Athens, Alabama
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- This article is about the city in Alabama. For other uses, see Athens (disambiguation)
| City of Athens, Alabama | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| County | Limestone |
| Incorporated | 1818 |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Dan Williams |
| Area | |
| - Total | 39.4 sq mi (102.1 km²) |
| - Land | 39.3 sq mi (101.9 km²) |
| - Water | 0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²) |
| Elevation | 798 ft (243.1 m) |
| Population (2005) | |
| - Total | 20,972 |
| - Density | 482.3/sq mi (186.2/km²) |
| Time zone | CST (UTC-6) |
| - Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 35611-35614 |
| Area code(s) | 256 |
| FIPS code | 01-02956 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0113266 |
| Website: http://www.ci.athens.al.us/ | |
Athens is a city in Limestone County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 18,967. According to the 2005 U.S. Census estimates, the city had a population of 20,972.[1] The city is the county seat of Limestone County, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area.
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[edit] Geography
Athens is located at (34.789602, -86.969424).[2]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 39.4 square miles (102.1 km²), of which, 39.3 square miles (101.9 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (0.23%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 18,967 people, 7,742 households, and 5,140 families residing in the city. The population density was 482.3 people per square mile (186.2/km²). There were 8,449 housing units at an average density of 214.8/sq mi (82.9/km²). 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.
[edit] 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.
See also the List of Registered Historic Places in Limestone County, Alabama
[edit] 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 admittance to the Union in 1819.
- During the American Civil War, the town was subjected to the so called Rape of Athens, in which Union army troops terrorized the local civilian population.
- 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.
- In 1934, Athens became the first city to get its electricity from the Tennessee Valley Authority.
[edit] Events
- In February, Hospice of Athens holds its annual Chili Challenge at Athens High School
- In February, The Friends of the Athens-Limestone Public Library host a Cat in the Hat breakfast for children
- Each Spring, Big Spring Park holds the annual Dogwood Festival, where prizes are awarded to the best poetry and paintings
- In May of each year, Athens State University's lawn plays host to SoulStock, a Christian concert that showcases several different bands and speakers each year
- September 2008 is the inaugural Literary Tastes event, featuring area restaurants, to benefit the Athens-Limestone Public Library Foundation
- Every October, 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—attend the festival
[edit] Notable residents/natives
- Keith Askins - NBA Assistant coach, former player Miami Heat
- Jane Davis internationally known artist lives in Athens.
- P. O. Davis early radio pioneer, agricultural editor and Alabama Cooperative Extension Service educator and administrator.
- Sean Hannity, Radio Talk Show Host and Fox News Channel commentator, lived in Athens in early 1990s while working for WVNN.
- Paula Laurita editor with BellaOnline.com, the Internet's second largest "women's interest" website lives in Athens.
- Patti J. Malone was born into slavery in 1855 and possessed a rich mezzo soprano voice. In 1877, she became a member of the Fisk Jubilee Singers, touring the United States and Europe for the next six year. She died on Jan. 20, 1897, in Omaha, Nebraska. Her obituary lauded her talent and declared, "It is safe to say that no woman of her race ever sang in so many different countries of the world as Miss Patti J. Malone."
- Kevin Miller, Radio Talk Show Host, lived in Athens in late 1990s while working for WVNN.
- Philip Rivers - NFL Quarterback, played quarterback for Athens High School from 1996-1999 (currently with the National Football League's San Diego Chargers)
- Gary Redus, former baseball player
- Lee Vickers Football Player for the Ravens
[edit] Education
- Athens-Limestone Public Library provides many avenues for research and learning, including storytime, teen book club, anime-manga club, and a quarterly "culture safari" for pre-teens
- 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 SACS-accredited private pre-K to 12th grade school, with a campus in Athens and a campus in Madison, AL.
- Athens State University is a two-year upper level university located in downtown Athens.
[edit] Media
Athens is home to several AM and FM radio stations, including WQXD-LP (97.9 FM).
[edit] References
- ^ U.S. Census Bureau. Population Finder - Athen city, Alabama. Population Finder. Retrieved on 2007-01-03. “"The 2005 population estimate for Athens city, Alabama is 20,972."”
- ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
[edit] External links
- Virtual Tour of Athens
- Athens Municipal Website
- American Memory's Built in America Collection which has drawings, photographs, and descriptions of old homes and buildings.
- Athens, Alabama is at coordinates Coordinates:
- Athens-Limestone Public Library
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