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Athens, Alabama
City
City of Athens
Limestone County Courthouse in Athens
Limestone County Courthouse in Athens
Flag of Athens, Alabama
Flag
 Official logo of Athens, Alabama
Logo
Location of Athens in Limestone County, Alabama
Location of Athens in Limestone County, Alabama
Athens, Alabama is located in Alabama
Athens, Alabama
Athens, Alabama
Location in Alabama
Athens, Alabama is located in the United States
Athens, Alabama
Athens, Alabama
Location in the United States
Athens, Alabama is located in North America
Athens, Alabama
Athens, Alabama
Location in North America
Country  United States
State  Alabama
County Limestone
Incorporated November 19, 1818
Named for Athens, Greece
Government
 • Type Mayor Council
Area
 • Total 40.87 sq mi (105.85 km2)
 • Land 40.60 sq mi (105.16 km2)
 • Water 0.26 sq mi (0.68 km2)
Elevation
663 ft (202 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 25,406
 • Estimate 
(2023)
 30,904
 • Density 625.70/sq mi (241.58/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
35611–35614–35613
Area codes 256
FIPS code 01-02956
GNIS feature ID 2403123

Athens is a city located in Limestone County, Alabama, in the United States. It is the main city, or county seat, of Limestone County. Athens is part of a larger area called the Huntsville-Decatur-Albertville, AL Combined Statistical Area. In 2020, about 25,406 people lived in Athens.

Discovering Athens' Past

Athens was started in 1818 by four people: John Coffee, Robert Beaty, John D. Carroll, and John Read. It is one of the oldest cities in Alabama. The city was officially made a city (incorporated) one year before Alabama became a state in 1819. Limestone County was also created in 1818. The town was first called Athenson, but its name was changed to Athens, like the ancient city in Greece. Samuel Tanner was the first mayor of Athens. The Tanner area, which is south of Athens, was named after him.

The Athens area was home to two early governors of Alabama. William Wyatt Bibb was the first governor. His brother, Thomas Bibb, became the second governor after William passed away.

Athens State University's Story

Founders Hall Athens State Univ
Founders Hall, Athens State University, in the 1930s.

In 1822, people in Athens bought land to build the Athens Female Academy. This school later joined with the Methodist church in 1842 and was renamed Athens Female College. In 1932, boys were allowed to attend, and the school became Athens College. The State of Alabama took over the college in 1974. It then became a special kind of college that offered the last two years of study for students who had finished community college. Today, it is known as Athens State University.

Many old homes in the center of Athens were built before the Civil War. These homes are now protected as part of historic areas.

Athens During the Civil War

During the Civil War, Union soldiers took control of Athens on May 2, 1862. Their leader, Col. John Basil Turchin, reportedly told his men he would "shut his eyes for two hours." While he was away, his soldiers searched the town.

George S. Houston - Brady-Handy
Governor George S. Houston.

Athens was also the home of Governor George S. Houston. He was Alabama's first Democratic governor after the Reconstruction period, serving from 1874 to 1878. He worked to reduce the state's debts. During Reconstruction, the Trinity School was founded in Athens for the children of former slaves. Mary Fletcher Wells started the school, and the American Missionary Association helped fund it.

Athens' Changing Economy

Athens used to be known for its cotton farms and railroads. However, since the 1950s and 1960s, the area has seen a growth in aerospace industries. This has made Athens more connected to the nearby industrial city of Huntsville, as cotton farming has become less common.

Browns ferry NPP
Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Station.

Athens is home to the Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant. This plant, run by the Tennessee Valley Authority, started operating in 1974. It was once the largest nuclear plant in the world. It provides many jobs and most of the electricity for the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. In 1975, a fire at the plant caused a serious event, though no one was hurt. A worker checking for air leaks accidentally started a fire among control wires. This briefly threatened the control of the reactor.

Where is Athens Located?

Athens is located right between Nashville and Birmingham on Interstate 65. It also shares a border with the city of Huntsville.

The U.S. Census Bureau says that Athens covers about 39.4 square miles (102 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

Athens' Weather and Climate

The weather in Athens has hot, humid summers and generally cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Athens has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has warm temperatures and plenty of rain throughout the year.

Climate data for Athens, Alabama (1991–2020, extremes 1991–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 78
(26)		 84
(29)		 87
(31)		 91
(33)		 94
(34)		 104
(40)		 102
(39)		 104
(40)		 100
(38)		 102
(39)		 87
(31)		 78
(26)		 104
(40)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 68.9
(20.5)		 73.5
(23.1)		 81.2
(27.3)		 85.7
(29.8)		 90.3
(32.4)		 95.1
(35.1)		 96.0
(35.6)		 96.7
(35.9)		 93.8
(34.3)		 88.6
(31.4)		 77.2
(25.1)		 72.3
(22.4)		 98.8
(37.1)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 51.3
(10.7)		 55.9
(13.3)		 64.5
(18.1)		 73.3
(22.9)		 80.4
(26.9)		 87.1
(30.6)		 89.9
(32.2)		 89.8
(32.1)		 84.9
(29.4)		 74.7
(23.7)		 63.0
(17.2)		 54.2
(12.3)		 72.4
(22.4)
Daily mean °F (°C) 42.4
(5.8)		 46.3
(7.9)		 54.0
(12.2)		 62.3
(16.8)		 70.4
(21.3)		 77.8
(25.4)		 81.0
(27.2)		 80.3
(26.8)		 74.7
(23.7)		 63.7
(17.6)		 52.4
(11.3)		 45.4
(7.4)		 62.6
(17.0)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 33.5
(0.8)		 36.7
(2.6)		 43.5
(6.4)		 51.3
(10.7)		 60.4
(15.8)		 68.4
(20.2)		 72.1
(22.3)		 70.9
(21.6)		 64.5
(18.1)		 52.6
(11.4)		 41.9
(5.5)		 36.5
(2.5)		 52.7
(11.5)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 14.5
(−9.7)		 18.9
(−7.3)		 25.9
(−3.4)		 34.5
(1.4)		 44.4
(6.9)		 57.7
(14.3)		 62.7
(17.1)		 62.3
(16.8)		 50.9
(10.5)		 35.7
(2.1)		 24.9
(−3.9)		 21.7
(−5.7)		 12.9
(−10.6)
Record low °F (°C) 0
(−18)		 −1
(−18)		 12
(−11)		 23
(−5)		 37
(3)		 47
(8)		 57
(14)		 50
(10)		 39
(4)		 28
(−2)		 16
(−9)		 3
(−16)		 −1
(−18)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 5.52
(140)		 5.43
(138)		 5.59
(142)		 5.40
(137)		 4.85
(123)		 4.76
(121)		 4.89
(124)		 3.93
(100)		 3.77
(96)		 4.02
(102)		 4.61
(117)		 6.29
(160)		 59.06
(1,500)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 0.5
(1.3)		 0.5
(1.3)		 0.3
(0.76)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 1.3
(3.3)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 10.9 11.7 11.7 10.1 11.0 11.4 11.3 9.8 8.2 9.2 10.4 12.0 127.7
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.6
Source: NOAA (mean maxima/minima 2006–2020)

People Living in Athens

Athens first appeared on the U.S. Census in 1850. It has been listed in every census since 1870. Athens was one of the fastest-growing areas in Alabama in 2023. Estimates showed that 30,904 people lived there.

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1850 991 —
1870 887 —
1880 1,011 14.0%
1890 940 −7.0%
1900 1,010 7.4%
1910 1,715 69.8%
1920 3,323 93.8%
1930 4,238 27.5%
1940 4,342 2.5%
1950 6,309 45.3%
1960 9,330 47.9%
1970 14,360 53.9%
1980 14,558 1.4%
1990 16,901 16.1%
2000 18,967 12.2%
2010 21,897 15.4%
2020 25,406 16.0%
2023 (est.) 30,904 41.1%
Sources: 1850; 1870 and 1880;
1900, 1910, and 1920; 1930, 1940, and 1950;
1960, 1970, and 1980; 1990; 2000 and 2010

Census Information from 2010

In 2010, there were 21,897 people living in Athens. There were 9,038 households and 5,881 families. The city had about 557 people per square mile (215 people per square kilometer). There were 9,862 housing units.

The population was made up of different groups:

  • 73.0% White
  • 17.5% Black or African American
  • 0.6% Native American
  • 0.9% Asian
  • 0.1% Pacific Islander
  • 5.9% from other races
  • 1.9% from two or more races
  • 8.8% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

About 27.7% of households had children under 18. About 47.5% were married couples. The average household had 2.36 people, and the average family had 2.96 people.

The median age in the city was 39.2 years old. About 22.8% of the population was under 18.

The median income for a household in Athens was $42,127. For a family, it was $54,013. About 17.5% of the population lived below the poverty line.

Census Information from 2020

Athens racial composition
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 17,160 67.54%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 4,275 16.83%
Native American 74 0.29%
Asian 240 0.94%
Pacific Islander 34 0.13%
Other/Mixed 1,208 4.75%
Hispanic or Latino 2,415 9.51%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 25,406 people living in Athens. There were 9,397 households and 6,080 families.

How to Get Around Athens

Athens has several important roads and transportation options:

You can also travel by bus with Greyhound Lines.

Schools in Athens

Local Media

  • The News Courier, a daily newspaper
  • WVNN 770 AM (radio station)
  • WKAC 1080 AM (radio station)
  • WZYP 104.3 FM (radio station)
  • WTZT-CD TV channel 11 (TV station)

Famous People from Athens

Images for kids

  • Limestone County Courthouse, Athens, Alabama 02

    Limestone County Courthouse, Athens

  • Downtown Athens, Alabama LCCN2010640842

    Downtown Athens

  • Downtown Athens, Alabama LCCN2010640839

    Downtown Athens

  • Athens, Alabama LCCN2010640828

    Downtown Athens

  • Governor George S. Houston House, 101 Houston Street, Athens (Limestone County, Alabama)

    Governor George S. Houston House, Athens

  • Athens Masonic Hall

    Athens Masonic Hall

  • Athens former post office, 35611

    Athens Former Post Office

  • Confederate soldiers monument, Athens, Alabama LCCN2010640840

    Confederate soldiers monument, Athens

  • Athens First Methodist Church

    Athens First Methodist Church

  • "Sacked and Plundered" historic sign, Athens, Alabama LCCN2010640827

    "Sacked and Plundered" historic sign, Athens

  • Presbyterian Church built in 1895, Athens, Alabama LCCN2010640834

    Presbyterian Church, Athens

  • Limestone Drug building, Athens, Alabama LCCN2010640841

    Limestone Drug building, Athens

  • FRONT VIEW. - Frances Snow Pryor House, Jefferson Street, Athens, Limestone County, AL HABS ALA,42-ATH,2-1

    Frances Snow Pryor House, Athens

  • FRONT VIEW. - Vining-Wood-Vasser House, 301 East Washington Street, Athens, Limestone County, AL HABS ALA,42-ATH,10-1

    Vining-Wood-Vasser House, Athens

  • WEST FRONT AND NORTH SIDE - Judge William Harrison Walker House, 309 East Clinton Street, Athens, Limestone County, AL HABS ALA,42-ATH,9-1

    Judge William Harrison Walker House, Athens

  • WEST FRONT AND SOUTH SIDE - Dr. R. H. Richardson House, 401 South Clinton Street, Athens, Limestone County, AL HABS ALA,42-ATH,8-1

    Dr. R. H. Richardson House, Athens

  • Pryor Field Regional Airport

    Pryor Field Regional Airport, Athens

  • WEST FRONT, SOUTH SIDE - Father Robert Donnell House, 601 South Clinton Street, Athens, Limestone County, AL HABS ALA,42-ATH,7-1

    Father Robert Donnell House, Athens

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Athens (Alabama) para niños

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