Athens, Texas

This article is about the city in Texas. For other uses, see Athens (disambiguation).
Athens, Texas
City

Athens City Hall

Location of Athens, Texas
Coordinates: 32°12′10″N 95°50′57″W / 32.20278°N 95.84917°WCoordinates: 32°12′10″N 95°50′57″W / 32.20278°N 95.84917°W
Country United States United States
State TexasTexas
County Henderson
Government
 • Type Council-Manager
 • City Council Mayor Jerry Don Vaught
Monte Montgomery
Joe Whatley
Charles Elliott
Tres Winn
 • City Manager Philip Rodriguez
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)[1]
 • Total 12,710
 • Estimate (2013)[1] 12,803
 • Density 772.8/sq mi (298.4/km2)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP codes 75751-75752
Area code(s) 430, 903
FIPS code 48-04504[2]
GNIS feature ID 1329816[3]
Website http://athenstexas.us/
Downtown Athens about the Henderson County Courthouse
Prosperity Bank in downtown Athens
First Baptist Church of Athens; pastor Dr. Kyle Henderson (2010)

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 County.[4] 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.[5] It was named after Athens, Alabama by one of the early residents who came from there.[6]

Railroad Park in downtown Athens

Geography

Athens is located at 32°12′10″N 95°50′57″W / 32.20278°N 95.84917°W (32.202782, -95.849140).[7]

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

Historical population
YearPop.±%
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%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
Texas Almanac: 1850-2000[9]

As of the census[2] 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.

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.[10]

The structure of the management and coordination of city services is:[11]

City Department Director
City Administrator Philip Rodriguez
Director of Finance and Technology David Hopkins, CPA
City Secretary Bonnie Hambrick
Human Resources Director Haven Cox
Fire Chief John McQueary
Police Chief Michael D. Hill, Jr.
Director of Planning & Development Gary Crecelius
Director of Utilities Glen Herriage
Tourism Coordinator Sherri Skeeters

State and federal representation

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) operates the Athens District Parole Office in Athens.[12]

The United States Postal Service operates the Athens Post Office.[13]

Education

The city of Athens is served by the Athens Independent School District and home to the Athens High School Hornets.

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

Local Attractions

(listed alphabetically)

Points of Interest

Notable people

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.[19]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "State and County Quick Facts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  4. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  5. ↑ http://www.athenscc.org/relocate.htm
  6. ↑ A Memorial and Biographical History of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon Counties, Texas. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company. 1893. p. 207. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  7. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  8. ↑ U.S. Decennial Census
  9. ↑ Texas Almanac: City Population History 1850-2000
  10. ↑ 2006-07 CAFR Retrieved 2009-06-10
  11. ↑ City of Athenswebsite Retrieved 2009-06-10
  12. ↑ "Parole Division Region I." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Post Office Location - ATHENS." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
  14. ↑ "SWEETEN, JESS". www.tshaonline.org/. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Fred R. Agnich Papers". lib.utexas.edu. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  16. ↑ Helen Markel. "A Business Of 'brim'", Sports Illustrated, May 21, 1956.
  17. ↑ "Legislative Reference Library of Texas: James C. Spencer". lrl.state.tx.us. Retrieved March 16, 2011.
  18. ↑ "About Stuart Spitzer". stuartspitzer.com. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  19. ↑ Climate Summary for Athens, Texas

External links