Population88,595 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
Freshwater Discoveries and East Texas Community Life
Henderson County, TexasHenderson County centers on Athens and includes a landscape in which lakes and freshwater places are prominent. Athens is the county seat and largest city. The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center offers an opportunity to connect a visit with learning about fish and their habitats. Begin with a named destination, then use local and state visitor information to plan the rest of your time in the county’s communities and surrounding countryside.
Henderson County at a Glance
Population88,595 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
County SeatAthens
Largest CityAthens
Established1846
ZIP Codes16
Total Area948 sq mi (2,460 km 2 )
Major RoutesU.S. Highway 175 State Highway 19 State Highway 31 State Highway 155 State Highway 198 State Highway 274 State Highway 334 Loop 7 Loop 60
Area Code430 / 903
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover the County
Henderson County
Henderson County was established in 1846, soon after Texas entered the United States. It was named for James Pinckney Henderson, who held offices in the Republic of Texas and later became the state’s first governor. Buffalo was laid out in 1847, while Athens became the county seat. The county’s administrative beginnings are one part of its story; its later communities and freshwater landscape offer other ways to understand how local life developed across the surrounding area.
The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens provides a destination centered on freshwater fish and education. Its official pages explain visiting arrangements and the center’s work, including its hatchery role. Check current programs before planning a visit around a particular activity. Athens can serve as the starting point for a wider county itinerary, but select specific public facilities for any lake outing so that directions and access details match the place you intend to use.
What Shapes Us
Athens at the Center
Athens serves as both county seat and largest city. It is a practical starting point for public information and for exploring destinations in the county.
Freshwater Learning
The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center connects visitors with fish, habitats and fisheries work. Use its official visitor information to plan activities and check current arrangements.
A Statehood Namesake
James Pinckney Henderson served the Republic of Texas before becoming the state’s first governor. The county’s name preserves that connection to the early statehood period.
Freshwater places and local learning bring the county into focus.
My Local Guide
Henderson County
Our County. Our Stories.
The Texas Tribune — Statewide
TribCast: Are Texas’ voter systems ready for a contentious election?
Votebeat's Natalia Contreras joins TribCast to explain the state of Texas’ voter rolls one month before election day.
Read the Story Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
News & resources for Henderson County
Local reporting when available, plus statewide Texas news and official resources.
TribCast: Are Texas’ voter systems ready for a contentious election?
Votebeat's Natalia Contreras joins TribCast to explain the state of Texas’ voter rolls one month before election day.
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Democrat Jon Rosenthal outraises Bo French in Railroad Commission race in latest report
A big chunk of Rosenthal’s haul came after French’s racist social media comments following a UT-Austin football game…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Greg Abbott outraised Gina Hinojosa but burned through much of his campaign cash in Texas governor’s race
Abbott outspent Hinojosa 6-to-1 from July to late September, but the governor’s narrow polling lead was largely unchanged…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Law enforcement Democrat, GOP Air Force vet upend partisan script in race for new San Antonio U.S. House district
The 35th Congressional District was redrawn to elect a Republican, but Latino voters’ brewing leftward shift has put…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
These are the most competitive November races up and down Texas’ midterm ballot
Texas has an unusually large slate of competitive races for the state Legislature and U.S. House this year.…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Useful connections for everyday life
Find public information and services through the county and relevant service providers.
Government
County & local resources
Food, housing & family support
East Texas Food Bank — food assistance
Regional food-bank network serving Henderson County. Find a nearby pantry or distribution and confirm its schedule before visiting.
East Texas Food Bank — food assistance — details and contacts
2-1-1 Texas — local assistance
Search community assistance by location and type of need, including food, housing and family support.
Texas HHS — local family support
Search family-support programs and local services for parents and caregivers.
Schools
County & local resources
Brownsboro ISD
School and district information, contacts and educational resources.
Cross Roads ISD
School and district information, contacts and educational resources.
Child care & learning
Texas Child Care Connection — scholarships
Review child-care scholarship information and the application process for families who need care while working or attending education or training.
Texas Child Care Connection — scholarships — details and contacts
Henderson County — AgriLife Extension
Find county Extension contacts, local educational programs and 4-H information.
Henderson County — AgriLife Extension — details and contacts
Hospitals
County & local resources
Ut Health East Texas Athens Hospital — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Health, aging & caregiver support
Texas WIC — office locator
Find a nearby WIC office and contact it about appointments, nutrition support and eligibility.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers
Find the regional center that helps older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers explore services and support.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers — details and contacts
Local mental and behavioral health authorities
Use the Texas HHS directory to find the authority serving your county and its contact information.
Local mental and behavioral health authorities — details and contacts
Public Safety
Call 911 for an immediate emergency. Use the directory entry to locate the sheriff’s office, and confirm current non-emergency contact details with the county.
County & local resources
Henderson County Sheriff — state directory entry
Sheriff’s office information, public safety resources and non-emergency contacts.
Emergency Services
For an immediate emergency, call 911. These links provide emergency planning, coordination and recovery information.
County & local resources
Texas Division of Emergency Management — Region 3 serving Henderson County
Emergency preparedness, local alerts and response information.
Prepare before an emergency
Texas Ready — emergency planning materials
Download emergency plans, supply checklists and preparedness materials in English and Spanish.
Texas Ready — emergency planning materials — details and contacts
State Parks
County & local resources
Purtis Creek State Park
Park locations, visitor information and current access details.
Trails
Texas resources
Purtis Creek State Park — Trails Information page
Outdoor recreation, routes and visitor planning information.
Utilities
Water utilities listed for the county. Confirm the provider for your specific address; service territories vary within county lines.
County & local resources
Help with household costs
Help for Texans — housing and utility assistance
Find local providers for utility bills, housing, weatherization and accessibility repairs. Providers handle applications; availability and eligibility vary.
Help for Texans — housing and utility assistance — details and contacts
Libraries
County & local resources
Henderson County Clint W Murchison Memorial Library
Library locations, collections and public services.
The Library at Cedar Creek Lake
Library locations, collections and public services.
Accessible reading & library services
Texas Talking Book Program
Learn about accessible library services for qualifying Texans with visual, physical or reading disabilities.
Courts
Use the named county court links or search the official Texas courts directory by county and court name. Confirm the hearing or filing location directly; a regional court may serve more than one county.
County & local resources
Henderson County — County Court (County Constitutional Court)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Henderson County — 173rd District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Henderson County — 392nd District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Henderson County — 3rd District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Henderson County — County Court at Law (County Court at Law)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Henderson County — County Court at Law No. 2 (County Court at Law)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Henderson County — Precinct 1 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Henderson County — Precinct 2 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Henderson County — Precinct 3 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Henderson County — Precinct 4 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Find legal assistance
TexasLawHelp — legal help directory
Search legal-aid organizations by counties covered and area of legal help. Each organization determines service availability and eligibility.
DMV
For local vehicle titles and registration, start with the county tax office. Texas DPS handles driver licenses.
County & local resources
Henderson County Tax Office
Tax office information, payments and available services.
Texas resources
Buying or selling a vehicle
Vehicle registration, licensing and office information.
Apply for a Texas driver license
Vehicle registration, licensing and office information.
Driver license appointments
Vehicle registration, licensing and office information.
Transportation
These agencies or county departments serve local transportation needs. Check routes, service boundaries, eligibility and advance booking with the provider.
County & local resources
Postal Services
Local postal facilities listed in USPS property records. Confirm retail hours, available services and temporary closures with USPS before visiting.
County & local resources
National resources
USPS — confirm local hours and services
Postal locations, mailing services and address information.
Veterans
County & local resources
Henderson County Veteran Service Officer
Veterans services, benefits information and support resources.
Employment
County & local resources
Job search & employment support
Workforce Solutions — find an office
Find nearby workforce offices for job-search, training and employer services.
Vocational rehabilitation — office lookup
Find a vocational rehabilitation office to discuss employment services for people with disabilities.
Vocational rehabilitation — office lookup — details and contacts
A little local knowledge goes a long way
Find practical information before you visit or make a move.
Helpful Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with the essentials, then follow the source links for more detail.
Athens is the county seat of Henderson County, Texas.
The county overview lists Athens as its largest community.
The total area is 948 sq mi (2,460 km 2 ), including land and water.
Use the Henderson County government website for county offices and public information.
The center is in Athens. Its official contact page provides the location and visitor contact information. Contact the fisheries center.
Yes. Its role includes fish production as well as public education. The center’s official history explains its purpose. Center facts and history.
Use the official Henderson County — Commissioners' Court. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
Danny’s Smokehouse BBQ is one option. Plan a barbecue stop in Athens.
Barbara’s Corner is one option. Browse a downtown antique-shopping stop.
Ladies 1st Boutique is one option. Browse apparel and accessories in Athens.
East Texas Arboretum is one option. Walk woodland trails; admission applies and sturdy footwear is recommended.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make time for a local discoveryPlan your day around places and experiences in the county.
Kids’ Fun
- Good Times Skating Arena & Go Carts — Plan a family skating outing; check available activities and admission.
- Cinemark Cinema 4 — Choose a family film from the current Athens cinema schedule.
- Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center — Explore a family destination focused on freshwater fish; check current visitor information.
Restaurants
- Danny’s Smokehouse BBQ — Plan a barbecue stop in Athens.
- Roma Italian Restaurant — Consider Italian food during your Athens visit.
- Cherry Laurel Bakery & Cafe — Stop for a bakery and cafe visit in Athens.
Shopping & Retail
- Barbara’s Corner — Browse a downtown antique-shopping stop.
- Common Grace Thrift and More — Look for secondhand finds at this community thrift store.
- 211 Gallery — Browse works offered by local and regional artists.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Ladies 1st Boutique — Browse apparel and accessories in Athens.
- Railway Hippie Boutique — Explore a boutique by the downtown square.
- The Sahuaro’s House — Shop western and casual clothing and footwear.
Outdoor Fun
- East Texas Arboretum — Walk woodland trails; admission applies and sturdy footwear is recommended.
- Cain Park — Enjoy outdoor recreation, walking paths and picnic areas.
- Railroad Park — Pause at a pocket park just off the downtown square.
Free Things To Do
- Ginger’s Park — Enjoy a quiet outdoor stop at this public downtown pocket park.
- Railroad Park — Bring lunch and relax in the public pocket park.
- Cain Park Walking Trail — Take an outdoor park walk; indoor recreation-center amenities have separate access requirements.
Every place has a story.Find Your Next Favorite.