Athens
Athens, Texas
Athens, the "Black-Eyed Pea Capital of the World," is located thirty-five miles west of Tyler on State highways 19 and 31 and U.S. Highway 175 at the center of Henderson County. The county seat of Henderson County was first Buffalo (1846), then Centerville by election (1848), and finally Athens (1850); neither of the first two county seats was within the new county boundaries delineated in 1850. The earliest settlers, E. J. Thompson and Joab McManus, arrived early in 1850. Matthew Cartwright donated 160 acres for a county seat, and the commissioners had Samuel Huffer survey the streets, the city square, and 112 lots. The district court first met in October 1850 under an oak in the square, with Oran Milo Roberts presiding. The first courthouse, a sixty-five-dollar log building, was ready the next month. A jail of hewn logs was built in 1856 on the same site and cost $500. Dulcina A. Holland suggested the name Athens, hoping that the town would become a cultural center.
Adapted from the official Handbook of Texas, a state encyclopedia developed by the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA). It is an authoritative source of trusted historical records.
William R. Enger | © Texas State Historical Association
Athens at a Glance
Belongs to
Athens is part of or belongs to the following places.
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Currently Exists
Yes
Place type
Athens is classified as a Town
Associated Names
- (Alvin)
Locations
-
- Latitude
- 32.20551740
- Longitude
- -95.83483400
Has Post Office
Yes
Is Incorporated
Yes
Photos of Athens and surrounding areas
Athens, Texas
The City Hall in the Athens, the seat of Henderson County, Texas. Photograph by Billy Hathorn.

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Athens by the Numbers
Population Counts
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Population Counts
Athens
Pop. | Year | Source |
---|---|---|
12,857 | 2020 | United States Census Bureau |
13,571 | 2019 | Texas Demographic Center |
12,710 | 2010 | United States Census Bureau |
11,297 | 2000 | United States Census Bureau |
10,982 | 1990 | United States Census Bureau |
10,197 | 1980 | United States Census Bureau |
9,582 | 1970 | United States Census Bureau |
7,086 | 1960 | United States Census Bureau |
5,194 | 1950 | United States Census Bureau |
4,765 | 1940 | United States Census Bureau |
4,342 | 1930 | United States Census Bureau |
3,176 | 1920 | United States Census Bureau |
2,261 | 1910 | United States Census Bureau |
500 | 1870 | United States Census Bureau |
177 | 1850 | United States Census Bureau |