Austin, Texas

Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas. It is one of the fastest-growing large cities in the United States. With a population of over 900,000, it is the 12th-most populous city in the country and the fifth-most populous in Texas.

The city is located in Central Texas within the Texas Hill Country. It has many lakes, rivers, and waterways, such as Lady Bird Lake and Lake Travis. Austin is known for its live music scene and is called "The Live Music Capital of the World." The city hosts the South by Southwest festival, which celebrates film, interactive media, and music.

Austin has become a major center for technology and business. Many large companies have offices or headquarters there, including Amazon, Apple, Google, and Dell. The city is also home to the University of Texas at Austin, one of the largest universities in the U.S. In 2021, Austin became home to Austin FC, the city's first major professional sports team.

History

Main article: History of Austin, Texas

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Austin, Texas

People have lived in the Austin area since at least 9200 BC. Early groups, like those from the Clovis culture, left signs of their lives behind. Spanish travelers passed through the region long ago, meeting many local Indigenous groups.

Austin became Texas' capital in 1839, named after Stephen F. Austin, called the “Father of Texas.” The city grew with new buildings, schools, and railroads. Over time, Austin became a center for government, education, and later, technology and music.

Geography

Austin is the capital city of Texas, located in Central Texas along the Colorado River. It is about 146 miles northwest of Houston, 182 miles south of Dallas, and 74 miles northeast of San Antonio.

Austin covers an area of 305.1 square miles, with a small part of it being water. The city is set at the foot of the Balcones Escarpment and has three lakes within its limits: Lady Bird Lake, Lake Austin, and Lake Walter E. Long. The city's elevation ranges from 425 feet to about 1,000 feet above sea level.

Austin has a warm climate with long, hot summers and mild winters. It receives about 34 inches of rain each year, with spring and fall being the wettest seasons. The area is known for its wildflowers, especially bluebonnets, which bloom in the spring.

Demographics

See also: History of African Americans in Austin

As of the 2020 census, Austin had a population of 961,855. The median age was 33.0 years. About 19.4% of residents were children under 18, and 9.5% were adults aged 65 or older. For every 100 females, there were 102 males.

Most people in Austin lived in urban areas, with only a small percentage in rural areas. There were many households, and about a quarter of them had children under 18 living in them. Many homes were owned, while many were rented.

A study from 2014 showed that Austin's populations of African Americans and non-Hispanic Whites were growing more slowly than other groups like Asians and Hispanic or Latino people. By 2020, the city's population was about 47.1% non-Hispanic white, 32.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 6.9% Black or African American, and 3.9% of two or more races.

According to a survey in 2014, about 5.3% of people in the Austin area identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. This was one of the highest rates in the nation.

According to a study in 2018, about 52.4% of Austin’s population identified as religious. Most of these people were Christians, with many belonging to the Catholic Church. Other Christian groups included Baptists, Methodists, and Latter-day Saints. Smaller groups included Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, and Hindus. Austin also has a community of people who do not follow any religion.

As of 2019, there were 2,255 individuals experiencing homelessness in Travis County. Programs were created to help with housing and support services. Changes were made to rules about where people could camp in public, and later, a ban on camping was reinstated after a vote by the people of Austin.

Economy

See also: Silicon Hills and List of companies based in Austin, Texas

The Greater Austin area had a big economy, with a value of $248 billion in 2023. Austin is known for its technology industry. Many students from the University of Texas at Austin help keep the tech and defense jobs growing. Big companies such as Dell Technologies, IBM, and Amazon have offices in Austin.

Austin is also a place where many medicine and science companies are located. The city has grocery stores like Whole Foods Market and many other businesses. In 2018, companies in the Austin area got over $1 billion in new money to grow.

Employment

As of 2024^[update], Austin had a low jobless rate of 3.4% and families earned a median income of $83,830.

Infrastructure

Transportation

In 2009, about 73% of people in Austin drove alone to work. Other ways people got around included carpooling, working from home, using public transit, walking, or biking. By 2016, these numbers changed a little, with most people still driving alone.

Highways

Central Austin is surrounded by major roads. I-35 runs north to south on the east side, and the Mopac Expressway (Loop 1) is on the west. Other roads like US 183 and SH 71 connect different parts of the city. Austin is special because it is the largest U.S. city served by only one major interstate highway.

US 290 enters from the east and joins I-35. It then continues south and west. There are also roads leading to nearby cities like San Antonio, Laredo, and Dallas.

Tollways

SH 130 is a highway that helps avoid traffic. It started opening in 2006 and was finished in 2012. This road has a high speed limit of 85 miles per hour for most of its length.

SH 45 runs east to west and has parts that are tolled, meaning you pay to use them. There are also plans for more toll roads, like one along US 290.

Airports

The main airport in Austin is Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA). It replaced an older airport in 1999. There are also smaller airports for private planes and other types of flights.

Intercity transit

Amtrack stops in Austin on its way between Chicago and San Antonio. There are also bus services to places like Mexico and other cities in Texas.

Public transportation

See also: CapMetro

The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro) runs buses and a train in Austin. The train, called CapMetro Rail, started in 2010 and goes through many parts of the city. Voters approved a big plan in 2020 to add more train lines and bus services.

Ride sharing

Austin has services like Uber and Lyft. These companies stopped working in Austin for a while because of city rules but started again in 2017.

Austin also has special electric taxis and car-sharing services like Zipcar.

Cycling and walking

Many people in Austin like to bike, especially students at the University of Texas. The city has bike-sharing programs and allowed rentable scooters in 2018, though there were some rules about where they could be used.

Parking lots

In November 2023, Austin stopped requiring parking spaces for new buildings. This change was made to encourage people to walk, bike, or use public transit and to make housing more affordable. Portland and Minneapolis also did this.

Culture

"Keep Austin Weird" is a popular saying in Austin, often seen on stickers and shirts. This phrase celebrates the city's unique character and supports local businesses. It started because some people worried Austin was becoming too commercial. The saying means a lot to many locals who care about the city's special vibe and growth.

People in Austin love reading and sharing online, more than anywhere else in Texas. In 2013, Austin had the most activity on a popular website for sharing ideas.

South Congress is a fun shopping area with cafes, quirky shops, restaurants, food trucks, and festivals. It's a great place to see the city's unique style, especially with the Texas State Capitol nearby.

The Rainey Street Historic District used to be a neighborhood with old homes. Since the early 2010s, it has become a popular spot for nightlife, with many old houses turned into hotels, bars, and restaurants. It also has a cultural center for Mexican Americans.

Austin is part of a special group of cities known for media arts.

Old Austin

"Old Austin" is a term locals use to talk about when the city was smaller, more artistic, and had a lower cost of living. It often brings up memories of simpler times, with less traffic and urban spread. Many long-time residents feel sad about the fast changes in the city.

As Austin grows, it's hard for small businesses to keep up with rising costs. Some places, like Thundercloud Subs, are loved for keeping that classic Austin feel.

Annual cultural events

Austin hosts many fun events each year, like a pun contest, a birthday party for a famous horse, and many festivals. The Austin City Limits Music Festival happens every year in a park. There's also a big light show for Christmas and many other celebrations.

From 1962 to 1998, there was a big water festival, but it stopped as other festivals became more popular.

Cuisine and breweries

Austin is known for its Texas barbecue and a special type of food called Tex-Mex. Breakfast tacos are very popular, and there are many great places to try them. The city also has many food trucks and a lively scene for craft beer, with over 50 small breweries.

Music

Austin is famous for its live music, with more music venues than any other city in the U.S. The city has many nightclubs and hosts a big music and film festival called South by Southwest (SXSW). The famous TV show Austin City Limits is recorded here, and there are many other music events throughout the year.

Film

Austin has been the location for many movies and hosts film festivals. The city has a special movie theater and has been home to many famous films over the years.

Theater

Austin has a strong theater scene with many different types of performances. There are many theaters and performance spaces, and the city hosts festivals for theater artists.

Libraries

The Austin Public Library has a big central library and many branches. The central library has a rooftop garden, reading areas, and a place to try new technology.

Museums and other points of interest

Austin has many museums, like ones for science, art, and history. There are also interesting landmarks, such as a bridge with bats that come out at sunset, and a zoo for animals that need a safe place to live.

Sports

Many people in Austin support the University of Texas teams. The city has many sports events, including football, baseball, and even a big race for runners. Austin also has a famous racing track and will host a big esports tournament in 2025.

Government

City government

See also: List of mayors of Austin, Texas and Austin City Council

Austin is run by a group of 11 leaders called a city council. There are 10 leaders who come from different parts of the city and one mayor who is chosen by everyone in the city. They work with a city manager who helps them make decisions. Elections for these leaders happen without party labels. In 2012, voters changed how the council members were chosen to include leaders from different areas of the city. The first election using this new way was in 2014.

Austin used to have its city hall at a different location, but now it is at 301 West Second Street, which opened in 2004. Kirk Watson is the current mayor of Austin, starting his second term on January 6, 2023.

Law enforcement in Austin is handled by the Austin Police Department, except for state buildings, which are patrolled by the Texas Department of Public Safety. The University of Texas Police protect the university.

Fire services inside the city are provided by the Austin Fire Department, while surrounding areas have their own fire departments. Emergency medical services cover the whole county.

Other levels of government

See also: Government of Texas and List of capitals in the United States

Austin is the main city of Travis County and has important county buildings there. The Texas Department of Transportation and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice also have offices in Austin. The United States Postal Service operates post offices in the city.

Politics

Austin has often voted differently from the rest of Texas, which has mostly voted for Republican leaders. However, many cities in Texas now also vote for Democratic leaders.

After changes to how voting districts are drawn, Austin is now part of the 10th, 35th, and 37th Congressional districts.

Environmental movement

Austin has been known for its strong support of environmental issues. This includes efforts to protect the city's unique character and quality of life. In 2012, Austin became one of the few cities in Texas to ban certain single-use bags, showing its commitment to environmental protection. Later, this ban was ended due to a court decision. In 2016, Austin earned recognition for its efforts to support solar energy use.

Education

Many people in Austin have gone to college. More than half of the adults aged 25 and older have a bachelor's degree, which is higher than the rest of the country. About one in five has a higher degree, like a master's or doctorate.

Austin has many colleges and universities. The biggest is the University of Texas at Austin, with thousands of students. Other schools include St. Edward's University, Huston–Tillotson University, and Austin Community College, along with many smaller colleges and special schools.

Most of Austin's public schools are part of the Austin Independent School District. Some well-known schools include Liberal Arts and Science Academy High School of Austin, Texas and The Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders. Other areas of the city have schools from nearby districts. There are also special schools for children who are blind or deaf, and many private schools to choose from.

Mass media

See also: List of newspapers in Texas, List of radio stations in Texas, and List of television stations in Texas

Austin has several important newspapers. The main daily paper is the Austin American-Statesman. There is also an alternative weekly called The Austin Chronicle, and a student paper, The Daily Texan, from the University of Texas at Austin. Other papers include the weekly Austin Business Journal and many smaller local papers.

The city has many radio stations playing different kinds of music and talk shows. There are also several television stations serving Austin, including network channels like ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and PBS. One well-known local show is Austin City Limits, which airs on the PBS station KLRU.

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Austin, Texas

See also: List of University of Texas at Austin alumni

Austin, Texas, has been home to many famous people throughout its history. Some well-known individuals grew up there or spent important parts of their lives in the city. Others graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, which has produced many successful people in different fields.

International relations

Austin has special ties with cities in other countries, called sister cities and friendship cities. These partnerships help the cities learn from each other and work together.

Sister cities

Austin's sister cities include:

• Adelaide, South Australia, Australia (1983)
• Angers, Pays de la Loire, France (2011)
• Antalya, Antalya Province, Turkey (2009)
• Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea (2001)
• Hackney, London, England, United Kingdom (2014)
• Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany (1991)
• Lima, Peru (1981)
• Maseru, Lesotho (1978)
• Ōita, Ōita, Japan (1990)
• Pune, Maharashtra, India (2018)
• Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico (1968)
• Taichung, Taiwan (1986)
• Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China (1997)

Some cities were sister cities in the past but are not anymore.

Friendship cities

Friendship cities include:

• Siem Reap, Cambodia (2011)
• Villefranche-sur-Mer, France (2010)
• Tehuacán, Puebla, Mexico (2019)
• San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, Mexico (2024)
• Chiang Mai, Thailand (2023)
• Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom (2025)