hambrick
Director of Finance Mandie Quigg
Director of Human Resources Jennifer Robertson
Chief of Police Michael D. Hill, Jr.
Fire Chief Russell Marshall
Director of Public Works Tim Perry
Director of Development Services Audrey Sloan
Director of Utilities Randy Williams

State and federal representation

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) operates the Athens District Parole Office in Athens.[17]

The United States Postal Service operates the Athens Post Office.[18]

Education

The city of Athens is served by the Athens Independent School District and is home to the Athens High School Hornets. A very small portion in the eastern outskirts of Athens is within the Brownsboro Independent School District.

The main campus of Trinity Valley Community College is located in Athens.

  • Athens welcome sign
  • Downtown Athens
  • Former bank on the west side of the courthouse square, now used for Henderson County offices
  • Railroad Park in downtown Athens
  • First Baptist Church

Places to Visit

The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, is located east of the city on Lake Athens.

The East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society is located in the west part of the city.

Cedar Creek Reservoir is located west of the city, and is a popular vacation destination.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Athens has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.[19]

Notable people

References
  1. "Welcome to Athens Texas". City of Athens, Texas. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  3. "State and County Quick Facts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 10, 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  4. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  5. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  7. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  8. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Athens city, Texas". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  9. Popik, Barry. "Barry Popik". www.barrypopik.com. Retrieved 2018-02-15.
  10. http://www.athenscc.org/relocate.htm
  11. A Memorial and Biographical History of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon Counties, Texas. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company. 1893. p. 207. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  12. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  13. "Lake Athens". tpwd.texas.gov. State of Texas. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  14. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  15. 2006-07 CAFR Archived November 15, 2010, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2009-06-10
  16. City of Athens website Retrieved 2016-12-20
  17. "Parole Division Region I Archived 2011-09-28 at the Wayback Machine." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
  18. "Post Office Location - ATHENS." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
  19. Climate Summary for Athens, Texas
  20. "Fred R. Agnich Papers". lib.utexas.edu. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  21. "Buffalo Bills: Terrence McGee". Buffalo Bills. 2017. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
  22. Helen Markel. "A Business Of 'brim'", Sports Illustrated, May 21, 1956.
  23. "Legislative Reference Library of Texas: James C. Spencer". lrl.state.tx.us. Retrieved March 16, 2011.
  24. "About Stuart Spitzer". stuartspitzer.com. Archived from the original on April 4, 2015. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
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