# Athens, Alabama

Athens is a city in and the county seat of Limestone County, in the U.S. state of Alabama; it is included in the Huntsville-Decatur-Albertville, AL Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city is 25,406.

## History

Founded in 1818 by John Coffee, Robert Beaty, John D. Carroll, and John Read, Athens is one of the oldest incorporated cities in the state, having been incorporated one year prior to the state's admittance to the Union in 1819. Limestone County was also created by an act of the Alabama Territorial Legislature in 1818. The town was first called Athenson, but was incorporated as Athens after the ancient city in Greece. The town's first mayor was Samuel Tanner, and the Tanner area, south of Athens, was named on his behalf.
The Athens area was the home of William Wyatt Bibb, the first governor of Alabama, and its second governor, his brother Thomas Bibb, who succeeded him in office when he died in a fall from his horse.
In 1822, local residents purchased 5 acres (20,000 m$^2$) of land and constructed a building to house the Athens Female Academy. The school became affiliated with the Methodist church in 1842, and was eventually renamed Athens Female College. After becoming coeducational in 1932, the school changed its name again to Athens College. After being taken over by the State of Alabama in 1974, the college was converted to a "reverse junior college", offering the last two years of instruction for graduates of area community colleges. It is today known as Athens State University.
Many homes in the central part of modern Athens date to the antebellum period, and are part of historic preservation districts.
On May 2, 1862, during the Civil War, Athens was seized by Union forces under the command of Col. John Basil Turchin. After occupying the town on May 2, 1862, Turchin assembled his men and reportedly told them: "I shut my eyes for two hours. I see nothing". He did, in fact, leave the town to reconnoiter defensive positions, during which time his men ransacked the town. Turchin was later court-martialed over his treatment of Athens. The incident was controversial, and Lost Cause supporters vilified Turchin.
Athens was the home of Governor George S. Houston, Alabama's first post-Reconstruction Democratic governor, who served from 1874 through 1878. Houston was noted for reducing the debts incurred to benefit private railroad speculators and others by his Reconstruction Republican predecessors. During Reconstruction, Athens was the home of the Trinity School, a school founded for the children of former slaves by Mary Fletcher Wells and funded by the American Missionary Association.
Athens was traditionally a cotton and railroad town, but since the local aerospace boom of the 1950s and 1960s, it has increasingly entered the orbit of nearby industry center Huntsville as the area's cotton production has steadily declined.
Athens is the home of Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant, a Tennessee Valley Authority installation first operated in 1974, that was once the world's largest nuclear plant. It provides many jobs to the area and most of the electricity for the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. On March 22, 1975, the Browns Ferry plant became the scene of what was, with the exception of the Three Mile Island accident, the most serious nuclear accident in United States history. A worker using a candle to check for air leaks started a fire among control wires, causing a temporary threat to operational control of the reactor (see Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant article on Unit One Fire).
On December 28, 2024, a high-end EF1 tornado struck downtown Athens causing significant damage to the Limestone Courthouse square and caused roof damage to many businesses in downtown Athens and several trees were uprooted including one outside the courthouse.

## Geography

Athens is midway between Nashville and Birmingham on Interstate 65. Athens shares a boundary with Huntsville.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 39.4 square miles (102 km$^2$), of which 39.3 square miles (102 km$^2$) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km$^2$) (0.23%) is water.

### Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Athens has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
Climate data for Athens, Alabama (1991–2020, extremes 1991–present) :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 78 (26) | 84 (29) | 87 (31) | 91 (33) | 94 (34) | 104 (40) | 102 (39) | 104 (40) | 100 (38) | 102 (39) | 87 (31) | 78 (26) | 104 (40) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 68.9 (20.5) | 73.5 (23.1) | 81.2 (27.3) | 85.7 (29.8) | 90.3 (32.4) | 95.1 (35.1) | 96.0 (35.6) | 96.7 (35.9) | 93.8 (34.3) | 88.6 (31.4) | 77.2 (25.1) | 72.3 (22.4) | 98.8 (37.1) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 51.3 (10.7) | 55.9 (13.3) | 64.5 (18.1) | 73.3 (22.9) | 80.4 (26.9) | 87.1 (30.6) | 89.9 (32.2) | 89.8 (32.1) | 84.9 (29.4) | 74.7 (23.7) | 63.0 (17.2) | 54.2 (12.3) | 72.4 (22.4) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 42.4 (5.8) | 46.3 (7.9) | 54.0 (12.2) | 62.3 (16.8) | 70.4 (21.3) | 77.8 (25.4) | 81.0 (27.2) | 80.3 (26.8) | 74.7 (23.7) | 63.7 (17.6) | 52.4 (11.3) | 45.4 (7.4) | 62.6 (17.0) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 33.5 (0.8) | 36.7 (2.6) | 43.5 (6.4) | 51.3 (10.7) | 60.4 (15.8) | 68.4 (20.2) | 72.1 (22.3) | 70.9 (21.6) | 64.5 (18.1) | 52.6 (11.4) | 41.9 (5.5) | 36.5 (2.5) | 52.7 (11.5) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 14.5 (−9.7) | 18.9 (−7.3) | 25.9 (−3.4) | 34.5 (1.4) | 44.4 (6.9) | 57.7 (14.3) | 62.7 (17.1) | 62.3 (16.8) | 50.9 (10.5) | 35.7 (2.1) | 24.9 (−3.9) | 21.7 (−5.7) | 12.9 (−10.6) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 0 (−18) | −1 (−18) | 12 (−11) | 23 (−5) | 37 (3) | 47 (8) | 57 (14) | 50 (10) | 39 (4) | 28 (−2) | 16 (−9) | 3 (−16) | −1 (−18) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 5.52 (140) | 5.43 (138) | 5.59 (142) | 5.40 (137) | 4.85 (123) | 4.76 (121) | 4.89 (124) | 3.93 (100) | 3.77 (96) | 4.02 (102) | 4.61 (117) | 6.29 (160) | 59.06 (1,500) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 0.5 (1.3) | 0.5 (1.3) | 0.3 (0.76) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 1.3 (3.3) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 10.9 | 11.7 | 11.7 | 10.1 | 11.0 | 11.4 | 11.3 | 9.8 | 8.2 | 9.2 | 10.4 | 12.0 | 127.7 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| Source: NOAA (mean maxima/minima 2006–2020) ||||||||||||||

## Demographics

Athens first appeared on the 1850 U.S. Census as an incorporated place. It did not appear on the 1860 census, but returned again in 1870 and every census to date. Athens was one of the fastest growing areas in Alabama in the 2023 census estimates with 30,904 people recorded in the estimates.

### 2000 Census data

As of the census of 2000, there were 18,967 people, 7,742 households, and 5,140 families residing in the city. The population density was 482.3 inhabitants per square mile (186.2/km$^2$). There were 8,449 housing units at an average density of 214.8 per square mile (82.9/km$^2$). 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, 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 age distribution of the population showed 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 45 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.

### 2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 21,897 people, 9,038 households, and 5,881 families residing in the city. The population density was 557.2 inhabitants per square mile (215.1/km$^2$). There were 9,862 housing units at an average density of 250.9 per square mile (96.9/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 73.0% White, 17.5% Black or African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 5.9% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. 8.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 9,038 households, of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.5% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city, the age distribution of the population showed 22.8% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city of Athens was $42,127, and the median income for a family was $54,013. Males had a median income of $43,672 versus $31,601 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,136. About 15.5% of families and 17.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.4% of those under age 45 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.

### 2020 census

Athens racial composition :
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
| White (non-Hispanic) | 17,160 | 67.54% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 4,275 | 16.83% |
| Native American | 74 | 0.29% |
| Asian | 240 | 0.94% |
| Pacific Islander | 34 | 0.13% |
| Other/Mixed | 1,208 | 4.75% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 2,415 | 9.51% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 25,406 people, 9,397 households, and 6,080 families residing in the city.

## Athens Precinct/Division (1870–)

Athens, the 1st Beat/Precinct of Limestone County first reported on the 1870 U.S. Census. This included both the town/city of Athens and the surrounding area. It did not report a figure for 1880, but returned in 1890 and every census to date. In 1870, when racial demographics were reported, it had a Black majority in that beat. In 1960, Athens precinct was changed to a census division as part of a general reorganization of counties.

## Transportation

* I-65
* US 31
* US 72
* Norfolk Southern Railway
* CSX Transportation railroad
* Pryor Field Regional Airport (regional/municipal airport)
Intercity bus service is provided by Greyhound Lines.

## Education

* Athens State University

## Media

* The News Courier, daily newspaper
* WVNN 770 AM
* WKAC 1080 AM
* WZYP 104.3 FM
* WTZT-CD TV channel 11

## Notable people

* Woody Abernathy, former professional baseball outfielder
* Sheila Andrews, country music singer
* Bill Arnsparger, defensive coordinator in the National Football League (NFL) for Miami Dolphins teams that won consecutive Super Bowls (1972 and 1973); head coach of the LSU Tigers Football team.
* Keith Askins, NBA assistant coach, former player Miami Heat
* Don Black, KKK Grand Wizard, Neo Nazi, White Nationalist.
* Reed Blankenship, NFL Safety, for the Philadelphia Eagles
* Michael Boley, NFL Outside linebacker New York Giants
* George Ruffin Bridgeforth, professor Tuskegee Institute, first Black alumnus, University of Massachusetts Amherst
* Wally Bullington, head football coach for Abilene Christian University from 1968 to 1976
* Tom Calvin, former NFL halfback
* Dick Coffman, former Major League Baseball player
* Slick Coffman, former Major League Baseball player
* Billy Davis, former member of the Arizona State Senate
* P. O. Davis, early radio pioneer, agricultural editor and Alabama Cooperative Extension Service educator and administrator
* Anderson East, R&B singer who is featured on the Fifty Shades Darker soundtrack
* Richard Hendrix, professional basketball player
* Jake Hess, Grammy Award-winning southern gospel singer
* Brittany Howard, singer and guitarist with Alabama Shakes
* C. Eric Lincoln, African-American scholar
* Patti J. Malone, noted African-American mezzo-soprano singer
* Bobby Marlow, former Canadian Football League running back
* John Mason Martin, U.S. Representative from 1885 to 1887
* Mitch McConnell, U. S. Senator from Kentucky, lived in Athens from 1942 to 1950
* Alfred McCullough, American football player
* Kevin Miller, radio talk show host
* Roger Murrah, songwriter
* Andy Nelson, former safety for the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants
* Edmund Pettus, lawyer, soldier, and U.S. Senator from 1897 to 1907
* Luke Pryor, served as a U.S. Senator in 1880, and as a U.S. Representative from 1883 to 1885
* Wayne Redmond, former baseball player for the Detroit Tigers
* William N. Richardson, U.S. Representative from 1900 to 1914
* Philip Rivers, NFL quarterback, San Diego Chargers
* Charles Henry Sykes, editorial cartoonist
* Charles Coleman Thach, president of Auburn University from 1902 to 1920
* Alice Vassar LaCour, Fisk Jubilee singer and teacher
* Lee Vickers, professional football player for the Omaha Nighthawks
* James C. Watkins, ceramic artist
* Quez Watkins, professional football player
* Henry A. White, Alabama educator and state representative; served on the Athens City Council
* Pryor Williams, former professional football player

## In popular culture

Athens was the primary filming location of Brittany Howard's "Stay High" music video. The video stars Terry Crews as a blue-collar man driving home from a job at a nearby Decatur plant. The video also stars several Athens citizens and members of Howards' family. Howard, an Athens native and member of Alabama Shakes, wrote in a press release that "Terry Crews plays a man who isn't out to change the world, he plays a man who just wants to come home to those who understand and love him best". The video features Crews singing along to the Grammy-winning "Stay High" while visiting local landmarks and establishments, such as Decatur's US-72 ALT Bridge, and Athens's Hometown Grocery, Dub's Burgers, and historic Kreme Delite. The video was dedicated to Howard's father, K.J. Howard.

## Gallery

* Limestone County Courthouse, Athens
* Downtown Athens
* Downtown Athens
* Downtown Athens
* Governor George S. Houston House, Athens
* Athens Masonic Hall
* Athens Former Post Office
* Confederate soldiers monument, Athens
* Athens First Methodist Church
* "Sacked and Plundered" historic sign, Athens
* Presbyterian Church, Athens
* Limestone Drug building, Athens
* Frances Snow Pryor House, Athens
* Vining-Wood-Vasser House, Athens
* Judge William Harrison Walker House, Athens
* Dr. R. H. Richardson House, Athens
* Pryor Field Regional Airport, Athens
* Father Robert Donnell House, Athens