Athens, Alabama

Encyclopedia : A : AT : ATH : Athens, Alabama

Athens is a city in Limestone County, Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 18,967. The 2004 for the United States Census Bureau estimated the city's population at 20,316. The city is the county seat of Limestone County, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area.

Contents

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Economy

3.1 Major Employers

4 Points of interest
5 History Facts
6 Events
7 Interesting Facts
8 Notable residents/natives
9 Education
10 External links

Geography

Athens is located at [34°47′23″N, 86°58′10″W] (34.789602, -86.969424)^{[Geographic references#1GR1]}.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 102.1 km² (39.4 mi²). 101.9 km² (39.3 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.23%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census^{[Geographic references#2GR2]} of 2000, there were 18,967 people, 7,742 households, and 5,140 families residing in the city. The population density was 186.2/km² (482.3/mi²). There were 8,449 housing units at an average density of 82.9/km² (214.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 77.72% White, 18.26% Black or African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.71% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.92% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. 4.86% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,742 households out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.6% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city of Athens was $33,980, and the median income for a family was $44,544. Males had a median income of $37,191 versus $22,748 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,315. About 13.7% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.2% of those under age 18 and 16.8% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Major Employers

Athens Municipal Government
Athens City Schools
Steelcase

Points of interest

It is the home of Athens State University, formerly Athens State College. This institution is primarily a junior/senior teacher's college and features a historic campus with fine antebellum architecture.
It is the home of Browns Ferry nuclear plant, a Tennessee Valley Authority installation of 1974 that was once the world's largest nuclear plant and provides many jobs to the area and most of the electricity for the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area.
Athens' historic district has narrow, tree-lined avenues with many examples of antebellum architecture and is a nationally protected district. Many of these buildings can be seen on a self-guided Antebellum driving trail that takes you through Limestone County.

History Facts

Athens is one of the oldest incorporated cities in the State of Alabama, having been incorporated one year prior to the state's admittal to the Union in 1819.
Athens was traditionally a cotton and railroad town, but since the local aerospace boom of the 1950's and 1960's it has increasingly entered the orbit of nearby industry center Huntsville as the area's cotton production has steadily declined.
In 1934, Athens became the first city to get its electricity from the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Events

Athens State University hosts [Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention], an annual bluegrass and crafts festival. Enthusiasts from all across America and even the far corners of the earth—United Kingdom and Australia—to attend the festival. The event is held in October.

Interesting Facts

Sometimes Athens is referred to as the "chicken stew capital of the world."
Sites in and around Athens were used as filming locations for Disney's movie Tom and Huck.
Since Athens is located near the Tennessee River and the Elk River, boating and water sports are popular pastimes during the summers.
Athens is located exactly halfway between the cities of Nashville, Tennessee and Birmingham, Alabama on Interstate 65.

Notable residents/natives

Philip Rivers - NFL Quarterback (currently with the San Diego Chargers)

Keith Askins - NBA Assistant coach, former player Miami Heat

Education

Athens City Schools oversees the K-12 public schools.
[Athens Bible School] is a private K-12 school with a focus on "student learning in a Christ-centered environment."
[Faith Christian Academy] is a private preschool and K-12 Christian school.

Athens State University is a two-year upper level university located in downtown Athens.

Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area

HDMSA	Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area
Core Metro Areas:	Decatur Metropolitan Area \| Huntsville Metropolitan Area
Core Cities:	Decatur \| Huntsville
Smaller Major Cities:	Albertville \| Athens \| Hartselle \| Madison \| Scottsboro
Other Important Areas of Population:	Arab \| Boaz \| Guntersville \| Moulton \| Redstone Arsenal
Counties in Metro Area:	Jackson \| Lawrence \| Limestone \| Marshall \| Madison \| Morgan

	State of Alabama History \| People \| Governors \| Metropolitan Areas

Capital

Montgomery

Regions

Cities

Counties

External links

[Athens Municipal Website]
[American Memory's Built in America Collection] which has drawings, photographs, and descriptions of old homes and buidings.

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