Henderson County

Henderson County is an administrative division in East Texas that encompasses multiple communities and natural areas. The territory includes the county seat of Athens as well as various parks and recreational spaces throughout the region.

The county was established by the Texas Legislature in 1846 and named after James Pinckney Henderson, the state's first governor. This formation reflected the early administrative organization of the developing state.

The county is known for the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, where visitors learn about freshwater ecosystems and their importance. Regular programs there reflect the region's connection to water conservation and outdoor education.

U.S. Highway 175 and several State Highways connect the county to neighboring regions and provide main routes through the area. Visitors should plan their routes in advance as the landscape is mostly rural with communities spaced apart.

Athens, the county seat, serves as the economic center of its own micropolitan area and extends its influence across the broader Dallas-Fort Worth region. This local hub has grown well beyond typical small-town proportions through regional economic connections.

Location: Texas

Inception: April 27, 1846

Capital city: Athens

Shares border with: Kaufman County, Van Zandt County, Smith County, Cherokee County, Anderson County, Freestone County, Navarro County, Ellis County

Website: http://co.henderson.tx.us

GPS coordinates: 32.21000,-95.85000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:02