Athens, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Athens, Illinois
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The Col. Matthew Rogers Building in Athens, May 2014
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Location in Menard County, Illinois
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 Athens, Illinois
Location in Illinois
Athens, Illinois
Location in the United States
Athens, Illinois
Location in North America
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Menard |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.68 sq mi (4.36 km2) |
| • Land | 1.68 sq mi (4.36 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 604 ft (184 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,977 |
| • Density | 1,173.99/sq mi (453.27/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
62613
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| Area code(s) | 217 |
| FIPS code | 17-02674 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2394010 |
| Wikimedia Commons | Athens, Illinois |
Athens is a city in Menard County, Illinois, in the United States. It's a smaller city, with about 1,977 people living there as of 2020. Athens is also part of the larger Springfield area.
Contents
Geography of Athens
Athens is located in the southeastern part of Menard County. It is about 9 miles (14 km) southeast of Petersburg, which is the main town of the county.
Roads and Rivers
Two main roads, Illinois Route 29 and Illinois Route 123, go through the northeast side of Athens. Route 29 goes south about 14 miles (23 km) to Springfield, the state capital. It also goes north about 18 miles (29 km) to Mason City. Route 123 heads east about 8 miles (13 km) to Williamsville. It also goes northwest towards Petersburg.
The city of Athens covers an area of about 1.68 square miles (4.36 square kilometers). All of this area is land. A small stream called Town Branch flows through the southwest part of the city. It eventually leads to the Sangamon River, which is part of the larger Illinois River system.
Population History of Athens
Athens has seen its population change over many years. Here's a quick look at how many people have lived there during different times:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 392 | — | |
| 1870 | 351 | −10.5% | |
| 1880 | 410 | 16.8% | |
| 1890 | 944 | 130.2% | |
| 1900 | 1,535 | 62.6% | |
| 1910 | 1,340 | −12.7% | |
| 1920 | 1,241 | −7.4% | |
| 1930 | 1,019 | −17.9% | |
| 1940 | 1,062 | 4.2% | |
| 1950 | 1,048 | −1.3% | |
| 1960 | 1,035 | −1.2% | |
| 1970 | 1,158 | 11.9% | |
| 1980 | 1,371 | 18.4% | |
| 1990 | 1,404 | 2.4% | |
| 2000 | 1,726 | 22.9% | |
| 2010 | 1,988 | 15.2% | |
| 2020 | 1,977 | −0.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 1,726 people living in Athens. The city had 695 households, with 462 of them being families. The average household had about 2.48 people. The average family had about 3.10 people.
About 28.6% of the people in Athens were under 18 years old in 2000. The average age of people in Athens was 35 years old.
Fun Things to Do in Athens
Athens is a great place for outdoor activities and sports.
Outdoor Adventures
The city is about 4 miles (6 km) north of the start of the Sangamon Valley Trail. This trail is a path for walking, running, and biking. It even has a bridge that crosses over the Sangamon River and Cantrall Creek.
Sports and Parks
Athens has a sports complex where you can watch or play different games. It is used for baseball, softball, and football games. It also hosts track and field events and cross country races.
The Athens Community Park is another fun spot. It has baseball fields and outdoor basketball hoops. There is also a football field for younger players.
Famous People from Athens
Some notable people have come from Athens:
- Jack Brittin – He was a pitcher who played baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies.
- Alice Sudduth Byerly (1855–1904) – She was an activist who worked to promote temperance.
- H. V. Porter – He was an educator and coach. He was also a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He was the principal of Athens High School from 1919 to 1927.
See also
In Spanish: Athens (Illinois) para niños
