# Athens, Texas

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This article is about the city in Texas. For other uses, see [Athens (disambiguation)](/source/Athens_(disambiguation)).

**Athens** is a city in and the [county seat](/source/County_seat) of [Henderson County](/source/Henderson_County,_Texas),[3] [Texas](/source/Texas), in the United States. As of the [2020 census](/source/2020_United_States_census), the city population was 12,857.[4] The city has called itself the "[Black-Eyed Pea](/source/Black-eyed_pea) Capital of the World."[5] Athens was selected as one of the first "Certified Retirement Communities" in Texas.[6] Athens was incorporated in 1856[7] and was named after [Athens](/source/Athens,_Greece), the capital of [Greece](/source/Greece).[8]

## Geography

According to the [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau), the city has a total area of 19.2 sq mi (49.7 square kilometres), of which 16.8 sq mi (43.6 square kilometres) are land and 2.4 sq mi (6.1 square kilometres), or 12.32%, are covered by water.[4] [Lake Athens](/source/Lake_Athens) is a 1,799 acre reservoir located in the eastern half of the city.[9]

### Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the [Köppen climate classification](/source/K%C3%B6ppen_climate_classification) system, Athens has a [humid subtropical climate](/source/Humid_subtropical_climate), *Cfa* on climate maps.[10] The town was heavily damaged by a low-end EF2 tornado on [November 4, 2022](/source/Tornado_outbreak_of_November_4%E2%80%935,_2022).[11][12]

## Demographics

### 2020 census

As of the [2020 census](/source/2020_United_States_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.[13]

90.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 9.6% lived in rural areas.[14]

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.[13]

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%.[13]

Racial composition as of the 2020 census[15] 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](/source/Census)[1] 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 inhabitants per square mile (120.2 /km2). The racial makeup of the city was 72.14% [White](/source/White_(U.S._Census)), 19.23% [African American](/source/African_American_(U.S._Census)), 0.31% [Native American](/source/Native_American_(U.S._Census)), 0.64% [Asian](/source/Asian_(U.S._Census)), 0.06% [Pacific Islander](/source/Pacific_Islander_(U.S._Census)), 6.17% from [other races](/source/Race_(United_States_Census)), and 1.45% from two or more races. [Hispanic](/source/Hispanic_(U.S._Census)) or [Latino](/source/Latino_(U.S._Census)) 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](/source/Marriage) 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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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.[16]

### State and federal representation

The [Texas Department of Criminal Justice](/source/Texas_Department_of_Criminal_Justice) (TDCJ) operates the Athens District Parole Office in Athens.[17]

The [United States Postal Service](/source/United_States_Postal_Service) operates the Athens Post Office.[18]

## Education

The city of Athens is served by the [Athens Independent School District](/source/Athens_Independent_School_District) and is home to the [Athens High School](/source/Athens_High_School_(Texas)) Hornets. A very small portion in the eastern outskirts of Athens is within the [Brownsboro Independent School District](/source/Brownsboro_Independent_School_District).

The main campus of [Trinity Valley Community College](/source/Trinity_Valley_Community_College) is located in Athens.

## Arts and culture

The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, operated by the [Texas Parks and Wildlife Department](/source/Texas_Parks_and_Wildlife_Department), is located east of the city on [Lake Athens](/source/Lake_Athens).

The [East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society](/source/East_Texas_Arboretum_and_Botanical_Society) is located in the northwest part of the city.

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

## Notable people

- [Fred Agnich](/source/Fred_Agnich), Texas businessman, rancher, state legislator[19]
- [Fletcher Davis](/source/Fletcher_Davis), one of a number of Americans who lay claim to inventing the modern hamburger
- [Pete Donohue](/source/Pete_Donohue), Major League Baseball pitcher
- [Jakeem Grant](/source/Jakeem_Grant), NFL wide receiver for the [Cleveland Browns](/source/Cleveland_Browns)
- [William R. Hawn](/source/William_R._Hawn), businessman, sportsman
- [William Wayne Justice](/source/William_Wayne_Justice), former [United States District Court](/source/United_States_District_Court) judge
- [Fred LaRue](/source/Fred_LaRue), former aide to President Richard Nixon.
- [Terrence McGee](/source/Terrence_McGee), former NFL cornerback for [Buffalo Bills](/source/Buffalo_Bills)[20]
- [Clint Murchison, Jr.](/source/Clint_Murchison,_Jr.), businessman and founder of the Dallas Cowboys football team[21]
- [Sid W. Richardson](/source/Sid_W._Richardson), native of Athens, Texas, oilman, cattleman, philanthropist
- [Barron Tanner](/source/Barron_Tanner), former NFL defensive lineman

## References

1. ["U.S. Census website"](https://www.census.gov). [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau). Retrieved 2008-01-31.

1. ["Find a County"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx). National Association of Counties. Archived from [the original](http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx) on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.

1. ["Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Athens city, Texas"](https://archive.today/20200213083819/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US4804504). *American Factfinder*. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from [the original](https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US4804504) on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2018.

1. Popik, Barry. ["Barry Popik"](https://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/black_eyed_pea_capital_of_the_world_athens_nickname/). *www.barrypopik.com*. Retrieved 2018-02-15.

1. ["Athens Texas Chamber of Commerce"](http://www.athenscc.org/relocate.htm). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140922040425/http://www.athenscc.org:80/relocate.htm) 2014-09-22 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-08-07.

1. Association, Texas State Historical. ["Athens, TX"](https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/athens-tx). *Texas State Historical Association*. Retrieved 2023-07-20.

1. [*A Memorial and Biographical History of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon Counties, Texas*](http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth46827/m1/213/sizes/l/). Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company. 1893. p. 207. Retrieved 28 September 2014.

1. ["Lake Athens"](https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/athens/). *tpwd.texas.gov*. State of Texas. Retrieved 24 May 2019.

1. [Climate Summary for Athens, Texas](http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=13837&cityname=Athens%2C+Texas%2C+United+States+of+America&units=)

1. ["ArcGIS Web Application"](https://apps.dat.noaa.gov/stormdamage/damageviewer/). *apps.dat.noaa.gov*. Retrieved November 4, 2022.

1. ["NWS Damage Survey for 11/04/22 Tornado Event Update #3"](https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=PNSFWD&e=202211092122). Iowa Environmental Mesonet. National Weather Service in Fort Worth, Texas. November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.

1. ["2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)"](https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME%2CDP1_0021P%2CDP1_0024P%2CDP1_0025C%2CDP1_0049C%2CDP1_0045C%2CDP1_0069C%2CDP1_0073C%2CDP1_0125P%2CDP1_0126P%2CDP1_0129P%2CDP1_0133P%2CDP1_0137P%2CDP1_0138P%2CDP1_0139P%2CDP1_0141P%2CDP1_0142P%2CDP1_0143P%2CDP1_0145P%2CDP1_0146P%2CDP1_0147C%2CDP1_0148C%2CDP1_0149C%2CDP1_0156C%2CDP1_0157C%2CDP1_0158C%2CDP1_0159P%2CDP1_0160P&for=place%3A04504&in=state%3A48). *United States Census Bureau*. 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2026.

1. ["2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)"](https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME%2CP2_002N%2CP2_003N&for=place%3A04504&in=state%3A48). *United States Census Bureau*. 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2026.

1. ["2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)"](https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N%2CP1_003N%2CP1_004N%2CP1_005N%2CP1_006N%2CP1_007N%2CP1_008N%2CP1_009N%2CP2_001N%2CP2_002N%2CH1_001N%2CH1_002N&for=place%3A04504&in=state%3A48). *United States Census Bureau*. 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2026.

1. [2006-07 CAFR](http://athenstexas.us/finance/Audits/Athens%20Final%20Audit%20September%2030,%202007.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20101115092656/http://athenstexas.us/finance/Audits/Athens%20Final%20Audit%20September%2030%2C%202007.pdf) November 15, 2010 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2009-06-10

1. "[Parole Division Region I](http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/parole/parole-directory/paroledir-rgnldisparoff1.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110928130938/http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/parole/parole-directory/paroledir-rgnldisparoff1.htm) 2011-09-28 at the Wayback Machine." [Texas Department of Criminal Justice](/source/Texas_Department_of_Criminal_Justice). Retrieved on May 15, 2010.

1. "[Post Office Location - ATHENS](https://archive.today/20120718140626/http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/athens-409-e-tyler-st-athens-tx-1353564)." [United States Postal Service](/source/United_States_Postal_Service). Retrieved on May 15, 2010.

1. ["Fred R. Agnich Papers"](http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/utarl/00002/arl-00002.html). lib.utexas.edu. Retrieved September 20, 2013.

1. ["Buffalo Bills: Terrence McGee"](http://www.buffalobills.com/team/roster/terrence-mcgee/86165f42-18bb-4051-a106-5a88ba2ba18d/). *Buffalo Bills*. 2017. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094553/http://www.buffalobills.com/team/roster/terrence-mcgee/86165f42-18bb-4051-a106-5a88ba2ba18d/) March 4, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 25, 2017.

1. Helen Markel. ["A Business Of 'brim'"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130710203713/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1069698), *Sports Illustrated*, May 21, 1956.

## External links

- [City of Athens official website](http://www.athenstx.gov/)
- [Athens Chamber of Commerce](http://www.athenscc.org/)
- [Athens Economic Development Corp.](http://www.athensedc.com/)
- [Bill HCR-15](http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/html/HC00015I.htm) of the Texas State Legislature (November 2006) designating Athens as the "Original Home of the [Hamburger](/source/Hamburger)"

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Athens, Texas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athens%2C_Texas) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athens%2C_Texas?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.