Athens, Texas

Athens is a city in and the county seat of Henderson County, Texas, in the United States. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 12,857. 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. Athens was incorporated in 1856 and was named after Athens, the capital of Greece. 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. Lake Athens is a 1,799 acre reservoir located in the eastern half of the city. 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. The town was heavily damaged by a low-end EF2 tornado on November 4, 2022. Demographics 2020 census As of the 2020 census, there were 12,857 people and 2,733 families residing in the city. The median age was 37.1 years. 23.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 91.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 87.5 males age 18 and over. 90.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 9.6% lived in rural areas. There were 4,794 households in Athens, of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 38.4% were married-couple households, 19.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 37.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 5,302 housing units, of which 9.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 52.2% were owner-occupied and 47.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.1%. 2010 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 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. State and federal representation The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) operates the Athens District Parole Office in Athens. The United States Postal Service operates the Athens Post Office. 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 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 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. Terrence McGee, former NFL cornerback for Buffalo Bills Clint 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 References 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"