Athens, Texas

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

Athens, Texas
City
City Hall in Athens, 508 E. Tyler St.
Motto:  "Hamburgers – Heritage – Texas" [1]
Location of Athens, Texas
Coordinates: 32°12′10″N95°50′57″W / 32.20278°N 95.84917°W / 32.20278; -95.84917
Country	United States
State	Texas
County	Henderson
Incorporated	1856
Government
• Type	Council-Manager
•  City Council	Mayor, Aaron Smith Mark Carroll Cody Craig SyTanna Freeman Mayor Pro Tem, Robert Gross
•  City Manager	Elizabeth Borstad
Area [2]
• 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 [3]	489 ft (149 m)
Population  (2020) [4]
• Total	12,857
• 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 [5]
GNIS feature ID	1329816 [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]

Geography

Athens is located in central Henderson County at 32°12′10″N95°50′57″W / 32.20278°N 95.84917°W / 32.20278; -95.84917 (32.202782, –95.849140). ^[12]

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. ^[13]

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. ^[14] The town was heavily damaged by a low-end EF2 tornado on November 4, 2022. ^{[15] [16]}

Climate data for Athens, Texas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1903–present)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
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)
Average high °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)
Average low °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)	trace	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)	0.2 (0.51)	0.8 (2.03)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	7.2	7.5	8.0	6.2	7.2	6.7	4.5	4.8	4.9	6.5	6.7	7.5	77.7
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	0.1	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.1	0.3
Source 1: NOAA (snow/snow days 1981–2010) [17] [18]
Source 2: National Weather Service [19]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
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%
2020	12,857		1.2%
U.S. Decennial Census [20]

Athens racial composition as of 2020 ^[21]
(NH = Non-Hispanic) ^{[lower-alpha 1]}

Race	Number	Percentage
White (NH)	6,328	49.22%
Black or African American (NH)	2,059	16.01%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	26	0.2%
Asian (NH)	133	1.03%
Pacific Islander (NH)	10	0.08%
Some Other Race (NH)	48	0.37%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)	428	3.33%
Hispanic or Latino	3,825	29.75%
Total	12,857

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. ^[23]

The structure of the management and coordination of city services is: ^[24]

City department	Director
City Manager	Elizabeth Borstad
City Secretary	Bonnie Hambrick
Director of Finance	Mandie Quigg
Human Resources Manager	Sissy Geddie
Chief of Police	VACANT
Fire Chief	Gregory Werner
Director of Public Works	Tim Perry
Director of Development Services	Audrey Sloan
Director of Utilities	Randy Williams

State and federal representation

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) operates the Athens District Parole Office in Athens. ^[25]

The United States Postal Service operates the Athens Post Office. ^[26]

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

• Fred Agnich, Texas businessman, rancher, state legislator from Dallas; owned a wildlife preserve near Athens ^[27]
• Fletcher Davis, one of a number of Americans who lay claim to inventing the modern hamburger
• Pete Donohue, Major League Baseball pitcher
• Jon Garrett, racing driver
• Jakeem Grant, NFL wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns
• 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 ^[28]
• Tay Money, rapper
• Clint W. Murchison, Jr., businessman and founder of the Dallas Cowboys football team ^[29]
• Sid W. Richardson, native of Athens, Texas, oilman, cattleman, philanthropist
• Barron Tanner, former NFL defensive lineman

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. ^[22]

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. 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. "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. "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. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
13. "Lake Athens". tpwd.texas.gov. State of Texas. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
14. Climate Summary for Athens, Texas
15. "ArcGIS Web Application". apps.dat.noaa.gov. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
16. "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.
17. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Athens, TX (1991–2020)". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
18. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Athens, TX (1981–2010)". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
19. "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Dallas". National Weather Service. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
20. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
21. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
22. "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
23. 2006-07 CAFR Archived November 15, 2010, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2009-06-10
24. City of Athens website Retrieved 2016-12-20
25. "Parole Division Region I Archived 2011-09-28 at the Wayback Machine ." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
26. "Post Office Location - ATHENS." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
27. "Fred R. Agnich Papers". lib.utexas.edu. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
28. "Buffalo Bills: Terrence McGee". Buffalo Bills. 2017. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
29. Helen Markel. "A Business Of 'brim'", Sports Illustrated, May 21, 1956.

• Texas portal

External links

• City of Athens official website
• 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"