Local Weather Area Info-Austin

History of Austin, Texas

In 1835, Jacob Harrell and his family set up a new camp along the Colorado River. As it turned out, the Harrell family just happened to set up the first camp in what would later become known as Austin, Texas. Originally called Waterloo, the town was re-named in honor of Stephen F. Austin, the man known as the father of Texas. Austin first became the capital of Texas on a temporary basis in 1839. After a statewide vote in 1872, Austin became the permanent capital of Texas.

Over the years, Austin has grown from a single camp to a city with a population of over 672,000. The greater Austin metropolitan area boasts a population of nearly 1.4 million. Despite its large population, the cost of living is reasonable and crime rate is low, especially amongst cities of similar size. Known as the "Live Music Capital of the World," Austin has also been recognized as the "Best Place for Business and Career," "Best City for Singles," and "Best City to Relocate Families."

The reason for all of the accolades is the tremendous mix between cosmopolitan and rural atmospheres. Austin has its own ballet, symphony and opera companies and yet the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve is just minutes from the downtown area. The city boasts over 2,000 medical physicians and 8,000 registered nurses. With 29 public school districts, 14 charter schools, 69 private schools, the University of Texas and seven other universities, there is a bounty of educational opportunities. As if that weren't enough, there are also 21 major colleges within 200 miles of Austin.

Austin is a beautiful area in which to live. With a mild year-round climate, numerous golf courses, plenty of outdoor recreation, ballet, symphony, and college athletics, there is truly something for everybody. With a low crime rate and cost of living, it's no wonder the population of the five-county Austin metropolitan area has grown nearly 50 percent since 1990 and continue to grows at a record pace.