Athens, Texas
Encyclopedia
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
. According to the Texas Legislature
, Athens is the "Original Home of the Hamburger". 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.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 17 square miles (44 km²), of which 14.6 square miles (37.8 km²) is land and 2.3 square miles (6 km²) (13.85%) is water.
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.
, 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.
The structure of the management and coordination of city services is:
(TDCJ) operates the Athens District Parole Office in Athens.
The United States Postal Service
operates the Athens Post Office.
Henderson County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 73,277 people, 28,804 households, and 20,969 families residing in the county. The population density was 84 people per square mile . There were 35,935 housing units at an average density of 41 per square mile...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As of the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
, the city population was 12,710. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Henderson County
Henderson County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 73,277 people, 28,804 households, and 20,969 families residing in the county. The population density was 84 people per square mile . There were 35,935 housing units at an average density of 41 per square mile...
. According to the Texas Legislature
Texas Legislature
The Legislature of the state of Texas is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Texas. The legislature is a bicameral body composed of a 31-member Senate and a 150-member House of Representatives. The Legislature meets at the Capitol in Austin...
, Athens is the "Original Home of the Hamburger". 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.
Geography
Athens is located at 32°12′10"N 95°50′57"W (32.202782, -95.849140).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 17 square miles (44 km²), of which 14.6 square miles (37.8 km²) is land and 2.3 square miles (6 km²) (13.85%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2010, there were 12,710 people, 4,110 households, and 2,807 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
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
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 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
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
.
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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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. HawnWilliam R. HawnWilliam Russell "Fritz" Hawn was an American businessman and philanthropist who bred and raced Thoroughbred horses, served for twenty years as president of Del Mar Racetrack, owned by life-long friend Clint Murchinson with whom he became a founding partner in the Dallas Cowboys franchise of the...
, businessman, sportsman - William Wayne JusticeWilliam Wayne JusticeWilliam Wayne Justice was an American jurist. He served as a United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Texas and a Senior United States District Judge for the Western District of Texas....
, former United States District CourtUnited States district courtThe United States district courts are the general trial courts of the United States federal court system. Both civil and criminal cases are filed in the district court, which is a court of law, equity, and admiralty. There is a United States bankruptcy court associated with each United States...
judge - James C. SpencerJames C. SpencerJames Clarence Spencer was a survivor of the Bataan Death March during World War II and a Democratic politician from Athens, the seat of Henderson County in east Texas.-Background:...
, former member of the Texas House of RepresentativesTexas House of RepresentativesThe Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Texas Legislature. The House is composed of 150 members elected from single-member districts across the state. The average district has about 150,000 people. Representatives are elected to two-year terms with no term limits...
, 1939–1941, 1947–1949, later Henderson county judge
Local government
According to the city’s most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial ReportComprehensive annual financial report
A Comprehensive Annual Financial Report is a set of government financial statements comprising the financial report of a state, municipal or other governmental entity that complies with the accounting requirements—generally accepted accounting principles —promulgated by the Financial Accounting...
, 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.
The structure of the management and coordination of city services is:
| City Department | Director |
|---|---|
| City Administrator | Pam J. Burton |
| Director of Finance and Technology | David Hopkins, CPA Certified Public Accountant Certified Public Accountant is the statutory title of qualified accountants in the United States who have passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and have met additional state education and experience requirements for certification as a CPA... |
| Human Resources Director | Haven Cox |
| Fire Chief | John McQueary |
| Police Chief | Michael D. Hill, Jr. |
| Director of Planning & Development | Gary Crecelius |
| Director of Tourism | Darlene Forshage |
State and federal representation
The Texas Department of Criminal JusticeTexas Department of Criminal Justice
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice is a department of the government of the state of Texas. The TDCJ is responsible for statewide criminal justice for adult offenders, including managing offenders in state prisons, state jails and private correctional facilities, funding and certain...
(TDCJ) operates the Athens District Parole Office in Athens.
The United States Postal Service
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
operates the Athens Post Office.
Local Attractions
(listed alphabetically)- Athens Scuba Park
- Cain Center and Cain Park, Civic and Fitness Center
- East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society
- Henderson County Fair Park
- 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)
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.
- Bill HCR-15 of the Texas State Legislature (November 2006) designating Athens as the "Original Home of the HamburgerHamburgerA hamburger is a sandwich consisting of a cooked patty of ground meat usually placed inside a sliced bread roll...
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