Austin, Texas: Difference between revisions
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{{Redirect|Austin}} |
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{{Distinguish|Austin County, Texas}} |
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{{pp-move-indef}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=June 0001}} |
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{{Infobox settlement |
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| name = Austin, Texas |
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| official_name = City of Austin |
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| settlement_type = [[List of capitals in the United States|State capital city]] |
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| named_for = [[Stephen F. Austin]] |
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| image_skyline = Austin Montage.png |
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| image_caption = [[Downtown Austin|Downtown]] skyline, [[Bullock Texas State History Museum|Bob Bullock Texas History Museum]], [[360 Condominiums|360 Condominiums Tower]], [[Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium]], [[Austin City Hall (Austin, Texas)|Austin City Hall]], [[University of Texas at Austin]] |
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| image_seal = Seal of Austin, TX.svg |
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| seal_size = 80px |
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| image_flag = File:Flag of Austin, Texas.svg |
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| flag_size = 100px |
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| image_blank_emblem = Coat of arms of Austin, Texas.svg |
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| blank_emblem_type = Coat of arms |
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| blank_emblem_size = 55 |
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| blank_emblem_alt = |
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| blank_emblem_link = List of U.S. county and city insignia |
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| nicknames = "Live Music Capital of the World", "[[Silicon Hills]]", "ATX", "City of the Violet Crown" |
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| motto = "Keep Austin Weird" |
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| image_map = Travis County Austin.svg |
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| mapsize = 250px |
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| map_caption = Location within Travis County |
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| pushpin_map = Texas#USA#North America |
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| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Texas##Location within the United States##Location within North America |
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| pushpin_relief = 1 |
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| coordinates = {{coord|30|16|N|97|44|W|region:US-TX|display=inline,title}} |
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| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]] |
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| subdivision_name = United States |
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| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]] |
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| subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Texas|Counties]] |
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| subdivision_name1 = [[Texas]] |
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| subdivision_name2 = [[Hays County, Texas|Hays]], [[Travis County, Texas|Travis]], [[Williamson County, Texas|Williamson]] |
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| established_title = Settled |
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| established_date = 1835 |
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| established_title2 = Incorporated |
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| established_date2 = December 27, 1839 |
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| government_type = [[Council-manager government|Council–manager]] |
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| leader_title = [[List of mayors of Austin, Texas|Mayor]] |
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| leader_name = [[Steve Adler (lawyer)|Steve Adler]] [[Democratic Party (United States)|(D)]]<ref name="CityGovernment">{{cite web|title=Government {{!}} AustinTexas.gov - The Official Website of the City of Austin|url=http://www.austintexas.gov/government|website=www.austintexas.gov|accessdate=14 April 2018|language=en}}</ref> |
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| leader_title1 = [[City manager]] |
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| leader_name1 = Spencer Cronk <ref name="CityGovernment" /> |
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| unit_pref = US |
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| area_magnitude = 1 E8 |
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| area_total_sq_mi = |
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| area_land_sq_mi = |
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| area_water_sq_mi = |
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| area_total_km2 = 790.1 |
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| area_land_km2 = 771.5 |
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| area_water_km2 = 18.6 |
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| area_metro_km2 = 11099.91 |
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| elevation_m = 149 |
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| elevation_ft = 489 |
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| population_total = 790390 |
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| population_as_of = [[2010 United States Census|2010]] |
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| population_est = 950715 ([[List of United States cities by population|11th]]) |
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| pop_est_as_of = 2017<ref>{{cite web|url=https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF |title=American FactFinder - Results |publisher= |deadurl=yes |archivedate=April 9, 2017 |df=mdy |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409055505/https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF }}</ref> |
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| population_density_km2 = 1228.6<!--2016 pop. est.--> |
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| population_metro = 2056405 ([[List of Metropolitan Statistical Areas|31st]]) |
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| population_demonym = Austinite |
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| postal_code_type = [[ZIP Code]]s |
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| postal_code = 78701–78705, 78708–78739, 78741–78742, 78744–78769 |
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| area_code = [[Area codes 512 and 737|512 & 737]] |
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| area_code_type = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area codes]] |
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| website = {{URL|www.austintexas.gov}} |
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| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] |
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| blank_info = 48-05000<ref name="Census 2010">{{Cite web| url=https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US4805000| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Austin city, Texas| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| work=American Factfinder| accessdate=February 8, 2018}}</ref> |
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| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID |
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| blank1_info = 1384879<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|accessdate=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007}}</ref> |
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| blank_name_sec2 = Primary Airport |
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| blank_info_sec2 = [[Austin–Bergstrom International Airport]] |
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| blank1_name_sec2 = [[Interstate Highway System|Interstates]] |
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| blank1_info_sec2 = [[File:I-35 (TX).svg|26px|link=Interstate 35 in Texas]] |
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| blank3_name_sec2 = [[Commuter Rail]] |
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| blank3_info_sec2 = [[Capital MetroRail]] |
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| pushpin_label = Austin |
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| timezone = [[Central Time Zone|CST]] |
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| utc_offset = −6 |
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| timezone_DST = [[Central Time Zone|CDT]] |
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| utc_offset_DST = −5 |
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}} |
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'''Austin''' is the [[Capital city|capital]] of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Texas]] and the seat of [[Travis County, Texas|Travis County]], with portions extending into [[Hays County, Texas|Hays]] and [[Williamson County, Texas|Williamson]] counties. It is the [[List of United States cities by population|11th-most populous city]] in the [[United States]] and the [[List of cities in Texas by population|4th-most populous city in Texas]]. It is also the fastest growing large city in the United States,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2015/05/21/population_growth_in_u_s_cities_austin_is_blowing_away_the_competition.html |title=Population growth in U.S. cities: Austin is blowing away the competition. |author=Jordan Weissmann |date=May 21, 2015 |work=Slate Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/pictures/emeg45ehgji/1-austin-texas/|title=America's Fastest Growing Cities 2016 |date=Jan 14, 2017 |work=Forbes}}</ref> the [[List of capitals in the United States|second most populous state capital]] after [[Phoenix, Arizona]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0763098.html |title=Top 50 Cities in the U.S. by Population and Rank |publisher=infoplease.com |date= |accessdate=January 27, 2014}}</ref> and the southernmost state capital in the contiguous United States. As of the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]]'s July 1, 2017 estimate, Austin had a population of 950,715<ref>{{cite web |title=QuickFacts -- Austin, Texas |url=https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/community_facts.xhtml |website=U.S. Census Bureau |accessdate=May 25, 2018}}</ref> up from 790,491 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]].<ref name="Census 2010"/> The city is the cultural and economic center of the {{nowrap|[[Greater Austin|Austin–Round Rock]]}} metropolitan statistical area, which had an estimated population of 2,056,405 {{as of|2016|July|1|lc=y|df=US}}. Located in {{nowrap|[[Central Texas]]}} within the greater [[Texas Hill Country]], it is home to numerous lakes, rivers, and waterways, including [[Lady Bird Lake]] and [[Lake Travis]] on the [[Colorado River (Texas)|Colorado River]], [[Barton Springs Pool|Barton Springs]], [[McKinney Falls State Park|McKinney Falls]], and [[Lake Walter E. Long]]. |
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In the 1830s, pioneers began to settle the area in central Austin along the [[Colorado River (Texas)|Colorado River]]. In 1839, the site was chosen to replace [[Houston]] as the capital of the [[Republic of Texas]] and was incorporated under the name "Waterloo". Shortly afterward, the name was changed to Austin in honor of [[Stephen F. Austin]], the "Father of Texas" and the republic's first secretary of state. The city grew throughout the 19th century and became a center for government and education with the construction of the [[Texas State Capitol]] and the [[University of Texas at Austin]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.austintexas.org/travel_trade/why_austin/historyheritage |title=History Lesson |accessdate=July 28, 2008 |publisher=Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau}}</ref> After a severe lull in economic growth from the [[Great Depression in the United States|Great Depression]], Austin resumed its steady development, and by the 1990s it emerged as a center for technology and business.<ref name="austin history"/> A number of [[Fortune 500]] companies have headquarters or regional offices in Austin including, [[3M]], [[Amazon.com]], [[Apple Inc.]], [[Cisco]], [[eBay]], [[General Motors]], [[Google]], [[IBM]], [[Intel]], [[Oracle Corporation]], [[Paypal]], [[Texas Instruments]], and [[Whole Foods Market]].<ref>Fortune. 2009-Apr. Retrieved June 22, 2009.</ref> [[Dell]]'s worldwide headquarters is located in nearby [[Round Rock, Texas|Round Rock]], a suburb of Austin. |
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Residents of Austin are known as [[List of people from Austin, Texas|Austinites]].<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.books.google.com/books?id=LiBfaZS3IRsC&pg=PA145 |title=Weird City |accessdate=April 23, 2013 |publisher=University of Texas Press |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509225025/https://books.google.com/books?id=LiBfaZS3IRsC&pg=PA145 |archivedate=May 9, 2013 |df=mdy }}</ref> They include a diverse mix of government employees, college students, musicians, high-tech workers, [[blue-collar worker]]s, and a vibrant [[LGBT]] community.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.austinlgbtchamber.com|title=Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce }}</ref> The city's official slogan promotes Austin as "The Live Music Capital of the World", a reference to the city's many musicians and live music venues, as well as the long-running [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] TV concert series ''[[Austin City Limits]]''.<ref name=motto>{{cite web |url=http://www.cityofaustin.org/music/ |title=Live Music Capital of the World |accessdate=June 12, 2007 |work=Austin City Connection |publisher=City of Austin}}</ref><ref name=atx_motto>{{cite web |url = http://www.atxfest.com/general_info.php |title = The ATX |accessdate = April 6, 2007 |publisher = ATX Fest |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070406212857/http://www.atxfest.com/general_info.php |archivedate = April 6, 2007 |deadurl = yes |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The city also adopted "[[Silicon Hills]]" as a nickname in the 1990s due to a rapid influx of technology and development companies. In recent years, some Austinites have adopted the unofficial slogan "[[Keep Austin Weird]]",<ref name="MetroSeeker.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.metroseeker.com/austin |title=MetroSeeker.com |accessdate=November 16, 2011 |publisher=MetroSeeker.com |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120065906/http://www.metroseeker.com/austin |archivedate=November 20, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> which refers to the desire to protect small, unique, and local businesses from being overrun by large corporations.<ref name="weird">{{Cite news |first = Alexis |last = Kanter |title = Keep Austin Weird? |url = http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2004/09/09/Focus/Keep-Austin.Weird-713824.shtml |work = The Daily Texan |date = September 9, 2004 |accessdate = July 28, 2008 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080724172638/http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2004/09/09/Focus/Keep-Austin.Weird-713824.shtml |archivedate = July 24, 2008 |deadurl = yes |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In the late 19th century, Austin was known as the "[[City of the Violet Crown]]", because of the colorful glow of light across the hills just after sunset.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.violetcrownvoices.com/just-what-is-a-violet-crown|title=Just what is a violet crown?|accessdate=August 19, 2016}}</ref> Even today, many Austin businesses use the term "Violet Crown" in their name. Austin is known as a "clean-air city" for its stringent no-smoking ordinances that apply to all public places and buildings, including restaurants and bars.<ref>{{cite news |title=Senator Proposes State-wide Smoking Ban |first=Corrie |last=MacLaggan |newspaper=[[Austin American-Statesman]] |date=January 18, 2011 |url=http://www.statesman.com/news/content/region/legislature/stories/01/19/19smoking.html |accessdate=August 29, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713203250/http://www.statesman.com/news/content/region/legislature/stories/01/19/19smoking.html |archivedate=July 13, 2010 }}</ref> |
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''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'' named Austin the #1 place to live in the U.S. for 2017 and 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://realestate.usnews.com/places/rankings/best-places-to-live|title=100 Best Places to Live in the U.S. 2017|website=U.S. News & World Report|access-date=February 7, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/info/blogs/press-room/articles/2018-04-10/us-news-unveils-the-2018-best-places-to-live|title=U.S. News Unveils the 2018 Best Places to Live|last=|first=|date=April 10, 2018|website=US News and World Report|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412083200/https://www.usnews.com/info/blogs/press-room/articles/2018-04-10/us-news-unveils-the-2018-best-places-to-live|archive-date=2018-04-12|dead-url=yes|access-date=}}</ref> In 2016, ''[[Forbes]]'' ranked Austin #1 on its "Cities of the Future" list,<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.forbes.com/pictures/edgl45hdji/no-1-austin-texas/ |title= America's Cities of the Future |website= Forbes |access-date=December 2, 2017}}</ref> then in 2017 placed the city at that same position on its list for the "Next Biggest Boom Town in the U.S."<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.forbes.com/pictures/edgl45fkm/no-1-austin-texas/ |title=Next Biggest Boomtowns in the U.S. |website= Forbes |access-date= December 2, 2017}}</ref> Also in 2017, ''Forbes'' awarded the South River City neighborhood of Austin its #2 ranking for "Best Cities and Neighborhoods for Millennials".<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.forbes.com/pictures/fjle45emej/no-2-austin-tx/ |title= Best Cities and Neighborhoods for Millennials U.S. |website= Forbes |access-date= December 2, 2017}}</ref> WalletHub named Austin the #6 best place in the country to live for 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.statesman.com/news/local/austin-longer-holds-spot-list-america-best-cities-live/DR7mrvTeBwvx6KgG3TTD0O/ |title=Austin no longer holds No. 1 spot on list of America's best cities to live in |website=Statesman.com |accessdate=December 18, 2017}}</ref> The [[FBI]] ranked Austin as the #2 safest major city in the U.S. for 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.kvue.com/story/news/local/2014/05/24/2412090/ |title= Austin ranked second safest major city in the U.S. |website= KVUE |access-date= March 27, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121145128/http://www.kvue.com/story/news/local/2014/05/24/2412090/ |archivedate=January 21, 2016 |df= }}</ref> |
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==History== |
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{{Main|History of Austin, Texas}} |
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{{see also|Timeline of Austin, Texas}} |
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Austin, Travis County and Williamson County have been the site of human habitation since at least 9200 BC. The area's earliest known inhabitants lived during the late [[Pleistocene]] (Ice Age) and are linked to the [[Clovis culture]] around 9200 BC (11,200 years ago), based on evidence found throughout the area and documented at the much-studied [[Gault (archaeological site)|Gault Site]], midway between [[Georgetown, Texas|Georgetown]] and [[Fort Hood]].<ref name="tshaonline1">{{cite web |
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| title = Handbook of Texas Online, "Gault Site" entry |
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| url = https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/bbgya |
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| doi = <!-- Texas+State+History+Association --> |
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| accessdate = July 18, 2010}}</ref> |
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When settlers arrived from Europe, the [[Tonkawa]] tribe inhabited the area. The [[Comanche]]s and [[Lipan Apache people|Lipan Apaches]] were also known to travel through the area.<ref name="historycenter5">{{cite web |title=What Native American tribe was most common in the area? |work=Austin City Connection |publisher=City of Austin |url=http://www.cityofaustin.org/library/ahc/faq5.htm |archive-url=https://archive.is/20120208122803/http://www.cityofaustin.org/library/ahc/faq5.htm |dead-url=yes |archive-date=February 8, 2012 |accessdate=September 20, 2007}}</ref> Spanish colonists, including the Espinosa-Olivares-Aguirre expedition, traveled through the area for centuries, though few permanent settlements were created for some time.<ref name="HOT: Hays Co">{{Handbook of Texas|name=Hays County |id=hch11 |retrieved=Feb 17, 2010 |author=Cecil, Paul F.; Greene, Daniel P.}} Texas State Historical Association.</ref> In 1730, three missions from [[East Texas]] were combined and reestablished as one mission on the south side of the Colorado River, in what is now [[Zilker Park]], in Austin. The mission was in this area for only about seven months, and then was moved to [[San Antonio de Béxar]] and split into three missions.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/ica02 |title= Austin, Catholic Diocese of |last= Ryan |first= Steven |work = Handbook of Texas Online |publisher = Texas State Historical Association |accessdate = May 28, 2011 |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20110710003436/http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/ica02 |archivedate= July 10, 2011 |deadurl= no}}</ref> |
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Early in the 19th century, Spanish forts were established in what are now [[Bastrop, Texas|Bastrop]] and [[San Marcos, Texas|San Marcos]].<ref name="HOT: Hays Co"/><ref name="HOT: Bastrop"/> Following [[History of Mexico#Independence (1807–1829)|Mexico's independence]], new settlements were established in Central Texas, but growth in the region was stagnant because of conflicts with the regional Native Americans.<ref name="HOT: Bastrop">{{Handbook of Texas|name=Bastrop, Texas|id=hgb04|retrieved=Feb 17, 2010|author=Marks, Paula Mitchell}} Texas State Historical Association.</ref><ref>{{Handbook of Texas|name=Fayette County|id=hcf03|retrieved=Feb 17, 2010|author=Garrett, Daphne Dalton}} Texas State Historical Association.</ref><ref name="HOT:Travis Co">{{Handbook of Texas|name=Travis County|id=hct08|author=Smyrl, Vivian Elizabeth|retrieved=February 17, 2010}} Texas State Historical Association.</ref> |
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In 1835–1836, Texans fought and won [[Texas Revolution|independence from Mexico]]. Texas thus became an independent country with its own president, congress, and monetary system. After Vice President [[Mirabeau B. Lamar]] visited the area during a [[American bison|buffalo]]-hunting expedition between 1837 and 1838, he proposed that the republic's capital, then in [[Houston]], be relocated to the area situated on the north bank of the [[Colorado River (Texas)|Colorado River]] (near the present-day [[Congress Avenue Bridge]]). In 1839, the Texas Congress formed a commission to seek a site for a new capital to be named for [[Stephen F. Austin]].<ref name="HOT: Austin"/> Mirabeau B. Lamar, second president of the newly formed Republic of Texas, advised the commissioners to investigate the area named Waterloo, noting the area's hills, waterways, and pleasant surroundings.<ref name="pres1">Patoski, Joe Nick. "It's Just Different Here", ''[[National Trust for Historic Preservation|Preservation]]'', July/August 2010, page 38</ref> Waterloo was selected, and "Austin" was chosen as the town's new name.<ref>{{Handbook of Texas|name=Waterloo, Texas|id=hvw13|retrieved=February 17, 2010}} Texas State Historical Association.</ref> The location was seen as a convenient crossroads for trade routes between [[Santa Fe, New Mexico|Santa Fe]] and [[Galveston Bay]], as well as routes between northern Mexico and the [[Red River of the South|Red River]].<ref name="Erlichman (2006), p. 61."/> |
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[[Edwin Waller]] was picked by Lamar to survey the village and draft a plan laying out the new capital.<ref name="HOT: Austin"/> The original site was narrowed to {{convert|640|acres|-1|abbr=on}} that fronted the Colorado River between two creeks, Shoal Creek and Waller Creek, which was later named in his honor. The 14-block grid plan was bisected by a broad north-south thoroughfare, Congress Avenue, running up from the river to Capital Square, where the new Texas State Capitol was to be constructed. A temporary one-story capitol was erected on the corner of Colorado and 8th Streets. On August 1, 1839, the first auction of 217 out of 306 lots total was held.<ref name="HOT: Austin"/><ref name="Erlichman (2006), p. 61.">Erlichman (2006), p. 61.</ref> The grid plan Waller designed and surveyed now forms the basis of downtown Austin. |
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In 1840, a series of conflicts between the [[Texas Ranger Division|Texas Rangers]] and the [[Comanche]]s, known as the [[Council House Fight]] and the [[Battle of Plum Creek]], pushed the Comanches westward, mostly ending conflicts in Central Texas.<ref>{{Handbook of Texas|name=Plum Creek, Battle of|id=btp04|retrieved=February 17, 2010}} Texas State Historical Association.</ref> Settlement in the area began to expand quickly. Travis County was established in 1840, and the surrounding counties were mostly established within the next two decades.<ref name="HOT:Travis Co"/> |
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Initially, the new capital thrived. But Lamar's political enemy, [[Sam Houston]], used two Mexican army incursions to [[San Antonio]] as an excuse to move the government. Sam Houston fought bitterly against Lamar's decision to establish the capital in such a remote wilderness. The men and women who traveled mainly from Houston to conduct government business were intensely disappointed as well. By 1840, the population had risen to 856, of whom nearly half fled from Austin when Congress recessed.<ref>{{cite web |title=City of Austin Community Inventory Report |url=http://www.imagineaustin.net/inventory-historic.htm |publisher=Austin City Connection |accessdate=December 11, 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100309084740/http://www.imagineaustin.net/inventory-historic.htm |archivedate=March 9, 2010 }}</ref> The resident [[African American]] population listed in January of this same year was 176.<ref>{{cite web |title=Austin Treasures: First Year Firsts: 1839. |url=http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/library/ahc/begin/firsts.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020109140428/http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/library/ahc/begin/firsts.htm |dead-url=yes |archive-date=January 9, 2002 |publisher=Austin City Connections |accessdate=April 18, 2011 |df= }}</ref> The fear of Austin's proximity to the Indians and Mexico, which still considered Texas a part of their land, created an immense motive for Sam Houston, the first and third President of the Republic of Texas, to relocate the capital once again in 1841. Upon threats of Mexican troops in Texas, Houston raided the Land Office to transfer all official documents to Houston for safe keeping in what was later known as the [[Archive War]], but the people of Austin would not allow this unaccompanied decision to be executed. The documents stayed, but the capital would temporarily move from Austin to Houston to [[Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas|Washington-on-the-Brazos]]. Without the governmental body, Austin's population declined to a low of only a few hundred people throughout the early 1840s. The voting by the fourth President of the Republic, [[Anson Jones]], and Congress, who reconvened in Austin in 1845, settled the issue to keep Austin the seat of government, as well as annex the Republic of Texas into the United States. |
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In 1860, 38% of Travis County residents were [[slavery in the United States|slaves]].<ref>{{cite news |last= Census Office, Department of the Interior |title= Map Showing the Distribution of the Slave Population of the Southern States of the United States |url= http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/opinion/FULLFRAMEmap.pdf |accessdate= December 13, 2010 |newspaper= [[The New York Times]] |year= 1961}}</ref> In 1861, with the outbreak of the [[American Civil War]], voters in Austin and other Central Texas communities voted against secession.<ref name="HOT: Bastrop"/><ref name="HOT: Austin"/> However, as the war progressed and fears of attack by [[Union (American Civil War)|Union]] forces increased, Austin contributed hundreds of men to the [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] forces. The African American population of Austin swelled dramatically after the enforcement of the [[Emancipation Proclamation]] in Texas by [[Union Army|Union]] General [[Gordon Granger]] at Galveston, in an event commemorated as [[Juneteenth]]. Black communities such as [[Wheatville, Austin|Wheatville]], Pleasant Hill, and Clarksville were established, with Clarksville being the oldest surviving freedomtown ‒ the original post-Civil War settlements founded by former African-American slaves ‒ west of the [[Mississippi River]].<ref name="HOT: Austin">{{Handbook of Texas |id=hda03 |name=Austin, Texas |author=Humphrey, David C. |retrieved=February 17, 2010}} Texas State Historical Association.</ref> In 1870, blacks made up 36.5% of Austin's population.<ref name="census">{{cite web |title=Historical Census Statistics on Population Totals by Race, 1790 to 1990, and by Hispanic Origin, 1970 to 1990, for Large Cities and Other Urban Places in the United States |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html |accessdate=December 24, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/69hd5KAIE?url=http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html |archivedate=August 6, 2012 |df= }}</ref> |
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[[File:Old map-Austin-1873-sm.jpg|thumb|An 1873 illustration of Edwin Waller's layout for Austin|alt=|left]]The postwar period saw dramatic population and economic growth. The opening of the [[Houston and Texas Central Railway]] (H&TC) in 1871<ref>[http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~txrober2/HOTBHOUSTONTEXASCENTRAL.htm Roots Web], retrieved July 13, 2010 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100509220634/http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~txrober2/HOTBHOUSTONTEXASCENTRAL.htm |date=May 9, 2010 }}</ref> turned Austin into the major trading center for the region, with the ability to transport both cotton and cattle. The [[Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad|Missouri, Kansas & Texas]] (MKT) line followed close behind.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.txtransportationmuseum.org/MKT.htm |title=Texas Transportation Museum |website=Txtransportationmuseum.org/ |accessdate=September 15, 2014}}</ref> Austin was also the terminus of the southernmost leg of the [[Chisholm Trail]], and "drovers" pushed cattle north to the railroad.<ref name="Martin, Don 2009 p. 31">Martin, Don (2009). ''Austin'', p. 31. Arcadia Publishing, Chicago, Illinois, {{ISBN|978-0-7385-7067-9}}</ref> Cotton was one of the few crops produced locally for export, and a [[cotton gin]] engine was located downtown near the trains for "ginning" cotton of its seeds and turning the product into bales for shipment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.texasescapes.com/Cotton/Cotton-Gins-In-Texas-3.htm |title=History of the Cotton gin (postcard images)|website=Texasescapes.com |accessdate=September 15, 2014}}</ref> However, as other new railroads were built through the region in the 1870s, Austin began to lose its primacy in trade to the surrounding communities.<ref name="HOT: Austin"/> In addition, the areas east of Austin took over cattle and cotton production from Austin, especially in towns like [[Hutto, Texas|Hutto]] and [[Taylor, Texas|Taylor]] that sit over the [[Texas blackland prairies|blackland prairie]], with its deep, rich soils for producing cotton and hay.<ref name="Martin, Don 2009 p. 30">Martin, Don (2009). ''Austin'', p. 30. Arcadia Publishing, Chicago, Illinois, {{ISBN|978-0-7385-7067-9}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">{{Handbook of Texas|id=hes02|title=San Marcos, Texas|retrieved=Feb 17, 2010|author=Greene, Daniel P.}} Texas State Historical Association.</ref> |
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[[File:Texas capitol goddess 1888.jpg|thumb|Statue of the Goddess of Liberty on the [[Texas State Capitol]] grounds prior to installation on top of the rotunda|alt=|left]]In September 1881, Austin public schools held their first classes. The same year, Tillotson Collegiate and Normal Institute (now part of [[Huston–Tillotson University]]) opened its doors. The [[University of Texas at Austin|University of Texas]] held its first classes in 1883, although classes had been held in the original wooden state capitol for four years before.<ref>Martin, Don (2009). ''Austin'', p. 84. Arcadia Publishing, Chicago, Illinois, {{ISBN|978-0-7385-7067-9}}</ref> |
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During the 1880s, Austin gained new prominence as the [[Texas State Capitol|state capitol building]] was completed in 1888 and claimed as the seventh largest building in the world.<ref name="HOT: Austin"/> In the late 19th century, Austin expanded its city limits to more than three times its former area, and the first granite dam was built on the Colorado River to power a new street car line and the new "[[Moonlight tower|moon towers]]".<ref name="HOT: Austin"/> Unfortunately, the first dam washed away in a flood on April 7, 1900.<ref>Martin, Don (2009). ''Austin'', p. 107. Arcadia Publishing, Chicago, Illinois, {{ISBN|978-0-7385-7067-9}}</ref> |
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In the 1920s and 1930s, Austin launched a series of civic development and beautification projects that created much of the city's infrastructure and many of its parks. In addition, the state legislature established the [[Lower Colorado River Authority]] (LCRA) that, along with the city of Austin, created the system of dams along the Colorado River to form the [[Texas Highland Lakes|Highland Lakes]]. These projects were enabled in large part because the [[Public Works Administration]] provided Austin with greater funding for municipal construction projects than other Texas cities.<ref name="HOT: Austin"/> |
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During the early twentieth century, a three-way system of social segregation emerged in Austin, with Anglos, African Americans and Mexicans being separated by custom or law in most aspects of life, including housing, health care, and education. Many of the municipal improvement programs initiated during this period—such as the construction of new roads, schools, and hospitals—were deliberately designed to institutionalize this system of segregation. Deed restrictions also played an important role in residential segregation. After 1935 most housing deeds prohibited African Americans (and sometimes other nonwhite groups) from using land.<ref name='tretter'> |
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{{cite book |
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|last=Tretter |
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|first= Eliot |
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|date= 2016 |
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|title= Shadows of a Sunbelt City - The Environment, Racism, and the Knowledge Economy in Austin |
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|publisher= The University of Georgia Press |
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|page=126 |
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|isbn= 9780820344898 |
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}}</ref> Combined with the system of segregated public services, racial segregation increased in Austin during the first half of the twentieth century, with African Americans and Mexicans experiencing high levels of discrimination and social marginalization.<ref>McDonald, Jason (2012). ''Racial Dynamics in Early Twentieth-Century Austin, Texas''. Lexington Books. ISBN/9780739170977</ref> |
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In 1940, the destroyed granite dam on the Colorado River was finally replaced by a hollow concrete dam<ref>Martin, Don (2009). ''Austin'', p. 111. Arcadia Publishing, Chicago, Illinois, {{ISBN|978-0-7385-7067-9}}</ref> that formed Lake McDonald (now called [[Lake Austin]]) and which has withstood all floods since. In addition, the much larger Mansfield Dam was built by the LCRA upstream of Austin to form [[Lake Travis]], a flood-control reservoir.<ref>Martin, Don (2009). ''Austin'', p. 112. [[Arcadia Publishing]], Chicago, Illinois, {{ISBN|978-0-7385-7067-9}}</ref> In the early 20th century, the [[Texas Oil Boom]] took hold, creating tremendous economic opportunities in Southeast Texas and North Texas. The growth generated by this boom largely passed by Austin at first, with the city slipping from fourth largest to 10th largest in Texas between 1880 and 1920.<ref name="HOT: Austin"/> |
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After the mid-20th century, Austin became established as one of Texas' major metropolitan centers. In 1970, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Austin's population as 14.5% Hispanic, 11.9% black, and 73.4% non-Hispanic white.<ref name="census"/> In the late 20th century, Austin emerged as an important high tech center for [[semiconductor]]s and software. The [[University of Texas at Austin]] emerged as a major university.<ref name="Later 1900s">{{cite web|title= Austin in Texas |url= http://www.writeonaustin.org/ |publisher= Writeonaustin.com |accessdate = April 16, 2010 }}</ref> |
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The 1970s saw Austin's emergence in the national music scene, with local artists such as [[Willie Nelson]], [[Asleep at the Wheel]], and [[Stevie Ray Vaughan]] and iconic music venues such as the [[Armadillo World Headquarters]]. Over time, the long-running television program ''Austin City Limits'', its namesake Austin City Limits Festival, and the [[South by Southwest]] music festival solidified the city's place in the music industry.<ref name="austin history">{{cite web |title=The History of Austin |work=Austin City Connection |publisher=City of Austin |url=http://www.cityofaustin.org/library/ahc/briefhistory.htm |archive-url=https://archive.is/20120208122826/http://www.cityofaustin.org/library/ahc/briefhistory.htm |dead-url=yes |archive-date=February 8, 2012 |accessdate=December 28, 2007}}</ref> |
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==Geography== |
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[[File:Austin Texas.jpg|thumb|Austin as seen from the International Space Station, 2007|alt=]] |
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[[File:AustinTXMap.gif|thumb|City limits of Austin]] |
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Austin, the southernmost state capital of the contiguous 48 states, is located in [[Central Texas]]. Austin is {{convert|146|mi|-1}} northwest of [[Houston]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://check-distance.com/route/austin-tx/houston-tx|title=Distance from Austin, TX to Houston, TX|last=|first=|date=|website=check-distance.com|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2018-12-02}}</ref> {{convert|182|mi|-1}} south of [[Dallas]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://check-distance.com/route/austin-tx/dallas-tx|title=Distance from Austin, TX to Dallas, TX|last=|first=|date=|website=check-distance.com|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2018-12-02}}</ref> and {{convert|74|mi|-1}} northeast of [[San Antonio]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://check-distance.com/route/austin-tx/san-antonio-tx|title=Distance from Austin, TX to San Antonio, TX|last=|first=|date=|website=check-distance.com|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2018-12-02}}</ref> |
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In 2010, the city occupied a total area of {{convert|790.1|km2||order=flip}}. Approximately {{convert|18.6|km2|order=flip}} of this area is water.<ref name="Census 2010"/> |
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Austin is situated at the foot of the [[Balcones Escarpment]], on the [[Colorado River (Texas)|Colorado River]], with three artificial lakes within the city limits: [[Lady Bird Lake]] (formerly known as Town Lake), [[Lake Austin]] (both created by dams along the Colorado River), and [[Lake Walter E. Long]] that is partly used for cooling water for the Decker Power Plant. [[Mansfield Dam]] and the foot of [[Lake Travis]] are located within the city's limits.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{Handbook of Texas|id=hda03|name=Austin, Texas|author=Humphrey, David C.|retrieved=February 4, 2010}} Texas State Historical Association.</ref> Lady Bird Lake, Lake Austin, and Lake Travis are each on the Colorado River.<ref name="HOT: Austin"/> |
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The elevation of Austin varies from {{convert|425|ft|m|0}} to approximately {{convert|1000|ft|m|0}} above sea level.<ref>Abbott (2003), p. 80.</ref> Due to the fact that it straddles the [[Balcones Fault]], much of the eastern part of the city is flat, with heavy clay and loam soils, whereas the western part and western suburbs consist of rolling hills on the edge of the [[Texas Hill Country]].<ref>Baird (2009), p. 24.</ref> Because the hills to the west are primarily [[limestone]] rock with a thin covering of topsoil, portions of the city are frequently subjected to [[flash flood]]s from the runoff caused by thunderstorms.<ref name=Handbook>{{Handbook of Texas|id=ryh02|name=Hill Country|retrieved=November 7, 2009|author=[[Terry G. Jordan-Bychkov|Jordan, Terry G.]] }} Texas State Historical Association.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.news8austin.com/content/weather/watches_and_warnings/ |title = Watches and warnings |publisher = News 8 Austin |accessdate = Feb 7, 2010| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100114040732/http://news8austin.com/content/weather/watches_and_warnings/| archivedate = January 14, 2010 | deadurl = no}}</ref> To help control this runoff and to generate hydroelectric power, the [[Lower Colorado River Authority]] operates a series of dams that form the [[Texas Highland Lakes]]. The lakes also provide venues for boating, swimming, and other forms of recreation within several parks on the lake shores.<ref>{{Handbook of Texas|id=mwl03|name=Lower Colorado River Authority|author=McCann, William|retrieved=February 7, 2010}} Texas State Historical Association.</ref> |
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Austin is located at the intersection of four major ecological regions, and is consequently a temperate-to-hot green oasis with a highly variable climate having some characteristics of the desert, the tropics, and a wetter climate.<ref>{{cite web |url= |title=Birding in South Texas |publisher=Fodor's}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/images/ewx/aus/ausclisum.pdf |title=Austin Climate Summary |publisher=NOAA |accessdate=February 7, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606123855/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/images/ewx/aus/ausclisum.pdf |archivedate=June 6, 2011 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visiting-austin-texas.com/austin-texas-weather.html |title=Austin Texas Weather Patterns |publisher=Visiting Austin Texas |accessdate=February 7, 2010 }}</ref> The area is very diverse ecologically and biologically, and is home to a variety of animals and plants.<ref>Vines (1984), p. 4–6.</ref> Notably, the area is home to many types of wildflowers that blossom throughout the year but especially in the spring. This includes the popular [[bluebonnet (plant)|bluebonnets]], some planted by [[Lady Bird Johnson|"Lady Bird" Johnson]], wife of former President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]].<ref>Baird (2009), p. 225.</ref> |
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[[File:Austin (Texas), Xaneiro 2007 (4).JPG|thumb|right|Bob Bullock Texas History Museum in Austin. Its mission is to "tell the story of Texas".]] |
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The soils of Austin range from shallow, gravelly clay loams over limestone in the western outskirts to deep, fine sandy loams, silty clay loams, silty clays or clays in the city's eastern part. Some of the clays have pronounced shrink-swell properties and are difficult to work under most moisture conditions. Many of Austin's soils, especially the clay-rich types, are slightly to moderately alkaline and have free [[calcium carbonate]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sbs.utexas.edu/fowler/epveg/epgeol.htm |title=Geology (Edward's Plateau Ecology) |author1=Nora Fowler |author2=School of Biological Sciences |publisher=University of Texas at Austin |accessdate=February 7, 2010}}</ref> |
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===Cityscape=== |
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{{wide image|Austin, Texas Skyline 2018.jpg|1000px|alt=Skyline of Austin}} |
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{{See also|List of Austin neighborhoods|List of tallest buildings in Austin, Texas}} |
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[[File:Austin Winter Sunrise.jpg|thumb|The skyline of Austin, viewed at sunrise from Zilker Park]] |
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[[File:Austin, Texas Skyline Construction.jpg|thumb|New construction in the Seaholm neighborhood, including the [[360 Condominiums]] and [[The Independent (Austin, Texas)|The Independent]].]] |
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Austin's skyline historically was modest, dominated by the Texas State Capitol and the University of Texas [[Main Building (University of Texas at Austin)|Main Building]]. However, since the 2000s, many new high-rise towers have been constructed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myfoxaustin.com/dpp/news/local/091709_Austonian_Reaches_Full_Height |title=Austonian Reaches Full Height |publisher=[[KTBC (TV)|KTBC]] |accessdate=October 17, 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203185650/http://www.myfoxaustin.com/dpp/news/local/091709_Austonian_Reaches_Full_Height |archivedate=December 3, 2009 }}</ref> Austin is currently undergoing a skyscraper boom, which includes recent construction on new office, hotel and residential buildings. Downtown's buildings are somewhat spread out, partly due to a set of [[zoning]] restrictions that preserve the view of the [[Texas State Capitol]] from various locations around Austin, known as the [[Texas Capitol View Corridors|Capitol View Corridors]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofaustin.org/downtown/downloads/CVC_Report_Final.pdf |title=Downtown Development and Capitol View Corridors |author=Downtown Commission |date=June 2007 |format=PDF}}</ref> |
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At night, parts of Austin are lit by "artificial moonlight" from [[moonlight tower|Moonlight Towers]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofaustin.org/library/ahc/faq4.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010921035144/http://www.cityofaustin.org/library/ahc/faq4.htm |dead-url=yes |archive-date=September 21, 2001 |title=Austin History Center a division of the Austin Public Library: Frequently Asked Questions about Austin, Answer 4|accessdate=July 15, 2010}}</ref> built to illuminate the central part of the city. The {{convert|165|ft|m|adj=on}} moonlight towers were built in the late 19th century and are now recognized as historic landmarks. Only 15 of the 31 original innovative towers remain standing in Austin, and none remain in any of the other cities where they were installed. The towers are featured in the 1993 film ''[[Dazed and Confused (film)|Dazed and Confused]]''. |
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====Downtown==== |
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{{Main|Downtown Austin}} |
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The central business district of Austin is home to the tallest condo towers in the state, with [[The Independent (Austin, Texas)|The Independent]] (58 stories and {{convert|690|ft|abbr=off}} tall) and [[The Austonian]] (topping out at 56 floors and {{convert|685|ft|abbr=off}} tall). The Independent became the tallest all-residential building in the U.S. west of [[Chicago]] when topped out in 2018. |
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In 2005, then-Mayor Will Wynn set out a goal of having 25,000 people living Downtown by 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://firstcallaustin.com/news3.htm |title=Booming downtown Austin condo market |work=Austin-American Statesman |date=February 2008}}</ref> Although Downtown's growth did not meet this goal, Downtown's residential population did surge from an estimated 5,000 in 2005 to 12,000 in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mystatesman.com/news/local/the-surprising-backstory-austin-goal-for-000-downtown-residents/rDWcPfE9y2yOejCC6OqCHO/|title=The surprising backstory of Austin's goal for 25,000 downtown residents |work=Austin-American Statesman |date=December 4, 2015}}</ref> The skyline has drastically changed in recent years, and the residential real estate market has remained relatively strong. {{as of|2016|December}}, there are 31 high-rise projects either under construction, approved or planned to be completed in Austin's downtown core between 2017 and 2020. Sixteen of those are set to rise above {{convert|400|ft|abbr=off}} tall, including four above 600', and eight above 500'. An additional 15 towers are slated to stand between 300' and 399' tall. |
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===Climate=== |
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{{climate chart |
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|Austin |
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|41.4|61.4|2.20 |
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|44.8|65.1|2.02 |
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|51.3|72.1|2.76 |
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|58.6|79.7|2.09 |
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|66.7|86.4|4.41 |
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|72.3|92.0|4.33 |
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|74.4|95.4|1.88 |
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|74.6|96.9|2.35 |
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|69.5|90.5|2.99 |
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|60.7|81.7|3.88 |
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|50.7|71.3|2.96 |
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|42.4|62.4|2.40 |
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|units = imperial |
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|float = right |
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|clear = both }} |
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Austin is located within the middle of a unique, narrow transitional zone between the dry deserts of the American Southwest and the lush, green, more humid regions of the American Southeast. Its climate, topography, and vegetation share characteristics of both. Officially, Austin has a [[humid subtropical climate]] under the [[Köppen climate classification]]. This climate is typified by very long and hot summers; short, mild winters; and pleasantly warm spring and fall seasons in-between. Austin averages {{convert|34.32|in|mm|0}} of annual rainfall and it is distributed mostly evenly throughout the year, though spring and fall are the wettest seasons. Sunshine is common during all seasons, with 2,650 hours, or 60.3% of the possible total, of bright sunshine per year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usclimatedata.com|title=U.S. Climate Data|work=usclimatedata.com}}</ref> Austin falls in [[USDA]] [[hardiness zones|hardiness zones]] 8b (15°F to 20°F) and 9a (20°F to 25°F).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.plantmaps.com/hardiness-zones-for-austin-texas |title=Austin Texas USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map |publisher=plantmaps.com plantmaps|accessdate=January 14, 2019}}</ref> |
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Summers in Austin are very hot, with average July and August highs frequently reaching the high-90s (34–36 °C) or above. Highs reach {{convert|90|F|0}} on 116 days per year, of which 18 days reach {{convert|100|°F|0}}.<ref name="NWSC-NOAA">{{cite web|url = http://www.nws.noaa.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=ewx|title = NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data|publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]|accessdate = November 30, 2012}}</ref> The average daytime high is {{convert|70|F|0}} or warmer every day between March 6 and November 20, rising to {{convert|80|F|0}} or warmer between April 14 and October 24.<ref name="Austin TX Weather Averages">{{cite web|url=https://www.currentresults.com/Weather/Texas/Places/austin-temperatures-by-month-average.php |title=Austin Weather Averages |publisher=CurrentResults.com |accessdate=May 9, 2017}}</ref> The highest ever recorded temperature was {{convert|112|°F|0}} occurring on September 5, 2000, and August 28, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ewx/html/wxevent/2000_2001/sep2wx.htm |title=Very hot early september 2000 weather |publisher=National Weather Service |accessdate=March 19, 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080103083353/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ewx/html/wxevent/2000_2001/sep2wx.htm |archivedate=January 3, 2008 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy }}</ref><ref name="TWC"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statesman.com/news/local/austin-ties-all-time-high-112-degrees-1802560.html|title=Austin's all-time high: 112 degrees|website=Statesman.com|accessdate=2017-01-27|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111220022909/http://www.statesman.com/news/local/austin-ties-all-time-high-112-degrees-1802560.html|archivedate=December 20, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref> An uncommon characteristic of Austin's climate is its highly variable humidity, which fluctuates frequently depending on the shifting patterns of air flow and wind direction. It is common for a lengthy series of warm, dry, low-humidity days to be occasionally interrupted by very warm and humid days, and vice versa. Humidity rises with winds from the east or southeast, when the air drifts inland from the [[Gulf of Mexico]], but decreases significantly with winds from the west or southwest, bringing air flowing from [[Chihuahuan Desert]] areas of [[West Texas]] or northern [[Mexico]].<ref name="NWSC-NOAA"/> |
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Winters in Austin are mild with cool nights, although occasional short-lived bursts of cold weather known as "[[Texas Norther|Blue Norther]]s" can occur. January is the coolest month with an average daytime high of {{convert|61|°F|0}}. The overnight low reaches or exceeds freezing 19 times per year,<ref name="NWSC-NOAA"/> and sinks below {{convert|45|°F|0}} during 88 evenings per year, including most nights between mid-December and mid-February. Lows in the upper 30s also occur commonly during the winter. Conversely, winter months are also capable of occasionally producing warm days. On average, eight days in January reach or exceed {{convert|70|F|0}} and one day reaches {{convert|80|F|0}}.<ref name="Austin TX Weather Averages" /> The lowest ever recorded temperature in the city was {{convert|-2|°F|0}} on January 31, 1949. Roughly every two years Austin experiences an [[ice storm]] that freezes roads over and cripples travel in the city for 24 to 48 hours.<ref name="aboutweather">{{cite web|url=http://austin.about.com/od/weatherenvironment/a/weather.htm |title=Austin Weather & Climate |publisher=About.com |accessdate=March 19, 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070118231257/http://austin.about.com/od/weatherenvironment/a/weather.htm |archivedate=January 18, 2007 }}</ref> When Austin received {{convert|0.04|in|mm|0}} of ice on January 24, 2014, there were 278 vehicular collisions.<ref>Price, Asher; Taboada, Melissa B.; Jankowski, Phillip. "[http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_product=AWNB&p_theme=aggregated5&p_action=doc&p_docid=14B9AD3B7160C710&p_docnum=28&p_queryname=9 Cold leads to crashes, closings, cancellations: Schools close, flights fall through as freezing rain, sleet coat area]". ''Austin American-Statesman''. January 25, 2014.</ref> Similarly, snowfall is rare in Austin.<ref>"[http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_product=AWNB&p_theme=aggregated5&p_action=doc&p_docid=1224505D93AFF678&p_docnum=90&p_queryname=11 It's not always sweltering in Central Texas. Honest]". ''Austin American-Statesman''. July 27, 2008.</ref> A snow event of {{convert|0.9|in|cm|0}} on February 4, 2011, caused more than 300 car crashes<ref>Plohetski, Tony. "[http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_product=AWNB&p_theme=aggregated5&p_action=doc&p_docid=13538BABACFB9060&p_docnum=53&p_queryname=9 Wearing winter white]". ''Austin American-Statesman''. February 5, 2011.</ref> and a {{convert|13|inch|cm|adj=on}} snowstorm brought the city to a near standstill in 1985.<ref>{{cite news |title= Southern Texas Gets Most Snow in Century |agency= Associated Press |publisher= The Palm Beach Post, via Google News |date= January 14, 1985 |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bUgjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bc0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=2204,3475122 }}</ref> The most recent major snow event occurred on December 7, 2017, when 1.3 inches was recorded at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.<ref name="Austin 360">{{cite web|url = http://www.austin360.com/news/local/snowing-austin-people-sure-are-freaking-out-like/4KwdjwK21Eyfa9EVdozotM/|title = It's Snowing in Austin. People are Freaking Out. Data|publisher = [[Austin 360]]|accessdate = December 17, 2017}}</ref> |
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Typical of [[Central Texas]], severe weather in Austin is a threat that can strike during any season. However, it is most common during the spring. According to most classifications, Austin lies within the extreme southern periphery of [[Tornado Alley]], although many sources place Austin outside of Tornado Alley altogether.<ref name="Data Foundry: Austin Risk Assessment">{{cite web|url = https://www.datafoundry.com/pdf/Austin_Risk_Assessment.pdf|title = Data Foundry: Austin Risk Assessment|accessdate = April 15, 2017}}</ref> Consequently, tornadoes strike Austin less frequently than areas farther to the north.<ref name="Data Foundry: Austin Risk Assessment" /> However, severe weather and/or [[supercell|supercell thunderstorms]] can occur multiple times per year, bringing damaging winds, lightning, heavy rain, and occasional flash flooding to the city.<ref name="Austin Flood Safety: Watershed Protection">{{cite web|url = http://www.austintexas.gov/department/flood-safety|title = Austin Flood Safety|accessdate = April 15, 2017}}</ref> The deadliest storm to ever strike city limits was the [[1922 Austin twin tornadoes|twin tornadoes storm]] of May 4, 1922, while the deadliest [[tornado outbreak]] to ever strike the metro area was the [[1997 Central Texas tornado outbreak|Central Texas tornado outbreak]] of May 27, 1997. |
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{{Austin weatherbox}} |
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====2011 drought==== |
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{{main|2011 Southern US drought}} |
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[[File:2011 Texas Drought.jpg|thumb|The 2011 Texas drought dried up many of central Texas' waterways. This boat was left to sit in the middle of what is normally a branch of [[Lake Travis]], part of the [[Colorado River (Texas)|Colorado River]].]] |
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From October 2010 through September 2011, both major reporting stations in Austin, Camp Mabry and Bergstrom Int'l, had the least rainfall of a [[water year]] on record, receiving less than a third of normal precipitation.<ref name="NWSC-NOAA"/> This was a result of [[La Niña]] conditions in the eastern Pacific Ocean where water was significantly cooler than normal. David Brown, a regional official with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has explained that "these kinds of droughts will have effects that are even more extreme in the future, given a warming and drying regional climate."<ref>{{cite news|first= Kate |last= Galbraith |title= Assessing Climate Change in a Drought-Stricken State |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/26/us/26ttdrought.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date= August 26, 2011 |accessdate=September 7, 2011}}</ref> |
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====2018 flooding and water crisis==== |
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In Fall 2018, Austin and surrounding areas received heavy rainfall and [[flash flood]]ing following [[Hurricane Sergio (2018)|Hurricane Sergio]].<ref name="rainfall">{{cite web |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2018/10/22/austin-water-boil-water-notice-after-historic-flooding/ |title=Austin issues city-wide boil water notice; calls for action "to avoid running out of water" |author=Anchondo, Carlos |work=Texas Tribune |date=October 22, 2018 |accessdate=December 18, 2018}}</ref> The [[Lower Colorado River Authority]] opened four [[floodgates]] of the [[Mansfield Dam]] after Lake Travis was recorded at 146% full at 704.3 feet.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/austins-lake-travis-level-decreases-for-first-time-this-week-following-recent-floods/269-606274991 |title=Austin's Lake Travis level decreases for first time this week following recent floods |author=Reding, Shawna |work=KVUE |date=October 20, 2018 |accessdate=December 18, 2018}}</ref> From October 22–28, 2018, the City of Austin issued a mandatory citywide [[boil-water advisory]] after the [[Texas Highland Lakes|Highland Lakes]] - home to the city's main water supply - became overwhelmed by unprecedented amounts of silt, dirt, and debris that washed in from the [[Llano River]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20181028/austin-water-drinkable-again-but-keep-usage-low-officials-say |title=Austin water drinkable again, but keep usage low, officials say |author=Mulder, Brandon, Wilson, Mark D. |work=Austin American-Statesman |date=October 28, 2018 |accessdate=December 18, 2018}}</ref> Austin Water, the city's water utility, has the capacity to process up to 300 million gallons of water per day, but the elevated level of [[turbidity]] reduced output to only 105 million gallons per day; Austin residents consumed an average of 120 million gallons of water per day, thus the infrastructure was not able to keep up with demand.<ref name="rainfall"/> |
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==Demographics== |
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{{US Census population |
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|1850= 629 |
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|1860= 3494 |
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|1870= 4428 |
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|1880= 11013 |
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|1890= 14575 |
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|1900= 22258 |
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|1910= 29860 |
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|1920= 34876 |
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|1930= 53120 |
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|1940= 87930 |
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|1950= 132459 |
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|1960= 186545 |
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|1970= 253539 |
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|1980= 345890 |
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|1990= 465622 |
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|2000= 656562 |
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|2010= 790390 |
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|estyear=2017 |
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|estimate=950715 |
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|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2017">{{cite web|url=https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/community_facts.xhtml|title=American FactFinder|accessdate=May 25, 2018}}</ref> |
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|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2015|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6YSasqtfX?url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|archivedate=May 12, 2015|df=mdy }}</ref> |
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}} |
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{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="font-size: 90%;" |
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|- |
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! Racial composition !! 2010<ref>{{cite web |url= http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/48/4805000.html |title= Austin (city), Texas |work= State & County QuickFacts |publisher= U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref>!! 1990<ref name="census"/> !! 1970<ref name="census"/> !! 1950<ref name="census"/> |
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|- |
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| [[White American|White]] || 68.3% || 70.6% || 87.2% || 86.6% |
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|- |
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| —Non-Hispanic || 48.7% || 61.7% || 73.4%<ref name="fifteen">From 15% sample</ref> || n/a |
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|- |
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| Black or African American || 8.1% || 12.4% || 11.8% || 13.3% |
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|- |
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| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (of any race) || 35.1% || 23.0% || 14.5%<ref name="fifteen"/> || n/a |
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|- |
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| [[Asian American|Asian]] || 6.3% || 3.0% || 0.2% || 0.1% |
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|} |
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According to the [[2010 United States Census]],<ref>{{cite web|author=American FactFinder, United States Census Bureau |url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_QTPL&prodType=table |title=Austin city, Texas – Race, Hispanic or Latino, Age, and Housing Occupancy: 2010 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=February 19, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520164400/http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_QTPL&prodType=table |archivedate=May 20, 2011 |df=mdy }}</ref> the racial composition of Austin is 68.3% [[White American|White]] (48.7% [[Non-Hispanic Whites]]), 35.1% [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (29.1% [[Mexican Americans|Mexican]], 0.5% [[Puerto Ricans|Puerto Rican]], 0.4% [[Cuban Americans|Cuban]], 5.1% Other), 8.1% [[African American]], 6.3% [[Asian American|Asian]] (1.9% [[Indian Americans|Indian]], 1.5% [[Chinese Americans|Chinese]], 1.0% [[Vietnamese Americans|Vietnamese]], 0.7% [[Korean Americans|Korean]], 0.3% [[Filipino Americans|Filipino]], 0.2% [[Japanese Americans|Japanese]], 0.8% Other), 0.9% [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian]], 0.1% [[Pacific Islander American|Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander]], and 3.4& [[Multiracial American|two or more races]].[[File:Race and ethnicity 2010- Austin (5560474714).png|thumb|left|Map of racial distribution in Austin, 2010 U.S. Census. Each dot is 25 people: <span style="color:#f00;">'''White'''</span>, <span style="color:#00f;">'''Black'''</span>, <span style="color:#00ff80">'''Asian'''</span> <span style="color:#ff8000">'''Hispanic'''</span>, or '''Other''' (yellow)]] |
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At the [[2000 United States Census]],<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder2.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |accessdate=January 31, 2008 |title=American FactFinder |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911234518/http://factfinder2.census.gov/ |archivedate=September 11, 2013 |df=mdy }}</ref> there were {{formatnum:656562}} people, {{formatnum:265649}} households, and {{formatnum:141590}} families residing in the city (roughly comparable in size to San Francisco, [[Leeds|Leeds, UK]]; and [[Ottawa|Ottawa, Ontario]], Canada). The population density was {{convert|2610.4|PD/sqmi}}. There were {{formatnum:276842}} housing units at an average density of {{convert|1100.7|/sqmi}}. There were {{formatnum:265648}} households out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.1% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.7% were non-families. 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.14. |
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In the city, the population was spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 16.6% from 18 to 24, 37.1% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 6.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.8 males. |
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The median income for a household in the city was {{Currency|42689|USD}}, and the median income for a family was ${{formatnum:54091}}. Males had a median income of ${{formatnum:35545}} vs. ${{formatnum:30046}} for females. The per capita income for the city was ${{formatnum:24163}}. About 9.1% of families and 14.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over. The median house price was ${{formatnum:185906}} in 2009, and it has increased every year since 2004.{{update after|2012|4|20}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Austin Housing Trends and Values |url=http://austin.housealmanac.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060521135252/http://austin.housealmanac.com/ |dead-url=yes |archive-date=May 21, 2006 |publisher=HouseAlmanac.com |accessdate=December 12, 2009 |df= }}</ref> The median value of a house in which the owner occupies it was $227,800 in 2014, which is higher than the average American home value of $175,700.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045215/00,4805000#flag-js-NA|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: UNITED STATES; Austin city, Texas|website=Census Bureau QuickFacts|language=en-US|access-date=2018-08-29}}</ref> |
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<!--According to a 2010 study, Austin is the most sexually active city in the U.S.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Austin most sexually active city|url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/austin/entries/2010/09/13/austin_most_sexually_active_ci.html |publisher=Statesman.com |accessdate=February 15, 2011}}</ref>--> |
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A 2014 University of Texas study stated that Austin was the only U.S. city with a fast growth rate between 2000 and 2010 with a net loss in African Americans. {{As of|2014}}, Austin's African American and [[Non-Hispanic White]] percentage share of the total population is declining despite the absolute number of both ethnic groups increasing. Austin's Non-Hispanic White population first dropped below 50% in 2005. The rapid growth of the Hispanic and Asian population has outpaced all other ethnic groups in the city.<ref>Donahue, Emily and David Brown. "[http://kut.org/post/austins-only-fast-growing-city-country-losing-african-americans Austin's the Only Fast-Growing City in the Country Losing African-Americans]" ([https://www.webcitation.org/6PhQ6iPAw?url=http://kut.org/post/austins-only-fast-growing-city-country-losing-african-americans Archive]). ''[[KUT]]''. Moody College of Communication at the [[University of Texas at Austin]], Friday May 16, 2014. Retrieved on May 20, 2014.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.austintexas.gov/page/top-ten-demographic-trends-austin-texas |title=Top Ten Demographic Trends in Austin, Texas | Planning and Zoning | AustinTexas.gov - The Official Website of the City of Austin |website=AustinTexas.gov |date= |accessdate=2017-01-27}}</ref> |
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According to one survey completed in 2014, it is estimated that 5.3% of residents in the Austin Metropolitan area identify as [[LGBT|lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/20/metro-areas-lgbt-population-_n_6911232.html | work=Huffington Post | title=And The U.S. City With The Highest Percentage Of LGBT People Is | date=March 20, 2015}}</ref> The Austin metropolitan area had the third highest rate in the nation.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hensley |first=Nicole |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/salt-lake-city-higher-percentage-lgbt-people-nyc-article-1.2157135 |title=Salt Lake City has higher percentage of LGBT people than NYC |newspaper=[[New York Daily News]] |date=2015-03-20 |accessdate=2017-01-27}}</ref> |
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=== Religion === |
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According to [[Sperling's BestPlaces]], 52.4% of Austin's population are religious. Christianity is the dominant religion in the city and its largest group is the Catholic Church (25.2%). The city's Catholic population is served by the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Austin]]. The second largest group of Christians are [[Baptists]] (8.7%), followed by [[Methodism|Methodists]] (4.3%), [[Latter Day Saint movement|Latter-Day Saints]] (1.5%), [[Anglicanism|Episcopalians]] (1.0%), [[Lutheranism|Lutherans]] (0.8%), [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterians]] (0.6%), [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostals]] (0.3%), and other Christians (7.1%).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bestplaces.net/religion/city/texas/austin|title=Austin, Texas Religion|website=www.bestplaces.net|access-date=2018-08-29}}</ref> |
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The second largest religion in Austin is [[Islam]] (1.7%), followed by [[Eastern religions|eastern faiths]] including [[Buddhism]], [[Sikhism]], and [[Hinduism]] (0.9%).<ref name=":0" /> |
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==Economy== |
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{{see also|Silicon Hills|List of companies based in Austin, Texas}} |
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[[File:View of Austin From Congress Street Bridge.jpg|thumb|Downtown Austin from Congress Avenue Bridge, with Texas State Capitol in background]] |
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The [[Greater Austin]] [[metropolitan statistical area]] had a gross domestic product (GDP) of $86 billion in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title= GDP by MSA |url= http://greyhill.com/gdp-by-msa |publisher= Greyhill Advisors |accessdate= September 23, 2011 }}</ref> Austin is considered to be a major center for [[high tech]].<ref name="CityDataEconomy">{{cite web|url= http://www.city-data.com/us-cities/The-South/Austin-Economy.html |title= Austin: Economy |work= City-Data.com |accessdate= September 20, 2008 |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080923223922/http://www.city-data.com/us-cities/The-South/Austin-Economy.html |archivedate= September 23, 2008 |deadurl= no}}</ref> Thousands of graduates each year from the engineering and computer science programs at the [[University of Texas at Austin]] provide a steady source of employees that help to fuel Austin's technology and defense industry sectors. The region's rapid growth has led ''[[Forbes]]'' to rank the Austin metropolitan area number one among all big cities for jobs for 2012 in their annual survey and WSJ Marketwatch to rank the area number one for growing businesses.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.forbes.com/sites/joelkotkin/2012/05/01/the-best-cities-for-jobs-2/ |title= The Best Cities for Jobs 2012 |publisher= Forbes |accessdate= May 14, 2012 |first= Joel |last= Kotkin}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.marketwatch.com/story/top-10-us-cities-for-growing-businesses-2013-04-15?pagenumber=2 |title= WSJ Marketwatch Top 10 U.S. Cities for Growing Businesses |publisher= MarketWatch |accessdate= April 17, 2013 }}</ref> By 2013, Austin was ranked No. 14 on ''Forbes''' list of the Best Places for Business and Careers (directly below Dallas, No. 13 on the list).<ref>{{cite web|title= Best Places For Business and Careers |url= https://www.forbes.com/best-places-for-business/ |publisher= Forbes |accessdate= January 15, 2014 }}</ref> As a result of the high concentration of high-tech companies in the region, Austin was strongly affected by the [[Dot-com bubble|dot-com boom]] in the late 1990s and subsequent bust.<ref name="CityDataEconomy"/> Austin's largest employers include the [[Austin Independent School District]], the City of Austin, [[Dell]], the [[Federal government of the United States|U.S. Federal Government]], [[NXP Semiconductors]], [[IBM]], St. David's Healthcare Partnership, Seton Family of Hospitals, the [[Texas|State of Texas]], the [[Texas State University]], and the [[University of Texas at Austin]].<ref name="CityDataEconomy"/> |
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Other high-tech companies with operations in Austin include [[3M]], [[Apple Inc.|Apple]], [[Amazon.com|Amazon]], [[Advanced Micro Devices|AMD]], Apartment Ratings, [[Applied Materials]], [[ARM Holdings]], [[Bigcommerce]], [[BioWare]], [[Blizzard Entertainment]], [[Buffalo Technology]], [[Cirrus Logic]], [[Cisco Systems]], [[Dropbox (service)|Dropbox]], [[eBay]], [[PayPal]], [[Electronic Arts]], [[Flextronics]], [[Facebook]], [[Google]], [[Hewlett-Packard]], [[Hoover's]], [[HomeAway]], [[Hostgator]], [[Intel Corporation]], [[National Instruments]], [[Nvidia]], [[Oracle Corporation|Oracle]], [[Polycom]], [[Qualcomm, Inc.]], [[Rackspace]], [[RetailMeNot, Inc.|RetailMeNot]], [[Rooster Teeth]], [[Samsung Group]], [[Silicon Laboratories]], [[Spansion]], [[United Devices]], and [[Xerox]]. In 2010, [[Facebook]] accepted a grant to build a downtown office that could bring as many as 200 jobs to the city.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2010/04/26/daily61.html |title=Status update: Facebook opening Sixth St. office |last=Calnan |first=Christopher |date= April 29, 2010 |work= [[Austin Business Journal]] |accessdate= May 28, 2011 }}</ref> The proliferation of technology companies has led to the region's nickname, "Silicon Hills", and spurred development that greatly expanded the city. |
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Austin is also emerging as a hub for [[Pharmaceutical industry|pharmaceutical]] and [[biotechnology]] companies; the city is home to about 85 of them.<ref name="CityDataEconomy"/> The city was ranked by the Milken Institute as the No.12 biotech and life science center in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.milkeninstitute.org/publications/publications.taf?function=detail&ID=312&cat=ResRep |title= America's Biotech and Life Science Clusters: San Diego's Position and Economic Contributions |last= DeVol |first= Ross |author2= Wong, Perry |author3= Ki, Junghoon |author4= Bedroussian, Armen |author5= Koepp Rob |publisher= Milken Institute |accessdate= September 20, 2008 |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080930114645/http://www.milkeninstitute.org/publications/publications.taf?function=detail&ID=312&cat=ResRep |archivedate= September 30, 2008 |deadurl= no}}</ref> Companies such as [[Hospira]], [[Pharmaceutical Product Development]], and [[ArthroCare|ArthroCare Corporation]] are located there. |
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[[Whole Foods Market]], an international grocery store chain specializing in fresh and packaged food products, was founded and is headquartered in Austin.<ref>{{cite web|title= About Whole Foods Market |url= http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/company/ |accessdate= October 12, 2010 |archiveurl= https://archive.is/20101024055834/http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/company/ |archivedate = October 24, 2010 |deadurl= no}}</ref> |
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Other companies based in Austin include [[NXP Semiconductors]], [[GoodPop]], [[Temple-Inland]], [[Sweet Leaf Tea Company]], [[Keller Williams Realty]], [[National Western Life]], [[GSD&M]], [[Dimensional Fund Advisors]], [[Golfsmith]], [[Forestar Group]], [[EZCorp]], [[Tito's Vodka]], and [[YETI (company)|YETI]]. |
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In addition to national and global corporations, Austin features a strong network of independent, unique, locally owned firms and organizations. |
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==Culture and contemporary life== |
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[[File:Museum weird 2012.jpg|thumb|Museum of the Weird on Sixth Street]] |
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[[File:Mexican American Cultural Center, Austin, TX IMG 6232.JPG|thumb|The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, located on Lady Bird Lake at 600 River Street.]] |
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"Keep Austin Weird" has been a local [[motto]] for years, featured on bumper stickers and T-shirts. This motto has not only been used in promoting Austin's eccentricity and diversity, but is also meant to bolster support of local independent businesses.<ref name="weird"/> According to the 2010 book, ''[[Weird City]]'', the phrase was begun by a local Austin Community College librarian, Red Wassenich, and his wife, Karen Pavelka, who were concerned about Austin's "rapid descent into commercialism and overdevelopment."<ref>{{cite book |last=Long |first=Joshua |year=2010 |title=Weird City: Sense of Place and Creative Resistance in Austin, Texas |location= Austin |publisher= University of Texas Press |isbn=978-0292722415}}</ref> The slogan has been interpreted many ways since its inception, but remains an important symbol for many Austinites who wish to voice concerns over rapid growth and irresponsible development. Austin has a long history of vocal citizen resistance to development projects perceived to degrade the environment, or to threaten the natural and cultural landscapes.<ref>Swearingen, W.S. (2010) ''Environmental City''. Austin: University of Texas Press.</ref> |
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According to the [[Nielsen Company]], adults in Austin read and contribute to blogs more than those in any other U.S. metropolitan area.<ref name="Nielsen Company">{{cite web|url=http://www.nielsenmedia.com/nc/portal/site/Public/menuitem.55dc65b4a7d5adff3f65936147a062a0/?vgnextoid=d5df7b5dd2ac6110VgnVCM100000ac0a260aRCRD |title=The Nielsen Company Issues Top Ten U.S. Lists For 2007 |publisher=[[Nielsen Company]]}}</ref> Austin residents have the highest internet usage in all of Texas.<ref name="Nielsen Company"/> In 2013, Austin was the most active city on [[Reddit]], having the largest number of views per capita.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kut.org/post/austin-reddits-no-1-city-views-capita-worldwide |title=Austin is Reddit's No. 1 City for Views Per Capita – Worldwide |author=Dunbar, Wells |work=[[KUT]] |date=May 9, 2013 |accessdate=September 29, 2018}}</ref> Austin was selected as the No. 2 Best Big City in "Best Places to Live" by ''[[Money (magazine)|Money]]'' magazine in 2006, and No. 3 in 2009, and also the "[[Sustainability|Greenest]] City in America" by MSN.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2006/top100/bigcities.html |title=10 best big cities |work=Money Magazine (CNN) |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080805173114/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2006/top100/bigcities.html |archivedate=August 5, 2008 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cityguides.msn.com/citylife/greenarticle.aspx?cp-documentid=4848625 |title=The 10 Greenest Cities in America |publisher=MSN |work=City Guide |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218212715/http://cityguides.msn.com/citylife/greenarticle.aspx?cp-documentid=4848625 |archivedate=February 18, 2009 |df=mdy }}</ref> According to ''Travel & Leisure'' magazine, Austin ranks No. 1 on the list of cities with the best people, referring to the personalities and attributes of the citizens.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.travelandleisure.com/afc/2008 |title=America's Favorite Cities 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101017064400/http://www.travelandleisure.com/afc/2008 |archivedate=October 17, 2010 |df=mdy }}</ref> In 2012, the city was listed among the 10 best places to retire in the U.S. by ''CBS Money Watch''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/the-10-best-places-to-retire.html|title=The 10 Best Places to Retire|date=March 8, 2012|work=Yahoo Finance|accessdate=September 15, 2014}}</ref> In 2015, ''Forbes'' listed Austin as #1 Boom Town<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.forbes.com/pictures/edgl45fkm/no-1-austin-texas/ | work=Forbes | first=Joel | last=Kotkin | title=No. 1: Austin, Texas - In Photos: The Next Biggest Boom Towns In The U.S}}</ref> because of its economic strength, including jobs among other appealing attributes. |
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[[South Congress]] is a shopping district stretching down South Congress Avenue from Downtown. This area is home to coffee shops, eccentric stores, restaurants, food trucks, trailers, and festivals. It prides itself on "Keeping Austin Weird", especially with development in the surrounding area(s). Many Austinites attribute its enduring popularity to the magnificent and unobstructed [[Texas Capitol View Corridors|view]] of the Texas State Capitol.<ref>{{cite journal |first= Joe Nick |last= Patoski |title= "It's Just Different Here" |journal= Preservatiob |url= http://www.preservationnation.org/magazine/2010/july-august/austin-tx.html |date=July–August 2010 |accessdate= October 31, 2011}}</ref> |
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The [[Rainey Street Historic District]] is a neighborhood in Downtown Austin mostly comprised of [[bungalow]] style homes built in the early 20th Century. Since the early 2010s, the former [[working class]] residential street has turned into a popular nightlife district. Much of the historic homes have been renovated into bars and restaurants, many of which feature large porches and outdoor yards for patrons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-daily-post/take-a-look-at-austins-rainey-street-as-it-was-ten-years-ago/ |title=Take A Look At Austin's Rainey Street As It Was Ten Years Ago |author=Solomon, Dan |work=[[Texas Monthly]] |date=August 25, 2015 |accessdate=December 7, 2018}}</ref> The Rainey Street district is also home to the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center. |
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Austin has been part of the [[Creative Cities Network|UNESCO Creative Cities Network]] under [[Media arts|Media Arts]] the category.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.austintexas.gov/news/austin-designated-worlds-only-new-%E2%80%98city-media-arts%E2%80%99|title=Austin designated as the world's only new 'City of Media Arts' {{!}} AustinTexas.gov - The Official Website of the City of Austin|website=www.austintexas.gov|language=en|access-date=2018-10-03}}</ref> |
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===Old Austin=== |
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"Old Austin" is an [[adage]] often used by the native citizens in Austin, Texas when being nostalgic to refer to the olden days of the capital city of [[Texas]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://nation.time.com/2013/07/05/the-fight-over-keeping-austin-weird/ | work=Time | title=The Fight Over Keeping Austin Weird | date=July 5, 2013}}</ref> Although Austin is also known internationally as the [[Music of Austin, Texas|live music capital of the world]] and its catch phrase/slogan Keep Austin Weird can be heard echoed in places as far as [[Buffalo, NY]] and [[Santa Monica, CA]] - the term ''Old Austin'' refers to a time when the city was smaller and more [[bohemian]] with a considerably lower cost of living and better known for its lack of traffic, [[Hipster (contemporary subculture)|hipsters]], and [[urban sprawl]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statesman.com/weblogs/all-ablog-austin/2014/apr/25/think-old-austin-long-gone/|title=What do you miss most about 'old Austin'?|website=Statesman.com|accessdate=2017-01-27}}</ref> It is often employed by longtime residents expressing displeasure at the rapidly changing culture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kut.org/post/what-draws-people-austin-and-what-drives-them-away|title=What Draws People to Austin (And What Drives Them Away)|author1=Kelli Ainsworth |author2=Kelly Connelly |author3=Wells Dunbar |website=Kut.org|accessdate=2017-01-27}}</ref> |
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[[File:Texas was here.jpg|thumb|right|Construction barrier on South Congress with negative sentiment towards growth of the city]] |
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The growth and popularity of Austin<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/blog/at-the-watercooler/2014/02/how-many-people-move-to-austin-a-day-heres-the.html | title=How many people move to Austin a day? Here's the official number | work=Austin Business Journal | date=19 February 2014 | accessdate=4 August 2016}}</ref> can be seen by the expansive development taking place in its downtown landscape.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://projects.statesman.com/then-and-now/growth-then-now.html|title=Austin, then and now|website=POrojects.statesman.com|accessdate=2017-01-27}}</ref> Forbes ranked Austin as the second fastest-growing city in 2015.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.forbes.com/pictures/emeg45eegeg/2-austin-texas/ | work=Forbes | first=Erin | last=Carlyle | title=Austin, Texas - In Photos: America's Fastest-Growing Cities 2015}}</ref> This growth can have a negative impact on longtime small businesses that cannot keep up with the expenses associated with [[gentrification]] and the rising cost of real estate.<ref name="East Austin Restaurant closing">{{cite web|url=http://dining.blog.austin360.com/2016/08/15/east-austin-restaurant-el-azteca-likely-closing-after-53-years/|title=East Austin restaurant El Azteca likely closing after 53 years|website=Austin 360|accessdate=19 August 2016}}</ref> A former Austin Musician, [[Dale Watson (singer)|Dale Watson]], described his move away from Austin, "I just really feel the city has sold itself. Just because you're going to get $45 million for a company to come to town – if it's not in the best interest of the town, I don't think they should do it. This city was never about money. It was about quality of life."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://kut.org/post/dale-watson-leaving-austin-city-has-sold-itself|title=Dale Watson On Leaving Austin: 'The City Has Sold Itself'|last=|first=|date=March 8, 2018|website=NPR|access-date=}}</ref> |
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===Annual cultural events=== |
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{{see also|Category:Festivals in Austin, Texas}} |
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[[File:Sixth Street (Austin) at night.jpg|thumb|[[Sixth Street (Austin, Texas)|Sixth Street]] on a weekend night.]] |
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The [[O. Henry House]] Museum hosts the annual [[O. Henry Pun-Off]], a pun contest where the successful contestants exhibit wit akin to that of the author [[William Sydney Porter]]. |
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Other annual events include [[Eeyore's Birthday Party]], [[Spamarama]], Austin Gay Pride in August, the Austin Reggae Festival in April,<ref>{{citation|url= http://austinreggaefest.com/ |title=Austin Reggae Festival |accessdate=November 21, 2016}}</ref> Kite Festival, Texas Craft Brewers Festival in September,<ref>{{citation|url= http://texascraftbrewersfestival.org/about |title=Texas Craft Brewers Festival |accessdate=November 21, 2016}}</ref> Art City Austin in April,<ref>{{citation|url= https://www.artallianceaustin.org/artcity |title=Art Alliance Austin |accessdate=November 21, 2016}}</ref> East Austin Studio Tour in November,<ref>{{citation|url= http://www.howitravel.co/the-15-coolest-neighborhoods-in-the-world-in-2016/ |title=The 15 Coolest Neighborhoods in the World in 2016 |accessdate=November 21, 2016}}</ref> and [[Carnaval Brasileiro in Austin, Texas|Carnaval Brasileiro]] in February. Sixth Street features annual festivals such as the [[Pecan Street Festival]] and Halloween night. The three-day [[Austin City Limits Music Festival]] has been held in [[Zilker Park]] every year since 2002. Every year around the end of March and the beginning of April, Austin is home to "Texas Relay Weekend." |
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Austin's Zilker Park Tree is a Christmas display made of lights strung from the top of a [[Moonlight tower]] in Zilker Park. The Zilker Tree is lit in December along with the "Trail of Lights," an Austin Christmas tradition. The Trail of Lights was canceled four times, first starting in 2001 and 2002 due to the September 11 Attacks, and again in 2010 and 2011 due to budget shortfalls, but the trail was turned back on for the 2012 holiday season.<ref>[http://www.austintexas.gov/event/trail-lights] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025092601/http://www.austintexas.gov/event/trail-lights|date=October 25, 2014}}</ref> |
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===Cuisine and breweries=== |
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[[File:Two of many food trucks and trailers that serve the eclectic South Austin neighborhood of Austin, Texas LCCN2014632540.tif|thumb|A food truck trailer park in South Austin]] |
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Austin is perhaps best known for its [[Texas barbecue]] and [[Tex-Mex]] cuisine. [[Franklin Barbecue]] is perhaps Austin's most famous barbecue restaurant; the restaurant has sold out of [[brisket]] every day since its establishment.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.yahoo.com/food/franklin-bbq-by-the-numbers-78973377166.html| title=Franklin BBQ, By the Numbers| accessdate= February 11, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.mensjournal.com/expert-advice/the-best-american-travel-destinations-for-meat-lovers-20141216/franklin-barbecue-austin| title=The Best American Travel Destinations for Meat Lovers| accessdate=February 11, 2015}}</ref> [[Breakfast taco]]s and [[Chili con queso|queso]] are popular food items in the city; Austin is sometimes called the "home of the breakfast taco".<ref>[http://austin.eater.com/2016/2/19/11060078/breakfast-taco-austin-history How Austin Became the Home of the Crucial Breakfast Taco], Eater Austin, Feb. 19, 2016,</ref> [[Kolach]]es are a common pastry in Austin bakeries due to the large [[Czech Americans|Czech]] and [[German Americans|German]] immigrant population in Texas.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.saveur.com/kolache-pastry-texas |title=Kolaches are a Breakfast Staple Worth a Trip to the Lone Star State |author=Dao, Dan Q. |date=April 10, 2017 |accessdate=October 5, 2018}}</ref> The [[Oasis Restaurant]] is the largest outdoor restaurant in Texas, which promotes itself as the "Sunset Capital of Texas" with its terraced views looking West over [[Lake Travis]].<ref name="HC">{{cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Fire-ravages-Austin-s-Oasis-restaurant-1943364.php|title=Fire ravages Austin's Oasis restaurant - Houston Chronicle|last=Gilbert|first=Jeffrey|date=2 June 2005|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|accessdate=31 October 2012}}</ref> [[P. Terry's]], a Austin-based fast food burger chain, has a loyal following among Austinites.<ref name='USA Today'>{{cite web | url=http://experience.usatoday.com/food-and-wine/features/point-of-interest/2013/10/08/p-terrys-burger-stand/2943705/ | title=USA Today Travel | accessdate=2015-02-09}}</ref> Some other Austin-based chain restaurants include [[Amy's Ice Creams]], [[Bush's Chicken]], [[Chuy's]], [[DoubleDave's Pizzaworks]], and [[Schlotzky's]]. |
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Austin is also home to a large number of [[food trucks]], with 1,256 food trucks operating in 2016.<ref name=FoodTrucks>{{cite web |url=https://www.khou.com/article/life/food/austin-is-a-food-truck-heaven-says-census-data/285-442823361 |title= |
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Austin is a food truck heaven, says census data |author=Downing, Amber |work=[[KHOU]] |date=May 25, 2017 |accessdate=October 5, 2018}}</ref> The city of Austin has the second-largest number of food trucks per capita in the United States.<ref name=FoodTrucks/> Austin's first [[food hall]], "Fareground", features a number of Austin-based food vendors and a bar in the ground level and courtyard of [[One Congress Plaza]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2018/01/19/from-hog-tacos-to-stinky-cheese-fareground-austin.html |title=From hog tacos to smelly cheese: Downtown Austin food hall Fareground opens with something new for culinary scene |author=Anderson, Will |work=Austin Business Journal |date=January 19, 2018 |accessdate=August 4, 2018}}</ref> |
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Austin has a large [[craft beer]] scene, with over 50 [[microbreweries]] in the metro area.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/food/2017-06-23/top-10-austin-breweries/ |title=Top 10 Austin Breweries |author=Puga, Eric |work=[[Austin Chronicle]] |date=June 23, 2017 |accessdate=October 5, 2018}}</ref> Drinks publication VinePair named Austin as the "top beer destination in the world" in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vinepair.com/articles/best-beer-travel-destinations-2019/ |title=The World's Top 10 Beer Destinations for 2019 |author=Wolinski, Cat |work=VinePair |date=January 8, 2019 |accessdate=January 9, 2019}}</ref> Notable Austin-area breweries include [[Jester King Brewery]], [[Live Oak Brewing Company]], [[NLand|NLand Brewing Company]], and [[Real Ale Brewing Company]]. |
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===Music=== |
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{{Main|Music of Austin}} |
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[[File:ACL2009SBH.jpg|thumb|right|2009 [[Austin City Limits Music Festival]] with view of stages and Downtown Austin]] |
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As Austin's official slogan is ''The Live Music Capital of the World'', the city has a vibrant live [[Music of Austin|music scene]] with more music venues per capita than any other U.S. city.<ref name=motto/><ref name=atx_motto/> Austin's music revolves around the many [[nightclub]]s on 6th Street and an annual film/music/[[interactive]] festival known as [[South by Southwest]] (SXSW). The concentration of restaurants, bars, and music venues in the city's downtown core is a major contributor to Austin's live music scene, as the ZIP Code encompassing the downtown entertainment district hosts the most bar or alcohol-serving establishments in the U.S.<ref>{{cite web|title=City Data Top 101 ZIP Codes with most drinking places 2005|url=http://www.city-data.com/top2/z52.html|publisher=City Data|accessdate=August 20, 2013}}</ref> |
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The longest-running concert music program on American television, ''[[Austin City Limits]]'', is recorded at [[ACL Live at The Moody Theater]], located in the bottom floor of the {{convert|478|ft|m|0}} [[Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide|W Hotel]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://austin.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2010/02/22/daily46.html|title=New Austin City Limits home taking shape|work=[[Austin Business Journal]]|date=February 25, 2010|first=Sandra|last=Zaragoza}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://austin.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2009/09/07/daily19.html|title=New downtown hotel and residential tower | first=Christopher | last=Calnan|date=September 10, 2009}}</ref> ''Austin City Limits'' and C3 Presents produce the [[Austin City Limits Music Festival]], an annual music and art festival held at [[Zilker Park]] in Austin. Other music events include the [[Urban Music Festival]], [[Fun Fun Fun Fest]], Chaos In Tejas and [[Old Settler's Music Festival]]. [[Austin Lyric Opera]] performs multiple operas each year (including the 2007 opening of [[Philip Glass]]'s ''[[Waiting for the Barbarians (opera)|Waiting for the Barbarians]]'', written by University of Texas at Austin alumnus [[J. M. Coetzee]]).<ref>Rossie (2009), p. 247.</ref> The [[Austin Symphony Orchestra]] performs a range of classical, pop and family performances and is led by Music Director and Conductor [[Peter Bay]]. The Austin Baroque Orchestra and La Follia Austin Baroque ensembles both give historically-informed performances of Baroque music. |
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===Film=== |
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Austin hosts several film festivals including [[South by Southwest#Film|SXSW Film Festival]] and [[Austin Film Festival]], which hosts international films. In 2004 the city was first in ''[[MovieMaker Magazine]]'s'' annual top ten cities to live and make movies.<ref>{{cite news|last1=O'CONNELL|first1=Joe|title=No. 1 Austin does the Sundance|url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/screens/2008-02-01/586568/|accessdate=13 January 2017|publisher=The Austin Chronicle|date=2008-02-08}}</ref> |
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Austin has been the location for a number of motion pictures, partly due to the influence of The [[University of Texas at Austin College of Communication|University of Texas at Austin Department of Radio-Television-Film]]. Films produced in Austin include ''[[The Texas Chain Saw Massacre]]'' (1974), ''[[Songwriter]]'' (1984), ''[[Man of the House (2005 crime comedy film)|Man of the House]]'', ''[[Secondhand Lions]]'', ''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2]]'', ''[[Nadine (1987 film)|Nadine]]'', ''[[Waking Life]]'', ''[[Spy Kids]]'', ''[[The Faculty]]'', ''Dazed and Confused'', ''The Guards Themselves'', ''[[Wild Texas Wind]]'', ''[[Office Space]]'', ''[[The Life of David Gale]]'', ''[[Miss Congeniality (film)|Miss Congeniality]]'', ''[[Doubting Thomas]]'', ''[[Slacker (film)|Slacker]]'', ''[[Idiocracy]]'', ''[[The New Guy]]'', ''[[Hope Floats]]'', ''[[The Alamo (2004 film)|The Alamo]]'', ''[[Blank Check (film)|Blank Check]]'', ''The Wendall Baker Story'', ''[[School of Rock]]'', ''[[A Slipping-Down Life]]'', ''[[A Scanner Darkly (film)|A Scanner Darkly]]'', ''[[Saturday Morning Massacre]]'', and most recently, the [[Coen brothers]]' ''[[True Grit (2010 film)|True Grit]]'', ''[[Grindhouse (film)|Grindhouse]]'', ''[[Machete (2010 film)|Machete]]'', ''[[How to Eat Fried Worms (film)|How to Eat Fried Worms]]'', ''[[Bandslam]]'' and ''[[Lazer Team]]''. In order to draw future film projects to the area, the [[Austin Film Society]] has converted several airplane hangars from the former Mueller Airport into filmmaking center Austin Studios. Projects that have used facilities at Austin Studios include music videos by [[The Flaming Lips]] and feature films such as ''[[25th Hour]]'' and ''[[Sin City (film)|Sin City]]''. |
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Austin also hosted the [[MTV]] series, ''[[The Real World: Austin]]'' in 2005. [[Fear the Walking Dead (season 4)|Season 4]] of the [[AMC (TV channel)|AMC]] show ''[[Fear the Walking Dead]]'' was filmed in various locations around Austin in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/movies-tv/article/Fear-the-Walking-Dead-filmed-in-Austin-earlier-13014099.php |title=Fear the Walking Dead filmed at these Austin-area locations |author=Karacostas, Chase |work=[[San Antonio Express-News]] |date=June 21, 2018 |accessdate=October 5, 2018}}</ref> The film review websites [[Spill.com]] and [[Ain't It Cool News]] are based in Austin. [[Rooster Teeth Productions]], creator of popular web series such as ''[[Red vs. Blue]]'' and ''[[RWBY]]'', is also located in Austin. |
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===Theater=== |
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[[File:State and Paramount Theaters - Austin, Texas - DSC08305.jpg|thumb|The State Theater and [[Paramount Theatre (Austin, Texas)|Paramount Theatre]] on Congress Avenue in Downtown Austin]] |
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Austin has a strong theater culture, with dozens of itinerant and resident companies producing a variety of work. The [[Church of the Friendly Ghost]] is a volunteer-run arts organization supporting creative expression and counter-culture community. The city also has live performance theater venues such as the [[Zachary Scott Theatre Center]], Vortex Repertory Company, Salvage Vanguard Theater, Rude Mechanicals' the Off Center, Austin Playhouse, Scottish Rite Children's Theater, [[Hyde Park Theatre]], the Blue Theater, The Hideout Theatre, and [[Esther's Follies]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austin360.com/arts/content/events/special/theaterguide.html |title=Theater Guide |work=[[Austin American-Statesman]] |accessdate=October 25, 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226045544/http://www.austin360.com/arts/content/events/special/theaterguide.html |archivedate=February 26, 2008 }}</ref> The [[Victory Grill]] was a renowned venue on the [[Chitlin' circuit]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/library/ahc/faq15.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021129015745/http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/library/ahc/faq15.htm |dead-url=yes |archive-date=November 29, 2002 |title=Austin History Center: Nightclub on the Chitlin Circuit |publisher=City of Austin |accessdate=September 14, 2008 |df= }}</ref> Public art and performances in the parks and on bridges are popular. Austin hosts the Fuse Box Festival each April featuring theater artists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://austinist.com/2009/04/22/fusebox_festival_starts_tomorrow.php |title=Fusebox Festival Starts Tomorrow |publisher=Gothamist LLC (New York) |date=April 22, 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513060133/http://austinist.com/2009/04/22/fusebox_festival_starts_tomorrow.php |archivedate=May 13, 2012 |df=mdy }}</ref> |
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The [[Paramount Theatre (Austin, Texas)|Paramount Theatre]], opened in downtown Austin in 1915, contributes to Austin's theater and film culture, showing classic films throughout the summer and hosting regional premieres for films such as ''[[Miss Congeniality (film)|Miss Congeniality]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austintheatre.org/site/PageServer?pagename=paramounttheatre |title=About The Paramount Theatre |accessdate=July 24, 2008 |publisher=Paramount Theatre and State Theatre Company |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928162303/http://www.austintheatre.org/site/PageServer?pagename=paramounttheatre |archivedate=September 28, 2007 }}</ref> The [[Zilker Park]] Summer Musical is a long-running outdoor musical.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/review |title=Arts Review: Disney's Beauty |work=Austin Chronicle |author=Faires, Robert |date=July 11, 2008}}</ref> |
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The [[Long Center for the Performing Arts]] is a 2,300-seat theater built partly with materials reused from the old Lester E. Palmer Auditorium. |
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[[Ballet Austin]] is the fourth largest ballet academy in the country.<ref>{{citation needed|date=February 2018}}</ref> Each year Ballet Austin's 20-member professional company performs ballets from a wide variety of choreographers, including their international award-winning artistic director, [[Stephen Mills]]. The city is also home to the [[Ballet East Dance Company]], a modern dance ensemble, and the [[Tapestry Dance Company]] which performs a variety of dance genres. |
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The Austin [[improvisational theatre]] scene has several theaters: ColdTowne Theater, The Hideout Theater, The Fallout Theater, and The Institution Theater. Austin also hosts the Out of Bounds Comedy Festival, which draws comedic artists in all disciplines to Austin. |
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===Libraries=== |
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[[File:Austin public library opened October 28 2017.jpg|thumb|left|View of Austin Central Library from Cesar Chavez Blvd.]] |
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The [[Austin Public Library]] is a [[public library]] system operated by the City of Austin and consists of the Central Library on Cesar Chavez Boulevard, the [[Austin History Center]], 20 branches and the Recycled Reads bookstore and upcycling facility.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://library.austintexas.gov/locations|title=Locations|work=Austin Public Library|access-date=2017-08-31|language=en}}</ref> The APL library system also has mobile libraries – bookmobile buses and a human-powered trike and trailer called "unbound: sin fronteras".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://library.austintexas.gov/location/unbound|title=unbound: sin fronteras|newspaper=Austin Public Library|access-date=2016-10-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://library.austintexas.gov/press-release/milwood-pocket-library-closing-bookmobile-opening-take-its-place-343998|title=Milwood Pocket Library Closing, Bookmobile Opening to Take its Place|newspaper=Austin Public Library|access-date=2016-10-26}}</ref> |
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The Central Library, which is an anchor to the redevelopment of the former [[Seaholm Power Plant]] site and the [[Shoal Creek, Austin, Texas|Shoal Creek]] Walk, opened on October 28, 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.statesman.com/business/seaholm-redevelopment-ready-break-ground-last/kGfrqw4u4Kl0qQKV3Tz5sL/|title=Seaholm redevelopment ready to break ground at last|work=statesman|access-date=2017-08-31}}</ref> The 6-story Central Library contains a living [[rooftop garden]], reading porches, an indoor reading room, [[bicycle parking station]], large indoor and outdoor event spaces, a gift shop, an art gallery, café, and a "technology petting zoo" where visitors can play with next-generation gadgets like [[3D printing|3D printers]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://austin.eater.com/2016/12/16/13982170/cookbook-cafe-austin-central-library-recipes|title=Austin Central Library's Cookbook Cafe Will Patch Together Recipes|last=Chaudhury|first=Nadia|date=2016-12-16|website=Eater Austin|access-date=2017-08-31}}</ref> In 2018, [[Time (magazine)|Time]] magazine named the Austin Central Library on its list of "World's Greatest Places".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://time.com/collection/worlds-greatest-places-2018/5359176/austin-central-library-texas/ |title=Austin Central Library |work=Time |accessdate=October 3, 2018}}</ref> |
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===Museums and other points of interest=== |
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[[File:LBJ Library 2017.jpg|thumb|The [[Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library]] on the [[University of Texas]] campus in Austin]] |
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Museums in Austin include the [[Texas Memorial Museum]], the [[George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center]], [[Thinkery]], the [[Blanton Museum of Art]] (reopened in 2006), the [[Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum]] across the street (which opened in 2000), [[The Contemporary Austin]], the [[Elisabet Ney Museum]] and the galleries at the [[Harry Ransom Center]]. The [[Texas State Capitol]] itself is also a major tourist attraction. |
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The [[Driskill Hotel]], built in 1886, once owned by [[George W. Littlefield]], and located at 6th and Brazos streets, was finished just before the construction of the Capitol building. [[6th Street (Austin)|Sixth Street]] is a musical hub for the city. The Enchanted Forest, a multi-acre outdoor music, art, and performance art space in South Austin hosts events such as fire-dancing and circus-like-acts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austinenchantedforest.com/ |title=Austin Enchanted Forest |publisher=Austin Enchanted Forest |accessdate=February 4, 2010}}</ref> Austin is also home to the [[Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum]], which houses documents and artifacts related to the Johnson administration, including LBJ's limousine and a re-creation of the [[Oval Office]]. |
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Locally produced art is featured at the [[South Austin Museum of Popular Culture]]. The [[Mexic-Arte Museum]] is a Mexican and Mexican-American art museum founded in 1983. Austin is also home to the O. Henry House Museum, which served as the residence of O. Henry from 1893 to 1895. Farmers' markets are popular attractions, providing a variety of locally grown and often organic foods.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.austinfarmersmarket.org/ |title = Austin Farmer's Market |accessdate = Feb 4, 2010 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100107064818/http://www.austinfarmersmarket.org/ |archivedate = January 7, 2010 |deadurl = yes |df = mdy-all }}</ref> |
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Austin also has many odd statues and landmarks, such as the [[Stevie Ray Vaughan]] statue, the Willie Nelson statue, the Mangia dinosaur, the Loca Maria lady at Taco Xpress, the Hyde Park Gym's giant flexed arm, and [[Daniel Johnston]]'s ''[[Hi, How are You]]?'' Jeremiah the Innocent frog mural.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wildlyaustin.com/ |title=Wildly Austin |publisher=Wildly Austin |accessdate=February 4, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628043941/http://www.wildlyaustin.com/ |archivedate=June 28, 2009 }}</ref> |
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[[File:TMI castle austin 2014.jpg|thumb|The HOPE Outdoor Gallery, overlooked by the historic Texas Military Academy building, the oldest standing educational building in Texas]] |
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The [[Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge]] houses the world's largest urban population of [[Mexican free-tailed bat]]s. Starting in March,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austincityguide.com/content/congress-bridge-bats-austin.asp |title=Congress Bridge Bats |publisher=Austin City Guide |accessdate=February 15, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822084039/http://www.austincityguide.com/content/congress-bridge-bats-austin.asp |archivedate=August 22, 2009 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/resources/keeptexaswild/bats/mexicanfreetailedbat.phtml |title = To the Bat Bridge! |publisher = austin.com |accessdate = Feb 15, 2010| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100126100341/http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/resources/keeptexaswild/bats/mexicanfreetailedbat.phtml| archivedate = January 26, 2010 | deadurl = no}}</ref> up to 1.5 million bats take up residence inside the bridge's expansion and contraction zones as well as in long horizontal grooves running the length of the bridge's underside, an environment ideally suited for raising their young. Every evening around sunset, the bats emerge in search of insects, an exit visible on [[weather radar]]. Watching the bat emergence is an event that is popular with locals and tourists, with more than 100,000 viewers per year. The bats migrate to Mexico each winter.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/resources/keeptexaswild/bats/mexicanfreetailedbat.phtml |title = Keep Texas Wild |publisher = Texas Parks and Wildlife Department |accessdate = Feb 4, 2010| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100126100341/http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/resources/keeptexaswild/bats/mexicanfreetailedbat.phtml| archivedate = January 26, 2010 | deadurl = no}}</ref> |
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The [[Austin Zoo]], located in [[unincorporated area|unincorporated]] western Travis County, is a rescue zoo that provides sanctuary to displaced animals from a variety of situations, including those involving neglect. |
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The HOPE Outdoor Gallery is a public, three-story outdoor [[street art]] project located on Baylor Street in the [[Clarksville, Austin, Texas|Clarksville]] neighborhood.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.austintexas.org/listings/hope-outdoor-gallery/7825/ |title=HOPE Outdoor Gallery |work=Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau |accessdate=October 1, 2018}}</ref> The gallery, which consists of the foundations of a failed multifamily development,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://austin.towers.net/with-demolition-pending-castle-hills-graffiti-gallery-isnt-long-for-this-world/ |title=With Demolition Pending, Castle Hill's Graffiti Gallery Isn't Long for This World |author=Rambin, James |work=Austin TOWERS |date=January 9, 2018 |accessdate=October 1, 2018}}</ref> is a constantly-evolving canvas of [[graffiti]] and [[murals]]. Also known as "Castle Hill" or simply "Graffiti Park", the site on Baylor Street has been demolished as of January 2, 2019<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kut.org/post/austins-iconic-graffiti-park-closes-new-canvas-prepped-near-airport|title=Austin's Iconic Graffiti Park Closes As A New Canvas Is Prepped Near The Airport|last=Cooper|first=Rachel|website=www.kut.org|language=en|access-date=2019-01-05}}</ref>; the gallery will build a new art park at Carson Creek Ranch in Southeast Austin.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20180717/exclusive-graffiti-parks-move-to-carson-creek-ranch-moved-to-2019 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Graffiti park's move to Carson Creek Ranch moved to 2019 |author=Flores, Nancy |work=Austin American-Statesman |date=July 17, 2018 |accessdate=October 1, 2018}}</ref> |
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==Sports== |
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[[File:Memorial Stadium Pregame.JPG|thumb|right|[[Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium]], home of [[Texas Longhorns football]]]] |
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{{Main|Sports in Austin}} |
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Many Austinites support the athletic programs of the University of Texas at Austin known as the [[Texas Longhorns]]. During the 2005–06 academic term, [[Texas Longhorns football|Longhorns football team]] was named the [[NCAA Division I FBS National Football Championship|NCAA Division I FBS National Football Champion]], and [[Texas Longhorns baseball|Longhorns baseball team]] won the [[College World Series]].<ref name="2005 CWS">{{Cite news|title=Texas Wins Sixth College World Series. Title|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2005/jun/27/sports/sp-cws27|work=Los Angeles Times |accessdate=June 22, 2010 | date=June 27, 2005}}</ref><ref name="2006 Rose Bowl">{{cite web|title=Horns of plenty: VY, Texas deny USC three-peat bid|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=260040030|publisher=ESPN |accessdate=June 22, 2010}}</ref> The Texas Longhorns play home games in the state's second-largest sports stadium, Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium, seating over 101,000 fans.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://content.usatoday.com/sportsdata/football/ncaaf/game/TexasTech_Texas/2009/09/19 |title=Texas 34, Texas Tech 24 box score |date=September 20, 2009 | work=USA Today}}</ref> Baseball games are played at [[UFCU Disch–Falk Field]]. |
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Austin is the most populous city in the United States without a [[Major professional sports leagues of the United States and Canada|major-league professional sports team]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=ycn-8611569 |title=Ten largest cities without a major pro sports franchise in North America |publisher=Yahoo! Sports |date=June 10, 2011 |accessdate=October 19, 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022161256/https://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=ycn-8611569 |archivedate=October 22, 2013 |df=mdy }}</ref> Minor-league professional sports came to Austin in 1996, when the [[Austin Ice Bats]] began playing at the Travis County Expo Center;<ref name="Hockey Encyclopedia">{{cite web|title = A to Z Encyclopedia of Ice Hockey – Au|url = http://www.azhockey.com/Au.htm|publisher = Azhockey.com|accessdate = June 22, 2010| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100609042938/http://www.azhockey.com/Au.htm| archivedate = June 9, 2010 | deadurl = no}}</ref> they were later replaced by the [[American Hockey League|AHL]] [[Texas Stars]].<ref name="Texas Stars">{{cite web|title = Texas Stars|url = http://www.texasstarshockey.com/home/|publisher = Texasstarshockey.com|accessdate = June 22, 2010| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100619141215/http://www.texasstarshockey.com/home/| archivedate = June 19, 2010 | deadurl = no}}</ref> Austin has hosted a number of other professional teams, including the [[Austin Spurs]] of the [[NBA G League]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/dleague/austin/|title=Home - Austin Spurs|work=Austin Spurs}}</ref> the [[Austin Aztex]] of the [[United Soccer League]], the [[Austin Outlaws]] in [[Women's Football Alliance|WFA]] football, and the [[Austin Aces]] in [[World TeamTennis|WTT]] tennis. |
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Natural features like the bicycle-friendly [[Texas Hill Country]] and generally mild [[#Climate|climate]] make Austin the home of several endurance and multi-sport races and communities. The Capitol 10,000 is the largest {{nowrap|10 K}} race in Texas, and approximately fifth largest in the United States.<ref name="cap10k">{{cite news|url=http://www.kxan.com/dpp/health/Cap-10K-race-a-running-success |title=Cap 10K race a running success |date=April 11, 2010 |work=KXAN News |accessdate=February 2, 2011 |location=Austin, TX |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413003309/http://www.kxan.com/dpp/health/Cap-10K-race-a-running-success |archivedate=April 13, 2010 }}</ref> The [[Austin Marathon]] has been run in the city every year since 1992. Additionally the city is home to the largest 5 mile race in Texas,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thundercloud.com/turkey-trot/history/|title=Austin Sub Sandwich Shop - Thundercloud Subs|work=Austin Sub Sandwich Shop - Thundercloud Subs|access-date=July 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716235415/http://thundercloud.com/turkey-trot/history/|archive-date=July 16, 2015|dead-url=yes|df=mdy-all}}</ref> named the Turkey Trot as it is run annually on thanksgiving. Started in 1991 by Thundercloud Subs, a local sandwich chain (who still sponsors the event), the event has grown to host over 20,000 runners. All proceeds are donated to Caritas of Austin, a local charity. |
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{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin:10px;" |
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|+ Austin area professional sports teams |
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! Club |
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! Sport |
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! Founded |
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! League |
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! Venue |
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|- |
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|[[Round Rock Express]] |
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|Baseball |
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| align=center | 2000 |
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|[[Pacific Coast League]]([[Triple-A (baseball)|AAA]]) |
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|[[Dell Diamond]] |
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|- |
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|[[Austin Spurs]] |
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|Basketball |
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| align=center | 2005 |
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|[[NBA G League]] |
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|[[H-E-B Center at Cedar Park]] |
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|- |
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|[[Texas Stars]] |
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|[[Ice hockey]] |
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| align=center | 2009 |
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|[[American Hockey League]] |
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|[[H-E-B Center at Cedar Park]] |
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|- |
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|[[Austin Outlaws]] |
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|[[American football|Football]] |
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| align=center | 2003 |
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|[[Women's Football Alliance]] |
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|[[House Park]] |
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|- |
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|[[Austin Huns]] |
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|[[Rugby union|Rugby]] |
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| align=center | 1972 |
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|[[Texas Rugby Union]] |
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|Huns Field at Nixon Lane |
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|- |
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|[[Austin Elite Rugby]] |
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|[[Rugby union|Rugby]] |
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| align=center | 2017 |
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|[[Major League Rugby]] |
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|Stadium ATX |
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|- |
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|[[Austin Bold FC]] |
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|[[Association football|Soccer]] |
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| align=center | 2018 |
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|[[United Soccer League]] |
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|[[Circuit of the Americas|Bold Stadium]] |
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|} |
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The Austin-founded American Swimming Association hosts several swim races around town. Austin is also the hometown of several cycling groups and the disgraced cyclist [[Lance Armstrong]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Macur |first=Juliet|title=Lance Armstrong Is Stripped of His 7 Tour de France Titles |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/23/sports/cycling/armstrong-stripped-of-his-7-tour-de-france-titles.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=October 22, 2012 |accessdate=November 14, 2017}}</ref> Combining these three disciplines is a growing crop of triathlons, including the Capital of Texas Triathlon held every [[Memorial Day]] on and around Lady Bird Lake, [[Auditorium Shores]], and [[Downtown Austin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.captextri.com/triathlon-information.php#att6 |title=Capital of Texas triathlon maps |date=October 3, 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102132934/https://www.captextri.com/triathlon-information.php |archivedate=January 2, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref> |
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Austin is home to the [[Circuit of the Americas]] (COTA), a grade 1 [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|FIA]] specification {{convert|3.427|mi|km|adj=on}} [[motor racing]] facility which hosts the [[Formula One]] [[United States Grand Prix]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.circuitoftheamericas.com/contact |title=COTA Contact Page}}</ref> The State of Texas has pledged $25 million in public funds annually for 10 years to pay the sanctioning fees for the race.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Combs enthusiastic about F1 after watching Gritish Grand Prix |first=John |last=Maher |newspaper=Austin American-Statesman |date=July 20, 2010 |url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/racing/combs-enthusiastic-about-f1-after-watching-british-grand-812021.html |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723104435/http://www.statesman.com/sports/racing/combs-enthusiastic-about-f1-after-watching-british-grand-812021.html |archivedate=July 23, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last = Noble |first = Jonathan |title = US Grand Prix returns to F1 in 2012 |publisher = [[Haymarket Group|Haymarket Publishing]] |work = autosport.com |url = http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/83873 |date = May 25, 2010 |accessdate = May 25, 2010| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100526183212/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/83873| archivedate = May 26, 2010 | deadurl = no}}</ref> Built at an estimated cost of $250 to $300 million, the circuit opened in 2012 and is located just east of the [[Austin Bergstrom International Airport]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/formula-one-headed-for-austin-708205.html?cxtype=rss_business|title=Formula One Headed for Austin|work=[[Austin American-Statesman]]|date=May 25, 2010|accessdate=July 2, 2010|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100922064423/http://www.statesman.com/sports/formula-one-headed-for-austin-708205.html?cxtype=rss_business|archivedate=September 22, 2010|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.racingwest.com/drivers/tavo-ct-hellmund/|title = Tavo(CT)Hellmund Bio|publisher = Racing West.com|accessdate = July 2, 2010|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100601084459/http://www.racingwest.com/drivers/tavo-ct-hellmund/|archivedate = June 1, 2010|deadurl = yes|df = mdy-all}}</ref> In August 2017, a new [[soccer-specific stadium]] was announced to be built between the Austin360 Amphitheater and the Grand Plaza at COTA. A professional soccer team known as [[Austin Bold FC]] will start playing in the [[United Soccer League]] in 2019.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/821487?referrer_id=2333971 |title=USL Announces Return to Austin in 2019 |accessdate=August 9, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mystatesman.com/sports/soccer/austin-pro-soccer-franchise-will-roll-2019-000-seat-cota-venue/yYB4EAQ56lWkGc4L9i9izI/ |title=Austin pro soccer franchise will roll in 2019 in 5,000-seat COTA venue |accessdate=August 9, 2017}}</ref> |
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The summer of 2014 marked the inaugural season for [[World TeamTennis]] team [[Austin Aces]], formerly [[Orange County Breakers]] of the southern California region. Austin Aces played their matches at the [[Cedar Park Center]] northwest of Austin, and featured former professionals [[Andy Roddick]] and [[Marion Bartoli]], as well as current WTA tour player [[Vera Zvonareva]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austinacestennis.com/teams/page.aspx?article_id=4163 |title=About Austin Aces |work=[[Austin Aces]] |accessdate=August 18, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819125610/http://www.austinacestennis.com/teams/page.aspx?article_id=4163 |archivedate=August 19, 2014 |df= }}</ref> The team left after the 2015 season. |
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In 2017, [[Anthony Precourt|Precourt Sports Ventures]] announced a plan to move the [[Columbus Crew SC]] soccer franchise from [[Columbus, Ohio]] to Austin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.columbuscrewsc.com/post/2017/10/17/statement-precourt-sports-ventures|title=Statement from Precourt Sports Ventures|date=October 17, 2017|accessdate=October 18, 2017}}</ref> Precourt negotiated an agreement with the City of Austin to build a $200 million stadium on public land at 10414 McKalla Place,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://mls2atx.com/statement-from-precourt-sports-ventures-june-29/|title=Statement from Precourt Sports Ventures|date=June 29, 2018|work=MLS2ATX|access-date=July 1, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> following initial interest in Butler Shores Metropolitan Park and Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Park.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.statesman.com/sports/soccer/strong-guerrero-message-stadium-debate/1tC1wkLD2xObN3EvUhsawO/|title=Strong 'no Guerrero' message to stadium debate|work=statesman|access-date=July 1, 2018}}</ref> |
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==Parks and recreation== |
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[[File:Barton Springs Spillway - panoramio.jpg|thumb|350px|The [[Barton Springs]] Spillway along Barton Creek]] |
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The Austin Parks and Recreation Department received the Excellence in Aquatics award in 1999 and the Gold Medal Awards in 2004 from the [[National Recreation and Park Association]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nrpa.org/content/default.aspx?documentId=728 |title=Past NAB Recipients |publisher=[[National Recreation and Park Association]] |accessdate=October 26, 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207082316/http://www.nrpa.org/content/default.aspx?documentId=728 |archivedate=December 7, 2008 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nrpa.org/content/default.aspx?documentId=1549 |title=Surprises, Sessions and a Social at NRPA Congress & Exposition |publisher=[[National Recreation and Park Association]] |accessdate=October 26, 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207082258/http://www.nrpa.org/content/default.aspx?documentId=1549 |archivedate=December 7, 2008 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy }}</ref> |
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To strengthen the region's parks system, which spans more than {{convert|29000|acres|0|abbr=on}}, The Austin Parks Foundation (APF) was established in 1992 to develop and improve parks in and around Austin. APF works to fill the city's park funding gap by leveraging volunteers, philanthropists, park advocates, and strategic collaborations to develop, maintain and enhance Austin's parks, trails and green spaces. |
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===Lady Bird Lake=== |
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[[File:ButlerTrailAustin.jpg|thumb|Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail along [[Lady Bird Lake]]]] |
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[[Lady Bird Lake]] (formerly Town Lake) is a river-like reservoir on the Colorado River. The lake is a popular recreational area for [[Paddleboarding|paddleboards]], [[kayak]]s, [[canoe]]s, [[dragon boat]]s, and [[rowing (sport)|rowing shell]]s. Austin's warm climate and the river's calm waters, nearly {{convert|6|mi|km|1}} length and straight courses are especially popular with [[sport rowing|crew]] teams and clubs. Other recreational attractions along the shores of the lake include swimming in [[Deep Eddy Pool]], the oldest swimming pool in Texas, and Red Bud Isle, a small island formed by the 1900 [[McDonald Dam failure|collapse of the McDonald Dam]] that serves as a recreation area with a dog park and access to the lake for canoeing and fishing.<ref name="redbud">[http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/redbudisle.htm "Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Red Bud Isle"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091121055246/http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/redbudisle.htm |date=November 21, 2009 }}</ref> The {{convert|10.1|mi|km}} Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail forms a complete circuit around the lake. A local nonprofit, The Trail Foundation, is the Trail's private steward and has made built amenities and infrastructure including trailheads, lakefront gathering areas, restrooms, exercise equipment, as well as doing Trailwide ecological restoration work on an ongoing basis. The Butler Trail loop was completed in 2014 with the public-private partnership 1-mile Boardwalk project.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.thetrailfoundation.org/meet/butler-trail-projects/|title = Projects Page|publisher = The Trail Foundation|date = November 30, 2015|accessdate = November 30, 2015}}</ref> |
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Along the shores of Lady Bird Lake is the 350 acre (142 ha) [[Zilker Park]], which contains large open lawns, sports fields, cross country courses, historical markers, concession stands, and picnic areas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.athletic.net/CrossCountry/meet/134718/more|title=Meets at this location|publisher=athletic.net|accessdate=2018-09-15}}</ref> Zilker Park is also home to numerous attractions, including the [[Zilker Botanical Garden]], the [[Umlauf Sculpture Garden]], Zilker Hillside Theater, the Austin Nature & Science Center, and the Zilker Zephyr, a {{RailGauge|12in}} gauge [[Ridable miniature railway|miniature railway]] carries passengers on a tour around the park.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Zilker Metropolitan Park|website=[[City of Austin]]|url=http://austintexas.gov/department/zilker-metropolitan-park|accessdate=22 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Andrew Jackson Zilker|website=[[Austin Public Library]]|url=http://www.austinlibrary.com/ahc/exlegacy1.htm|accessdate=22 May 2015}}</ref> [[Auditorium Shores]], an [[urban park]] along the lake, is home to the [[Palmer Auditorium]], the [[Long Center for the Performing Arts]], and an [[Dog park|off-leash dog park]] on the water.<ref name="turf fight">{{Cite news|title=Then There's This: Turf Fight at Auditorium Shores|newspaper=[[Austin Chronicle]]|date=6 December 2013|first=Amy|last=Smith|url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2013-12-06/then-theres-this-turf-fight-at-auditorium-shores/|accessdate=23 April 2015}}</ref> Both Zilker Park and Auditorium Shores have a direct view of the Downtown skyline.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Auditorium Shores|website=[[Fodor's]]|url=http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/texas/austin/things-to-do/sights/reviews/auditorium-shores-611024/|accessdate=23 April 2015}}</ref> |
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===Barton Creek Greenbelt=== |
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[[File:BartonCreek-2010-c.JPG|thumb|Sculpture Falls along the [[Barton Creek Greenbelt]].]] |
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The [[Barton Creek Greenbelt]] is a {{convert|7.25|mi|km|adj=on}} public [[green belt]] managed by the City of Austin's Park and Recreation Department. The Greenbelt, which begins at [[Zilker Park]] and stretches South/Southwest to the Woods of Westlake [[subdivision (land)|subdivision]], is characterized by large [[limestone]] cliffs, dense foliage, and shallow bodies of water. Popular activities include [[rock climbing]], mountain biking, and hiking. Some well known naturally forming swimming holes along Austin's greenbelt include Twin Falls, Sculpture Falls, Gus Fruh Pool, and Campbell's Hole. During years of heavy rainfall, the water level of the creek rises high enough to allow [[human swimming|swimming]], [[High diving|cliff diving]], [[kayaking]], and [[tubing (recreation)|tubing]]. |
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===Swimming holes=== |
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[[File:Hamilton Pool March 2016 3.JPG|thumb|left|250px|[[Hamilton Pool Preserve]]]] |
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[[File:DeepEddyPoolBySteveHopson.jpg|thumb|right|Austin's [[Deep Eddy Pool]] is the oldest man-made pool in Texas.]] |
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Austin is home to more than 50 public pools and [[swimming hole]]s. These include [[Deep Eddy Pool]], Texas' oldest man-made swimming pool, and [[Barton Springs Pool]], the nation's largest natural swimming pool in an urban area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news8austin.com/content/your_news/default.asp?ArID=138758 |title=Friends celebrate and help Deep Eddy |date=June 5, 2005 |accessdate=October 14, 2008 |publisher=[[News 8 Austin]] |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207194348/http://www.news8austin.com/content/your_news/default.asp?ArID=138758 |archivedate=December 7, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.environmenttexas.org/uploads/yo/8d/yo8dd25vILBEwL-9ntbrPg/ET-Risk-Report-Print.pdf |title=Texas Natural Areas At Risk |format=PDF |page=5 |publisher=Environment Texas |date=February 23, 2006 |accessdate=October 14, 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081028224016/https://www.environmenttexas.org/uploads/yo/8d/yo8dd25vILBEwL-9ntbrPg/ET-Risk-Report-Print.pdf |archivedate=October 28, 2008 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy }}</ref> Barton Springs Pool is spring-fed while Deep Eddy is well-fed. Both range in temperature from about {{convert|68.0|°F|°C}} during the winter to about {{convert|71.6|°F|°C}} during the summer.<ref name="usgs_water_data_2006_temps">{{cite web|url = http://wdr.water.usgs.gov/wy2006/pdfs/08155500.2006.pdf |title = Temperature, Water, Degrees Celsius Water Year October 2005 to September 2006 |accessdate = August 19, 2008 |year = 2006 |format = PDF |work = Water-Data Report 2006, 08155500 Barton Springs at Austin, Texas |publisher = U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey |pages = 13–15| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080909225502/http://wdr.water.usgs.gov/wy2006/pdfs/08155500.2006.pdf| archivedate = September 9, 2008 | deadurl = no}}</ref><ref name="usgs_water_data_2007_temps">{{cite web|url = http://wdr.water.usgs.gov/wy2007/pdfs/08155500.2007.pdf |title = Temperature, Water, Degrees Celsius Water Year October 2006 to September 2007 |accessdate = August 19, 2008 |year = 2007 |format = PDF |work = Water-Data Report 2007, 08155500 Barton Springs at Austin, Texas |publisher = U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey |pages = 11–13 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080909225512/http://wdr.water.usgs.gov/wy2007/pdfs/08155500.2007.pdf| archivedate = September 9, 2008 | deadurl = no}}</ref><ref name="usgs_water_data_2007_wq_records">{{cite web|url = http://wdr.water.usgs.gov/wy2007/pdfs/08155500.2007.pdf |title = Water Quality Records |accessdate = August 19, 2008 |year = 2007 |format = PDF |work = Water-Data Report 2007, 08155500 Barton Springs at Austin, Texas |publisher = U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey |page = 4| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080909225512/http://wdr.water.usgs.gov/wy2007/pdfs/08155500.2007.pdf| archivedate = September 9, 2008 | deadurl = no}}</ref> [[Hippie Hollow Park]], a county park situated along Lake Travis, is the only officially sanctioned [[nude beach|clothing-optional public park]] in Texas. [[Hamilton Pool Preserve]] is a natural pool that was created when the dome of an underground river collapsed due to massive erosion thousands of years ago. The pool, located about 23 miles (37 km) west of Austin, is a popular summer swimming spot for visitors and residents. Hamilton Pool Preserve consists of 232 acres (0.94 km2) of protected natural habitat featuring a jade green pool into which a 50-foot (15 m) waterfall flows.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.co.travis.tx.us/tnr/parks/hamilton_pool.asp |title = Hamilton Pool Nature Preserve |publisher = Travis County, Texas |accessdate = Feb 7, 2010| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100124141108/http://www.co.travis.tx.us/tnr/parks/hamilton_pool.asp| archivedate = January 24, 2010 | deadurl = no}}</ref> |
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===Other parks and recreation=== |
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[[File:Covert Park at Mount Bonnell 20160905130602.jpg|thumb|left|View of the Colorado River from Covert Park at [[Mount Bonnell]].]] |
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[[McKinney Falls State Park]] is a [[state park]] administered by the [[Texas Parks and Wildlife Department]], located at the confluence of [[Onion Creek (Texas)|Onion Creek]] and Williamson Creek. The park includes several designated hiking trails and [[campground|cap sites]] with water and electric. The namesake features of the park are the scenic upper and lower falls along Onion Creek. The [[Emma Long Metropolitan Park]] is a municipal park along the shores of [[Lake Austin]], originally constructed by the [[Civilian Conservation Corps]]. The 284-acre [[Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center]] is a [[botanical garden]] and [[arboretum]] that features more than 800 species of native Texas plants in both garden and natural settings; the Wildflower Center is located 10 miles southwest of Downtown in [[Circle C Ranch]].<ref name= "Gould">{{citation | author= Gould, Lewis L. | title= Lady Bird Johnson, Our Environmental First Lady | year= 1999 | publisher= University Press of Kansas }}</ref> Roy G. Guerrero Park is located along the Colorado River in [[East Riverside-Oltorf, Austin, Texas|East Riverside]] and contains miles of wooded trails, a sandy beach along the river, and a [[disc golf]] course. |
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[[File:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and Circle C Ranch.jpg|thumb|right|Part of the [[Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center]].]] |
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Covert Park, located on the top of [[Mount Bonnell]], is a popular tourist destination overlooking Lake Austin and the Colorado River. The mount provides a vista for viewing the city of Austin, Lake Austin, and the surrounding hills.<ref>{{cite journal |date=June 1979 |publisher=Emmis Communications |title=Austin: Outdoors |journal=[[Texas Monthly]] |page=22 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ly4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA22}}</ref> It was designated a [[Recorded Texas Historic Landmark]] in 1969, bearing Marker number 6473,<ref name="Marker">{{cite web|title=Mount Bonnell|url=http://www.9key.com/markers/marker_detail.asp?atlas_number=5453006473&search_term=mormon|work=Recorded Texas Historic Landmark|publisher=William Nienke, Sam Morrow|access-date=October 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707071849/http://www.9key.com/markers/marker_detail.asp?atlas_number=5453006473&search_term=mormon|archive-date=July 7, 2011|dead-url=yes|df=mdy-all}}</ref> and was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 2015. |
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The [[Austin Country Club]] is a private golf club located along the shores of the Colorado River, right next to the Pennybacker Bridge. Founded in 1899, the club moved to its third and present site in 1984, which features a challenging layout designed by noted course architect [[Pete Dye]].<ref name=glfadvsr>{{cite web|url=http://www.golfadvisor.com/articles/austin-country-club-16328.htm |work=Golf Advisor |last=Tucker |first=Brandon |title=Tour the host golf course of the WGC-Dell Match Play, Austin Country Club |date=March 16, 2017 |accessdate=March 27, 2017}}</ref><ref name=aastmbnes>{{cite news |url=http://www.mystatesman.com/entertainment/golfers-and-nonplayers-remain-fond-former-austin-country-club-site/jEDyEr6QTzDQiwp056mJ0I/ |work=Austin American-Statesman |location=(Texas) |title=Golfers and nonplayers remain fond of former Austin Country Club |last=Barnes |first=Michael |date=April 1, 2015 |accessdate=March 27, 2017}}</ref> |
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==Government and law== |
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===Crime=== |
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The city had 39 homicides in 2016, the most since 1997.<ref>{{cite web|last=Folan |first=Evan |url=http://www.kvia.com/crime/year-in-review-el-pasos-homicides-compared-to-state-national-trend/243616709 |title=2016 homicide rate: El Paso remains steady as Austin, San Antonio experience sharp increase |publisher=KVIA |date=2017-01-02 |accessdate=2017-01-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.twcnews.com/tx/austin/news/2016/12/29/austin-murder-rate-highest-since-2010.html |title=Austin Murder Total Highest Since 2010 |website=Twcnews.com |date=2016-12-29 |accessdate=2017-01-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105085218/http://www.twcnews.com/tx/austin/news/2016/12/29/austin-murder-rate-highest-since-2010.html |archive-date=January 5, 2017 |dead-url=yes |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |
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FBI statistics show that overall violent and property crimes dropped in Austin in 2015, but increased in suburban areas of the city.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.mystatesman.com/news/crime--law/violent-crime-rate-drops-austin-but-grows-suburbs-data-show/30T89Khh0uESC7qM6tiIGO/ |title=Violent crime rate drops in Austin, but grows in suburbs, data |website=Mystatesman.com |date=2016-09-28 |accessdate=2017-01-27}}</ref> One such southeastern suburb, [[Del Valle, Texas|Del Valle]], reported eight homicides within two months in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|author=FOX |url=http://www.fox7austin.com/news/local-news/215154781-story |title=Eighth body identified in Del Valle - Story | KTBC |publisher=Fox7austin.com |date= |accessdate=2017-05-25}}</ref> According to 2016 APD crime statistics,<ref>https://austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Zip_Code_Creim_Report_2016.pdf</ref> the 78723 census tract had the most violent crime, with 6 murders, 25 rapes, and 81 robberies. |
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One of the first American school mass-shooting incidents took place in Austin on August 1, 1966, when a gunman shot 43 people, killing 13 from the top of the University of Texas tower (see [[University of Texas tower shooting]]).<ref name="texasmonthly.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.texasmonthly.com/category/topics/ut-tower-shooting/ |title=The UT Tower Shooting Archives |publisher=Texas Monthly |date=1966-08-01 |accessdate=2017-05-25}}</ref> This event led to the formation of the [[SWAT]] team.<ref name="texasmonthly.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.paulding.gov/index.aspx?NID=519 |title=Paulding County, GA - History of SWAT |publisher=Paulding.gov |date=1966-08-01 |accessdate=2017-05-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.policemag.com/channel/swat/articles/1997/04/the-birth-and-evolution-of-the-swat-unit/page/2.aspx |title=The Birth and Evolution of the SWAT Unit - Article - POLICE Magazine |publisher=Policemag.com |date=1997-04-01 |accessdate=2017-05-25}}</ref> |
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In 2010, Andrew Joseph Stack III deliberately crashed his Piper Cherokee PA-28 into Echelon 1, an IRS building housing 190 employees. The resulting explosion killed 1 person (excluding the pilot), injured 13, and completely destroyed the building, costing the IRS a total of 38.6 million (see [[2010 Austin suicide attack]]). |
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A [[Austin serial bombings|series of bombings]] occurred in Austin in March 2018. |
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===City government=== |
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{{See also|List of mayors of Austin, Texas}} |
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[[File:AustinTXCityHall.JPG|thumb|Austin City Hall]] |
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Austin is administered by an 11-member [[city council]] (10 council members elected by geographic district plus a mayor elected at large). The council is accompanied by a hired [[city manager]] under the manager-council system of municipal governance. Council and mayoral elections are non-partisan, with a runoff in case there is no majority winner. A referendum approved by voters on November 6, 2012 changed the council composition from six council members plus a mayor elected at large to the current "10+1" district system. November 2014 marked the first election under the new system. The [[Federal government of the United States|Federal government]] had forced San Antonio and Dallas to abandon at-large systems before 1987, however the court could not show a racist pattern in Austin and upheld the city's at-large system during a 1984 lawsuit. In five elections between 1973 and 1994 Austin voters rejected single-member districts.<ref name='ghost'> |
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{{cite news |
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|last= Greenberger |
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|first= Scott S. |
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|date= April 6, 1997 |
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|title= From the archives: Austin faces ghost of racial history in City Council contest |
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|url= https://www.statesman.com/news/local/austin-faces-ghost-racial-history-city-council-contest/RZ8CjQ4DWOnIAPdMYKvy4H/ |
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|newspaper= Austin American-Statesman |
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|access-date= August 26, 2018}} |
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</ref> |
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Austin formerly operated its city hall at 128 West 8th Street.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.swf.usace.army.mil/pubdata/notices/3oakpdf/PPN3RV1.pdf |title = Availability of FEIS |publisher = Fort Worth District [[U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]] |accessdate = December 29, 2008 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090109125039/http://www.swf.usace.army.mil/pubdata/notices/3oakpdf/PPN3RV1.pdf |archivedate = January 9, 2009 |deadurl = yes |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Antoine Predock and Cotera Kolar Negrete & Reed Architects designed a new city hall building, which was intended to reflect what ''[[The Dallas Morning News]]'' referred to as a "crazy-quilt vitality, that embraces everything from country music to environmental protests and high-tech swagger."<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.hunterdouglascontract.com/referenceprojects/article.jsp?pId=8a438349014db9420102a25eeb960621 |title = Austin City Hall |publisher = Hunter Douglas Contract |accessdate = December 29, 2008| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20081119030748/http://www.hunterdouglascontract.com/referenceprojects/article.jsp?pId=8a438349014db9420102a25eeb960621| archivedate = November 19, 2008 | deadurl = no}}</ref> The new city hall, built from recycled materials, has solar panels in its garage.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Witt, Howard |title=In heart of Texas, drumbeat for green |work=Chicago Tribune |date=September 28, 2007 |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/services/newspaper/printedition/friday/chi-austin_green_wittsep28,0,2964379.story}}</ref> The city hall, at 301 West Second Street, opened in November 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/cityhall/ |title=Austin City Hall |publisher=City of Austin |accessdate=December 29, 2008}}</ref> The {{As of|2015|alt=current}} mayor of Austin is [[Steve Adler (lawyer)|Steve Adler]]. |
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Law enforcement in Austin is provided by the [[Austin Police Department]], except for state government buildings, which are patrolled by the [[Texas Department of Public Safety]]. The University of Texas Police operate from the [[University of Texas at Austin|University of Texas]]. |
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Fire protection within the city limits is provided by the [[Austin Fire Department]], while the surrounding county is divided into twelve geographical areas known as Emergency Services Districts, which are covered by separate regional fire departments.<ref>[http://atcems.org/home/index2.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=78&Itemid=41] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011010946/http://atcems.org/home/index2.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=78&Itemid=41|date=October 11, 2011}}</ref> Emergency Medical Services are provided for the whole county by "Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austintexas.gov/department/fire|title=Austin Fire Department|website=Austintexas.gov|accessdate=September 15, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austintexas.gov/department/ems|title=Austin Travis-County EMS Department|website=Austintexas.gov|accessdate=October 17, 2014}}</ref> |
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===Other levels of government=== |
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[[File:Federal Courthouse, Austin, TX IMG 6339.JPG|thumb|upright=0.9|left|The 8-story U.S. Courthouse constructed at a cost of $123 million is located at Fourth, Fifth, San Antonio, and Nueces streets in Austin (opened December 2012).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statesman.com/news/news/crime-law/new-federal-courthouse-opens-in-austin/nTMCQ/|title=Juan Castillo, "New Federal Courthouse opens in Austin"|publisher=''[[Austin American Statesman]]'', December 3, 2012|accessdate=January 27, 2013}}</ref>]] |
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Austin is the [[county seat]] of [[Travis County, Texas|Travis County]] and hosts the [[Heman Marion Sweatt Travis County Courthouse]] downtown, as well as other county government offices. |
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The [[Texas Department of Transportation]] operates the Austin District Office in Austin.<ref>"[http://www.dot.state.tx.us/local_information/austin_district/ Austin District Office] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125200305/http://www.dot.state.tx.us/local_information/austin_district/ |date=January 25, 2010 }}." Texas Department of Transportation<!--Please go to "View District Location-->. Retrieved on January 11, 2010.</ref> |
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The [[Texas Department of Criminal Justice]] (TDCJ) operates the Austin I and Austin II district parole offices in Austin.<ref>[http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/parole/parole-directory/paroledir-rgnldisparoff4.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904002737/http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/parole/parole-directory/paroledir-rgnldisparoff4.htm|date=September 4, 2011}}</ref> |
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The [[United States Postal Service]] operates several post offices in Austin. |
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{{See also|Government of Texas|List of capitals in the United States}} |
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===Politics=== |
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{| class="wikitable" style="float:right;" |
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|+ '''Travis County Presidential elections results''' |
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|- style="background:lightgrey;" |
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! Year |
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! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] |
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! Democratic |
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|- |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|[[United States presidential election, 2016|2016]] |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|27.4% ''126,750 |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''66.3%''' ''306,475 |
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|- |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|[[U.S. presidential election, 2012|2012]] |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|36.2% ''140,152 |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''60.1%''' ''232,788 |
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|- |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|[[U.S. presidential election, 2008|2008]] |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|34.3% ''136,981 |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''63.5%''' ''254,017 |
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|- |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|[[U.S. presidential election, 2004|2004]] |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|42.0% ''147,885 |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''56.0%''' ''197,235 |
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|- |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|[[U.S. presidential election, 2000|2000]] |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|'''46.9%''' ''141,235 |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|41.7% ''125,526 |
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|- |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1996|1996]] |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|39.9% ''98,454 |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''52.3%''' ''128,970 |
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|- |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1992|1992]] |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|31.9% ''88,105 |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''47.3%''' ''130,546 |
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|- |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1988|1988]] |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|44.9% ''105,915 |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''54.1%''' ''127,783 |
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|- |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1984|1984]] |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|'''56.8%''' ''124,944 |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|42.8% ''94,124 |
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|- |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1980|1980]] |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|45.7% ''73,151 |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''46.9%''' ''75,028 |
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|- |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1976|1976]] |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|46.7% ''71,031 |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''51.6%''' ''78,585 |
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|- |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1972|1972]] |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|'''56.3%''' ''70,561 |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|43.2% ''54,157 |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1968|1968]] |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|41.6% ''34,309 |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''48.1%''' ''39,667 |
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|- |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1964|1964]] |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|31.0% ''19,838 |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''68.9%''' ''44,058 |
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|- |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1960|1960]] |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|44.9% ''22,107 |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''54.9%''' ''27,022 |
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|} |
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Austin is known as an enclave of [[Modern liberalism in the United States|liberal]] politics in an otherwise conservative state—so much so, that the city is sometimes sarcastically called the "People's Republic of Austin" by residents of other parts of Texas, and conservatives in the Texas Legislature.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/12/us/counting-vote-scene-austin-jockeying-along-with-partying-hold.html |title=COUNTING THE VOTE: THE SCENE; In Austin, the Jockeying, Along With the Partying, Is on Hold |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |last=Verhovek |first=Sam Howe |date=November 12, 2000 |accessdate=January 7, 2009}}</ref><ref name="welsh1">{{Cite news|url = http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/07/17/america/Texas-Dem-Rebound.php |title = Texas Democrats look to Obama to help them rebound |last = Welsh-Huggins |first = Andrew |date = July 17, 2008 |accessdate = January 7, 2009| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090212202924/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/07/17/america/Texas-Dem-Rebound.php| archivedate = February 12, 2009 | deadurl = no}}</ref> |
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Since redistricting following the 2010 United States Census, Austin has been divided between six congressional districts at the federal level: [[Texas's 35th congressional district|Texas's 35th]], [[Texas's 25th congressional district|Texas's 25th]], [[Texas's 10th congressional district|Texas's 10th]], [[Texas's 21st congressional district|Texas's 21st]], [[Texas's 17th congressional district|Texas's 17th]], and [[Texas's 31st congressional district|Texas's 31st]]. Texas's 35th congressional district is represented by Democrat [[Lloyd Doggett]]. The other five districts are represented by Republicans, of whom only one, [[Michael McCaul]] of the 10th district, lives in [[Travis County, Texas|Travis County]]. |
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As a result of the major party realignment that began in the 1970s, central Austin became a stronghold of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]], while the suburbs tend to vote [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]. Overall, the city is a blend of downtown liberalism and suburban conservatism but leans to the political left as a whole. The city last went to a Republican candidate in 2000 when former Texas Governor George W. Bush successfully ran for President. In 2004, the Democrats rebounded strongly as John Kerry enjoyed a 14.0% margin over Bush, who once again won Texas.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/vote2004/countymap.htm |title=Latest vote, county by county |date=November 16, 2004 |work=USA Today}}</ref> |
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City residents have been supportive of alternative candidates; for example, [[Ralph Nader presidential campaign, 2000|Ralph Nader]] won 10.4% of the vote in Austin in 2000. |
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In 2003, the city adopted a resolution against the [[USA PATRIOT Act]] that reaffirmed constitutionally guaranteed rights. |
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Of Austin's six state legislative districts, three are strongly Democratic and three are swing districts, two of which are held by Democrats and one of which is held by a Republican. |
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Travis County was also the only county in Texas to reject Texas Constitutional Amendment Proposition 2 that effectively outlawed gay marriage and status equal or similar to it and did so by a wide margin (40% for, 60% against).<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.co.travis.tx.us/county_clerk/election/20051108/enight_results.pdf |title = November 8, 2005 Joint Special Elections |publisher = [[Travis County, Texas]] |date = November 8, 2005 |format = PDF |accessdate = October 19, 2008| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20081028224014/http://www.co.travis.tx.us/county_clerk/election/20051108/enight_results.pdf| archivedate = October 28, 2008 | deadurl = no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story |title=Austin – the Only Gay Place |last=Nichols |first=Lee |work=[[The Austin Chronicle]] |date=November 18, 2005 |accessdate=October 19, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/79R/billtext/HJ00006F.HTM |title = 79(R) HJR 6 – Enrolled version – Bill Text |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20051125072148/http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/79R/billtext/HJ00006F.HTM |archivedate = November 25, 2005}}</ref> |
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Two of the candidates for president in the 2004 race called Austin home. [[Michael Badnarik]], the Libertarian Party candidate, and [[David Cobb]] of the [[Green Party of the United States|Green Party]] both had lived in Austin. During the run up to the election in November, a presidential debate was held at the [[University of Texas at Austin]] student union involving the two candidates. While the [[Commission on Presidential Debates]] only invites Democrats and Republicans to participate in televised debates, the debate at UT was open to all presidential candidates. Austin also hosted one of the last presidential debates between [[Barack Obama]] and [[Hillary Clinton]] during their heated race for the Democratic nomination in 2008.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/21/debate.main/index.html |title = Obama, Clinton Agree to Disagree |accessdate = June 16, 2009 |work = CNN Politics.com |publisher = CNN | date = February 22, 2008| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090609135224/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/21/debate.main/index.html| archivedate = June 9, 2009 | deadurl = no}}</ref> |
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In the 2016 presidential election, Travis County, which contains the majority of Austin, voted for [[Hillary Clinton]] (D) by a 38.9-point margin (66.3% to 27.4%).<ref>{{cite web|author=David Leip |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/ |title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |website=Uselectionatlas.org |date= |accessdate=2017-01-27}}</ref> |
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====Gerrymandering==== |
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A controversial turning point in the political history of the Austin area was the [[2003 Texas redistricting]]. Before then, Austin had been entirely or almost entirely within the borders of a single congressional district–what was then the 10th District–for over a century. Opponents characterized the resulting district layout as excessively partisan [[gerrymandering]], and the plan was challenged in court by Democratic and minority activists; of note, the [[Supreme Court of the United States]] has never struck down a redistricting plan for being excessively partisan. The plan was subsequently upheld by a three-judge federal panel in late 2003, and on June 28, 2006, the matter was largely settled when the Supreme Court, in a 7–2 decision, upheld the entire congressional redistricting plan with the exception of a Hispanic-majority district in southwest Texas. This affected Austin's districting, as U.S. Rep. [[Lloyd Doggett]]'s district (U.S. Congressional District 25) was found to be insufficiently compact to compensate for the reduced [[minority influence]] in the southwest district; it was redrawn so that it took in most of southeastern Travis County and several counties to its south and east.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Greg |last=Stohr |title=Republican Texas Redistricting Upheld by Top Court |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=ah1suoNgrH7g |publisher=Bloomberg |date=June 28, 2006 |accessdate=July 24, 2008}}</ref> |
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====Environmental movement==== |
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The distinguishing political movement of Austin politics has been that of the environmental movement, which spawned the parallel neighborhood movement, then the more recent conservationist movement (as typified by the Hill Country Conservancy),<ref>{{Cite news|title=Conservancy shifts into high gear; Efforts steer land away from development |first=Sara |last=Zaragosa |newspaper=Austin Business Journal |date=August 28, 2009 |url=http://austin.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2009/08/31/story4.html }}</ref> and eventually the current ongoing debate about "sense of place" and preserving the Austin quality of life. Much of the environmental movement has matured into a debate on issues related to saving and creating an Austin "sense of place."<ref>{{Cite book|title = Environmental City |last = Swearingen, Jr. |first = William |publisher = [[University of Texas Press]] |location = Austin, Texas |isbn = 978-0-292-72181-4 |pages = 18, 19 |url = http://www.utexaspress.com |accessdate = July 25, 2010| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20081015000256/http://www.utexaspress.com/| archivedate=October 15, 2008| deadurl = no}}</ref> In 2012, Austin became just one of a few cities in [[Texas]] to ban the sale and use of plastic bags. |
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==Education== |
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Researchers at [[Central Connecticut State University]] ranked Austin the 16th most literate city in the United States for 2008.<ref name="ccsu">{{cite web |url=http://web.ccsu.edu/amlc06/AMLC07/Default.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412154509/http://web.ccsu.edu/amlc06/AMLC07/Default.htm |dead-url=yes |archive-date=April 12, 2010 |title=America's Most Literate Cities 2007 |accessdate=July 7, 2010 |last=Miller |first=Jack |publisher=Central Connecticut State University }}</ref> In addition, the University of Texas at Austin operates the seventh-largest academic library in the nation.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.lib.utexas.edu/admin/cird/statisticaloverview2007.html | title=The University of Texas Libraries. Statistical Overview of the Library Collections. | publisher=University of Texas at Austin}}</ref> |
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Austin was voted "America's No.1 College Town" by the Travel Channel.<ref name="College Town">{{cite web |url = http://www.artinstitutes.edu/austin/aboutus/ |title = Welcome to The Art Institute of Austin |accessdate = July 22, 2008 |publisher = The Art Institute of Austin |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080727035455/http://www.artinstitutes.edu/austin/AboutUs/ |archivedate = July 27, 2008 |deadurl = yes |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Over 43 percent of Austin residents age 25 and over hold a [[bachelor's degree]], while 16 percent hold a [[graduate degree]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=16000US4805000&-context=adp&-ds_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_&-tree_id=5309&-_lang=en&-_caller=geoselect&-format= | title=Austin city, Texas – American Community Survey 2005–2009 | accessdate=June 2, 2011 | publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> In 2009, greater Austin ranked eighth among metropolitan areas in the United States for bachelor's degree attainment with nearly 39 percent of area residents over 25 holding a bachelor's degree.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.brookings.edu/metro/StateOfMetroAmerica/Map.aspx#/?subject=4&ind=30&dist=1_0&data=Percent&year=2008&geo=metro&zoom=0&x=0&y=0 | title=Bachelor's degree attainment, age 25 and over | publisher=Brookings Institution | deadurl=yes | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110327103851/http://www.brookings.edu/metro/StateOfMetroAmerica/Map.aspx#/?subject=4&ind=30&dist=1_0&data=Percent&year=2008&geo=metro&zoom=0&x=0&y=0 | archivedate=March 27, 2011 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> |
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===Higher education=== |
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[[File:University of Texas at Austin Fountain and Tower.jpg|thumb|right|The [[University of Texas at Austin]]]] |
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Austin is home to the [[University of Texas at Austin]], the flagship institution of the [[University of Texas System]] with over 38,000 undergraduate students and 12,000 graduate students. In 2019 rankings, the university was ranked 49th among "National Universities" by ''U.S. News & World Report.''<ref>https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/university-of-texas-3658</ref> UT has annual research expenditures of over $600 million<ref>https://ncsesdata.nsf.gov/profiles/site?method=rankingBySource&ds=herd</ref> and has the highest-ranked business, engineering, and law programs of any university in the state of Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/spec-business |title=Best Undergraduate Business Programs |publisher=U.S. News & World Report |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826121834/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/spec-business |archivedate=August 26, 2009 |df= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/spec-doct-engineering | title=Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs | publisher=U.S. News & World Report}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/rankings |title=Best Law Schools |publisher=U.S. News & World Report |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101165455/http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/rankings |archivedate=January 1, 2011 |df= }}</ref> |
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Other institutions of higher learning in Austin include [[St. Edward's University]], [[Huston-Tillotson University]], [[Austin Community College]], [[Concordia University Texas|Concordia University]], the [[Seminary of the Southwest]], the [[Acton School of Business]], [[Texas Health and Science University]], [[University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences]], [[Austin Graduate School of Theology]], [[Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary]], [[Virginia College]]'s Austin Campus, [[The Art Institute of Austin]], Southern Careers Institute of Austin, Austin Conservatory and a branch of [[Park University]]. |
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The [[University of Texas System]] and [[Texas State University System]] are headquartered in downtown Austin. |
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===Public primary and secondary education=== |
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The Austin area has 29 public school districts, 17 charter schools and 69 private schools.<ref name="austin-chamber.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.austin-chamber.org/DoBusiness/GreaterAustinProfile/education.html |title=Austin Chamber of Commerce Greater Austin Profile |accessdate=July 8, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618080314/http://www.austin-chamber.org/DoBusiness/GreaterAustinProfile/education.html |archivedate=June 18, 2010 }}</ref> Most of the city is served by the [[Austin Independent School District]]. This district includes notable schools such as the magnet [[Liberal Arts and Science Academy High School of Austin, Texas]] (LASA), which, by test scores, has consistently been within the top thirty high schools in the nation, as well as The Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders. Some parts of Austin are served by other districts, including [[Round Rock Independent School District|Round Rock]], [[Pflugerville Independent School District|Pflugerville]], [[Leander Independent School District|Leander]], [[Manor Independent School District|Manor]], [[Del Valle Independent School District|Del Valle]], [[Lake Travis Independent School District|Lake Travis]], [[Hays Consolidated Independent School District|Hays]], and [[Eanes Independent School District|Eanes ISDs]].<ref>"[https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Planning/Demographics/School_Districts_and_The_City.pdf Regional School Districts and the City of Austin]." City of Austin. March 2013. Retrieved on August 4, 2016.</ref> Four of the metro's major public school systems, representing 54% of area enrollment, are included in ''Expansion Management'' magazine's latest annual education quality ratings of nearly 2,800 school districts nationwide. Two districts—Eanes and Round Rock—are rated "gold medal", the highest of the magazine's cost-performance categories.<ref name="austin-chamber.org"/> |
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===Private and alternative education=== |
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Austin has a large network of private and alternative education institutions for children in preschool-12th grade including Abrome, ACE Academy, Acton Academy, Austin International School, Austin Jewish Academy, [[Austin Peace Academy]], The Austin School for the Performing and Visual Arts, The Austin Waldorf School, Brentwood Christian School, Cleaview Sudbury School, [[Concordia Academy (Austin, Texas)|Concordia Academy]], The Griffin School, Holy Family Catholic School, Huntington-Surrey, Inside Outside School, Integrity Academy, [[Headwaters School]], Hyde Park Baptist, [[Kirby Hall School]], [[Long-View Micro School]], Paragon Preparatory Middle School, Progress School, Redeemer Lutheran School, [[Regents School of Austin]], Renaissance Academy, [[San Juan Diego Catholic High School (Austin, Texas)|San Juan Diego Catholic High School]], Skybridge Academy, [[St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Texas)|St. Andrew's Episcopal School]], [[St. Austin Catholic School]], [[St. Francis School (Austin, Texas)|St. Francis School]], [[St. Gabriel's Catholic School (Austin, Texas)|St. Gabriel's Catholic School]], St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic School, St. Mary's, [[St. Michael's Catholic Academy, Austin|St. Michael's Catholic Academy]], St. Paul Lutheran School, [[St. Stephen's Episcopal School (Austin, Texas)|St. Stephen's Episcopal School]], St. Theresa's, Trinity Episcopal School, and a number of Montessori schools. |
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Along with homeschooling and [[unschooling]] communities, Austin is home to a number of part-time learning environments designed to offer basic academics and inspired mentoring. Such current resources include the Whole Life Learning Center and AHB Community School.<ref name="Amala">{{cite web |url=https://amalafoundation.org/introducing-the-whole-life-learning-center/ |title=Introducing The Whole Life Learning Center |accessdate=31 August 2017 |publisher=Amala Foundation }}</ref><ref name="AHBCS">{{cite web |url=https://ahbcs.org/ |title=AHB Community School |accessdate=31 August 2017 |publisher=AHB Community School }}</ref> |
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Austin is also home to child developmental institutions including the [[Center for Autism and Related Disorders]], the Central Texas Autism Center, [[Johnson Center for Child Health and Development]] and many more. |
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==Media== |
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{{see also|List of newspapers in Texas|List of radio stations in Texas|List of television stations in Texas}} |
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Austin's main daily newspaper is the ''[[Austin American-Statesman]]''. ''[[The Austin Chronicle]]'' is Austin's [[alternative weekly]], while ''[[The Daily Texan]]'' is the student newspaper of the [[University of Texas at Austin]]. Austin's business newspaper is the weekly ''[[Austin Business Journal]]''. [http://www.austinmonitor.com ''The Austin Monitor''] is an online outlet that specializes in insider reporting on City Hall, Travis County Commissioners Court, AISD, and other related local civics beats. The ''Monitor'' is backed by the nonprofit Capital of Texas Media Foundation. Austin also has numerous smaller special interest or sub-regional newspapers such as the ''[[Oak Hill Gazette]]'', ''Westlake Picayune'', ''Hill Country News'', ''Round Rock Leader'', ''NOKOA'', and ''The Villager'' among others. ''[[Texas Monthly]]'', a major regional magazine, is also headquartered in Austin. The ''[[Texas Observer]]'', a muckraking biweekly political magazine, has been based in Austin for over five decades. The weekly ''[[Community Impact Newspaper]]'' published by John Garrett, former publisher of the ''[[Austin Business Journal]]'' has five regional editions and is delivered to every house and business within certain ZIP Codes and all of the news is specific to those ZIP Codes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.impactnews.com/reader-services/248-general/1805-distribution-map |title=Community Impact Distribution Map |work=Community Impact Newspaper |date=October 29, 2008 |accessdate=October 28, 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013094040/http://impactnews.com/reader-services/248-general/1805-distribution-map |archivedate=October 13, 2008 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy }}</ref> Another statewide publication based in Austin is ''[[The Texas Tribune]]'', an on-line publication focused on Texas politics.<ref name="nytimes.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/18/business/media/18texas.html|title=Web News Start-Up Has Its Eye on Texas|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|accessdate=September 19, 2014|first=Richard|last=Pérez-Peña|date=July 17, 2009}}</ref> The ''Tribune'' is "user-supported" through donations, a business model similar to public radio.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-thornton/what-if-the-non-profit-me_b_248284.html |title=The Huffington Post: What If: The Non-Profit Media Model |work=[[The Huffington Post]]|accessdate=July 3, 2010 | first=John |last=Thornton |date=August 1, 2009}}</ref> The editor is [[Evan Smith (journalist)|Evan Smith]], former editor of ''Texas Monthly''. Smith co-founded the ''Texas Tribune'', a nonprofit, non-partisan public media organization, with Austin venture capitalist John Thornton and veteran journalist Ross Ramsey.<ref name="nytimes.com"/><ref>[http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/politics/Texas_Tribune_set_as_state_watchdog.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090728065728/http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/politics/Texas_Tribune_set_as_state_watchdog.html|date=July 28, 2009}}</ref> |
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Commercial radio stations include [[KASE-FM]] ([[Country music|country]]), [[KVET (AM)|KVET]] (sports), [[KVET-FM]] (country), [[KKMJ-FM]] ([[adult contemporary]]), [[KLBJ (AM)|KLBJ]] (talk), [[KLBJ-FM]] ([[classic rock]]), [[KTSN (AM)|KTSN]] (progressive country), [[KFMK]] (contemporary Christian), [[KOKE-FM]] ([[progressive country]]) and [[KPEZ]] ([[rhythmic contemporary]]). [[KUT-FM]] is the leading [[Public broadcasting|public radio]] station in Texas and produces the majority of its content locally.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austin360.com/music/content/music/stories/2008/08/0817kut.html |title=KUT's 50 years of not playing the hits |last=Beach |first=Patrick |work=[[Austin American-Statesman]] |date=August 15, 2008 |accessdate=October 25, 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222023451/http://www.austin360.com/music/content/music/stories/2008/08/0817kut.html |archivedate=December 22, 2008 }}</ref> [[KOOP (FM)]] is a volunteer-run radio station with more than 60 locally produced programs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.koop.org |title=KOOP Website|publisher=Koop.org|accessdate=September 19, 2014}}</ref> [[KVRX]] is the student-run college radio station of the University of Texas at Austin with a focus on local and non-mainstream music and community programming.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kvrx.org |title=KVRX Website|publisher=Kvrx.org|accessdate=September 19, 2014}}</ref> Other listener-supported stations include [[KAZI]] ([[urban contemporary]]), and [[KMFA]] ([[Classical music|classical]]) |
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Network television stations (affiliations in parentheses) include [[KTBC (TV)|KTBC]] (Fox [[Owned-and-operated station|O&O]]), [[KVUE]] (ABC), [[KXAN]] (NBC), [[KEYE-TV]] (CBS), [[KLRU]] (PBS), [[KNVA]] (The CW), [[KBVO (TV)|KBVO]] (My Network TV), and [[KAKW]] (Univision [[Owned-and-operated station|O&O]]). KLRU produces several award-winning locally produced programs such as ''[[Austin City Limits]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/tvblog/entries/2007/10/29/austin_stations_win_lone_star_emmys.html |title = Austin stations win Lone Star Emmys |last = Holloway |first = Diane |work = [[Austin American-Statesman]] |date = October 29, 2007 |accessdate = October 25, 2008 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20081207055031/http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/tvblog/entries/2007/10/29/austin_stations_win_lone_star_emmys.html |archivedate = December 7, 2008 |deadurl = yes |df = mdy-all }}</ref> |
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Alex Jones, conspiracist, radio show host and filmmaker, produces his talk show ''[[The Alex Jones Show]]'' in Austin which broadcasts nationally on more than 60 AM and FM radio stations in the [[United States]], [[WWCR]] Radio shortwave and [[XM Radio]]: Channel 166.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siriusxm.com/americastalk |title=America's Talk: Compelling Talk Show Hosts |publisher=Siriusxm.com |date= |accessdate=January 19, 2013}}</ref> |
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==Transportation== |
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In 2009, 72.7% of Austin (city) commuters drove alone, with other [[mode share]]s being: 10.4% carpool, 6% work from home, 5% use transit, 2.3% walk, and 1% bicycle.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DTTable?_bm=y&-context=dt&-ds_name=ACS_2009_1YR_G00_&-CONTEXT=dt&-mt_name=ACS_2009_1YR_G2000_B08301&-tree_id=309&-redoLog=false&-geo_id=16000US3651000&-geo_id=16000US4805000&-search_results=16000US4805000&-format=&-SubjectID=18600011 |title = Table B08406. Sex of Workers by Means of Transportation for Workplace Geography – Universe: Workers 16 Years and Over|work = 2009 American Community Survey|publisher = United States Census Bureau}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Yonah Freemark|url=https://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2010/10/13/transit-mode-share-trends-looking-steady-rail-appears-to-encourage-non-automobile-commutes/|access-date=31 October 2017|date= 13 October 2010|title=Transit Mode Share Trends Looking Steady; Rail Appears to Encourage Non-Automobile Commutes|website=Transport Politic}}</ref> In 2016, the [[American Community Survey]] estimated modal shares for Austin (city) commuters of 73.5% for driving alone, 9.6% for carpooling, 3.6% for riding transit, 2% for walking, and 1.5% for cycling.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/16_1YR/S0801/1600000US4805000|series=American Fact Finder|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=31 October 2017|title=2015 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates: Commuting Characteristics by Sex}}</ref> The city of Austin has a lower than average percentage of households without a car. In 2015, 6.9 percent of Austin households lacked a car, and decreased slightly to 6 percent in 2016. The national average is 8.7 percent in 2016. Austin averaged 1.65 cars per household in 2016, compared to a national average of 1.8.<ref>{{cite web|title=Car Ownership in U.S. Cities Data and Map|journal=Governing|url=http://www.governing.com/gov-data/car-ownership-numbers-of-vehicles-by-city-map.html|accessdate=May 3, 2018}}</ref> |
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===Highways=== |
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{{See also|List of highways in Travis County, Texas}} |
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[[File:Pennybacker Bridge View.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Pennybacker Bridge]] is the signature element of [[Texas Loop 360|Loop 360]] in the [[Texas Hill Country]].]] |
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Central Austin lies between two major north-south freeways: [[Interstate 35 in Texas|Interstate 35]] to the east and the [[State Highway Loop 1 (Texas)|Mopac Expressway (Loop 1)]] to the west. [[U.S. Highway 183 (Texas)|U.S. Highway 183]] runs from northwest to southeast, and [[State Highway 71 (Texas)|State Highway 71]] crosses the southern part of the city from east to west, completing a rough "box" around central and north-central Austin. Austin is the largest city in the United States to be served by only one Interstate Highway. |
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[[U.S. Highway 290 (Texas)|U.S. Highway 290]] enters Austin from the east and merges into Interstate 35. Its highway designation continues south on I-35 and then becomes part of Highway 71, continuing to the west. Highway 290 splits from Highway 71 in southwest Austin, in an interchange known as "The Y." Highway 71 continues to [[Brady, Texas]], and Highway 290 continues west to intersect [[Interstate 10 in Texas|Interstate 10]] near [[Junction, Texas|Junction]]. Interstate 35 continues south through [[San Antonio]] to [[Laredo, Texas|Laredo]] on the Texas-Mexico border. Interstate 35 is the highway link to the Dallas-Fort Worth metro-plex in northern Texas. There are two links to Houston, Texas (Highway 290 and State Highway 71/Interstate 10). Highway 183 leads northwest of Austin toward [[Lampasas, Texas|Lampasas]]. |
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In the mid-1980s, construction was completed on [[State Highway Loop 360 (Texas)|Loop 360]], a scenic highway that curves through the hill country from near the 71/Mopac interchange in the south to near the 183/Mopac interchange in the north. The iconic [[Pennybacker Bridge]], also known as the "360 Bridge", crosses Lake Austin to connect the northern and southern portions of Loop 360. |
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===Tollways=== |
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[[File:Texas45.jpg|thumb|right|Interchange of Interstate 35 and [[State Highway 45 (Texas)|State Highway 45]]]] |
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[[State Highway 130 (Texas)|State Highway 130]] is a bypass route designed to relieve traffic congestion, starting from Interstate 35 just north of Georgetown and running along a parallel route to the east, where it bypasses [[Round Rock, Texas|Round Rock]], Austin, [[San Marcos, Texas|San Marcos]] and [[New Braunfels, Texas|New Braunfels]] before ending at [[Interstate 10]] east of [[Seguin, Texas|Seguin]], where drivers could drive {{convert|30|mi|km}} west to return to Interstate 35 in [[San Antonio, Texas|San Antonio]]. The first segment was opened in November 2006, which was located east of [[Austin–Bergstrom International Airport]] at Austin's southeast corner on [[State Highway 71 (Texas)|State Highway 71]]. Highway 130 runs concurrently with Highway 45 from [[Pflugerville, Texas|Pflugerville]] on the north until it reaches [[US Highway 183|US 183]] well south of Austin, where it splits off and goes west. The entire route of State Highway 130 is now complete with last leg, which opened on November 1, 2012. The highway is noted for having the entire route with a speed limit of at least {{convert|80|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. The 41-mile section of the toll road between Mustang Ridge and Seguin has a posted speed limit of {{convert|85|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, the highest posted [[speed limits in the United States|speed limit in the United States]]. |
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[[State Highway 45 (Texas)|State Highway 45]] runs east-west from just south of Highway 183 in [[Cedar Park, Texas|Cedar Park]] to 130 inside [[Pflugerville, Texas|Pflugerville]] (just east of Round Rock). A tolled extension of State Highway Loop 1 was also created. A new southeast leg of Highway 45 has recently been completed, running from US 183 and the south end of Segment 5 of TX-130 south of Austin due west to I-35 at the [[FM 1327]]/Creedmoor exit between the south end of Austin and [[Buda, Texas|Buda]]. The 183A Toll Road opened March 2007, providing a tolled alternative to U.S. 183 through the cities of [[Leander, Texas|Leander]] and [[Cedar Park, Texas|Cedar Park]]. Currently under construction is a change to East US 290 from US 183 to the town of Manor. Officially, the tollway will be dubbed Tollway 290 with the Manor Expressway as a nickname. |
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Despite the overwhelming initial opposition to the toll road concept when it was first announced, all three toll roads have exceeded revenue projections.<ref name="Toll Road Revenue">{{Cite news| first = Ben | last = Wear | title = Positive signs for financial future of Texas 130; | date = September 28, 2009 | url = http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AASB&p_theme=aasb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_hidethis=no&p_field_label-0=Author&p_text_label-0=Ben%20Wear&p_field_label-1=title&p_bool_label-1=AND&s_dispstring=Toll%20revenue%20exceed%20AND%20byline(Ben%20Wear)%20AND%20date(09/01/2009%20to%2001/01/2010)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=09/01/2009%20to%2001/01/2010)&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(Toll%20revenue%20exceed)&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no | work = Austin American-Statesman | pages = B–1 | accessdate = August 7, 2010 | quote = Report on the tollway...has been making more money than projected.}}</ref> |
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===Airports=== |
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[[File:AUSCentralConcourse.JPG|thumb|The Barbara Jordan Terminal at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport]] |
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Austin's airport is [[Austin–Bergstrom International Airport]] (ABIA) ([[List of airports by IATA code: A#AU|IATA code]] '''AUS'''), located {{convert|5|mi|km|0}} southeast of the city. The airport is on the site of the former [[Bergstrom Air Force Base]], which was closed in 1993 as part of the [[Base Realignment and Closure]] process. Previously, [[Robert Mueller Municipal Airport]] was the commercial airport of Austin. [[Austin Executive Airport]] serves the general aviation coming into the city, as well as other smaller airports outside of the city center. |
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===Intercity bus service=== |
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[[Greyhound Lines]] operates the Austin Station at 916 East Koenig Lane, just east of Airport Boulevard and adjacent to [[Highland Mall]].<ref>"[http://www.greyhound.com/home/TicketCenter/en/terminal.asp?city=680174 Austin, Texas] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122224330/http://www.greyhound.com/home/TicketCenter/en/terminal.asp?city=680174 |date=November 22, 2008 }}." ''Greyhound Lines''. Retrieved on April 7, 2009.</ref> Turimex Internacional operates bus service from Austin to Nuevo Laredo and on to many destinations in Mexico. The Turimex station is located at 5012 East 7th Street, near Shady Lane.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gruposenda.com |title=Grupo Senda – Turimex Internacional |publisher=Grupo Senda |accessdate=August 29, 2009}}</ref> |
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[[Megabus (North America)|Megabus]] offers daily service to San Antonio, Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston from a stop at [[Dobie Center]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://us.megabus.com/Megabus%20expands%20service%20tofrom%20Dallas%20Houston%20San%20Antonio%20and%20five%20cities.aspx |title=Megabus.Com Expands Service To/From Dallas, Houston, San Antonio And Five Cities |publisher=Us.megabus.com |accessdate=September 19, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806001637/http://us.megabus.com/Megabus%20expands%20service%20tofrom%20Dallas%20Houston%20San%20Antonio%20and%20five%20cities.aspx |archivedate=August 6, 2012 }}</ref> |
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===Intercity rail service=== |
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An [[Amtrak]] ''[[Texas Eagle]]'' [[Austin (Amtrak station)|station]] is located in west downtown. Railway segments between Austin and San Antonio have been evaluated for a proposed regional passenger rail project called "Lone Star Rail"; however, failure to come to an agreement with the [[Union Pacific Railroad]], the tracks' current owner, ended the project in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|title=CAMPO Vote Derails Lone Star Rail Project|newspaper=[[KUT]]|date=October 18, 2016|first=Jimmy|last=Maas|first2=Ben|last2=Philpott|url=http://kut.org/post/campo-vote-derails-lone-star-rail-project|accessdate=May 18, 2018}}</ref> |
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===Public transportation=== |
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{{See also|Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority}} |
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[[File:Austin Metrorail.jpg|thumb|Austin Metrorail train at Downtown Station]] |
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The [[Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] ("Capital Metro") provides public transportation to the city, primarily by bus. Some heavily utilized routes feature [[bus rapid transit]], with {{convert|60|ft|m|adj=on}} long, train-like, high-tech buses. |
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Capital Metro opened a {{convert|32|mi|km|adj=on}} [[regional rail|commuter rail]] system known as [[Capital MetroRail]] on March 22, 2010.<ref name=CapMetroRail>{{cite web|url=http://allsystemsgo.capmetro.org/capital-metrorail-qa.shtml |title=All Systems Go Long-Range Transit Plan |publisher=Capital Metro |accessdate=April 23, 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303163125/http://allsystemsgo.capmetro.org/capital-metrorail-qa.shtml |archivedate=March 3, 2009 }}</ref> The system operates on existing freight rail lines and serves downtown Austin, East Austin, North Central Austin, Northwest Austin, and Leander in its first phase. Future expansion could include a line to Manor and another to Round Rock. The MetroRail system has struggled to build ridership and has faced heavy criticism for its high per-rider cost to the public.<ref>{{cite news|title=Austin's Commuter Rail Is A Monument To Government Waste|first=Scott|last=Beyer|newspaper=[[Forbes]]|date=July 29, 2016|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottbeyer/2016/07/29/austins-commuter-rail-is-a-monument-to-government-waste/|accessdate=7 August 2017}}</ref> |
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Capital Metro has also explored building a [[light rail]] system to connect the MetroRail line to key destinations in Central Austin. On August 7, 2014, the Austin City Council unanimously voted to place a $600 million light rail bond proposal on the November 4, 2014 ballot;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://impactnews.com/austin-metro/central-austin/austin-city-council-puts-road-and-rail-bond-on-ballot/ |title=Austin City Council puts rail bond on ballot |work=Community Impact Newspaper |accessdate=September 15, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812203357/http://impactnews.com/austin-metro/central-austin/austin-city-council-puts-road-and-rail-bond-on-ballot/ |archivedate=August 12, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref> the ballot measure was voted down, and no further rail expansions have been put to voters since. |
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[[Capital Area Rural Transportation System]] connects Austin with outlying suburbs. |
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In Summer 2018, Capital Metro began testing [[autonomous vehicle|autonomous]] [[electric vehicle|electric shuttles]] on Downtown streets; the pilot program tested two driverless bus models from [[EasyMile]] and [[Navya SAS|Navya]] on a route from the Austin Convention Center to the Austin Central Library.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://austin.curbed.com/2018/6/26/17506930/driverless-buses-austin-pilot-program |title=Driverless shuttle pilot program coming to downtown Austin |author=Widner, Cindy |work=Curbed |date=June 26, 2018 |accessdate=October 1, 2018}}</ref> Capital Metro is also considering implementing full-size driverless buses, likely to be included on a 2020 transportation referendum.<ref>{{cite web |url=Capital Metro to consider self-driving buses |title=Capital Metro to consider self-driving buses |author=Trejo, Rebecca |work=KVUE |date=September 18, 2018 |accessdate=October 1, 2018}}</ref> |
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===Ride sharing=== |
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Austin is served by several [[ride-sharing]] companies including [[Uber]], [[Lyft]], and RideAustin. On May 9, 2016, Uber and Lyft temporarily ceased operations in Austin in response to a city ordinance that required drivers for Uber, Lyft, and other transportation network companies to get fingerprint checks, to have their vehicles labeled, and to not pick up and drop off in certain city lanes.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/texas-capital-city-votes-to-keep-fingerprinting-for-uber-lyft-drivers-1462796972|title = Uber, Lyft Shut Down in Austin Over Fingerprint Vote. Ride-hailing companies suspend operations in Austin|last = MacMillan|first = Douglas|last2 = Silverman|first2 = Rachel Emma|date = May 9, 2016|accessdate = August 14, 2016|publisher = ''[[Wall Street Journal]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2016/05/08/uber-lyft-halt-austin-service-after-losing-vote/84119554/|title = Uber, Lyft halt Austin service after losing vote|last = Woodyard|first = Chris|last2 = Toppo|first2 = Greg|date = May 8, 2016|accessdate = August 14, 2016|publisher = ''[[USA Today]]''}}</ref> The ban was lifted in Summer 2017. The city was also served by [[Fasten (company)|Fasten]] until they ceased all Austin operations in March 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kxan.com/news/business/ride-hail-app-fasten-shutting-down-operations-in-austin/1031529515 |title=Ride-hail app Fasten shutting down operations in Austin |author=Jechow, Andy |work=KXAN |date=March 2, 2018 |accessdate=September 30, 2018}}</ref> |
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The City of Austin is partnered with Austin B-cycle, a nonprofit [[bike-sharing]] service with 63 stations in and around downtown for [[electric bicycles]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20161130/austin-b-cycle-with-rentals-on-the-rise-adding-bikes-and-stations |title=Austin B-cycle, with rentals on the rise, adding bikes and stations |author=Wear, Ben |work=Austin American-Statesman |date=November 30, 2016 |accessdate=September 30, 2018}}</ref> In 2018, [[LimeBike]] began offering dockless bikes, which do not need to be docked at a designation station.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://austin.curbed.com/2018/8/27/17788496/austin-dockless-scooters-bikes-affordable-lime |title=Lime makes dockless bikes, scooters more affordable to underserved |author=Widner, Cindy |work=[[Curbed]] |date=August 27, 2018 |accessdate=September 30, 2018}}</ref> |
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In 2018, [[scooter-sharing system|scooter-sharing]] companies LimeBike and Bird debuted [[electric scooters]] in Austin. The city briefly banned the scooters - which were operating without a permit - until the city unveiled their "dockless mobility" permitting process on May 1, 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2018/05/01/flock-electric-scooters-suddenly-descended-austin-now-city-scrambling-/ |title=A flock of electric scooters suddenly descended on Austin. Now the city is scrambling to regulate them. |author=Allbright, Claire |work=[[Texas Tribune]] |date=May 1, 2018 |accessdate=October 1, 2018}}</ref> Dockless electric scooters and bikes are banned from Austin city parks, the University of Texas campus, and the Ann and Roy Butler Trail and boardwalk.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2018/07/e-bikes-e-scooters-not-welcome-in-austin-parks/ |title=E-bikes, e-scooters not welcome in Austin parks |author=Young, Ryan |work=Austin Monitor |date=July 9, 2018 |accessdate=October 1, 2018}}</ref> For the 2018 [[Austin City Limits Music Festival]], the city of Austin offered a designated parking area for dockless bikes and scooters.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://austin.curbed.com/2018/10/1/17920984/acl-fest-2018-parking-scooters-dockless-bikes-where |title=ACL Fest 2018 will have dedicated parking for dockless scooters and bikes |author=Widner, Cindy |work=[[Curbed]] |date=October 1, 2018 |accessdate=October 1, 2018}}</ref> |
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Austin is also served by Electric Cab of North America's six-passenger [[electric car|electric cabs]] that operate on a flexible route from the [[Kramer station|Kramer MetroRail Station]] to [[The Domain (Austin, Texas)|Domain Northside]] and from the [[Downtown station (Capital MetroRail)|Downtown MetroRail station]] and MetroRapid stops to locations between the [[Austin Convention Center]] and near Sixth and Bowie streets by [[Whole Foods]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://communityimpact.com/austin/northwest-austin/environment/2018/02/15/free-electric-cab-service-expands-downtown-austin-sees-success-domain-northside/ |title=Free electric cab service expands into downtown Austin, sees success at Domain Northside |author=Denney, Amy |work=Community Impact Newspaper |date=February 15, 2018 |accessdate=October 1, 2018}}</ref> |
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The city also has access to [[carsharing]] services from [[Car2Go]] and [[Zipcar]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.downtownaustin.com/experience/car-share |title=Car Share |work=Downtown Austin Alliance |accessdate=September 30, 2018}}</ref> |
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===Cycling and walkability=== |
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Austin is known as the most bike-friendly city in Texas, and was ranked the #7 city in the US by [[Bicycling Magazine]] in 2016.<ref>[[Bicycling Magazine]] [http://www.bicycling.com/culture/news/the-50-best-bike-cities-of-2016/slide/1] September 19, 2016</ref> |
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The city's bike advocacy organization is Bike Austin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bikeaustin.org/|title=Bike Austin|work=Bike Austin}}</ref> Bike Texas, a state-level advocacy organization, also has its main office in Austin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.biketexas.org/about/contact-information?lang=en_US.utf8%2C+en_US.UTF-8%2C+en_US%2C+eng_US%2C+en%2C+english%2C+english-us%2C+us%2C+usa%2C+america%2C+united+states%2C+united-states|title=About Us; Contact - BikeTexas|website=Biketexas.org|accessdate=2017-01-27}}</ref> |
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[[Bicycle]]s are a popular transportation choice among students, faculty, and staff at the [[University of Texas at Austin|University of Texas]]. According to a survey done at the University of Texas, 57% of commuters bike to campus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://parking.utexas.edu/bike/survey.html|title=Bike Survey Results {{!}} BikeUT {{!}} Parking & Transportation Services (PTS) {{!}} The University of Texas at Austin|website=Parking.utexas.edu|access-date=2017-01-31|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202060644/http://parking.utexas.edu/bike/survey.html|archivedate=February 2, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> |
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A 2013 study by [[Walk Score]] ranked Austin 35th most walkable of the 50 largest U.S. cities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.walkscore.com/rankings/cities/|title=2011 City and Neighborhood Rankings |publisher=Walk Score |year=2011 |accessdate=August 28, 2011}}</ref> More recently, Walk Score rated some Austin neighborhoods among the most walkable in Texas. Downtown Austin scored 88 points out of a possible 100, with the West Campus neighborhood scoring 87, and East Austin scoring 81.<ref>{{cite web|author=Bean, Keena|publisher=Redfin|title=The 10 Most Walkable Neighborhoods in Texas|accessdate=May 18, 2018|date=March 25, 2016}}</ref> |
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[[File:Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge.jpg|thumb|center|700px|The Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge over the Colorado River.]] |
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==Notable people== |
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{{Main|List of people from Austin, Texas}} |
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{{See also|List of University of Texas at Austin alumni}} |
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==Twin towns – sister cities== |
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[[File:AustinSaltilloSisterAustinTX.JPG|thumb|right|Sister city monument in Austin commemorating the relationship with [[Saltillo]]]] |
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List of [[Twin towns and sister cities|sister cities]] of Austin, Texas, designated by [[Sister Cities International]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sister-cities.org/interactive-map/Austin,%20Texas |title=Austin Sister Cities |accessdate=July 24, 2014 |publisher=Sister Cities International |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724170507/http://sister-cities.org/interactive-map/Austin%2C%20Texas |archivedate=July 24, 2014 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> |
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* {{flagdeco|AUS}} [[City of Adelaide|Adelaide]], [[South Australia]], Australia – since 1983 |
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* {{flagdeco|FRA}} [[Angers]], [[Maine-et-Loire]], [[Pays de la Loire]], France – since 2011 |
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* {{flagdeco|BRA}} [[Manaus]], [[Amazonas (Brazilian state)|Amazonas]], Brazil – since 2015<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.cmm.am.gov.br/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/LEI_2044_DE_16_10_2015.pdf |format=PDF |title=O PREFEITO DE MANAUS, no uso das atribuições que lhe são conferidas pelo art. 80, inc. IV, da Lei Orgânica do Município de Manaus, FAÇO SABER que o Poder Legislativo decretou e eu sanciono a seguinte |website=Cmm.am.gov.br |accessdate=2017-01-27}}</ref> |
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* {{flagdeco|TUR}} [[Antalya|Antalya Kepez]], Turkey – since 2009 |
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* {{flagdeco|ROK}} [[Gwangmyeong]], [[Gyeonggi]], South Korea – since 2001 |
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* {{flagdeco|UK}} [[London Borough of Hackney|Hackney]], [[Greater London]], [[United Kingdom]] - since February 2014<ref>{{cite news | first = Marissa | last = Barnett | title = Austin picks up 13th sister city in London borough of Hackney | date = February 27, 2014 | publisher = Cox Media Group | url = http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/austin-picks-up-13th-sister-city-in-london-borough/nd27r/ | work = Austin American-Statesman | accessdate = February 28, 2014}}</ref> |
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* {{flagdeco|DEU}} [[Koblenz]], [[Rhineland-Palatinate]], Germany – since 1991 |
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* {{flagdeco|PER}} [[Lima]], Peru – since 1981 |
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* {{flagdeco|LSO}} [[Maseru]], Lesotho – since 1978 |
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* {{flagdeco|JPN}} [[Ōita, Ōita|Ōita City]], Japan – since 1990 |
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* {{flagdeco|NGA}} [[Orlu, Imo|Orlu]], [[Imo State|Imo]], Nigeria – since 2000 |
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* {{flagdeco|MEX}} [[Saltillo]], [[Coahuila]], Mexico – since 1968 |
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* {{flagdeco|ROC}} [[Taichung]], Taiwan – since 1986 |
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* {{flagdeco|PRC}} [[Xishuangbanna]], [[Yunnan]], People's Republic of China – since 1997 |
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* {{flagdeco|IND}} [[Pune]], [[Maharashtra]], India – since 2018 |
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The cities of [[Belo Horizonte]], [[Minas Gerais]], Brazil and [[Elche]], [[Province of Alicante|Alicante]], [[Valencian Community]], Spain were formerly sister cities, but upon a vote of the Austin City Council in 1991, their status was de-activated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/edims/document.cfm?id=24471 |title=Austin City Council Minutes |accessdate=March 21, 2010 |work=Austin City Connection |publisher=City of Austin}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
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{{portal|Austin|Texas}} |
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* [[List of people from Austin, Texas]] |
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* [[List of companies based in Austin, Texas]] |
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* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Travis County, Texas]] |
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* [[Silicon Hills]] |
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* [[Easton Park]], a [[planned unit development]] in the southeast portion of Austin |
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* [[South by Southwest]] |
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* [[Williamson Creek Greenbelt]] |
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==Notes== |
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{{Notelist}} |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist|30em}} |
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==Bibliography== |
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* {{Cite book|title=Romantic Weekends Texas |author=Abbott, Mary Lu |year=2003 |publisher=Hunter Publishing |location=Edison, New Jersey |edition=2 |isbn=978-1-58843-358-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z6TOeGvQdFsC}} |
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* {{Cite book|title=Frommer's San Antonio & Austin |author=Baird, David |year=2009 |publisher=[[Frommer's]] |location=Hoboken, New Jersey |isbn=978-0-470-43789-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CBJ5p4oC7HsC}} |
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* {{Cite book|title=Camino Del Norte: How a Series of Watering Holes, Fords, And Dirt Trails Evolved into Interstate 35 in Texas |author=Erlichman, Howard J. |year=2006 |publisher=Texas A&M University Press |location=College Station, Texas |isbn=978-1-58544-473-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nNAwb0ycptoC}} |
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* {{Cite book|title=Insiders' Guide to Austin |author1=Rossie, Cam |author2=Hylton, Hilary |year=2009 |publisher=Global Pequot |location=Guilford, Connecticut |isbn=978-0-7627-4864-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k6692W5sYakC}} |
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* {{Cite book|title=Austin, Texas |author1=Thompson, Karen |author2=Howell, Kathy R. |year=2000 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=978-0-7385-0832-0 |location=Charleston, South Carolina |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=raCa0HuWAX0C}} |
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* {{Cite book|title=Trees of central Texas |author=Vines, Robert A. |publisher=University of Texas Press |location=Austin, Texas |year=1984 |isbn=978-0-292-78058-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zdzusoTpjUMC}} |
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==Further reading== |
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* Long, Joshua (2010). ''[[Weird City|Weird City: Sense of Place and Creative Resistance in Austin, Texas]]''. University of Texas Press. |
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* {{Cite book|title=Dissonant identities: the rock'n'roll scene in Austin, Texas |author=Shank, Barry |year=1994 |publisher=University Press of New England |location=Hanover, New Hampshire |isbn=978-0-8195-6276-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v79of-KXnfgC&printsec=frontcover&cd=10}} |
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* Swearingen Jr., William Scott ''Environmental City: People, Place, and the Meaning of Modern Austin'' (University of Texas Press; 2010) 273 pages; traces the history of environmentalism in the Texas capital, which has been part of a larger effort to preserve Austin's quality of life and sense of place. |
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== External links == |
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{{Sister project links |
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|voy = Austin, Texas |
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}} |
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* [http://www.austintexas.gov/ AustinTexas.gov] - official city website |
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* [http://www.austintexas.org/ Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau] |
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* [http://www.austinchamber.com/ Austin Chamber of Commerce] |
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* [http://texashistory.unt.edu/browse/contributor/ASPL/ Historic photographs from the Austin History Center], hosted by the [http://texashistory.unt.edu/ Portal to Texas History] |
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* {{Handbook of Texas |id = hda03 |name = Austin}} |
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* {{osmrelation|113314}} |
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{{Austin}} |
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{{Greater Austin}} |
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{{Republic of Texas}} |
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{{Texas}} |
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{{Texas cities and mayors of 100,000 population}} |
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[[Category:Austin, Texas| ]]<!--please leave the empty space as standard--> |
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[[Category:Cities in Texas]] |
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[[Category:Cities in Hays County, Texas]] |
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[[Category:Cities in Travis County, Texas]] |
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[[Category:Cities in Williamson County, Texas]] |
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[[Category:County seats in Texas]] |
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[[Category:Cities in Greater Austin]] |
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[[Category:Planned cities in the United States]] |
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[[Category:Populated places established in 1839]] |
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[[Category:UNESCO Creative Cities Network]] |
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Revision as of 18:22, 16 January 2019
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