Austin, Texas
1998
226116296
2008-07-16T21:58:10Z
24.153.182.163
/* Official sites */
{{Infobox Settlement
|official_name = City of Austin
|settlement_type = [[City]]
|nickname = Live Music Capital of the World<ref name="motto">{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofaustin.org/music/|title=Live Music Capital of the World|accessdate=2007-06-12|publisher=City of Austin}}</ref> , The ATX<ref name="atx_motto">{{cite web|url=http://www.atxfest.com/general_info.php|title=The ATX|accessdate=2007-04-06|publisher=ATX Fest}}</ref>, City of the Violet Crown <ref name="vc_motto">{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/library/ahc/faq3.htm|title=City of the Violet Crown|publisher=City Of Austin}}</ref>
|image_skyline = Austin skyline.JPG
|image_seal = Seal of Austin, TX.gif
|image_map = TXMap-doton-Austin.PNG
|mapsize = 250px
|map_caption = Location in the state of [[Texas]]
|subdivision_type = [[List of countries|Country]]
|subdivision_type1 = [[Political divisions of the United States|State]]
|subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Texas|County]]
|subdivision_name = [[United States]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[Texas]]
|subdivision_name2 = [[Travis County, Texas|Travis]]<br>[[Williamson County, Texas|Williamson]]<br>[[Hays County, Texas|Hays]]
|government_type = [[council-manager government|Manager-Council]]
|leader_title = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name = [[Will Wynn]]
|leader_title1 = [[City Manager]]
|leader_name1 = Marc Ott
|established_title = Settled
|established_date = 1835
|established_title2 = Incorporated
|established_date2 = [[December 27]], [[1839]]
|area_magnitude = 1 E9
|area_total_km2 = 767.28
|area_land_km2 = 651.4
|area_water_km2 = 17.9
|area_total_sq_mi = 296.25
|area_land_sq_mi = 251.5
|area_water_sq_mi = 6.9
|area_metro_km2 = 11099.91
|area_metro_sq_mi = 4285.7
|population_metro = 1,598,161
|population_total = 856,254
|population_density_km2 = 925.21
|population_as_of = 2007
|population_metro = 1,598,161
|population_total = 743,074 ([[List of United States cities by population|16th]])
|population_density_km2 = 925.21
|population_blank1_title = [[Demonym]]
|population_blank1 = Austinite
|population_footnotes = <ref name="06EST">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2007/cb07-91table1.pdf|title=Population Estimates for the 25 Largest U.S. Cities based on July 1, 2006 Population Estimates|accessdate=2007-06-28|publisher=US Census Bureau|format=PDF}}</ref>
|timezone = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]]
|utc_offset = -6
|timezone_DST = [[North American Central Time Zone|CDT]]
|utc_offset_DST = -5
|elevation_m = 149
|elevation_ft = 489
|latd = 30 |latm = 16 |lats = 2 |latNS = N
|longd = 97 |longm = 45 |longs = 50 |longEW = W
|postal_code_type = ZIP code
|postal_code = 78701-78705, 78708-78728, 78730-78739, 78741-78742, 78744-78769
|area_code = [[Area code 512|512]]
|website = [http://www.cityofaustin.org/ www.cityofaustin.org]
|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info = 48-05000{{GR|2}}
|blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info = 1384879{{GR|3}}
|footnotes =
}}
'''Austin''' is the [[capital]] of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Texas]] and the [[county seat|seat]] of [[Travis County, Texas|Travis County]]. Situated in [[Central Texas]], it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 16th-largest in the [[United States|United States of America]], as well as the third fastest growing large city in the nation from 2000 to 2006.<ref>[http://money.cnn.com/2007/06/27/real_estate/fastest_growing_cities/ The fastest growing U.S. cities - Jun. 28, 2007<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> As of the 2007 U.S. Census estimate, Austin has a population of 743,074.<ref name="06EST">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2007/cb07-91table1.pdf|title=Population Estimates for the 25 Largest U.S. Cities based on July 1, 2006 Population Estimates|accessdate=2007-06-28|publisher=US Census Bureau|format=PDF}}</ref> The city is the cultural and economic center of the [[Greater Austin]] metropolitan area with a population of about 1.6 million people.
Austin was selected as the No. 1 Best Big City in "Best Places to Live" by ''[[Money (magazine)|Money]]'' magazine in 2006, and the "[[Sustainability|Greenest]] City in America" by MSN.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2006/top100/bigcities.html|title=10 best big cities|publisher=Money.cnn.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cityguides.msn.com/citylife/greenarticle.aspx?cp-documentid=4848625|title=The 10 Greenest Cities in America|publisher=MSN|work=City Guide}}</ref> Also, according to [[CNN]] Headline News and travel and leisure Austin ranks #2 on the list of cities with the best people referring to the personalities and attributes of the citizens.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.infoplease.com/us/cities/best-people.html|title=Best People in U.S. Cities|publisher=Travelandleisure.com and CNN Headline News|year=2007|accessdate=2008-04-07}}</ref> Austin was also voted America's #1 College Town by the Travel Channel.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} Austin was ranked the 5th safest city in part because annually, there are fewer than 3 people murdered per 100,000 people.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.morganquitno.com/cit07pop.htm#25|title=City Crime Rankings by Population Group|publisher=Morgan Quitno Press|year=2006|accessdate=2008-06-21}}</ref><ref>{{citeweb|url=http://cqpress.com/docs/met05r.pdf|title=Rank Order - Metro Area|pages=2|publisher=Morgan Quitno Press|format=[[PDF]]|year=2006|accessdate=2008-06-21}}</ref>
Residents of Austin are known as "Austinites," and include a mix of university [[professors]], students, [[politicians]], [[lobbyists]], [[musicians]], state employees, high-tech workers, [[blue-collar workers]], and [[white-collar workers]]. The main campus of the [[University of Texas at Austin|University of Texas]] is located in Austin. The city is home to enough large sites of major technology corporations to have earned it the nickname "Silicon Hills." Austin's official slogan promotes the city as "The Live Music Capital of the World", a reference to its status as home to many musicians and music venues.<ref name="motto">{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofaustin.org/music/|title=Live Music Capital of the World|accessdate=2007-06-12|publisher=City of Austin}}</ref><ref name="atx_motto">{{cite web|url=http://www.atxfest.com/general_info.php|title=The ATX|accessdate=2007-04-06|publisher=ATX Fest}}</ref> In recent years, many Austinites have also adopted the unofficial slogan "[[Keep Austin Weird]]"; this refers partly to the eclectic and progressive lifestyle of many Austin residents, but is also the slogan for a campaign to preserve smaller local businesses and resist excessive commercialization.
==History==
{{main|History of Austin, Texas}}
{{Mergeto | History of Austin, Texas | Talk:Austin, Texas#History_Merge_Proposal |date=May 2008}}
[[Image:Stephen f austin.jpg|thumb|left|[[Stephen F. Austin]].]]
Prior to the arrival of settlers from the [[United States]], the area that later became Austin was inhabited by a variety of [[nomadic]] [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American tribes]], including the [[Tonkawa]] tribe, the [[Comanche]]s, and the [[Lipan Apache]]s.<ref>{{cite web
| title = What Native American tribe was most common in the area?
| work = Austin City Connection
| url = http://www.cityofaustin.org/library/ahc/faq5.htm
| accessdate = 2007-09-20 }}</ref>
[[Edward Burleson]] laid out the town of Waterloo in the mid-1830s. In 1838 [[Mirabeau Lamar]], vice-president of the Republic of Texas, visited Waterloo, where he stayed with one of the earliest settlers, Jacob Harrell. Lamar was elected president shortly thereafter. When the Texas Congress formed a commission to seek a site for a new capital to be named Austin, Lamar advised the commissioners to investigate Waterloo, which was then indeed chosen. In May 1839 Lamar's designated government agent [[Edwin Waller]] organized and led a workforce of about 200 men from [[Houston]] to Waterloo to construct the new city.
At first, the new capital thrived. By the early 1840s the population stood at about 850 people. But when Lamar's political enemy Sam Houston regained the presidency in 1841, he used two Mexican army incursions to San Antonio as an excuse to move the government to Washington (now known as [[Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas|Washington-on-the-Brazos]]). Within months Austin's population had shrunk to about 200, and many Texans assumed that the city would die. Remaining Austin residents responded to the threat by forcibly keeping the national archives in their city in defiance of President Houston's attempts to bring them to Washington.
[[Anson Jones]] became president in 1844. The following year he called a convention in Austin to discuss annexation to the United States as well as to consider a new constitution. Once annexation became official, delegates wrote a new state constitution in which Austin was again named the seat of government.
The [[Texas State Capitol]] was completed in 1888 advertised as the 7th largest building in the world. Funded by the famous [[XIT Ranch]], the building still remains part of the Austin skyline. The state capitol is smaller than the [[United States Capitol]] in total gross square footage, but is actually 15 feet taller than its [[Washington D.C.]] counterpart.
In September 1881, Austin public schools held their first classes. The same year, [[Huston-Tillotson University|Huston-Tillotson College]] opened its doors. The [[University of Texas at Austin]] held its first classes in 1883.
In the 1950s, Austin's first research labs and think tanks were built. As Austin's economy prospered, several movie theaters, public pools, and a local library system were opened.
The Austin music scene began attracting national attention in the 1970s with artists such as [[Willie Nelson]] and venues such as the [[Armadillo World Headquarters]].
Today, Austin is known as much for its cultural life as its high-tech innovations. The same success that has gained the city a national reputation has brought with it many difficult choices as the city struggles to grow in sustainable ways.<ref>{{citeweb
| title = The History of Austin last 5 paragraphs
| work = Austin City Connection
| url = http://www.cityofaustin.org/library/ahc/briefhistory.htm
| accessdate = 2007-12-28 }}</ref>
==Geography==
[[Image:Hill-country.jpg|thumb|right|Hill Country]]
Austin is located at {{coord|30|16|N|97|45|W|city}} {{GR|1}} and is approximately {{convert|541|ft|m|0}} above sea level. According to the 2000 census, the city has a total area of {{convert|258.4|sqmi|km2|0}}. {{convert|251.5|sqmi|km2|0}} of it is land and {{convert|6.9|sqmi|km2|0}} (2.67%) is water.
Austin is situated on the [[Colorado River (Texas)|Colorado River]], with three man-made (artificial) lakes wholly within the city limits: [[Lady Bird Lake]], [[Lake Austin]], and [[Lake Walter E. Long]]. Additionally, the foot of [[Lake Travis]], including [[Mansfield Dam]], is located within the city's limits. Lady Bird Lake, Lake Austin, and Lake Travis are each on the Colorado River. The city is also situated on the [[Balcones Fault]], which, in much of Austin, runs roughly the same route as [[Loop 1 (Texas)|Loop 1]] (Mopac Expressway). The eastern part of the city is relatively flat, whereas the western part and western suburbs consist of scenic rolling hills on the edge of the [[Texas Hill Country]]. Because the hills to the west are primarily [[limestone]] rock with a thin covering of topsoil, portions of the city are frequently subjected to flash floods from the runoff caused by thunderstorms. To help control this runoff and to generate hydroelectric power, the [[Lower Colorado River Authority]] operates a series of dams that form the [[Texas Highland Lakes]]. The lakes also provide venues for boating, swimming, and other forms of recreation within several parks located on the lake shores.
Austin is located at the intersection of four major ecological regions and is consequently mostly a temperate-to-hot green oasis but has some characteristics of the desert, the tropics, and a wetter climate. It is very diverse ecologically/biologically and the home of a variety of beautiful animals and plants, notably the wildflowers that blossom throughout the year but especially in the spring, including the popular bluebonnets, some planted in an effort by Lady Bird Johnson.
[[Image:Mount-Bonnell.jpg|thumb|right|The view from Mount Bonnell]]
A popular point of prominence in Austin is [[Mount Bonnell]]. At about {{convert|780|ft|m|0}} above sea level, it is a natural limestone formation overlooking [[Lake Austin]] on the Colorado River, about {{convert|200|ft|m|0}} below its summit. From the observation deck, many homes are visible.
The soils of Austin range from shallow gravelly clay loams over limestone in the western outskirts to deep fine sandy loams, silty clay loams, silty clays or clays in the city's eastern part. Some of the clays have pronounced shrink-swell properties and are difficult to work under most moisture conditions. Many of Austin's soils, especially the clay-rich types, are slightly to moderately alkaline and have free [[calcium carbonate]].
{{seealso|List of Austin Neighborhoods}}
[[Image:AustinfromMountBonnell.JPG|thumb|Downtown Austin from the summit of Mt. Bonnell]]
===Climate===
Austin has a [[humid subtropical climate]], characterized by hot summers and mild winters.<ref name="aboutweather">{{cite web | url = http://austin.about.com/od/weatherenvironment/a/weather.htm | title = Austin Weather & Climate | publisher = About.com | accessdate = 2007-03-19 }}</ref> On average, Austin receives {{convert|33.6|in|mm|1}} of rain per year, with most of the precipitation in the spring, and a secondary maximum in the fall.<ref name="noaaweather">{{cite web|url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ewx/html/cli/ausnorm.htm|title=Austin Climate Summary|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2006-07-13}}</ref> During springtime, severe thunderstorms sometimes occur, though tornadoes are rare in the city. Austin is usually at least partially sunny.
Austin summers are usually hot and humid, with average temperatures of approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius) from June until September. Temperatures above {{convert|100|°F|°C|0}} are common. The highest recorded temperature was {{convert|112|°F|°C|0}} on [[September 5]], [[2000]].<ref name="aboutweather" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ewx/html/wxevent/2000_2001/sep2wx.htm | title = VERY HOT EARLY SEPTEMBER 2000 WEATHER | publisher = National Weather Service | accessdate = 2007-03-19 }}</ref><ref name="weatherdotcom">{{cite web|url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USTX0057|title=MontAverages|publisher=Weather.com|accessdate=2006-07-13}}</ref> For the entire year there is an average of 111 days above {{convert|90|°F|°C|0}} and 198 days above {{convert|80|°F|°C|0}}.<ref name="aboutweather" />
Winters in Austin are mild and dry. For the entire year, Austin averages 88 days below {{convert|45|°F|°C|0}} and 24 days when the minimum temperature falls below freezing. The lowest recorded temperature was {{convert|-2|°F|°C|0}} on [[January 31]], [[1949]].<ref name="aboutweather" /> Snowfall is rare in Austin, but approximately biannually Austin may suffer an [[ice storm]] that freezes roads over and shuts down much of the city for 24 to 48 hours.<ref name="aboutweather" />
{{Infobox Weather
|metric_first= <!--Entering Yes will display metric first. Leave blank for imperial-->
|single_line=Yes <!--Entering Yes will display metric and imperial units on same line.-->
|location = [[Camp Mabry]], Austin, Texas, USA
|Jan_Hi_°F =60 |Jan_REC_Hi_°F =90 <!--REC temps are optional; use sparely-->
|Feb_Hi_°F =65 |Feb_REC_Hi_°F =99
|Mar_Hi_°F =73 |Mar_REC_Hi_°F =98
|Apr_Hi_°F =79 |Apr_REC_Hi_°F =99
|May_Hi_°F =85 |May_REC_Hi_°F =104
|Jun_Hi_°F =91 |Jun_REC_Hi_°F =108
|Jul_Hi_°F =95 |Jul_REC_Hi_°F =108
|Aug_Hi_°F =96 |Aug_REC_Hi_°F =110
|Sep_Hi_°F =90 |Sep_REC_Hi_°F =112
|Oct_Hi_°F =81 |Oct_REC_Hi_°F =100
|Nov_Hi_°F =70 |Nov_REC_Hi_°F =91
|Dec_Hi_°F =62 |Dec_REC_Hi_°F =90
|Year_Hi_°F =79 |Year_REC_Hi_°F = 112
|Jan_Lo_°F =40 |Jan_REC_Lo_°F =-2
|Feb_Lo_°F =44 |Feb_REC_Lo_°F =-1
|Mar_Lo_°F =51 |Mar_REC_Lo_°F =18
|Apr_Lo_°F =58 |Apr_REC_Lo_°F =30
|May_Lo_°F =65 |May_REC_Lo_°F =40
|Jun_Lo_°F =71 |Jun_REC_Lo_°F =51
|Jul_Lo_°F =73 |Jul_REC_Lo_°F =57
|Aug_Lo_°F =73 |Aug_REC_Lo_°F =58
|Sep_Lo_°F =69 |Sep_REC_Lo_°F =41
|Oct_Lo_°F =60 |Oct_REC_Lo_°F =30
|Nov_Lo_°F =49 |Nov_REC_Lo_°F =20
|Dec_Lo_°F =42 |Dec_REC_Lo_°F =4
|Year_Lo_°F =58 |Year_REC_Lo_°F =-2
|Jan_Precip_inch =1.89
|Feb_Precip_inch =1.99
|Mar_Precip_inch =2.14
|Apr_Precip_inch =2.51
|May_Precip_inch =5.03
|Jun_Precip_inch =3.81
|Jul_Precip_inch =1.97
|Aug_Precip_inch =2.31
|Sep_Precip_inch =2.91
|Oct_Precip_inch =3.97
|Nov_Precip_inch =2.68
|Dec_Precip_inch =2.44
|Year_Precip_inch =33.6
|source =NOAA <ref name="noaaweather"/>
|accessdate =
<!--For a second source-->
|source2 =weather.com <ref name="weatherdotcom"/>
|accessdate2 =
}}<!--Infobox ends-->
:::Table Note: ''Averages are from the 30 year average from 1971–2000 at [[Camp Mabry]], and records are from Camp Mabry and from previous climate sites, spanning from 1897 to present.''<ref name="noaaweather"/><ref name="weatherdotcom"/>
==Government and politics==
===Law and government===
[[Image:AustinTexasCongressView.jpg|thumb|right|upright|View of Downtown Austin and [[Texas State Capitol]] from south [[Congress Avenue]]]]Austin is administered by a [[city council]] of seven members, each of them elected by the entire city. The council is composed of six council members, and by an elected [[mayor]], accompanied by a hired [[city manager]] under the [[council-manager government|manager-council]] system of municipal governance. Council and mayoral elections are non-partisan, with a runoff in case there is no majority winner. Austin remains an anomaly among large Texas cities in that council members are elected on an "at large" basis by all voters, as opposed to elections by districts.
The current mayor of Austin is [[Will Wynn]]. His second term ends in 2009.
Austin is located in [[Travis County, Texas]].
{{seealso|List of current and former capital cities in the United States}}
===Politics===
The main political actors in Austin city politics are interest groups such as the pro-environmental [[Save Our Springs Alliance]], Save Barton Creek Association, Equality TX, the Austin Police Association, and the Austin Business Council.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} Texas Democrats are very active here.
The controversy that dominated Austin politics during the 1990s was the conflict between [[environmentalist]]s, strong in the city center, and advocates of urban growth, who tend to live in the outlying areas. The city council has in the past tried to mitigate the controversy by advocating [[smart growth]], but growth and environmental protection are still the most divisive issues in city politics. Today conservatives in Austin argue that the city's various highway traffic problems are rooted in the denial of past highway/infrastructure development by political action committees who do not support highway expansion. Environmentalists counter that their efforts contributed to the city's large green spaces, which many Austinites enjoy. Progressives also maintain that unlike several other cities in Texas, Austin's smart growth policies have contributed to a rapidly-increasing population density in and around the downtown area.
Austin is well known as a center for [[Modern liberalism in the United States|liberal]] politics in a generally [[conservatism|conservative]] state. Suburban neighborhoods in Austin, especially to the west and north, and several satellite municipalities, however, tend toward political conservatism.
As a result of the major party realignment that began in the 1970s, central Austin became a stronghold of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] while the suburbs tend to vote [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]. One consequence of this is that in the most recent redistricting plan, formulated by former U.S. Rep. [[Tom DeLay]] and enacted by the Republican-majority legislature, the central city has been split among multiple, sprawling districts. Opponents characterized the resulting districting layout as excessively partisan [[gerrymander]]ing, and the plan was challenged in court on this basis by Democratic and minority activists; of note, the [[Supreme Court of the United States]] has never struck down a redistricting plan for being excessively partisan. The plan was subsequently upheld by a three-judge federal panel in late 2003, and on [[June 28]], [[2006]], the matter was largely settled when the Supreme Court in a 7-2 decision upheld the entire congressional redistricting plan with the exception of a Hispanic-majority district in southwest Texas. This may later affect Austin's districting, as U.S. Rep. [[Lloyd Doggett]]'s district was found not to be sufficiently compact to compensate for the reduced [[minority influence]] in the southwest district.<ref>http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=ah1suoNgrH7g&refer=us</ref>
Overall, the city is a blend of downtown liberalism and suburban conservatism, but leans strongly to the political left. In 2003, the city adopted a resolution against the USA [[PATRIOT act]] which reaffirmed constitutionally guaranteed rights. In the 2004 presidential election, Senator [[John Kerry]] won a substantial majority of the votes in Travis County as illustrated in this [http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/vote2004/countymap.htm pictorial of votes by county]. Of Austin's six state legislative districts, three are strongly Democratic and three are swing districts all of which are held by Democrats. However, two of its three congressional districts are presently held by Republicans; this is largely due to the 2003 redistricting, which left downtown Austin without an exclusive congressional seat of its own. Travis County was also the only county in Texas to reject Texas Constitutional Amendment [http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/79R/billtext/HJ00006F.HTM Proposition 2] — effectively outlawing gay marriage and status equal or similar to it — and did so by a wide margin (40% for, 60% against).
[[Image:Austin montage.jpg|thumb|500px|center|Vista of Austin's riverfront from ''Auditorium Shores'' Park.]]
Austin is also an active area for the [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian Party]]. Although the Libertarians remain a third party, they occasionally garner substantial votes, and one of the past Libertarian presidential candidates, [[Michael Badnarik]] comes from Austin, while another, [[Ron Paul]] who ran for the [[1988 presidential election]] as the Libertarian nominee, and for the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] presidential nomination in 2008, and represented a congressional district that includes part of the greater Austin area.
Two of the candidates for President in the 2004 race call Austin home. Michael Badnarik, mentioned above as the Libertarian Party candidate, and [[David Cobb]] of the [[Green Party (United States)|Green Party]] both have lived in Austin. During the run up to the election in November, a presidential debate was held at the [[University of Texas]] student union involving the two minor party candidates. While the [[Commission on Presidential Debates]] only invites Democrats and Republicans to participate in televised debates, the debate at UT was open to all presidential candidates.
===Sister cities===
List of '''[[sister city|sister cities]] of Austin, Texas''', designated by [[Sister Cities International]].<ref>[http://www.cityofaustin.org/siscity/ http://www.cityofaustin.org./siscity/ Austin Sister Cities - general information]</ref>
*{{flagicon|Australia}} [[Adelaide]], [[Australia]] - since 1983
*{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Koblenz]], [[Germany]]- since 1991
*{{flagicon|Peru}} [[Lima]], [[Peru]]- since 1981
*{{flagicon|Lesotho}} [[Maseru]], [[Lesotho]]- since 1978
*{{flagicon|Japan}} [[Ōita, Ōita|Ōita]], [[Japan]] - since 1990
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Saltillo, Coahuila|Saltillo]], [[Mexico]] - since 1968
*{{flagicon|Republic of China}} [[Taichung]], [[Republic of China|Taiwan]] - since 1986
*{{flagicon|Nigeria}} [[Old Orlu]], [[Nigeria]] - since 2000
*{{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Gwangmyeong]], [[South Korea]]
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Xishuangbanna]], [[People's Republic of China|China]] - since 1997
Cities whose claims to sister city status are not recognized officially by the City of Austin (or Austin claims and are not recognized)
*{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Edmonton]], [[Canada]]
*{{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Antalya]], [[Turkey]]
*{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Toronto]], [[Canada]]- since 1991
*{{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Belo Horizonte]], [[Brazil]] - since 1965
*{{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Porto Alegre]], [[Brazil]]
==Economy==
[[Image:View south 11th.JPG|thumb|right|Southward view of downtown Austin from The Capitol Grounds on 11th Street.]]
Thousands of graduates each year from the engineering and computer science programs at [[University of Texas at Austin|The University of Texas at Austin]] provide a steady source of employees that help to fuel Austin's technology and defense industry sectors. The metro Austin area has much lower housing costs than [[Silicon Valley]], but much higher housing costs than many parts of rural Texas. As a result of the relatively high concentration of high-tech companies in the region, Austin was strongly affected by the [[Dot-com bubble|dot-com boom]] in the late 1990s and subsequent bust. The general consensus is that high-tech recovery is proceeding rapidly.
Austin's biggest employers include the State of Texas, [[University of Texas at Austin|The University of Texas]], the SETON Healthcare Network, [[Dell, Inc.|Dell]], [[IBM]] and [[Freescale|Freescale Semiconductor]] (spun off from [[Motorola]] in 2004). Other high-tech companies with operations in Austin include [[3M Company]], [[Apple Inc.]], [[Hewlett-Packard]], [[Advanced Micro Devices|AMD]], [[Applied Materials]], [[Cirrus Logic]], [[Cisco]], [[eBay]]/[[PayPal]], [[Google]], [[Hoover's, Inc.]], [[Intel]], [[National Instruments]], [[Samsung]], [[Silicon Laboratories]], [[Sun Microsystems]] and [[United Devices]].<!-- This is just a short list of nationally known companies, please do not add every tech company in Austin. --> The proliferation of technology companies has led to the region's nickname, "the Silicon Hills," and spurred development that greatly expanded the city to the north, south, east, and west.
In addition to global companies, Austin features a strong network of independent, locally-owned firms and organizations such as the [[Austin Independent Business Alliance]]. The success of these businesses reflects the high level of commitment by the citizens of Austin to preserving the unique spirit of the city, and has been tied to the "[[Keep Austin Weird]]" campaign. Small businesses from restaurants to clothing shops to salons to arts companies in Austin enjoy a lively existence gained by direct competition with large national and global rivals. The state government, non-profits, and schools (the university and colleges, preschool-12th grade) also provide many jobs.
[[Whole Foods]], a market/grocery store specializing in organic, local, and natural foods and other goods (now a corporation) started in and is based in Austin, and work in the food industry/farming/culinary arts also provides a surprisingly high amount of employment/income for many people.
==Demographics==
As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 656,562 people, 265,649 households, and 141,590 families residing in the city (roughly comparable in size to [[San Francisco, CA|San Francisco]], [[Memphis, TN|Memphis]], and [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]]). The [[population density]] was 2,610.4 people per square mile (1,007.9/km²). There were 276,842 housing units at an average density of 1,100.7/sq mi (425.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 65.36% [[race (United States Census)|White]], 10.05% [[race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[race (United States Census)|African American]], 4.72% [[race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.59% [[race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.07% [[race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 16.23% from [[race (United States Census)|other races]]. 2.99% were from [[Multiracial|two or more races]]. 30.55% of the population were [[Hispanics in the United States|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (United States Census)|Latino]], who can be of any race. 52.94% of the population were Whites of non-Hispanic ancestry.
There were 265,649 households out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.1% were [[marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.7% were non-families. 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 16.6% from 18 to 24, 37.1% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 6.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 105.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,689, and the median income for a family was $54,091. Males had a median income of $35,545 vs. $30,046 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $24,163. About 9.1% of families and 14.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over. From the year 2000 to 2005, the median house price in Austin grew 34 percent.
According to the US Census Bureau, as of July 2007 the [[Greater Austin|Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Area]] had 1,598,161 people. It is one of the top 5 fastest growing metro areas in the nation. If combined with the population of the [[San Antonio, TX|San Antonio]] metropolitan area (over {{convert|70|mi|km|0}} to the southwest) the region is home to about 3.6 million people.
Austin is consistently ranked among the three safest cities per capita of any size in many categories and for many reasons, especially because annually, per 100,000 people there are fewer than 5 people murdered.
==Culture==
[[Image:Sixth Street Austin.jpg|thumb|right|The sights of Austin's nightlife on 6th Street.]]
As Austin's official slogan is ''The Live Music Capital of the World'',<ref name="motto"/><ref name="atx_motto"/> the city has a vibrant live [[Music of Austin|music scene]] with more music venues per capita than any other U.S. city. Austin's music revolves around the many [[nightclub]]s on [[6th Street (Austin)|6th Street]] and an annual [[film]]/[[music]]/[[multimedia]] festival known as [[South by Southwest]]. The city also has a burgeoning circle of live performance theater venues such as: Zachary Scott Theatre Center, Vortex Repertory Company, Salvage Vanguard Theater, Arts on Real, Scottish Rite Children's Theater, Hyde Park Theatre, and [[Esther's Follies]], a comedy and magic show. The longest-running concert music program on American television, ''[[Austin City Limits]]'', is videotaped on the [[University of Texas at Austin]] campus. ''Austin City Limits'' and Capital Sports & Entertainment run the [[Austin City Limits Music Festival]], an annual music and art festival held at [[Zilker Park]] in Austin. The long-running outdoor musical, the [[Zilker Park]] Summer Musical, expects to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2008. The Urban Music Festival is held during the [[Texas Relays]] weekend every April. Other annual events include [[Eeyore's Birthday Party]], Spamarama, and the Austin Reggae Festival in April and [[Carnaval]] in February. [[Halloween]], [[St Patrick's Day]], [[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]], and [[Juneteenth]] (Emancipation Day) are all widely celebrated, in addition to two important Mexican holidays, [[Cinco de Mayo|May 5 (Cinco de Mayo)]] and [[Grito de Dolores|September 16]].
Austinites take pride in eccentricities and celebrate differences and being different (in lifestyle, character, beliefs, etc.). Austin is the only major Texas city that has no ordinance against women appearing [[topfree]] in public. "[[Keep Austin Weird]]" has become a local [[motto]] in recent years, featured on innumerable bumper stickers and t-shirts. This motto has not only been used in promoting Austin's eccentricity and diversity, but is also meant to bolster support of local and independent businesses. The art that gave Austin its reputation for being weird is featured at the [[South Austin Museum of Popular Culture]].
According to the [[Nielsen Company]], adults in Austin read and contribute to [[blog]]s more than those in any other U.S. metropolitan area.<ref>[http://www.nielsenmedia.com/nc/portal/site/Public/menuitem.55dc65b4a7d5adff3f65936147a062a0/?vgnextoid=d5df7b5dd2ac6110VgnVCM100000ac0a260aRCRD The Nielsen Company Issues Top Ten U.S. Lists For 2007], from the [[Nielsen Company]] website</ref>
Austin is also home to the O. Henry House Museum. [[O. Henry]] lived in a house built in Austin in 1891. The O. Henry House Museum hosts the annual O. Henry Pun Off, which is a pun contest where the contestants exhibit amazing wit.
[[Ballet Austin]] is the fourth largest ballet academy in the country.<ref>{{cite press release
| title = Ballet Austin Celebrates Golden 50th Anniversary Season
| publisher = PRWeb
|date=2006-10-06
| url = http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/10/prweb446561.htm
| accessdate = 2007-10-04
}}</ref> Each year Ballet Austin's twenty member professional company performs ballets from a wide variety of choreographers, including their international award winning artistic director, [[Stephen Mills]]. Ballet Austin has traveled around the world performing in Europe, the Kennedy Center (Washington D.C.), and New York City's Joyce Theatre.
Nationally known Austinites include [[Willie Nelson]], [[Lance Armstrong]], [[Matthew McConaughey]], [[Sandra Bullock]], [[Kevin Costner]], [[Richard Linklater]], [[Robert Rodriguez]], and [[Michael Dell]]. Other well-known Austinites can be found in the [[List of Austinites]].
===Media===
[[Image:1418935413 697ea4bd23.jpg|right|thumb|left| 2007[[Austin City Limits Music Festival]] with view of stages and Austin skyline.]]
Austin has been the location for a number of motion pictures, partly due to the influence of The University of Texas at Austin's [http://rtf.utexas.edu/ Department of Radio-Television-Film]. Films produced in Austin include ''[[Man of the House (2005 comedy film)|Man of the House]]'', ''[[Secondhand Lions]]'', ''[[Waking Life]]'', ''[[Spy Kids]]'', ''[[Dazed and Confused (movie)|Dazed and Confused]]'', ''[[Office Space]]'', ''[[The Life of David Gale]]'', ''[[Miss Congeniality (film)|Miss Congeniality]]'', ''[[Doubting Thomas]]'', ''[[Slacker (movie)|Slacker]]'', ''[[Idiocracy]]'', ''[[Road Trip]]'', ''[[Blank Check (film)|Blank Check]]'', ''[[A Scanner Darkly (movie)|A Scanner Darkly]]'',''The Wendall Baker Story'' and most recently, ''[[Grindhouse]]'' and ''[[How to Eat Fried Worms (film)|How To Eat Fried Worms]]''. In order to draw future film projects to the area, the [[Austin Film Society]] has converted several airplane hangars from the former Mueller Airport into filmmaking center Austin Studios. Projects that have used facilities at Austin Studios include music videos by [[The Flaming Lips]] and feature films such as ''[[25th Hour]]'' and ''[[Sin City (film)|Sin City]]''. Austin also hosted the [[MTV]] series, ''[[The Real World: Austin]]'' in 2005.
Austin's main daily [[newspaper]] is the ''[[Austin American-Statesman]]''. ''[[The Austin Chronicle]]'' is Austin's [[alternative weekly]], while ''[[The Daily Texan]]'' is the student newspaper of the [[University of Texas]]. Austin also has smaller newspapers such as the [[Oak Hill Gazette]], Austin Business Journal, and Texas Family Magazine. [[Texas Monthly]], a major regional magazine, is also headquartered in Austin.
Austin hosts the annual [[Austin Film Festival]], as well as the nationally acclaimed [[South by Southwest]], which draw films of many different types from all over the world. In 2004 the city was first in ''Moviemaker Magazine's'' annual top ten cities to live and make movies. The 2007 [[South by Southwest]] festival included [[Pete Townshend]], [[Iggy Pop]], [[Tom Morello]], and [[Rickie Lee Jones]].
Austin also hosts the annual [[Austin City Limits Music Festival]], based on its own [[Austin City Limits]] television show. The festival and television show alike attract musical artists from around the world.
Local businesses and artists produce a lot of interesting handmade indie-fashion and organic-and-eco-friendly fashion, as can be seen on the 32nd street artist market, at festivals, and in many shops. Independent film is prominent in the city.
For a more complete list of Austin's various festivals, see the [http://wikitravel.org/en/Austin#Do Wikitravel's Austin Travel Guide's Festivals list].
===Theaters===
Austin also has a strong theater culture, with dozens of itinerant and resident companies producing a wide variety of work. From [[Esther's Follies]] on East 6th Street to Zachary Scott on South Lamar Boulevard, live entertainment can be found around the city. Many, many other theater groups exist and often perform publicly, collaborating often with dance and music groups. Public art and performances of many kinds in the parts and on bridges is popular and it is easy to find a myriad of diverse and creative free productions.
[[The Paramount Theatre (Austin, Texas)|The Paramount Theatre]] opened in downtown Austin in 1915. Managing to escape destruction throughout the years, it contributes not only to Austin's theater culture, but also to its film culture, showing a variety of classic films throughout the summer. The summer program features a series of double features, often paired with vintage cartoons or serials to complete the retro feel. ''Gone With the Wind'' is always the last movie shown. The theater also hosts regional premieres, for films such as ''Miss Congeniality''.<ref>http://www.austintheatre.org/site/PageServer?pagename=paramounttheatre</ref>
In January 2007, Austin Lyric Opera hosted the American Premiere of the [[Philip Glass]] opera, ''[[Waiting for the Barbarians]]'', an allegory of oppressor and oppressed based on the novel by [[John Maxwell Coetzee]] of South Africa. Coetzee, the Nobel Prize Winner for Literature in 2003, is a University of Texas at Austin graduate and former UT professor.
===Sports===
[[Image:Memorial Stadium Pregame.JPG|thumb|right|[[Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium]], home of [[Texas Longhorns football]].]]
Austin is the largest city in the United States without a franchise in a major professional sports league. However, many Austinites enthusiastically support the [[Texas Longhorn Athletics|University of Texas Longhorns]]' sports programs. The University of Texas football and baseball teams each won their respective [[NCAA Division I-A national football championship|national championships]] during the 2005-2006 seasons. Minor-league professional sports came to Austin in 1996, when the [[Austin Ice Bats]] began playing at the Travis County Expo Center. Since then, they have been joined by many other teams.
Known for its active outdoor culture, Austin is home to many rock-climbers, swimmers, divers, snorkelers, mountain bikers, cyclists, as the city's numerous trails, mild year-round climate and limestone rock formations support such outdoor activities. Cycling is popular partly due to an environmental awareness and also due to the popularity of [[Lance Armstrong]]. It is a city of volunteering, activism, intellectualism, charity, and giving to the community; the sense of community is strong and people participate in many events to help their neighbors and many causes.
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Minor-League professional sports teams
! Club
! Sport
! Founded
! League
! Venue
|-
| [[Austin Ice Bats]]
| [[Hockey]]
| 1996
| [[Central Hockey League]]
| [[Chaparral Ice]]
|-
| [[Round Rock Express]]
| [[Baseball]]
| 1999
| [[Pacific Coast League]]
| [[Dell Diamond]]
|-
|-
| [[Austin Aztex U23s]]
| [[Football (Soccer)]]
| 2008
| [[Premier Development League]]
| Dragon Stadium
|-
| [[Austin Aztex]]
| [[Football (Soccer)]]
| 2009
| [[United Soccer Leagues First Division]]
|
|-
| [[Austin Outlaws]]
| [[American football|Football]]
| 2003
| [[National Women's Football Association]]
| [[House Park]]
|-
| [[Austin Wranglers]]
| [[Arena Football]]
| 2004
| [[af2|Arena Football League 2]]
| [[Frank Erwin Center]]
|-
| [[Austin Toros]]
| [[Basketball]]
| 2005
| [[NBA Development League|NBA D-League]]
| [[Austin Convention Center]]
|}
[[Image:DeepEddyPoolBySteveHopson.jpg|thumb|right|Austin's [[Deep Eddy Pool]] is the oldest man-made pool in Texas]]
In addition to team sports, the combined draws of the bicycle-friendly [[Texas Hill Country]] that begins in Northwest Austin, the centrally-located [[Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail]], and local pools like [[Barton Springs]] make Austin the home of several endurance and multi-sport races and communities. The Capitol 10,000 is the largest {{nowrap|10 K}} race in Texas, and approximately fifth largest in the nation. The [[Austin Marathon]] has been run in the city every year since 1992. The Austin-founded [[American Swimming Association]] hosts an open water swimming event, the Academy Capital {{nowrap|2 K}}, and other closed-course, open water, and cable swim races around town. Austin is also the hometown of several cycling groups and the champion cyclist Lance Armstrong. Combining these three disciplines is a growing crop of triathlons, including the Capital of Texas Triathlon held every [[Memorial Day]] on and around [[Lady Bird Lake]], [[Auditorium Shores]], and downtown Austin.
===Tourist attractions===
[[Image:Texas state history museum.jpg|thumb|right|[[Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum]]]]
Many of the tourists that visit Austin come for its vibrant nightlife; however, there are many other attractions in Austin, including the [[Texas Memorial Museum]], the [[Blanton Museum of Art]] (opened in 2006), the galleries at the [[Harry Ransom Center]], and the [[Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum]] across the street (which opened in 2000). The [[Texas State Capitol]] itself is also a major tourist attraction. The [[Driskill Hotel]] built in 1886, located at 6th and Brazos, was finished just before the construction of the Capitol building. [[6th Street (Austin)|Sixth Street]] is a musical hub for the city but also includes annual festivals such as the [[Pecan Street Festival]] and Halloween night. A very strange and eccentric, unique Austin haven for weird arts such as fire-dancing and circus-like-acts is the Enchanted Forest, which hosts many outdoor art and performance events. The [[Austin City Limits Music Festival]] also brings many tourists from around the nation.
The [[Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge]] houses the world's largest urban population of [[Mexican free-tailed bat]]s. Starting in late February, up to 1.5 million bats take up residence inside the bridge's expansion and contraction zones as well as in long horizontal grooves running the length of the bridge's underside, an environment ideally suited for raising their young. Every evening around sunset, the bats emerge in search of insects, an exit visible on weather radar. Watching the bat emergence is an event that is popular with locals and tourists, with more than 100,000 viewers per year. The bats migrate to [[Mexico]] each winter.
Considering Austin's "Earth-friendly" persona, it is appropriate that the [[Austin Zoo]], located in the Oak Hill neighborhood just north of US 290, is a rescue zoo that provides sanctuary to displaced animals from a variety of unfortunate and often neglectful situations.
Austin also has several well-known swimming locations. These include [[Deep Eddy Pool]], Texas' oldest man-made swimming pool, and [[Barton Springs Pool]], the nation's largest natural swimming pool in an urban area. Both are spring-fed and maintain a constant temperature of 69 degrees year-round -- swimming in Barton Springs at Christmas is an annual tradition for many Austinites. [[Hippie Hollow]], a county park situated along Lake Travis, is the only officially sanctioned clothing-optional public park in Texas. Activities include rockclimbing, kayaking, swimming, exploring, and hiking along the greenbelt, a green, lush, long-spanning area that runs through the city. Hamilton Pool is a gorgeous and cool (temperature-wise) pool and wildlife park located about 30 minutes from the city and is strongly recommended by many locals.
Farmers markets are popular attractions, providing a variety of locally grown and often organic goods.
==Architectural landmarks==
[[Image:Moonlight tower.jpg|thumb|right|50px|A moonlight tower.]]
Buildings that make up Austin's skyline are modest in height and somewhat spread out. The latter characteristic is due to a restriction that preserves the view of the [[Texas State Capitol]] building from various locations around Austin. This is according to the report produced by the {{cite web |url=http://www.cityofaustin.org/downtown/downloads/CVC_Report_Final.pdf |title=Downtown Development and Capitol View Corridors |author=Downtown Commission |date=June 2007}} The city's tallest building, [[Austin 360 Condominiums Tower|360 Condominiums]], was topped out in late 2007. Austin's second tallest building , the [[Frost bank tower|Frost Bank Tower]], opened in 2004 and stands at {{convert|515|ft|m|0}} and is located at the corner of [[Congress Avenue]] and 4th Street. Austin is currently undergoing a skyscraper boom, which includes construction on the 360 Condominiums at {{convert|563|ft|m|0}}, the Austonian at {{convert|683|ft|m|0}}, and the T. Stacy Towers at {{convert|830|ft|m|0}} and {{convert|420|ft|m|0}} tall. By 2011, the Frost Bank Tower will be the only skyscraper built before 2005 to remain in the top ten tallest buildings in the city.
The iconic [[Pennybacker Bridge]], also known as the "360 Bridge", crosses Lake Austin to connect north and south [[Texas Loop 360|Loop 360]].
At night, parts of Austin are lighted with "artificial moonlight." Several 165-foot [[moonlight tower]]s, built in the late 19th century and recognized as historic landmarks, illuminate the central part of the city. Only 17 of the 31 original towers remain standing. The towers are featured in the film, ''[[Dazed and Confused (movie)|Dazed and Confused]]''. Austin's Zilker Park Tree is a [[Christmas]] display made of lights strung from the top of a Moonlight Tower in [[Zilker Park]]. The Zilker Tree is lit in December along with the "Trail of Lights," an Austin Christmas tradition.
==Transportation==
[[Image:360 Bridge at night, 2008.jpg|thumb|right|Night view of the [[Pennybacker Bridge]] on [[Texas Loop 360|Loop 360]] from a ledge on the side.]]
[[Image:Texas45.jpg|thumb|right|Interchange of [[Interstate 35 (Texas)|Interstate 35]] and [[State Highway 45 (Texas)|State Highway 45]].]]
[[Image:Austin Bergstorm Entrance.JPG|thumb|right|[[Austin-Bergstrom International Airport]]]]
Central Austin is bracketed by [[Interstate 35 (Texas)|Interstate 35]] to the east and the [[State Highway Loop 1 (Texas)|Mopac Expressway]] to the west. [[U.S. Highway 183 (Texas)|U.S. Highway 183]] runs from northwest to southeast, and [[State Highway 71 (Texas)|State Highway 71]] crosses southern part of the city from east to west, completing a rough "box" around the central and north-central city. Austin is the largest city in the United States to be served by only one Interstate Highway.
[[U.S. Highway 290 (Texas)|U.S. Highway 290]] enters Austin from the east and merges into I-35. Its highway designation continues south on I-35 and then becomes part of Highway 71, continuing on to the west. Highway 290 becomes its own road again southwest of the city, when it splits from Highway 71 in a busy interchange in Oak Hill known as "The Y." Highway 71 continues as far west as [[Brady, TX]], and Highway 290 continues west to intersect [[Interstate 10 in Texas|Interstate 10]] near Junction. Interstate 35 continues south through [[San Antonio, TX]], and continues to its culmination at [[Laredo, TX]], which is on the Texas-Mexico border. Interstate 35 is the highway link to the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex in northern Texas. There are two links to Houston, TX (Highway 290 and State Highway 71/Interstate 10). Highway 183 leads northwest of Austin and is a route with other major highways to such cities as Abilene, San Angelo, Lubbock, Amarillo, Albuquerque and Denver.
In the mid-1980s, Austin completed construction on [[State Highway Loop 360 (Texas)|Loop 360]], a scenic highway that curves through the hill country from near the 71/Mopac interchange in the south to near the 183/Mopac interchange in the north.
In November 2006, Austin opened the first segments of its first-ever tollway system: [[State Highway 130 (Texas)|State Highway 130]] runs from [[Georgetown, Texas|Georgetown]], [[Hutto]], [[Round Rock, Texas|Round Rock]], [[Pflugerville]], where it connects with 45, passes US 290 just between the city limits of Austin and [[Manor, Texas|Manor]], extending around the east side of the city until it ends at 71 just east of the airport. The next segment will loop around the airport to the east and meet with US 183 south of [[Creedmoor, Texas|Creedmoor]], then the last few segments will continue southward until it reaches Interstate 10 in [[Seguin, Texas|Seguin]], east of [[San Antonio, Texas|San Antonio]].
[[State Highway 45 (Texas)|State Highway 45]] runs east-west from just west of Highway 183 in [[Cedar Park, Texas|Cedar Park]] to 130 inside [[Pflugerville]] (just south of Round Rock). From there it becomes 45 North/South and is cosigned with 130, currently where 130 ends.
The project also included a tolled extension to Mopac that allows direct access to I-35.
The 183A Toll Road opened March 2007, providing a tolled alternative to 183 through the cities of [[Leander, Texas|Leander]] and [[Cedar Park, Texas|Cedar Park]].
Remaining segments of 45 and 130 are scheduled for completion in 2007. A separate segment of 45 still under development (State Highway 45 SE) will eventually connect US 183/State Highway 130 to I-35, in south Austin.
Austin's airport is [[Austin-Bergstrom International Airport]] ([[List of airports by IATA code: A#AU|IATA code]] '''AUS'''), located {{convert|5|mi|km|0}} southeast of the city.
[[Image:CapitolMetroUTBus.JPG|thumb|A [[Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority|Capital Metro]] bus designated as a shuttle bus for [[University of Texas at Austin]] students and staff.]]
[[Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] (Capital Metro) provides public transportation to the city, primarily by bus. CapMet is planning to change some routes to "Rapid Lines". The lines will feature 60-ft long, train-like high-tech buses. This addition is going to be implemeted to help reduce congestion. Capital Metro also is building a [[regional rail|commuter rail]] system that is scheduled for completion in fall 2008. The system was built on existing freight rail lines and will serve downtown Austin, East Austin, Northcentral Austin, Northwest Austin, and Leander in its first phase. Future expansion could include a line to Manor and another to Round Rock. Capital Metro is also looking into a circulator system of streetcars to connect most of Downtown, the University of Texas, and the 700-acre Mueller Airport Redevelopment. The streecar system would help connect the new rail line to key destinations in Central Austin. An [[Amtrak]] ''[[Texas Eagle]]'' [[Austin (Amtrak station)|station]] is located west of downtown. Segments of the Amtrak route between Austin and San Antonio are under evaluation for a future passenger rail corridor as an alternative to the traffic congestion of Interstate 35.
==Education==
[[Image:The University of Texas at Austin - Littlefield Fountain and Main Building.jpg|thumb|left|[[University of Texas at Austin|The University of Texas at Austin]].]]
Researchers at [[Central Connecticut State University]] ranked Austin the 23rd most literate city in America for 2007.<ref name="ccsu">[http://www.ccsu.edu/AMLC07/Overall_Rankings/11-30.htm Central Connecticut State University study], accessed August 1, 2006</ref> It also was recently given the title of America's #1 College Town by the [[Travel Channel]].{{Fact|date=November 2007}}
Austin is home to [[University of Texas at Austin|The University of Texas at Austin]], one of the largest universities in the country and the flagship institution of [[University of Texas System|The University of Texas System]]. Other institutions of higher learning include [[Austin Community College]], [[Concordia University at Austin|Concordia University]], [[Huston-Tillotson University]], [[St. Edward's University]], the [[Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest]], the [[Acton School of Business]], [[Austin Graduate School of Theology]], [[Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary]], and a branch of [[LeTourneau University]].
Most of the city is covered by the [[Austin Independent School District]]. Parts of Austin are served by other districts, including [[Round Rock Independent School District]], [[Pflugerville Independent School District]], [[Leander Independent School District]], [[Manor Independent School District]], [[Del Valle Independent School District]], [[Lake Travis Independent School District]], and [[Eanes Independent School District]]. Private and alternative education institutions for children in preschool-12th grade include [[Regents School of Austin]], Garza (public), the Waldorf schools, The Griffin school, San Juan Diego Prep, [[St. Stephen's Episcopal School (Austin, Texas)]], St. Mary's, St. Michael's Catholic Academy, [[St. Andrew's Episcopal School]], St. Francis School, [[Trinity Episcopal School]], Huntington-Surrey, and many Montessori schools. [[Liberal Arts and Science Academy of Austin at LBJ High School]] has been cited by magazines to be one of the best public high schools in the country{{Fact|date=October 2007}}, and Kealing and Fulmore middle schools offer nationally-acclaimed [[magnet school]] programs{{Fact|date=October 2007}}.
==See also==
*[[List of Austinites]]
*[[Music of Austin]]
*[[List of radio stations in Texas#Austin|List of radio stations in Austin]]
*[[List of mayors of Austin, Texas]]
==Notes==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
{{linkfarm}}
{{portal}}
===Official sites===
*[http://www.cityofaustin.org/ City of Austin]
*[http://www.airport-austin.com/ Austin-Bergstrom International Airport]
*[http://www.austintexas.org/ Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau]
*[http://www.austinchamber.com/ Austin Chamber of Commerce]
*[http://www.austinenergy.com/ Austin Energy]
*[http://www.capcog.org/ Capital Area Council of Governments]
*[http://www.campotexas.org/ Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization]
*[http://www.capmetro.org/ Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority]
===Media and entertainment===
====TV====
*[http://www.pactaustin.org/ Public Access Community Television (PACT)]
*[http://www.klru.org/ KLRU] ([[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] affiliate)
*[http://www.news8austin.com/ News 8 Austin] (24-hour local cable news channel)
*[http://www.kxan.com/ KXAN] (NBC affiliate)
*[http://www.keyetv.com/ KEYE] (CBS affiliate)
*[http://www.kvue.com/ KVUE] (ABC affiliate)
*[http://www.myfoxaustin.com/ KTBC] (FOX affiliate)
====Radio====
*[http://kut.org/ KUT 90.5] (NPR affiliate)
*[http://www.kgsr.com/ KGSR 107.1]
====Newspapers and magazines====
*[http://www.oakhillgazette.com/ Oak Hill Gazette]
*[http://austin.bizjournals.com/ Austin Business Journal]
*[http://www.austinchronicle.com/ Austin Chronicle]
*[http://www.statesman.com/ Austin American-Statesman]
*[http://www.texasfamilyonline.com Texas Family Magazine]
====Museums====
*[http://www.amoa.org/ Austin Museum of Art]
*[http://www.amoda.org/ Austin Museum of Digital Art]
*[http://www.samopc.com/ South Austin Museum of Popular Culture]
*[http://blantonmuseum.org/ Blanton Museum of Art]
*[http://www.thestoryoftexas.com/ Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum]
*[http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/elisabetney/html/main.html Elizabet Ney Museum]
*[http://www.frenchlegationmuseum.org/ French Legation Museum]
*[http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/carver/ George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center]
*[http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/ Harry Ransom Center]
*[http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu/ LBJ Library & Museum]
*[http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/ohenry.htm O. Henry Museum]
*[http://www.umlaufsculpture.org/ Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum]
====Festivals====
*[http://www.aclfestival.com/ Austin City Limits Music Festival]
*[http://www.sxsw.com/ South by Southwest]
*[http://www.austinfilmfestival.com/ Austin Film Festival]
*[http://www.agliff.org/ Austin Gay/Lesbian Film Festival]
*[http://www.sexton.com/eeyores/ Eeyore's Birthday Party]
===Places===
*[http://www.cityofaustin.org/library Austin Public Library]
*[http://www.TravisCountyLawLibrary.org Travis County Law Library]
*[http://www.cityofaustin.org/library/ahc/briefhistory.htm Austin History Center]
*[http://www.tspb.state.tx.us/SPB/capitol/texcap.htm Texas Capitol]
===Nature and environment===
*[http://www.hornsbybend.org/ Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory]
*[http://www.batcon.org/home/index.asp?idPage=122 Bat Conservation International page on the Congress Avenue Bats]
*[http://www.wildbasin.org/ Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve]
*[http://www.wildflower.org/ Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center]
*[http://www.zilkergarden.org/ Zilker Botanical Garden]
*[http://www.sosalliance.org/ Save Our Springs Alliance]
===Photos===
*[http://texashistory.unt.edu/browse/contributor/ASPL/ Historic photographs from the Austin History Center,] hosted by the [http://texashistory.unt.edu/ Portal to Texas History]
*[http://www.austinpostcard.com AustinPostcard.com] - Postcards, photographs and ephemera of historic significance to Austin
*[http://www.austinmap.org/ The Austin Map Project] - "A communal effort to photographically document the beauty of Austin, Texas."
*[http://www.urbanaustin.org Urban Austin] - Architecture and urban design in Austin
===Statistics===
* {{Handbook of Texas|id=AA/hda3|name=Austin}}
*[http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/Estimates%20pages_final.html Population Estimates for Metropolitan, Micropolitan, and Combined Statistical Areas]
*[http://austin.housealmanac.com/ Austin House Statistics]
*[http://www.austin-chamber.org/DoBusiness/MediaCenter/Indicators.html Austin Chamber's Economic Indicators (monthly)]
*[http://www.austin-chamber.org/DoBusiness/GreaterAustinProfile/index.html Austin Chamber's Greater Austin Profile]
*[http://www.capcog.org/Information_Clearinghouse/ Capital Area Council of Governments' Information Clearinghouse]
{{Austin}}
{{Hays County, Texas}}
{{Travis County, Texas}}
{{Williamson County, Texas}}
{{Texas}}
{{USStateCapitals}}
{{USLargestCities}}
{{Texas county seats}}
[[Category:Austin, Texas| ]]
[[Category:Williamson County, Texas]]
[[Category:Hays County, Texas]]
[[Category:towns and cities with limited zero-fare transport]]
[[Category:Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Settlements established in 1839]]
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[[vo:Austin (Texas)]]
[[zh:奧斯汀]]