Athens, Texas
Athens, Texas | |
---|---|
Country | United States |
State | Texas |
County | Henderson |
Government | |
• Type | Council-Manager |
• City Council | Mayor Jerry Don Vaught Monte Montgomery Carol Barton Aubrey Jones, Jr. Elaine Jenkins |
• City Manager | Pam J. Burton |
Area | |
• Total | 17.0 sq mi (43.9 km2) |
• Land | 14.6 sq mi (37.9 km2) |
• Water | 2.4 sq mi (6.1 km2) |
Elevation | 489 ft (149 m) |
Population (2010) | |
• Total | 12,710 |
• Density | 772.8/sq mi (298.4/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
ZIP codes | 75751-75752 |
Area code(s) | 430, 903 |
FIPS code | 48-04504Template:GR |
GNIS feature ID | 1329816Template:GR |
Website | http://athenstexas.us/ |
Athens is a city in Henderson County, Texas, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 12,710. It is the county seat of Henderson CountyTemplate:GR. The city also calls itself the "Black-Eyed Pea Capital of the World." Athens was selected as one of the first 'Certified Retirement Communities' in Texas.[1]
Geography
Athens is located at 32°12′10″N 95°50′57″W / 32.20278°N 95.84917°W (32.202782, -95.849140)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.0 square miles (44.0 km2), of which 14.6 square miles (37.8 km2) is land and 2.3 square miles (6.0 km2) (13.85%) is water.
Demographics
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1850 | 177 | — |
1860 | — | |
1870 | 500 | — |
1880 | — | |
1890 | — | |
1900 | — | |
1910 | 2,261 | — |
1920 | 3,176 | +40.5% |
1930 | 4,342 | +36.7% |
1940 | 4,765 | +9.7% |
1950 | 5,194 | +9.0% |
1960 | 7,086 | +36.4% |
1970 | 9,582 | +35.2% |
1980 | 10,197 | +6.4% |
1990 | 10,982 | +7.7% |
2000 | 11,297 | +2.9% |
2010 | 12,710 | +12.5% |
Texas Almanac: 1850-2000[3] |
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2010, there were 12,710 people, 4,110 households, and 2,807 families residing in the city. The population density was 772.8 people per square mile (298.3/km²). There were 4,549 housing units at an average density of 311.2 per square mile (120.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 72.14% White, 19.23% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 6.17% from other races, and 1.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.37% of the population.
There were 4,110 households out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 15.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% are classified as non-families by the United States Census Bureau. Of 4,110 households, 131 are unmarried partner households: 106 heterosexual, 14 same-sex male, and 11 same-sex female households. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,372, and the median income for a family was $35,359. Males had a median income of $27,388 versus $19,375 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,561. About 14.7% of families and 18.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.5% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 or over.
Notable people
- William R. Hawn, businessman, sportsman
- William Wayne Justice, former United States District Court judge
- James C. Spencer, former member of the Texas House of Representatives, 1939–1941, 1947–1949,[4] later Henderson county judge
- Terrence McGee, NFL Cornerback for the Buffalo Bills
- Barron Tanner, former NFL defensive lineman
- Clint W. Murchison, Jr., businessman and founder of the Dallas Cowboys football team[5]
- Sid W. Richardson, native of Athens, Texas, oilman, cattleman, philanthropist
Government
Local government
According to the city’s most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the city’s various funds had $8.0 million in Revenues, $8.6 million in Expenditures, and $4.2. million in Total Assets, $0.7 million in Total Liabilities, and $0.7 million in cash and investments.[6]
The structure of the management and coordination of city services is:[7]
City Department | Director |
---|---|
City Administrator | Pam J. Burton |
Director of Finance and Technology | David Hopkins, CPA |
Human Resources Director | Haven Cox |
Fire Chief | John McQueary |
Police Chief | Michael D. Hill, Jr. |
Director of Planning & Development | Gary Crecelius |
Tourism Coordinator | Sherri Skeeters |
State and federal representation
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) operates the Athens District Parole Office in Athens.[8]
The United States Postal Service operates the Athens Post Office.[9]
Education
The city of Athens is served by the Athens Independent School District and home to the Athens High School Hornets.
Local Attractions
(listed alphabetically)
- Athens Scuba Park
- Cain Center and Cain Park, Civic and Fitness Center
- East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society
- Henderson County Regional Fair Park Complex
- Henderson County Historical Museum
- NY-TX Zipline Adventures
- Tara Vineyards and Winery
- Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center
Points of Interest
- Henderson County Performing Arts Center
- Trinity Valley Community College (headquarters and Henderson County Campus)
References
- ^ http://www.athenscc.org/relocate.htm
- ^ U.S. Decennial Census
- ^ Texas Almanac: City Population History 1850-2000
- ^ "Legislative Reference Library of Texas: James C. Spencer". lrl.state.tx.us. Retrieved March 16, 2011.
- ^ Helen Markel. "A Business Of 'brim'", Sports Illustrated, May 21, 1956.
- ^ 2006-07 CAFR Retrieved 2009-06-10
- ^ City of Athenswebsite Retrieved 2009-06-10
- ^ "Parole Division Region I." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
- ^ "Post Office Location - ATHENS." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
External links
- City of Athens, Dept. of Tourism (all you need to know about Athens, Texas)
- City of Athens, Texas
- Athens Chamber of Commerce
- Athens Economic Development Corp.
- Athens, TX from the Handbook of Texas Online
- Bill HCR-15 of the Texas State Legislature (November 2006) designating Athens as the "Original Home of the Hamburger"