Austin's Diverse Population

Like Texas itself, Austin's population is as diverse as its rich history. Having flown under six flags, the Lone Star state boasts residents with ethnic backgrounds ranging from Mexican to German to Alsatian. In fact, the Institute of Texan Cultures in San Antonio considers Texas to have over 30 ethnic groups, many of which are represented by Austinites.

It's not uncommon to hear Spanish spoken anywhere in the city. The influence of Texas's southern neighbor is strongly felt in Austin, where many citizens trace their ancestry to Hispanic roots. The city celebrates Mexican holidays such as Cinco de Mayo, the May 5th independence day of Mexico, with as much exuberance as it bestows upon other festive days.

It's also not uncommon to see members of Austin's diverse population side by side throughout the city. You might see a three-piece suited lobbyist next to a frequent visitor of one of the city's many tattoo and body-piercing parlors. In downtown restaurants and bars, all of Austin's population comes together, whether at the coffeehouses or Tex-Mex restaurants, to partake of food, music, and fun.

At night, the clubs are the place to be, but during the daylight hours Austin shows off her beauty at places like the shores of Town Lake, the clear waters of Barton Springs swimming hole, or the manicured lawn of the State Capitol. Regardless of political interest, many Austinites who work downtown likes to sneak off to the Capitol grounds for a picnic lunch, sitting out on the rolling lawn under tall oaks, feeding squirrels and watching the flurry of legislative comings and goings that provides one of the best shows in town.

In the late afternoon hours, locals grab their sneakers and head to Zilker Park or Town Lake's shores for a jog or just a leisurely walk. When the sun sets on summer days, attention turns to the Congress Avenue bridge, location of the country's largest urban colony of Mexican free-tailed bats. The bats make their nightly exodus after sunset to feed on insects in the Hill Country.

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