Austin is the capital of Texas. It's the state's fourth-largest
city, home of the prestigious University of Texas, and America's
live music capital. The city was founded in 1835 and initially
bore the name Waterloo. In 1838 the name was changed to Austin,
in honor of Stephen F. Austin, the founder of the Republic of
Texas, which at that time was still independent and not a member
state of the USA. Austin has been the capital of Texas since
1839, which joined the United States in 1845. The connection to
the Houston and Texas Central Railway in 1871 made Austin an
important transshipment center for the cattle and cotton trade.
From 1882 to 1888 the huge state capitol was built, at that time
the seventh largest building in the world.
By the late
19th century, Austin had fewer than 20,000 residents. Since
then, however, the city has grown continuously. There was a
particularly large population boom in the 1920s to 1940s, during
which time the population rose to over 100,000. In the 1990s,
the half million mark was exceeded. Austin is still one of the
fastest growing major cities in the USA and is now scratching
the million mark.
The University of Texas at Austin was
founded in 1883 and is now one of the largest and most renowned
state universities in the USA. The more than 50,000 students
give the city a young, intellectual and culturally diverse
image. Nowhere else in the USA is there such a high density of
music clubs and concerts, which is why Austin is called the
capital of live music. The population of Austin is considered
very liberal, progressive and non-conformist by American
standards. This also corresponds to the slogan Keep Austin Weird
- "Austin should stay weird". However, this also expresses the
fear that Austin could lose its special character due to rapid
growth and influx from other, more conservative parts of the
USA. Politically, Austin is a stronghold of the Democrats and
thus an exception in otherwise Republican-dominated Texas.
Austin is an important center of the semiconductor and IT
industry. Freescale Semiconductor and National Instruments have
their headquarters here, while other major local employers
include Dell, IBM, Apple, Facebook, Google and Samsung. Austin
is therefore nicknamed "Silicon Hills", based on the Silicon
Valley in California.
Texas State Capitol, Congress and 11th Sts. Massive Texas state
legislature and government building. It was built between 1882 and 1888,
architecturally it is based on the Italian Renaissance. At 92 meters
tall, it is taller than the United States Capitol in Washington.
Texas Governor's Mansion, 1010 Colorado St. Residence of the governors
of Texas, built in 1854 in the Classical style.
Driskill Hotel,
604 Brazos St. Built in 1886 in a neo-Romanesque style, it was
considered the finest hotel south of St. Louis at the time and is now
Austin's oldest operating hotel.
St. Edward's University Main
Building, 3001 S. Congress. Representative, castle-like building in
neo-Gothic style, built in 1887-88 and rebuilt in 1903 after a fire.
Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum, 2313 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78705. Tel: +1.512.721.0212, Fax: +1.512.721.0170, Email: johnson.library@nara.gov. The Presidential Library and Museum is dedicated to the life and work of the 36th President of the United States, who ruled from 1963 to 1969 after the assassination of John F. Kennedy.
Sixth Street (Pecan Street). Historic Main Street and premier nightlife and entertainment in downtown Austin. It is lined with numerous bars, clubs, music venues and shops. This is especially true of the section between Congress Avenue and Interstate 35, which is typically closed to car traffic on weekend evenings and then crowded with the party-happy crowd. The street is also worth seeing in daylight, after all, it is lined with a number of listed commercial buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Texas State Cemetery, 901 Navasota St. Texas State Cemetery of Honor
where the founding fathers of the Republic of Texas (including Stephen
F. Austin), governors, other distinguished politicians and soldiers, and
prominent figures are buried.
Mount Bonnell (Covert Park) . Park and
lookout above the Colorado River about 9 km northwest of downtown with
great views of the city.
Zilker Park, Barton Springs Rd. Austin,
Texas. 142-acre recreation area south of town where Barton Creek meets
the Colorado River. There are athletic fields, picnic areas, running and
biking trails, a botanical and sculpture garden, a natural spring
(Barton Springs) year-round swimming pool, and a 12-inch gauge park
railway. You can also canoe on Barton Creek. During the Christmas season
there is a 47 meter high tree of lights.
McKinney Falls State Park.
300-acre nature park in the southeast of the city on Onion Creek. The
tree population is u. a. characterized by pecan, ebony, cedar, bald
cypress, sycamore, elm and oak. There are also various types of cactus,
especially Opuntia. Springtime is filled with a variety of wildflowers,
most notably the blue-flowering Texan lupine, which is a state symbol.
White-tailed deer, raccoons, coyotes, fox squirrels and armadillos,
mockingbirds, roadway cuckoos, red cardinals and blue jays, various
species of turtles and rattlesnakes are all found in this habitat.
Hippie Hollow Park (northwestern outskirts, 17 miles from downtown).
Located on Lake Travis, it's the only park in Texas where clothing is
officially optional. From the 1960s, the spot was popular with hippies
who bathed naked here. Despite complaints from the public, the sheriff
decided that there were worse offenses and tolerated the bustle. In 1985
an official clothing-optional park was set up and appropriate warning
signs were put up. Since the state of Texas' prudish child protection
laws also apply in Austin, the park can only be entered by adults.
Texas longhorns. That's the name of the sports teams at the
University of Texas. They play in the Big 12 Conference of NCAA Division
I.
Texas Longhorns Football. Home games will be played at Darrell K
Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium (“DKR”).
Texas Longhorns Men's
Basketball. Home ground is the Frank Erwin Center.
Texas Longhorns
women's basketball. Home ground is the Frank Erwin Center.
Regular events
South by Southwest. A highlight of Austin's calendar
is the annual South by Southwest (SXSW or South By) music and film
festival, held in March during the university's spring break and around
St. Patrick's Day. To be more precise, it is a whole conglomerate of
festivals and conferences from various music, film and media scenes
taking place in parallel. Numerous prominent artists then come to Austin
to present their works and to exchange ideas. Over 50,000 participants
have been registered in each of the last few years.
Republic of Texas
Biker Rally. Late May or June (after Memorial Day) - large motorcycle
parade with 35,000 participants and 200,000 spectators.
Austin City
Limits Music Festival. First and second weekend of October - big music
festival in Zilker Park (rock, indie, country, folk, electro and
hip-hop).
By plane
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (IATA: AUS) is a
Category C international airport, the fourth busiest airport in Texas
with approximately 14 million passengers a year. The airlines with the
most connections to/from Austin are Southwest, American, United and
Delta Air Lines.
There is a direct connection with Lufthansa from
Frankfurt to Austin. Another intercontinental connection is with British
Airways from/to London. Incidentally, there are transfer connections via
Atlanta, Chicago or Dallas. Within the US, the most frequented
connections are with Atlanta (Southwest, Delta, Frontier), Dallas
(American), Denver (Southwest, United, Frontier), Los Angeles (American,
Delta, Southwest, United) and Houston (United).
Bus line 20 runs
from the airport to the city center every quarter of an hour. The
journey takes about 35 minutes and costs $1.25 one way. Alternatives
include rental cars (all major American car rental companies have
offices at the airport), taxis (about $25 to downtown), app-based paid
ridesharing services (Uber, Lyft, Wingz, and the local app RideAustin;
about $15), and shuttles, which serve several Drop off passengers at the
desired address (e.g. Super Shuttle, approx. $19).
By train
Austin station is served by the Amtrak long-distance Texas Eagle train
(Chicago-St. Louis-Dallas-San Antonio-Phoenix-Los Angeles) once per day
in each direction. Driving time is 2½ hours from San Antonio, 6½ hours
from Dallas, 18 hours from El Paso, 22½ hours from St. Louis, 28½ hours
from Chicago, and 33½ hours from Los Angeles.
By bus
Greyhound
long-distance buses connect Austin several times daily with San Antonio
(journey time 1½-1:45 hrs; from $7), Waco (1:40 hrs; from $21), Houston
(2:50-3 hrs; from $10), and Dallas (3-3:40 hrs; from $14). Coming from
New Orleans and Baton Rouge you have to change trains in Houston.
Austin Bus Station, 916 E Koenig Lane. Phone: (512) 458-4463.
Located on the northern outskirts, 8km north of the city centre. Bus
number 7 takes you downtown.
Public transit in the Austin metro area is operated by the Capital
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Cap Metro for short). These
include the Capital MetroRail, inaugurated in 2010, a regional rail
service that connects downtown and Plaza Saltillo with the northern
suburbs of Crestview, Lakeline and Leander (32 miles total, travel time
just over an hour). However, most of the traffic is handled by buses:
There are 49 regular city bus routes, 12 special routes that operate
only at certain times of the day and night, eight express routes that
only make a few stops, and 19 shuttle routes for the University of
Texas.
If you only use the regular bus routes, a single trip
costs $1.25, a day pass $2.50, a 7-day pass $11.25. If you also want to
use the express bus lines and the MetroRail, the single trip costs
$3.50, the day pass $7, the 7-day pass $27.50. Children and young people
up to the 12th class (with the appropriate ID) travel for free.
Austin is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the United States. The
city is also relatively walkable, at least when moving around Downtown,
West Campus, and East Austin.
Haunted Places in Austin
Austin's haunted reputation centers on
historic buildings and sites where tragic events have left lingering
spirits. Many reports come from eyewitness accounts, ghost tours, and
investigations, with common phenomena including apparitions, cold spots,
disembodied voices, and unexplained noises.
The Driskill Hotel
Opened in 1886 by cattle baron Colonel Jesse Driskill, this luxurious
downtown hotel at 604 Brazos Street is Austin's most infamous haunted
landmark. Driskill, a gambler and drinker, lost the property in a poker
game shortly after its opening, and his spirit is said to roam the
halls, often accompanied by the scent of cigar smoke. Other legends
include two "suicide brides" who took their lives in Room 525 decades
apart, leading to reports of female apparitions and wailing. A young
girl, Samantha Houston (daughter of Senator Sam Houston), allegedly fell
to her death while chasing a ball down the grand staircase in the 1890s;
her giggling and bouncing ball are frequently heard. Musician Johnette
Napolitano wrote "Ghost of a Texas Ladies Man" inspired by encounters
here, and Annie Lennox reported ghostly assistance in choosing outfits.
Paranormal activities include elevators stopping on wrong floors, lights
flickering, doors slamming, and cold drafts in empty rooms. Staff
provide ghost identification handouts to guests. The hotel's basement
tunnels add to its eerie allure, described as catacomb-like.
Oakwood Cemetery
Established in 1839 as Austin's first cemetery,
Oakwood Cemetery (and its annex) at 1601 Navasota Street is a resting
place for over 23,000 souls, including Alamo survivor Susannah Dickinson
and victims of medical experiments during the yellow fever epidemics of
the 1800s. Legends speak of restless spirits from unmarked graves, with
the annex known as a "party ground for the undead." Apparitions wander
the grounds after dusk, resembling a spectral reenactment of unrest.
Reported activities include orbs floating among tombstones, whispers
near old oaks, and shadows that follow visitors. During droughts,
exposed bones from shallow burials heighten the eerie atmosphere. It's
locked at night, but phenomena are visible from the fence.
Shoal
Creek Massacre Site
Shoal Creek, running through downtown Austin, is
a site of multiple tragedies. In 1842, settler Gideon White was killed
by Native Americans after building on a sacred burial ground, leading to
mass graves from clashes. During Reconstruction in 1865, cholera killed
up to 40 of George Custer's troops, buried hastily along the banksbones
still surface after heavy rains. Legends include O. Henry's 1894 cursed
treasure hunt for Santa Anna's lost payroll, guarded by a blood-drained
ghost; searchers heard screams from an escaped asylum patient.
Paranormal reports feature frigid air, apparitions reliving fights,
disembodied screams, and cold spots where graves erode. Hikers often
feel watched or hear whispers.
Texas Governor's Mansion
This
1856 Greek Revival mansion at 1010 Colorado Street has housed governors
since Sam Houston's era. Legends include Houston's ghost pacing the
halls and a 19-year-old nephew of Governor Pendleton Murrah who shot
himself after a romantic rejection in 1864; his moans echo from the
bedroom. A recent fire in 2008 reportedly stirred more activity.
Visitors report footsteps, apparitions in period clothing, and objects
moving. It's considered one of the oldest haunted residences in the U.S.
St. Edward's University
This South Austin campus, founded in
1885, features Gothic architecture and multiple haunts. A student fell
to his death from a Maloney Hall window in the 1920s, and his shadow is
seen replaying the fall. In Mary Moody Northen Theatre, a drama student
hanged himself after a breakup in the 1980s; his ghost moves props,
screams, and appears with a noose. A groundskeeper who died of a heart
attack near the fountain lingers, causing cold spots. Students report
apparitions in dorms and hallways feeling like a "gridlocked highway
between worlds."
Other notable haunted spots include the Texas State
Capitol (with a lady in red and orbs around the dome), Buffalo Billiards
(a former brothel with moving pool cues and slamming doors), the
Littlefield House (haunted by a paranoid widow's spirit), and the Omni
Austin Hotel (where a suicide victim's ghost checks in perpetually).
Urban Legends of Austin
Austin's legends blend historical horrors
with modern myths, often tied to its Wild West roots and eccentric
culture.
The Servant Girl Annihilator: In the 1880s, an
unidentified serial killer murdered eight women, mostly servants, using
axes and ice picks. The crimes terrorized the city, predating Jack the
Ripper. Though unsolved, it's linked to Austin's Moontowerstall lights
installed later for safety, now iconic landmarks.
The Hairy Man of
Round Rock: A feral boy orphaned in an 1800s flood grew into a hermit
who charged at passersby on Hairy Man Road. Trampled by a stagecoach,
his spirit still haunts, defending the woods from encroachment. An
annual festival celebrates the tale.
Jacob's Well and Swamp Thing: In
nearby Wimberley, this deep spring has drowned divers in its chambers;
Native Americans saw it as spirit-inhabited. At Palmetto State Park, a
camouflaged "Swamp Thing"part man, part aperustles through swamps,
snapping branches.
Celebrity Ghosts and Oddities: Janis Joplin's
spirit lingers at the Pink Palace, where she wrote songs. Matthew
McConaughey's 1999 naked bongo arrest echoes with faint drums. The
Treaty Oak, poisoned in 1989 for a love spell, survived amid curses.
Dead Man's Hole and Moore's Crossing: In Burnet County, this sinkhole
hid lynched bodies during Reconstruction; cold spots persist. Moore's
Crossing Bridge near Onion Creek hosts ghosts from 1915 floods, with
hanging apparitions and scraping nooses.
Abandoned Places in
Austin
Due to Austin's growth, true abandoned sites are raremany are
fenced, redeveloped, or occupied by the unhoused. Exploration carries
risks like instability, trespassing charges, or hazards. Focus on
historically abandoned spots, often now preserved or repurposed.
Seaholm Power Plant
Built in 1951 on Lady Bird Lake, this Art Deco
plant powered Austin until decommissioned in 1989. It sat abandoned for
decades, attracting urban explorers with its massive turbines,
graffiti-covered walls, and industrial decay. Legends tie it to worker
accidents, though no major haunts are reported. Redeveloped in 2016 into
shops, offices, and condos, remnants like the stack remain visible.
Other Abandoned or Semi-Abandoned Spots
Coldbridge Mental
Facility: A decayed psychiatric hospital with empty corridors and rusted
equipment; abandoned due to funding cuts, now heavily vandalized and
unsafe.
Iron Spear Training Grounds: Former military site with
barracks and towers; left after base closures, featuring rust and
collapsed structures.
Abandoned Sonics and DQs: Pandemic-closed
fast-food spots like derelict Sonic Drive-Ins and a Dairy Queen in
Dripping Springs, tagged with graffiti.
Burned-Out Hotel on I-35: A
scorched motel between Woodward and Oltorf, partially collapsed and
unsafe.
Small Towns and Ruins: Nearby Bartlett feels like a ghost
town; old farmsteads in Mayfield Park or wildlife sanctuaries offer
decayed sheds and basements.
Reddit users note Austin's real
estate boom demolishes sites quickly, advising caution against needles,
instability, and private property. For true abandonment, head to
surrounding areas like Elgin's old mills or Thorndale's decaying
buildings.
Prehistoric and Indigenous History
The area now known as Austin
has been inhabited for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence from
sites like the Levi Rock Shelter and Smith Rock Shelter indicates human
presence in the Balcones Escarpment region dating back at least 11,000
years to the Paleolithic era. Nomadic Native American tribes, including
the Tonkawa, Comanches, Lipan Apaches, and Waco, lived in the region,
utilizing the natural resources along creeks and springs such as Barton
Springs for fishing and hunting. The Tonkawa were the most prominent
tribe at the time of European contact.
Spanish and Mexican
Periods
European exploration began in the early 18th century. In July
1730, Spanish friars from East Texas established three temporary
missions near the Colorado River by Barton Springs: La Pursima
Concepcin, San Francisco de los Neches, and San Jos de los Nazonis.
However, due to unfavorable conditions, these missions were relocated to
the San Antonio River within a year. The region remained sparsely
populated until the 1830s, when Anglo-American settlers began arriving
in what was then part of Mexico, drawn by land grants and the area's
natural beauty and resources.
Republic of Texas Era (18361845)
Following the Texas Revolution and the establishment of the Republic of
Texas in 1836, the new nation cycled through temporary capitals. In
1839, President Mirabeau B. Lamar, seeking a more central and defensible
location, sent a commission to select a site. They chose the small
village of Waterloo, surveyed by Edward Burleson in 1838, along the
Colorado River. Renamed Austin in honor of Stephen F. Austin, the
"Father of Texas," the city was officially chartered in 1839. Judge
Edwin Waller designed the original grid layout, with Congress Avenue as
the main thoroughfare leading to Capitol Square. Streets were initially
named after Texas rivers (east-west) and native trees (north-south),
though the tree names were later replaced with numbers in 1884.
The
first lots were sold in August 1839, and the government relocated from
Houston by oxcart in October. By January 1840, the population was around
839. Key early structures included the French Legation (1840), the
oldest documented frame building in Austin, and land set aside for a
future university. Folklore surrounds the Treaty Oak, where Stephen F.
Austin allegedly negotiated a peace treaty with local Native Americans.
However, the city's remote location made it vulnerable to raids, and
opposition from figures like Sam Houston, who preferred Houston as
capital, created early challenges.
Political Turmoil, Annexation,
and Early Statehood (18451860)
In 1842, amid threats from Mexican
forces, President Sam Houston attempted to move the capital, sparking
the Texas Archive War. Austin residents, led by Angelina Eberly,
resisted the seizure of government records, firing a cannon at officials
and preserving Austin's status. The population plummeted below 200
during this "dark period," with many buildings falling into disrepair.
Recovery came with Texas's annexation to the United States in 1845;
Austin was designated the state capital until 1850 and officially became
so on February 19, 1846. It won permanent status in a 1872 election
against rivals like Houston and Waco.
By 1850, the population was
854, including 225 enslaved people and one free Black resident; slavery
was prevalent, with 48% of family heads owning slaves. Growth
accelerated, with new structures like the limestone capitol (1853) and
Governor's Mansion (1856). By 1860, the population reached 3,546, with
1,019 enslaved and 12 free Black residents; 35% of family heads owned
slaves. Austin emerged as a political hub, hosting state institutions
and asylums.
Civil War and Reconstruction (18611870s)
Travis
County voted against secession in 1861 (704450), reflecting initial
Unionist leanings, but sentiment shifted as the Civil War progressed.
About 600 Austin men joined Confederate units, including the Tom Green
Rifles in Hood's Texas Brigade. The city avoided direct combat but
suffered shortages, inflation, and grief from losses. After the war's
end in 1865, civil order collapsed briefly; Governor Pendleton Murrah
fled, and a treasury robbery yielded $17,000 to thieves who were never
caught. Union occupation followed, leading to a 57% increase in the
African American population during the 1860s.
By 1870, the population
was 4,428, with 1,615 Black residents (36%). Freed African Americans
established communities like Masontown (1865), Wheatville (1867),
Pleasant Hill, and Clarksville (1871), founding churches, businesses,
and schools. Reconstruction brought downtown rebuilding in masonry, but
economic recovery was uneven.
Emergence as a Political,
Educational, and Commercial Center (1870s1890s)
The arrival of the
Houston and Texas Central Railway on December 25, 1871, transformed
Austin into a trading hub, doubling the population to 10,363 by 1876.
Immigrants included Germans, Mexicans, Irish, and Swedes; a Mexican
American community grew near Shoal Creek. The International and Great
Northern Railway in 1876 diverted some trade, slowing growth to 11,013
by 1880. Civic advancements included gas lamps (1874), streetcars
(1875), and a bridge (1876).
Austin cemented its role as the state's
political heart, with the 1888 dedication of the Renaissance Revival
granite capitol (funded by the XIT Ranch and taller than the U.S.
Capitol). Education boomed: the University of Texas opened in 1883 on
land reserved in 1839; Tillotson Collegiate and Normal Institute (later
Huston-Tillotson University) for African Americans in 1881; St. Edward's
College in 1885. Cultural figures like sculptor Elisabet Ney and writer
O. Henry (William Sydney Porter) called Austin home. A dark chapter was
the 18841885 "Servant Girl Annihilator" serial murders, which killed or
injured about 16 people in a town of 23,000.
Under Mayor Alexander P.
Wooldridge, the Austin Dam (1893) created Lake McDonald for
hydroelectric power, powering streetcars and utilities by 1895 and
spurring developments like the Hyde Park suburb and 31 moonlight towers
(still iconic today).
Early 20th Century: Floods, Growth, and
Segregation (19001920s)
The Austin Dam failed catastrophically on
April 7, 1900, after a storm, killing 18 and causing $1.4 million in
damage due to structural flaws and silt buildup. Partial repairs were
made, but floods in 1915 damaged it further. Population grew threefold
from 1880 to 1920 (reaching 34,876), but Austin fell to Texas's
tenth-largest city amid oil booms elsewhere. The Driskill Hotel (1886)
symbolized luxury, but infrastructure lagged: few sewers, parks, or
paved streets by 1905.
Commission government (19091919) under
Wooldridge improved services; Barton Springs was acquired in 1918.
Council-manager government adopted in 1926, with a 1928 city plan
funding streets, sewers, parks, a library, hospital, airport (1930), and
recreation. However, the plan institutionalized segregation by
designating East Austin as a "Negro district," relocating Black
residents and limiting services. Black population grew from 3,587 (33%
in 1880) to 14,861 (17% in 1940), with institutions like churches and
colleges. Hispanics rose from 335 (1.5% in 1900) to 9,693 (11% in 1940),
forming an East Austin barrio with thriving businesses but facing
discrimination.
Great Depression and New Deal Era (1930s1940s)
Despite economic hardship, Austin's population grew 66% from 53,120
(1930) to 87,930 (1940), buoyed by government and education. Mayor Tom
Miller (1933) and Congressman Lyndon B. Johnson (1937) secured federal
funds, leading Texas in Public Works Administration projects. UT
enrollment nearly doubled; the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA)
rebuilt the dam as Tom Miller Dam (1940, forming Lake Austin) and
constructed Mansfield Dam (1941, creating Lake Travis) for power, water,
and flood control. Robert Mueller Airport opened in 1930; Del Valle Army
Air Base (later Bergstrom AFB) in 1942 supported wartime efforts.
Post-World War II Boom and High-Tech Emergence (1950s1980s)
Population expanded at 40% per decade from 1940 to 1990 (reaching
472,020), with the city area growing sevenfold to 225.40 square miles.
Growth was driven by education (UT students doubled to 39,000 by 1970)
and government (employees tripled to 47,300 from 19501970).
Desegregation advanced: UT admitted Black undergraduates in 1956 (first
in the South); the Civil Rights Act of 1964 spurred change, though
inequalities lingered. Black and Hispanic political representation began
with school board and council seats in the late 1960s and 1970s.
High-tech industry emerged: IBM (1967), Texas Instruments (1969), and
Motorola (1974) arrived, followed by consortia like Microelectronics and
Computer Technology Corporation and Sematech (1980s), leading to about
400 firms by the early 1990s. A tragic event was the 1966 UT Tower
shooting by Charles Whitman, killing 16. The music scene exploded with
artists like Willie Nelson and Stevie Ray Vaughan; venues like Armadillo
World Headquarters and the PBS show Austin City Limits (1975) earned
Austin the "Live Music Capital of the World" title. Environmental
battles intensified, with 1970s ordinances protecting areas like Barton
Springs and the Edwards Aquifer; neighborhood groups (over 150 by 1983)
resisted unchecked development. The late 1980s Savings and Loan crisis
briefly halted the boom.
Modern Era (1990sPresent)
The 1990s
tech resurgence, including dot-com growth, game development, and
filmmaking, propelled Austin forward. Population reached 656,562 by 2000
and an estimated 989,252 by 2025, with annual growth around 0.48%.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport opened in 1999, replacing
Mueller. Infrastructure included toll roads (starting 2006) and commuter
rail (approved 2004, operational 2010). Skyscrapers like the Frost Bank
Tower (2004) reshaped the skyline.
Challenges include urban sprawl,
balancing growth with environmental preservation, and issues like
homelessness and cost of living. The 2018 serial bombings killed two and
injured five. The 2019 Austin Strategic Mobility Plan focuses on
transit, safety, and sustainability. Politically liberal, Austin has
been led by mayors like Kirk Watson (Democrat, terms in 1997, 2022, and
ongoing in 2025). Culturally, events like South by Southwest (SXSW) and
a vibrant tech ecosystem (home to companies like Dell and Tesla)
solidify its status as a innovative, eclectic hub.
Austin, the capital city of Texas, is situated in Central Texas
within the greater Texas Hill Country region. It serves as the
southernmost state capital in the contiguous United States and is
located at approximately 3016′02″N 9744′35″W. The city occupies a
total area of about 326.51 square miles (845.66 km), with 319.94 square
miles (828.64 km) of land and 6.57 square miles (17.02 km) of water,
making up roughly 2.01% of its area. Austin straddles the Balcones Fault
and Escarpment, a geological feature that divides the city into distinct
eastern and western zones. This fault line contributes to the city's
varied topography, with elevations ranging from around 425 feet (130 m)
above sea level in the east to over 1,000 feet (305 m) in the western
hills.
The city's location at the intersection of four major
ecological regionsthe Edwards Plateau, Blackland Prairies, Cross
Timbers, and Post Oak Savannahcreates a unique "temperate-to-hot green
oasis" with diverse flora and fauna. This biodiversity includes iconic
wildflowers like bluebonnets in spring, as well as a mix of grasslands,
woodlands, and riparian zones along waterways. Austin's geography
supports a blend of urban development and natural preservation, with
over 29,000 acres (11,736 ha) dedicated to parks and green spaces,
emphasizing outdoor recreation and environmental conservation.
Topography and Landforms
Austin's terrain is marked by the transition
from the flat, fertile plains of the Blackland Prairie in the east to
the rugged, limestone-based hills of the Texas Hill Country in the west.
The eastern parts of the city feature heavy clay and loam soils, which
are deep and suitable for agriculture but prone to shrink-swell
properties due to their alkaline nature and high calcium carbonate
content. In contrast, the western suburbs consist of rolling hills with
thin topsoil over limestone bedrock, leading to karst features like
caves, sinkholes, and springs.
This topographic divide, caused by the
Balcones Fault, not only influences soil types but also hydrology,
making the area susceptible to flash floods from intense thunderstorm
runoff. The hills provide scenic vistas, such as those from Mount
Bonnell, a historic limestone outcrop offering panoramic views over Lake
Austin and the surrounding landscape. Overall, the varied elevation and
geology create a dynamic environment that supports activities like
hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking in areas such as the Barton
Creek Greenbelt, a 7.25-mile (11.67 km) preserved corridor with dense
foliage, cliffs, and seasonal swimming holes like Twin Falls and
Sculpture Falls.
Bodies of Water
The Colorado River is the
dominant hydrological feature in Austin, flowing through the city and
forming several artificial lakes via dams managed by the Lower Colorado
River Authority (LCRA). Key reservoirs include:
Lady Bird Lake:
Formerly known as Town Lake, this 416-acre reservoir in downtown Austin
is impounded by Longhorn Dam. It's a hub for recreation, including
paddleboarding, kayaking, rowing, and the 10.1-mile (16.3 km) Ann and
Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail that encircles it. The lake also hosts
the world's largest urban bat colony under the Ann W. Richards Congress
Avenue Bridge, with up to 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerging
nightly from March to November.
Lake Austin: Upstream from Lady Bird
Lake, this narrower reservoir is formed by Tom Miller Dam and stretches
about 20 miles, offering boating, fishing, and waterfront living.
Lake Walter E. Long: Located east of the city, this 1,269-acre lake
serves partially as cooling water for the Decker Power Plant and
provides additional recreational opportunities.
Additionally,
Lake Travis, a massive 18,930-acre reservoir formed by Mansfield Dam,
lies partially within city limits to the northwest. It's part of the
Texas Highland Lakes chain, used for flood control, hydroelectric power,
and activities like swimming and sailing. Natural springs, such as
Barton Springs in Zilker Parka 3-acre pool fed by underground aquifers
maintaining 6871.6F (2022C) year-roundadd to the aquatic diversity.
Other notable sites include Hamilton Pool Preserve, 23 miles west,
featuring a natural grotto with a 50-foot waterfall, and McKinney Falls
State Park with cascades along Onion Creek.
These water bodies not
only enhance recreation but also pose challenges, such as flooding risks
(e.g., the 2018 floods from Hurricane Sergio remnants) and water quality
issues, leading to occasional boil-water advisories due to silt and
debris.
Austin experiences a humid subtropical climate (Kppen: Cfa;
Trewartha: Cfhl), characterized by long, hot summers, short mild
winters, and typically warm springs and falls. The city receives an
average of 34.32 inches (872 mm) of rainfall annually, distributed
somewhat evenly but peaking in spring and fall due to thunderstorms.
Sunshine is abundant, averaging 2,650 hours per year (about 60.3% of
possible daylight).
Summers are notably hot and humid, with July and
August highs often reaching the high 90sF (3436C). Temperatures hit
90F (32C) on an average of 123 days per year and 100F (38C) on 29
days. The record high is 112F (44C), tied on September 5, 2000, and
August 28, 2011. Humidity fluctuates based on wind patterns: low with
dry winds from West Texas or Mexico, and high with moist Gulf air.
Winters are mild, with January highs averaging 62.5F (16.9C) and lows
dropping below freezing only about 12 nights annually. The growing
season lasts around 288 days, from late February to early December. Snow
is rare, with notable events including 6.4 inches (16 cm) during the
February 1415, 2021, winter storm. The record low is -2F (-19C) from
January 31, 1949.
Severe weather is common in spring, including
tornadoes (as Austin is on the southern edge of Tornado Alley), hail,
high winds, lightning, and flash floods. Notable extremes include the
2011 drought (record low rainfall, under one-third normal, exacerbated
by La Nia, leading to wildfires), the 2018 flooding (causing water
supply issues), the 2021 winter storm (with power outages and water
crises), and the 2023 ice storm (causing widespread outages).
Austin's cityscape reflects a balance between historical preservation
and modern growth. The downtown area, centered around the Texas State
Capitol and the University of Texas at Austin's Main Building, has
undergone a skyscraper boom since the 2000s. Tallest structures include
The Independent (58 stories, 690 ft/210 m) and The Austonian (56 floors,
685 ft/209 m), both residential towers. However, development is
constrained by Capitol View Corridorszoning laws protecting sightlines
to the Capitol from various points, resulting in a somewhat spread-out
skyline.
At night, the city is illuminated by 15 historic moonlight
towers, 165-foot (50 m) structures built in the late 19th century to
provide artificial moonlight (originally 31 in total). Recent zoning
changes in December 2023 allow for denser housing like triplexes and
tiny homes to address growth. Neighborhoods vary: the east side features
flatter terrain with industrial and residential areas, while the west
has hilly suburbs with upscale homes. Key districts include South
Congress (eclectic shopping and food trucks), Rainey Street (historic
bungalows turned nightlife spots), and the central business district
with high-rises. Urban planning emphasizes sustainability, including the
abolition of parking mandates in 2023 to promote walking, biking, and
transit, reducing sprawl. The city's layout integrates green spaces,
such as Zilker Park (350 acres/140 ha with gardens, theaters, and
events) and Auditorium Shores along Lady Bird Lake.
Austin's geography fosters rich biodiversity, with native vegetation
like live oaks, cypresses, and wildflowers thriving in the temperate
climate. Conservation efforts, led by organizations like the Hill
Country Conservancy and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (a
botanical garden focused on native plants), aim to mitigate urban
expansion's impacts. The city faces environmental challenges, including
droughts, floods, and winter storms, but initiatives like solar energy
promotion and past plastic bag bans (20122018) highlight a commitment
to sustainability.
Parks and trails are integral, such as Emma Long
Metropolitan Park on Lake Austin, Deep Eddy Pool (Texas's oldest
man-made pool, fed by wells), and Hippie Hollow (a clothing-optional
park on Lake Travis). These features make Austin a "natural city,"
blending urban life with outdoor access, though growth pressures
continue to spark debates over development versus preservation.
According to the 2010 census, the population was 48.7 percent white and 8.1 percent African American; 6.3 percent were of Asian origin. 35.1 percent of the population was Hispanic. The median income per household in 2015 was US$57,689. 18.0 percent of the population lived below the poverty line.
Major employers in the city include Dell, Meta Platforms, Google,
AMD, Freescale Semiconductor (a Motorola spin-off), IBM, Wincor Nixdorf,
Apple, National Instruments, Hewlett-Packard, Samsung and eBay. In
December 2020, the software manufacturer Oracle Corporation relocated
its headquarters from Redwood City, California/USA to Austin. In October
2021, Tesla, Inc. announced it would be relocating its headquarters to
Austin and will open Tesla Gigafactory 5 near Austin in 2022.
Because of this accumulation, Austin is called Silicon Hills, in
reference to Silicon Valley and in allusion to the hilly landscape. In
addition, many video game developers are in close proximity, such as
Electronic Arts and Blizzard Entertainment.
The largest airport
in Austin is Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, which opened in
1999 and is located about five miles southeast of downtown.
Austin is considered a very young and dynamic city that has one of the
highest growth rates in the USA. The Austin metro area had a gross
domestic product of $168 billion in 2020, ranking 24th among the
metropolitan areas of the United States. The unemployment rate in the
metro area was 2.8 percent, well below the national average of 3.8
percent as of March 2018.
The University of Texas is particularly well known. With around
50,000 students on campus, it is one of the largest universities in the
United States and is one of the best public universities in the country.
A number of smaller private universities are also located in Austin,
including Concordia University and Saint Edward's, both Christian
colleges.
The city of Austin ranks among the top ten most
educated cities in the United States based on the percentage of the
population with college degrees.
The daily newspaper for Austin is the Austin-American Statesman. The
University of Texas campus also publishes The Daily Texan student
newspaper. The local events magazine is the weekly Austin Chronicle.
Public projects are also critically examined here.
Also based in
Austin is right-wing radio host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who
broadcasts his radio program The Alex Jones Show from here.
One of the most popular summertime activities is a visit to Barton
Springs, an outdoor pool fed by a natural spring. In the city center,
Sixth Street is one of the main attractions for younger people because
of its numerous (music) pubs. Fourth Street offers more entertainment
for the slightly older. The places mentioned are so close together that
everything is within walking distance - a peculiarity for an American
city.
The biggest attraction in Austin is a natural spectacle
that takes place on the Congress Bridge almost every evening during the
summer months: At sunset, around 1.5 million bats suddenly start from
inside the bridge to hunt for insects together and darken the sky. The
colony is the largest urban bat population in the world, with thousands
of spectators enjoying the sight.
Several lakes in the
vicinity offer opportunities for swimming and water sports. Right in
town, that's Lady Bird Lake, stretched right off downtown. Lake Austin
is significantly larger. Near the dam on Lake Austin Blvd is Oyster
Landing. There are various eateries and cafes here.
The countless
music bars open in the evening. Traditionally, blues rock and country is
offered by the many local and more or less well-known stars. For many
years, the "Armadillo" was an important visitor site for music events in
the USA. There is now a parking lot on the site. The self-proclaimed
"Live Music Capital of the World" claims that there are more live bands
there than, for example, in Nashville, Memphis, Los Angeles, Las Vegas
or New York. As a result, one of the major events held annually in
Austin is the South by Southwest Festival (SXSW) in March.
Moviegoers love the multi-site Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas, which mostly
screens higher quality films and often have special theme nights.
Quentin Tarantino and Richard Linklater are regulars, probably due to
the special atmosphere, and hold a film festival here every two years.
The Austin Music Hall, which has hosted numerous music industry
greats, has since been demolished.
Contrary to popular belief, Texas is not dry everywhere. The eastern
part is actually quite green and humid, and the Austin area is
characterized by many rivers and lakes and a green landscape almost all
year round. Accordingly, leisure activities include swimming, water
sports, canoeing or "tubing" (driving down a river on inflated car
tires). Since the summer is long and the temperatures are high, you can
do it almost all year round.
The countryside east of Austin is
relatively flat, while the countryside to the west is aptly named Hill
Country. The approximately 100 meter high hills in this area, mostly
covered with low trees, are only very sparsely populated and are
considered one of the most beautiful areas in Texas. In the heart of the
Hill Country, about 100 miles west of Austin, is Enchanted Rock, a
500-foot-high, semi-circular granite rock that juts out from the
landscape and is a popular tourist destination.
There are many
places in the area whose names refer to German foundations, e.g. B. New
Braunfels, Luckenbach, Gruene or Fredericksburg. If you stop in the
smaller towns in the area, you often learn that the ancestors of the
inhabitants actually came from Germany. At that time, the German
immigrants had a decisive influence on the area and so you can still
find numerous references to German culture today. Many streets,
restaurants, hotels and shops have German names and offer German food. A
few German-Americans still living there also speak the so-called Texas
German, a variety of the German language with English influences. Texas
German is researched at the Department of Germanic Studies at the
University of Texas at Austin by the German specialist Hans Christian
Boas, among others.
Austin has long been the most populous city in the United States
without its own professional team in the major US sports leagues (NFL,
MLB, NBA, NHL and MLS). The Austin FC football franchise did not start
playing in the MLS until the 2021 season. College sports are very
popular. The University of Texas' Texas Longhorns, best known for their
football team, play their home games at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial
Stadium.
In May 2010, Formula 1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone announced
that it had signed a deal with the city of Austin for a Formula 1 race
beginning in 2012. The newly built Circuit of The Americas near Austin
is the first permanent racetrack in the history of US motorsport, built
primarily for Formula 1 and has therefore been home to the US Grand Prix
since 2012. In addition, the organizer of the motorcycle world
championship was able to conclude a ten-year contract with the route
operator, so that races for the motorcycle world championship will also
take place in Austin from 2013.
Asa Brigham (1788–1844), settler, businessman and politician; Mayor
of Austin from 1842 and 1844
Thomas Benton Wheeler (1840–1913),
politician; Mayor of Austin from 1873 and 1877
Vincent Madeley Harris
(1913–1988), Roman Catholic Bishop of Austin
Alan Lomax (1915–2002),
folklore and music researcher
Slim Richey (1938–2015), bluegrass and
jazz guitarist
Townes Van Zandt (1944–1997), songwriter (country,
folk, blues)
Roky Erickson (1947–2019), singer and guitarist
Meat
Loaf (1947–2022), singer and actor
Lloyd Maines (born 1951), country
music producer and songwriter
Stevie Ray Vaughan (1954–1990),
guitarist
Ron Kirk (born 1954), politician (Democratic Party) and
lawyer
Bruce Sterling (born 1954), science fiction writer
Shawn
Colvin (born 1956), singer-songwriter
James McMurtry (born 1962),
folk rock guitarist and singer-songwriter
Harvey Smith (born 1966),
game developer
Elon Musk (born 1971), entrepreneur, lives in Austin
Alex Jones (born 1974), journalist
Gary Clark Jr. (born 1984),
musician and actor
Shakey Graves (born 1987), musician and actor