Athens, Alabama

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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 combined statistical area. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city is 25,407.

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.[1][2] 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.[3]

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.[4]

Before European settlers arrived, the area which would become Athens was part of Chickasaw lands, settlers from Tennessee began intruding into what would become Limestone County in the first decade of the 1800s; the Chickasaw ceded lands north and east of the Tennessee River by about 1816, opening legal settlement in the area. Encyclopedia of Alabama

In 1818, a group of land speculators, including Robert Beaty and John D. Carroll, purchased 160 acres and began selling lots in what would become the city of Athens. The city was incorporated on November 19, 1818 — notably before Alabama even became a state (December 14, 1819). On March 22, 1819, the city was chosen as the county seat for the newly formed Limestone County.

Cotton and agriculture dominated the economy in these early years. Due to the fertile soil of the Tennessee Valley region, it drew settlers who believed the land would sustain crops and prosperity.

File:Founders Hall Athens State Univ.jpg
Founders Hall, Athens State University.
(WPA photo 1930s)

In 1822, local residents purchased Script error: No such module "convert". 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.[5]

Many homes in the central part of modern Athens date to the antebellum period, and are part of historic preservation districts.[6]

On May 2, 1862, during the Civil War, Athens was seized by Union forces under the command of Col. John Basil Turchin.[7] 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".Script error: No such module "Unsubst". 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.[8] The incident was controversial, and Lost Cause supporters vilified Turchin.

File:George S. Houston - Brady-Handy.jpg
Governor George S. Houston

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.[9] 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.[10]

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.

File:Browns ferry NPP.jpg
Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Station. Nuclear Regulatory Commission photo.

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).[11]

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.[12][13]

File:Tree damage outside limestone county courthouse.jpg
Fallen tree caused by the EF1 tornado

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 Script error: No such module "convert"., of which Script error: No such module "convert". is land and Script error: No such module "convert". (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.[14] Script error: No such module "weather box".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Demographics

Athens first appeared on the 1850 U.S. Census as an incorporated place.[15] 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.[16]

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Historical population
CensusPop.Template:Sronly%±
1850991—
1870887—
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1890940Script error: No such module "String".%
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199016,901Script error: No such module "String".%
200018,967Script error: No such module "String".%
201021,897Script error: No such module "String".%
202025,406Script error: No such module "String".%
2023 (est.)30,904Script error: No such module "String".%
Sources: 1850;[17] 1870 and 1880;[18]
1900, 1910, and 1920;[19] 1930, 1940, and 1950;[20]
1960, 1970, and 1980;[21] 1990;[22] 2000 and 2010[23]

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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 Script error: No such module "convert".. There were 8,449 housing units at an average density of Script error: No such module "convert".. 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 Script error: No such module "convert".. There were 9,862 housing units at an average density of Script error: No such module "convert".. 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[24]
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–)

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Historical population
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198040,056Script error: No such module "String".%
199047,930Script error: No such module "String".%
200057,830Script error: No such module "String".%
201069,761Script error: No such module "String".%
U.S. Decennial Census[25]

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Athens, the 1st Beat/Precinct of Limestone County first reported on the 1870 U.S. Census.[26] 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.[27]

Transportation

Intercity bus service is provided by Greyhound Lines.[28]

Education

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Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".* Athens City Schools

Media

Notable people

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In popular culture

Athens was the primary filming location of Brittany Howard's "Stay High" music video.

Gallery

References

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  1. ↑ A Digest of the Laws of the State of Alabama: Containing The Statutes and Resolutions in Force at the end of the General Assembly in January 1823. Published by Ginn & Curtis, J. & J. Harper, Printers, New-York, 1828. Title 62. Chapter XXV. Page 803. "An Act to Incorporate the Town of Athens, in Limestone County.—Passed November 19, 1818." (Google Books)
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ Limestone County Historical Society: Belle Mina
  5. ↑ Athens State University: History Script error: No such module "webarchive".
  6. ↑ City of Athens: Map of Historic Districts. Script error: No such module "webarchive".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Walter L. Fleming, Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama, p.63 (New York: Columbia Univ. Press, 1905) (retrieved Oct. 6, 2024).
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ "Trinity Cistern." Limestone County Historical Society. Retrieved Nov 22, 2009. Text of page: "Cistern: Last Remnant of Trinity School. Located in th[e] parking lot of the New [Clinton Street] Court House Annex. Picture of a historical marker inscribed as follows: 'This cistern is the last remnant of Trinity School located here 1865-1907. The cistern was used to store rainwater collected from the roof. No physical evidence remains of the Ross Hotel, the Chapman Quarters, and other buildings on this block, which played an important role in Athens history. Trinity, a school for the children of former slaves, was established here, on the old Richardson property, in 1865, primarily through the efforts of Miss Mary Frances Wells, the school's principal and chief proponent. Trinity Hall was built here 1881-82, as a joint effort by the American Missionary Association and local African Americans who hand made and laid the bricks for the building. It burned in 1907 and was rebuilt the following year on the old Civil War fort site west of town. ERECTED BY THE LIMESTONE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY 2005'"
  11. ↑ Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Bulletin No. 75-04A: Cable Fire at Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Station
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Climate Summary for Athens, Alabama
  15. ↑ http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1850c-11.pdf, 1850 Census (places)
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ The Seventh Census of the United States: 1850. Alabama. Table II. Population of Towns and Cities. U.S. Census Bureau. Original Pagination 422. PDF Pagination 10.
  18. ↑ Table III. Populations of Civil Divisions Less Than Counties. Alabama. Volume 1. Statistics of the Population of the United States. Tenth Census. 1880 Census. U.S. Census Bureau. Original Pagination 96. PDF Page 9.
  19. ↑ Table 51. Population of Incorporated Places 1920, 1910, and 1900 and Population of Wards of Incorporated Places Having 5,000 Inhabitants or More. Alabama. Vol 1: Population 1920. Number and distribution of inhabitants. 1920 Census. U.S. Census Bureau.
  20. ↑ Table 6. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions 1930 to 1950. 1950 Census. Number of Inhabitants. Alabama. U.S. Census Bureau. Original Pagination 2-14. PDF Pagination 14.
  21. ↑ Table 4. Populations of County Subdivisions 1960 to 1980. 1980 Census of Population. Alabama. Volume 1: Characteristics of the Population. Chapter A. Number of Inhabitants. Issued April 1982. U.S. Census Bureau. Original Pagination "Alabama 2-13." PDF Page 16.
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. ↑ http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1870a-05.pdf, 1870 AL Census
  27. ↑ http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/37721510v1p2ch2.pdf, 1960 AL Census
  28. ↑ Athens, AL Greyhound Station Intercity Bus Service
  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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External links

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