Editing Athens, Illinois

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{About|the city in Illinois|other uses|Athens (disambiguation)}}
{{distinguish|New Athens, Illinois}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Athens, Illinois
| official_name = 
| native_name = 
| native_name_lang = 
| other_name = 
| settlement_type = [[List of cities in Illinois|City]]
| image_skyline = Matthew Rogers Building in Athens.jpg
| imagesize = 
| image_alt = 
| image_caption = The [[Col. Matthew Rogers Building]] in Athens, May 2014
| image_flag = 
| image_seal = 
| etymology = 
| nickname = 
| motto =  
| anthem = 
| image_map = File:Menard County Illinois Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Athens Highlighted.svg
| mapsize = 
| map_alt = 
| map_caption = Location in Menard County, Illinois
| image_map1 = 
| mapsize1 = 
| map_alt1 = 
| map_caption1 = 
| pushpin_map = Illinois#USA#North America
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_label = Athens
| pushpin_map_alt = 
| pushpin_mapsize = 
| pushpin_relief = 
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| coordinates = {{coord|39|57|43|N|89|43|19|W|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint = 
| coordinates_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| grid_name = 
| grid_position = 
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = United States
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = Illinois
| subdivision_type2 = [[County (United States)|County]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Menard County, Illinois|Menard]]
| subdivision_type3 = Township
| subdivision_name3 = 
| established_title = 
| established_date = 
| founder = 
| named_for = 
| seat_type = 
| seat = 
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type = 
| governing_body = 
| leader_party = 
| leader_title = Mayor De facto
| leader_name = Chris Reichert
| leader_title1 = Chief of Police
| leader_name1 = Tim Becker
| leader_title2 = Treasurer
| leader_name2 = Derrick Fritz
| total_type = 
| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2022">{{cite web |title=2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Illinois |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2022_Gazetteer/2022_gaz_place_17.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=March 13, 2023}}</ref>
| area_total_km2 = 4.36
| area_total_sq_mi = 1.68
| area_land_km2 = 4.36
| area_land_sq_mi = 1.68
| area_water_km2 = 0.00
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.00
| area_water_percent = 
| area_metro_footnotes = 
| area_metro_km2 = 
| area_metro_sq_mi = 
| area_rank = 
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft = 604
| population_as_of = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=&g=1600000US1702674&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1| title=P1. Race – Athens city, Illinois: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| access-date=March 13, 2023}}</ref>
| population_total = 1977
| population_density_km2 = 453.27
| population_density_sq_mi = 1173.99
| timezone1 = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]]
| utc_offset1 = -6
| timezone1_DST = [[North American Central Time Zone|CDT]]
| utc_offset1_DST = -5
| postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code = 62613
| area_code = [[Area code 217|217]]
| geocode = 
| iso_code = 
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info = 17-02674
| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info = 2394010<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2394010}}</ref>
| blank2_name = 
| blank2_info = 
| blank2_name_sec2 = Wikimedia Commons
| blank2_info_sec2 = Athens, Illinois
| website = {{URL|www.athensil.com}}
| footnotes = 
}}

'''Athens''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|eɪ|θ|ən|z}} {{respell|AY|thənz}} is a city in [[Menard County, Illinois|Menard County]], [[Illinois]], United States. The population was 1,977 at the 2020 census.<ref name="Census 2020"/> It is part of the [[Springfield, Illinois]] [[Springfield, Illinois metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

==Geography==
Athens is in southeastern Menard County, {{convert|9|mi|0}} southeast of [[Petersburg, Illinois|Petersburg]], the [[county seat]]. Illinois Routes [[Illinois Route 29|29]] and [[Illinois Route 123|123]] pass together through the northeast side of the city. IL 29 leads south {{convert|14|mi}} to [[Springfield, Illinois|Springfield]], the state capital, and north {{convert|18|mi}} to [[Mason City, Illinois|Mason City]], while IL 123 leads east {{convert|8|mi|0}} to [[Williamsville, Illinois|Williamsville]] and northwest to Petersburg.

According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the city of Athens has an area of {{convert|1.68|sqmi}}, all land.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2022"/> Town Branch flows westward across the southwest corner of the city, leading {{convert|2|mi|0}} to the [[Sangamon River]], part of the [[Illinois River]] watershed.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=left
|1860= 392
|1870= 351
|1880= 410
|1890= 944
|1900= 1535
|1910= 1340
|1920= 1241
|1930= 1019
|1940= 1062
|1950= 1048
|1960= 1035
|1970= 1158
|1980= 1371
|1990= 1404
|2000= 1726
|2010= 1988
|2020= 1977
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}
At the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]] there were 1,726 people in 695 households, including 462 families, in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,175.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 740 housing units at an average density of {{convert|504.0|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2000 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 98.26% White, 0.41% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.46% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.27%.<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |accessdate=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>

Of the 695 households 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 28.5% of households were one person and 11.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.10.

The age distribution was 28.6% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.

The median household income was $41,208 and the median family income  was $50,272. Males had a median income of $32,375 versus $24,519 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,981. About 5.4% of families and 6.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 8.9% of those under age 18 and 13.5% of those age 65 or over.

==Recreation==
Athens is {{convert|4|mi|0}} north of the north end of the [[Sangamon Valley Trail]] right-of-way. The trail includes a bridge over the Sangamon River and Cantrall Creek.<ref>State Journal-Register. 2016-04-15. Retrieved 2017-01-24.{{better source needed|date=September 2019}}</ref> Athens has a sports complex that is used for baseball, softball, and football games as well as track & field and cross country events. Athens community members can visit the Athens Community Park that includes baseball diamonds, outdoor basketball hoops, and a football field for youth players. 

==Notable people==
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* [[Jack Brittin]], pitcher for the [[Philadelphia Phillies]]
* [[Alice Sudduth Byerly]] (1855–1904), temperance activist
* [[H. V. Porter]], educator, coach, and member of the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]]; principal of Athens High School from 1919 to 1927

==See also==
{{stack|{{portal|Illinois}}}}
* [[List of municipalities in Illinois]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{stack|{{commons category|Athens, Illinois}}}}
* {{official website|www.athensil.com}}

{{Menard County, Illinois}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Illinois]]
[[Category:Cities in Menard County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Springfield metropolitan area, Illinois]]