Athens, Texas

Last updated

Athens, Texas
Athens, TX, City Hall IMG 0571.JPG
City Hall in Athens, 508 E. Tyler St.
Motto: 
"Hamburgers – Heritage – Texas" [1]
Athens, Texas
Athens, Texas
Athens, Texas
Athens, Texas
Coordinates: 32°12′20″N95°49′17″W / 32.20556°N 95.82139°W / 32.20556; -95.82139
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
State Flag of Texas.svg Texas
County Henderson
Incorporated1856
Government
  Type Council-Manager
Area
[2]
  Total20.20 sq mi (52.31 km2)
  Land17.83 sq mi (46.19 km2)
  Water2.37 sq mi (6.13 km2)
Elevation
[3]
482 ft (147 m)
Population
 (2020) [4]
  Total12,857
  Density715.13/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 [5]
GNIS feature ID2409747 [3]
Website athenstx.gov

Athens is a city and the county seat of Henderson County, [6] Texas, in the United States. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 12,857. [7] The city has called itself the "Black-Eyed Pea Capital of the World." [8] Athens was selected as one of the first "Certified Retirement Communities" in Texas. [9] Athens was incorporated in 1856 [10] and was named after Athens, the capital of Greece. [11]

Contents

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 19.2 square miles (49.7 km2), of which 16.8 square miles (43.6 km2) are land and 2.4 square miles (6.1 km2), or 12.32%, are covered by water. [7] Lake Athens is a 1,799 acre reservoir located in the eastern half of the city. [12]

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Athens has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps. [13] The town was heavily damaged by a low-end EF2 tornado on November 4, 2022. [14] [15]

Climate data for Athens, Texas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1903–present)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °F (°C)85
(29)
93
(34)
95
(35)
95
(35)
98
(37)
104
(40)
109
(43)
108
(42)
109
(43)
100
(38)
90
(32)
86
(30)
109
(43)
Mean maximum °F (°C)75.4
(24.1)
79.2
(26.2)
83.5
(28.6)
86.5
(30.3)
91.2
(32.9)
95.6
(35.3)
99.6
(37.6)
101.0
(38.3)
97.7
(36.5)
90.8
(32.7)
81.6
(27.6)
76.9
(24.9)
102.2
(39.0)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)57.9
(14.4)
62.0
(16.7)
69.0
(20.6)
76.4
(24.7)
83.2
(28.4)
90.1
(32.3)
94.1
(34.5)
95.1
(35.1)
89.2
(31.8)
79.1
(26.2)
67.6
(19.8)
59.3
(15.2)
76.9
(25.0)
Daily mean °F (°C)46.2
(7.9)
50.2
(10.1)
57.1
(13.9)
64.8
(18.2)
72.9
(22.7)
80.2
(26.8)
83.3
(28.5)
83.7
(28.7)
77.4
(25.2)
66.8
(19.3)
55.9
(13.3)
47.9
(8.8)
65.5
(18.6)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)34.5
(1.4)
38.5
(3.6)
45.2
(7.3)
53.1
(11.7)
62.6
(17.0)
70.3
(21.3)
72.6
(22.6)
72.3
(22.4)
65.7
(18.7)
54.6
(12.6)
44.1
(6.7)
36.5
(2.5)
54.2
(12.3)
Mean minimum °F (°C)18.9
(−7.3)
23.6
(−4.7)
27.5
(−2.5)
37.0
(2.8)
47.0
(8.3)
61.4
(16.3)
66.1
(18.9)
64.8
(18.2)
52.4
(11.3)
37.6
(3.1)
26.3
(−3.2)
21.9
(−5.6)
16.7
(−8.5)
Record low °F (°C)−5
(−21)
−6
(−21)
15
(−9)
25
(−4)
34
(1)
41
(5)
53
(12)
51
(11)
38
(3)
26
(−3)
10
(−12)
−2
(−19)
−6
(−21)
Average precipitation inches (mm)3.54
(90)
3.88
(99)
4.08
(104)
3.82
(97)
4.30
(109)
4.09
(104)
2.53
(64)
2.64
(67)
2.97
(75)
5.09
(129)
3.49
(89)
4.32
(110)
44.75
(1,137)
Average snowfall inches (cm)0.3
(0.76)
0.3
(0.76)
trace0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.2
(0.51)
0.8
(2.03)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)7.27.58.06.27.26.74.54.84.96.56.77.577.7
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)0.10.10.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.10.3
Source 1: NOAA (snow/snow days 19812010) [16] [17]
Source 2: National Weather Service [18]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1860 240
1870 545127.1%
1880 368−32.5%
1890 1,035181.3%
1910 2,261
1920 3,17640.5%
1930 4,34236.7%
1940 4,7659.7%
1950 5,1949.0%
1960 7,08636.4%
1970 9,58235.2%
1980 10,1976.4%
1990 10,9677.6%
2000 11,2973.0%
2010 12,71012.5%
2020 12,8571.2%
U.S. Decennial Census [19]
Athens racial composition as of 2020 [20]
(NH = Non-Hispanic) [lower-alpha 1]
RaceNumberPercentage
White (NH)6,32849.22%
Black or African American (NH)2,05916.01%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)260.2%
Asian (NH)1331.03%
Pacific Islander (NH)100.08%
Some Other Race (NH)480.37%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)4283.33%
Hispanic or Latino 3,82529.75%
Total12,857

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 12,857 people, 4,095 households, and 2,733 families residing in the city.

As of the census [5] of 2010, there were 12,710 people, 4,110 households, and 2,807 families residing in the city. The population density was 772.8 inhabitants per square mile (298.4/km2). There were 4,549 housing units at an average density of 311.2 per square mile (120.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 72.14% White, 19.23% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 6.17% from other races, and 1.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 17.37% of the population.

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

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

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

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

Government

Local government

According to the city's most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the city's various funds had $8.0 million in revenues, $8.6 million in expenditures, and $4.2 million in total assets, $0.7 million in total liabilities, and $0.7 million in cash and investments. [22]

State and federal representation

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) operates the Athens District Parole Office in Athens. [23]

The United States Postal Service operates the Athens Post Office. [24]

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.

Arts and culture

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

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

In addition to Lake Athens, Cedar Creek Reservoir is located northwest of the city, and is a popular vacation destination, especially for Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex residents, some of whom own a lake home on or nearby. Lake Palestine is located to its east.

Notable people

Notes

  1. Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race. [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meridian, Texas</span> City in and county seat of Bosque County, Texas, United States

Meridian is a city in and the county seat of Bosque County in Texas, United States. It is forty-seven miles northwest of Waco. The population was 1,396 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Point Comfort, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Point Comfort is a city in Calhoun County, Texas, United States. It is a part of the Victoria, Texas Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 603 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baird, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Baird is a city and the county seat of Callahan County, Texas, United States. Its population was 1,479 at the 2020 census. The city is named after Matthew Baird, the owner and director of the Texas and Pacific Railway. The railway depot is now operated as the visitor center and a transportation museum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coleman, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Coleman is a town in and the county seat of Coleman County, Texas, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 3,912.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Comanche, Texas</span> Community in Texas, United States

Comanche is a city located in Comanche County in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 4,211 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Comanche County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paducah, Texas</span> Town in Cottle County, Texas, United States

Paducah is a town in Cottle County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,063 at the 2020 census, down from 1,186 in 2010. It is the county seat of Cottle County. It is just south of the Texas Panhandle and east of the Llano Estacado.

Berryville is a town in Henderson County, Texas, United States. The population was 824 at the 2020 census, down from 975 at the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malakoff, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Malakoff is a city in Henderson County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,179 at the 2020 census. The city is named after a Russian fort of Malakoff, which played a pivotal role during the siege of Sevastopol during the Crimean War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stinnett, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Stinnett is a city in and the county seat of Hutchinson County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,650 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ransom Canyon, Texas</span> Town in Texas, United States

Ransom Canyon is a town in Lubbock County of West Texas, United States. The population was 1,189 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Lubbock Metropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slaton, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Slaton is a city in Lubbock County, Texas, United States. Founded by German immigrants, Slaton was the westernmost German settlement in Texas. The population was 5,858 at the 2020 census. Slaton is part of the Lubbock Metropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tahoka, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Tahoka is a city in and the county seat of Lynn County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,375 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madisonville, Texas</span> City in and county seat of Madison County, Texas, United States

Madisonville is a city in Madison County, Texas, United States. The population was 4,420 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Madison County. Both the City of Madisonville and the County of Madison were named for U.S. President James Madison, the fourth chief executive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jefferson, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Jefferson is a city and county seat of Marion County, Texas, in Northeast Texas. It has a population of 1,875 as of the 2020 United States census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goldthwaite, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Goldthwaite is a town and the county seat of Mills County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,738 at the 2020 census, down from 1,878 at the 2010 census.

Bishop is a city in Nueces County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,174 as of the 2020 census, up from 3,134 in the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Point Blank, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Point Blank is a city in San Jacinto County, Texas, United States. The population was 643 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liberty Hill, Texas</span> City in Williamson County, Texas, United States

Liberty Hill is a city in Williamson County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,646 at the 2020 census, and according to 2023 census estimates, the city is estimated to have a population of 10,428. Liberty Hill is part of the Greater Austin metropolitan area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ackerly, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Ackerly is a city in Dawson and Martin Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 264. The Martin county portion of Ackerly is part of the Midland-Odessa metropolitan area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waller, Texas</span> City in Harris and Waller counties in Texas, United States

Waller is a city in Harris and Waller counties in Texas, United States, that is within the Houston–Cypress metropolitan area. Its population was 2,682 at the 2020 U.S. census. The Waller area is located along U.S. Route 290 41 miles (66 km) northwest of downtown Houston.

References

  1. "Welcome to Athens Texas". City of Athens, Texas. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  3. 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Athens, Texas
  4. "State and County Quick Facts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 10, 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  5. 1 2 "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  6. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  7. 1 2 "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Athens city, Texas". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  8. Popik, Barry. "Barry Popik". www.barrypopik.com. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  9. "Athens Texas Chamber of Commerce". Archived from the original on September 22, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  10. Association, Texas State Historical. "Athens, TX". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  11. A Memorial and Biographical History of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon Counties, Texas. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company. 1893. p. 207. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  12. "Lake Athens". tpwd.texas.gov. State of Texas. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
  13. Climate Summary for Athens, Texas
  14. "ArcGIS Web Application". apps.dat.noaa.gov. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  15. "NWS Damage Survey for 11/04/22 Tornado Event Update #3". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. National Weather Service in Fort Worth, Texas. November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  16. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Athens, TX (19912020)". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  17. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Athens, TX (19812010)". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  18. "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Dallas". National Weather Service. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  19. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  20. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  21. "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  22. 2006-07 CAFR Archived November 15, 2010, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2009-06-10
  23. "Parole Division Region I Archived 2011-09-28 at the Wayback Machine ." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
  24. "Post Office Location - ATHENS." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
  25. "Fred R. Agnich Papers". lib.utexas.edu. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  26. "Buffalo Bills: Terrence McGee". Buffalo Bills. 2017. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
  27. Helen Markel. "A Business Of 'brim'", Sports Illustrated, May 21, 1956.