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Athens, Texas
City Hall in Athens, 508 E. Tyler St.
City Hall in Athens, 508 E. Tyler St.
Motto(s): 
"Hamburgers – Heritage – Texas"
Location of Athens, Texas
Location of Athens, Texas
Henderson County Athens.svg
Country  United States
State TexasTexas
County Henderson
Government
 • Type Council-Manager
Area
 • Total 20.20 sq mi (52.31 km2)
 • Land 17.83 sq mi (46.19 km2)
 • Water 2.37 sq mi (6.13 km2)
Elevation
489 ft (149 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 12,710
 • Estimate 
(2019)
12,753
 • Density 715.13/sq mi (276.11/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
75751-75752
Area codes 430, 903
FIPS code 48-04504
GNIS feature ID 1329816

Athens is a city and the county seat of Henderson County, Texas, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 12,710. The city has called itself the "Black-Eyed Pea Capital of the World." Athens was selected as one of the first "Certified Retirement Communities" in Texas. It was named after Greece's capital.

Geography

Athens is located at 32°12′10″N 95°50′57″W / 32.20278°N 95.84917°W / 32.20278; -95.84917 (32.202782, -95.849140).

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.

Surrounding municipalities

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1860 240
1870 545 127.1%
1880 368 −32.5%
1890 1,035 181.3%
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 10,967 7.6%
2000 11,297 3.0%
2010 12,710 12.5%
2019 (est.) 12,753 0.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

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

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

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

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

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

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Athens has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Historical population
Census Pop.
1860 240
1870 545 127.1%
1880 368 −32.5%
1890 1,035 181.3%
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 10,967 7.6%
2000 11,297 3.0%
2010 12,710 12.5%
2015 (est.) 12,788 0.6%
U.S. Decennial Census
  • Athens, TX from the Handbook of Texas Online



Education

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

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

Notable people

  • Fred Agnich, Texas businessman, rancher, state legislator from Dallas; owned a wildlife preserve near Athens
  • Fletcher Davis, one of a number of Americans who lay claim to inventing the modern hamburger
  • Pete Donohue, Major League Baseball pitcher
  • Jakeem Grant, NFL wide receiver for Miami Dolphins
  • William R. Hawn, businessman, sportsman
  • William Wayne Justice, former United States District Court judge
  • Fred LaRue, former aide to President Richard Nixon. Served four and a half months in prison after pleading guilty to obstruction of justice for his actions pertaining to the Watergate break-in and the following scandal
  • Terrence McGee, former NFL cornerback for Buffalo Bills
  • Tay Money, rapper
  • Clint W. Murchison, Jr., businessman and founder of the Dallas Cowboys football team
  • Sid W. Richardson, native of Athens, Texas, oilman, cattleman, philanthropist
  • Barron Tanner, former NFL defensive lineman

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Athens (Texas) para niños

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