Athens, Illinois

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Athens Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell is a city in 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 Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

Athens is in southeastern Menard County, Template:Convert southeast of Petersburg, the county seat. Illinois Routes 29 and 123 pass together through the northeast side of the city. IL 29 leads south Template:Convert to Springfield, the state capital, and north Template:Convert to Mason City, while IL 123 leads east Template:Convert to Williamsville and northwest to Petersburg.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city of Athens has an area of Template:Convert, all land.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2022"/> Town Branch flows westward across the southwest corner of the city, leading Template:Convert to the Sangamon River, part of the Illinois River watershed.

Demographics

Template:US Census population At the 2000 census there were 1,726 people in 695 households, including 462 families, in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 740 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The 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">Template:Cite web</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 Template:Convert 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.Template:Better source needed</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.