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 , of which are land and , or 12.32%, are covered by water.
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.
! Race !! Percent
|-
| White || 54.9%
|-
| Black or African American || 16.3%
|-
| American Indian and Alaska Native || 0.8%
|-
| Asian || 1.1%
|-
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 0.1%
|-
| Some other race || 15.6%
|-
| Two or more races || 11.3%
|-
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 29.8%
|-
|}
2010 census
As of the census
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
Notes
References
External links
- City of Athens official website
- 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 Hamburger"