Synopsis

Austin, the state capital of Texas and seat of Travis County, is the fourth-largest city in Texas. It is situated in the south-central part of the state on the Colorado River.

The site was called Waterloo in 1838, and in 1839 it was incorporated as a city and chosen as the capital of the independent Republic of Texas. Waterloo was renamed Austin in honor of Stephen F. Austin, the founder of the Texas Republic. It became the permanent capital of the state of Texas in 1870.

Austin's growth was spurred by several developments after the Civil War—the railroads reached the city in the 1870s; it was crossed by the important Chisholm cattle trail; and it became the seat of the state university in 1883.

Austin has a growing commercial and diversified manufacturing sector. Civilian government employment is 20% of the labor force and is important to the economy. As home to the University of Texas, Austin is a major center for research and development and is nationally recognized as a high-technology center.

Austin's visitor attractions include the Austin Museum of Art, the Lyndon B. Johnson Library and Museum, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and the Austin Zoo.

2000 census population (rank): 656,562 (16); % change: 41.0
Male: 337,569 (51.4%)
Female: 318,993 (48.6%)
White: 429,100 (65.4%)
Black: 65,956 (10.0%)
American Indian and Alaska Native: 3,889 (0.6%)
Asian: 30,960 (4.7%)
Other race: 106,538 (16.2%)
Two or more races: 19,650 (3.0%)
Hispanic/Latino: 200,579 (30.5%)
2000 percent population 18 and over: 77.5%
65 and over: 6.7%
median age: 29.6

2003 population estimate (rank): 672,011 (16)

Land area: 252 sq mi. (653 sq km);

Alt.: From 425 ft. to over 1000 ft.

Avg. daily temp.: Jan., 48.8° F; July, 84.5° F

Churches: 353 churches, representing 45 denominations;

City-owned parks and playgrounds: 205 (16,076 ac.);

Radio stations: AM, 12; FM, 27;

Television stations: 7 commercial; 1 PBS; 1 independent

Civilian Labor Force (MSA) June 2004: 775,713

Unemployed: 38,335

Percent: 4.9

Per capita personal income (MSA) 2002: $31,677

Chamber of Commerce: Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, 210 Barton Springs Rd., Ste. 400, Austin, Tex. 78704