Athens, Ohio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Athens, Ohio
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Athens in 2003
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Location of Athens in Athens County and the state of Ohio
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 Athens, Ohio
Location in Ohio
Athens, Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Ohio | ||
| County | Athens | ||
| Named for | Athens, Greece | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 10.21 sq mi (26.44 km2) | ||
| • Land | 9.96 sq mi (25.79 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.25 sq mi (0.65 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 709 ft (216 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 23,849 | ||
| • Estimate
(2023)
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24,673 | ||
| • Density | 2,394.72/sq mi (924.58/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | ||
| ZIP code |
45701
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| Area codes | 740, 220 | ||
| FIPS code | 39-02736 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 2394009 | ||
Athens is a city in Athens County, Ohio, USA. It is the main city of Athens County. In 2020, about 23,849 people lived there.
Athens is located by the Hocking River in a hilly area called Appalachian Ohio. It is about 65 miles (105 km) southeast of Columbus, Ohio. Athens is famous for being home to Ohio University, a big public university with over 21,000 students. It is the most important city in the Athens area.
Contents
History of Athens
The first European settlers came to Athens in 1797. This was over ten years after the USA won the American Revolutionary War. The town was first planned in 1800. It became a village in 1811. Ohio became a state in 1803.
Ohio University was started in 1804. It was the first public university in the Northwest Territory. Athens County was created in 1805. It was named after Athens, Greece, a famous place for learning.
Ohio University was the first school in the United States to get money from the federal government. In 1787, the government gave land to the Ohio Company of Associates. This land was meant to support a school.
In 1802, a law was passed to create the "American Western University" in Athens. But this university was never built. When Ohio became a state in 1803, a new law was passed in 1804. This law officially created "Ohio University" in Athens. Athens became a city in 1912. This happened after its population grew past 5,000 people.
The land given to Ohio University helped it grow. At first, the land was rented out. But many people did not pay rent. So, most of the land was sold. The money from these sales helped fund the university. Today, Ohio University is one of the largest schools in Ohio. It has over 20,000 students on its Athens campus.
The first industries in the area were making salt, then iron, and later mining coal. Today, Ohio University is the biggest employer in the county. In 1843, the Hocking Canal opened. This allowed boats to ship goods from the Ohio River up the Hocking River through Athens. The canal closed in winter when it froze.
The first railroad came to Athens in 1857. Later, an electric train line connected Athens and Nelsonville. The Athens Lunatic Asylum, a large hospital, opened in 1874. It was built on a hill south of town. In the late 1800s, this hospital was the town's largest employer. The hospital later closed. Its property was given to Ohio University. It is now called The Ridges. Many buildings have been updated for offices and research. Some areas are now open green spaces.
In 1904, there was an incident involving soldiers. Some soldiers from the U. S. Army and the Ohio National Guard were training nearby. A disagreement between them led to a conflict. One guardsman was killed, and five others were hurt.
By 1935, Athens was known for coal, fruit, and its university. It also had a hospital for mental health. Factories in Athens made stoves, lumber, and caskets. The university and city grew a lot after World War Two. Growth continued during the Vietnam War era.
Geography and Climate
Athens is in a hilly area called the Allegheny Plateau. It is about 47 miles (76 km) from Chillicothe, Ohio. The city is surrounded by hills that rise about 300 feet (91 m) from the river valley.
The city covers about 10.05 square miles (26.03 km²). Most of this is land, and a small part is water. Large parts of Athens and Ohio University are in the Hocking River floodplain. The town had many big floods in the past. These included floods in 1832, 1873, 1907, 1937, 1949, 1964, and 1968. In 1969, the Army Corps of Engineers changed the Hocking River's path. They moved the river hundreds of feet south. This project has greatly reduced flooding.
Athens gets its water from wells in the river's underground water sources. It is said to be the largest city in the USA to do this.
Weather in Athens
Athens has a climate with hot summers and cold winters. This is typical for most of Ohio.
| Climate data for Athens, Ohio (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 77 (25) |
80 (27) |
87 (31) |
93 (34) |
95 (35) |
102 (39) |
106 (41) |
104 (40) |
100 (38) |
92 (33) |
85 (29) |
80 (27) |
106 (41) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 38.0 (3.3) |
42.2 (5.7) |
52.2 (11.2) |
65.2 (18.4) |
72.3 (22.4) |
79.5 (26.4) |
82.4 (28.0) |
81.5 (27.5) |
76.2 (24.6) |
65.2 (18.4) |
53.2 (11.8) |
42.6 (5.9) |
62.5 (16.9) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 29.8 (−1.2) |
32.8 (0.4) |
41.1 (5.1) |
52.4 (11.3) |
61.1 (16.2) |
69.4 (20.8) |
72.7 (22.6) |
71.4 (21.9) |
65.0 (18.3) |
53.8 (12.1) |
42.6 (5.9) |
34.6 (1.4) |
52.2 (11.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 21.5 (−5.8) |
23.4 (−4.8) |
30.1 (−1.1) |
39.7 (4.3) |
50.0 (10.0) |
59.2 (15.1) |
63.0 (17.2) |
61.4 (16.3) |
53.8 (12.1) |
42.4 (5.8) |
32.1 (0.1) |
26.7 (−2.9) |
41.9 (5.5) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −28 (−33) |
−15 (−26) |
−8 (−22) |
12 (−11) |
26 (−3) |
33 (1) |
35 (2) |
36 (2) |
24 (−4) |
12 (−11) |
4 (−16) |
−26 (−32) |
−28 (−33) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 2.89 (73) |
2.94 (75) |
3.57 (91) |
3.78 (96) |
4.20 (107) |
4.50 (114) |
4.34 (110) |
3.16 (80) |
3.18 (81) |
2.93 (74) |
2.91 (74) |
3.16 (80) |
41.56 (1,056) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 5.8 (15) |
5.9 (15) |
2.3 (5.8) |
0.1 (0.25) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.5 (1.3) |
3.0 (7.6) |
17.6 (45) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 13.3 | 11.4 | 12.1 | 12.2 | 13.9 | 12.1 | 11.3 | 10.1 | 8.7 | 10.1 | 10.3 | 12.7 | 138.2 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 5.2 | 4.5 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 3.3 | 15.8 |
| Source: NOAA | |||||||||||||
People of Athens
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1810 | 578 | — | |
| 1820 | 1,094 | 89.3% | |
| 1830 | 728 | −33.5% | |
| 1840 | 710 | −2.5% | |
| 1850 | 808 | 13.8% | |
| 1860 | 2,852 | 253.0% | |
| 1870 | 1,696 | −40.5% | |
| 1880 | 2,457 | 44.9% | |
| 1890 | 2,620 | 6.6% | |
| 1900 | 3,066 | 17.0% | |
| 1910 | 5,463 | 78.2% | |
| 1920 | 6,418 | 17.5% | |
| 1930 | 7,252 | 13.0% | |
| 1940 | 7,696 | 6.1% | |
| 1950 | 11,660 | 51.5% | |
| 1960 | 16,470 | 41.3% | |
| 1970 | 23,310 | 41.5% | |
| 1980 | 19,801 | −15.1% | |
| 1990 | 21,265 | 7.4% | |
| 2000 | 21,342 | 0.4% | |
| 2010 | 23,832 | 11.7% | |
| 2020 | 23,849 | 0.1% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 24,673 | 3.5% | |
| Sources: | |||
Athens Population in 2010
In 2010, Athens had 23,832 people living there. There were 6,903 households. About 11.8% of households had children under 18. Most people (86.4%) were White. About 4.4% were African American, and 6.1% were Asian.
The average age in the city was 21.6 years. Many residents (67.6%) were between 18 and 24 years old. This is because of the university. The number of males and females was almost equal.
Athens Population in 2000
In 2000, there were 21,342 people in Athens. Most people (89.16%) were White. About 3.82% were African American, and 4.47% were Asian.
The average age was 22 years. Many people (66.7%) were between 18 and 24 years old. The median income for a household was $17,122. About 51.9% of the population lived below the poverty line.
Athens Economy
From the mid-1800s to the 1950s, coal mining and making bricks were big jobs in Athens County. These industries became smaller later on. A company called Midget Motors Corporation used to make small cars called King Midgets here.
Ohio University is the biggest employer in Athens County. Many local businesses, like restaurants, bars, stores, and hotels, depend on the university. They also rely on visitors and events related to the university. Other businesses in Athens include Quidel Corporation, Stewart-MacDonald, Sunpower, and Mitchell Electronics.
Arts and Culture in Athens
Athens has a rich music history. Many local bands play here. Touring musicians also perform at Ohio University and local festivals. The folk song "Athens County" is about Athens, Ohio. It was written by Joe Dolce and Jonathan Edwards. Both attended college in Athens.
Several theater groups have performed in Athens over the years. A youth theater group called Studio for Young Actors performed plays and musicals. They used venues like Stuart's Opera House and Arts/West. A university park on Richland Avenue was designed by Maya Lin, a famous architect.
Museums to Visit
- Athens County Historical Society and Museum: This museum shows items about life in Athens County.
- The Dairy Barn Arts Center: This center displays modern art and crafts.
- Kennedy Museum of Art at Ohio University: It has collections of Native American textiles and jewelry.
- Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery: This is an interactive center for children.
Fun Annual Festivals
- Athens Ohio Halloween Block Party: This is a huge Halloween party. It brings in thousands of people from all over the world. The party takes place on four closed blocks of uptown streets.
- Blackout Fest: This music festival happens every year at The Union Bar & Grill. It features many indie rock bands.
- Athens Community Music Festival: This festival is held every August. Many local bands perform.
- Concert "Under the Elms": This concert series takes place on the Ohio University College Green. It features the 'Communiversity Band'.
- The Number Fest: This is a large music festival that started in 2004. It features many popular recording artists.
- Lobsterfest: This is a free concert hosted by the university's radio station.
- 970WATH-Power 105 Chili Bowl: This event raises money for charity every October.
- Hookah in the Hills: This festival happens twice a year at Poston Lake Music Park. It features the band Ekoostik Hookah.
- Athens International Film and Video Festival: This film festival is one of the few that can qualify films for the Academy Awards.
- Ohio Brew Week: This nine-day festival celebrates Ohio craft breweries. It started in 2005.
Parks and Recreation
Athens has many places for fun and recreation. These include a community recreation center, city parks, and playgrounds. There are also public gardens, soccer fields, and an arts center called Arts West. The city has two dog parks and many scenic trails.
The Athens Skate Park is the second largest skate park in Ohio. The Athens Community Center, or "The Rec Center," offers many programs. These include sports, childcare, and community events. It has an outdoor swimming pool, a skate park, and an indoor track.
The Arts, Parks and Recreation Department supports many community activities. They organize softball leagues for adults. Soccer leagues are also available year-round. Youth sports like soccer and little league are popular.
Sells Park is on the east side of Athens. It has 22.5 acres (9.1 ha) and includes Sells Pond. Strouds Run State Park is just outside the city. It has 2,606 acres (1,055 ha) of wooded hills and a man-made lake. Both Sells Park and Strouds Run State Park are part of The Athens Trail Network. The city is also working to protect land near the state park. This includes an 85-acre (34 ha) old-growth forest called "Hawk Woods."
The Hockhocking Adena Bikeway is a paved trail for walking, running, and biking. It starts at the Athens Community Center. The trail goes 16.4 miles (26.4 km) northwest to Nelsonville. It also goes about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) east. The trail follows the Hocking River. It connects to Ohio University's campus and other areas.
Athens is recognized as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
Exploring the Trails
The Athens Trail Network is a system of trails for hiking, running, and biking. It starts at Sells Park. The trails go into the woods and connect to Strouds Run State Park. Some parts of the trails are not for bikes.
The trails offer great views. They pass by places like Sells Pond, Hawk Woods, Boulder Cove, and Turtlehead Cave. Volunteers from the community and university help maintain these trails.
City Government
Athens has a mayor and a city council. The mayor, auditor, and treasurer are elected for four-year terms. Council members and the council president are elected for two-year terms. Four council members represent different parts of the city. Three council members are elected by the whole city. The council president only votes if there is a tie. City Hall is on Washington Street.
Athens also has a Health Department and other county offices. The city has a Police Department that started in 1911. It has about 30 officers. Ohio University also has its own police force. Both departments work together. The Athens Fire Department started in 1830. It has two stations and about 30 staff. They cover the city and Ohio University.
The city is the county seat. This means many county government offices are in Athens. The city and Athens County usually vote for the Democratic Party in presidential elections. The current mayor is Steve Patterson. He was elected for his third term in 2023. As of January 2, 2025, Mayor Patterson also leads the National League of Cities.
Education in Athens
Ohio University is a public university in Athens. It has over 30,000 students and an 1,800-acre (728 ha) campus. It was founded in 1804. It is the oldest university in Ohio and the ninth oldest public university in the United States. The university is known as the Bobcats. It offers over 250 academic programs. Ohio University also has campuses in other cities in Ohio.
Children in Athens attend schools in the Athens City School District. This district was founded in the late 1840s. It has five schools: East Elementary (Pre-K to 3rd grade), Morrison Gordon Elementary (Pre-K to 3rd grade), The Plains Intermediate School (4th to 6th grade), Athens Middle School (7th to 8th grade), and Athens High School. New buildings for East Elementary and Morrison Gordon Elementary opened in 2021. The Plains Intermediate was updated in 2022. A new Athens High School is planned to start construction in 2025.
Athens also has a public library. It is a branch of the Athens County Public Libraries.
Media in Athens
- The Athens Messenger: Athens' oldest newspaper, started in 1848. It is published five days a week.
- Athens News: A free weekly newspaper.
- The Post: The student newspaper of Ohio University.
- The New Political: A student-run online publication at Ohio University about politics.
- The Matrix: The student newspaper of Athens High School.
- Athens Community Television: Public access TV on Spectrum cable, Channel 1021.
- The Government Channel: Athens city government TV on Spectrum cable, Channel 1024.
- WSIB-LP, 106.7 FM: "Union Station" (plays oldies music).
- WYWH-LP, 104.5 FM: Christian radio.
- WOUB-FM, 91.3 FM: Public radio, plays contemporary adult alternative music.
- WOUB-AM, 1340 AM: Ohio University student-run radio station.
- WOUB-TV: Public television, PBS affiliate.
- WATH-AM, 970 AM: Plays oldies music.
- WATH-FM, 97.1 FM: Plays 70s and 80s pop-rock music.
- WXTQ-FM, 105.5 FM: Plays current hit radio.
- WJKW, 95.9 FM: Plays Contemporary Christian music.
City Infrastructure
Getting Around Athens
Railroad service came to Athens in the 1850s. The last passenger train left in 1981. Now, only a few freight trains pass near the city.
The first 4-lane road into Athens was built in the early 1970s. By the early 1980s, SR 32 connected Athens to Cincinnati. By the late 1990s, US-50, SR-32 & 7 connected Athens to Belpre/Parkersburg and I-77. In the early 2000s, SR-33 connected Athens to Ravenswood, West Virginia. In October 2013, the last part of the 4-lane highway was finished. This connected Athens directly to Columbus, Ohio.
Ohio University has a modern airport called Gordon K. Bush Airport. It is about 15 miles (24 km) southwest of the city. The closest airports with commercial flights are near Parkersburg, West Virginia, and Columbus, Ohio.
Athens has a public bus system. It is free for Ohio University students and staff. It costs less for seniors and school students. The bus system has several routes in the city and one to The Plains. Ohio University also has its own bus system that connects with the city buses. Athens also has an inter-city bus line called GoBus. It travels from Athens to Columbus, Cincinnati, Marietta, and Cleveland twice a day.
Health Care in Athens
Ohio University has the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. It was started in 1975. It is the only osteopathic medical school in Ohio. It offers a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. The college has 814 students across three campuses. Ohio University also works with University Medical Associates (UMA). UMA provides many medical services in the Athens area.
Ohio University also has Campus Care. This is a clinic on campus for students.
Athens is also served by OhioHealth O'Bleness Memorial Hospital. This hospital has over 140 beds. It was founded in the early 1920s. The hospital's emergency department is open 24/7. It also has a helipad for air transport. The hospital has added new facilities and upgraded its equipment.
Hopewell Health Centers also operate several health care places in Athens. They offer mental health care, dental care, and primary health care. They have doctors, dentists, and counselors.
Holzer Athens is another clinic. It has 42 health care professionals. They offer many services, including allergy care, cancer care, eye care, and pediatrics.
Famous People from Athens
- Joe Burrow: NFL football quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals.
- Joe Dolce: Musician and poet.
- Dow Finsterwald: Professional golfer who won the 1958 PGA Championship.
- Atul Gawande: Surgeon and writer on medicine and public health.
- Kevin Hartman: Professional soccer player.
- Maya Lin: Architect and designer of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
- Skeletonwitch: An American metal band.
- Scott Stricklin: College baseball head coach.
- Art Tripp: Musician known for his work with Frank Zappa.
Images for kids
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Flag of Athens, Ohio
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Logo of Athens, Ohio
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Location of Athens in Athens County
See also
In Spanish: Athens (Ohio) para niños
