BtoBers

Athena, Oregon Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

by · Published · Updated

The current estimated population of Athena is 1,100, with males making up 50% and females 50%. The population has remained relatively stable over the past decade, with small changes driven by the local agricultural economy.

City Facts

  • Year Founded: 1878
  • County Affiliated: Umatilla County
  • Land Area: 0.6 square miles
  • Population Density: 1,833 people per square mile
  • Area Code: 541
  • Zip Codes: 97813

Geography and Location

Athena is a small town located in northeastern Oregon, approximately 20 miles north of Pendleton. The town is situated in the Umatilla River Valley, surrounded by rolling wheat fields and agricultural land typical of the region. Athena’s location places it in the heart of Oregon’s dryland farming country, where wheat production is a significant economic driver. The town experiences a semi-arid climate with hot, dry summers and cool winters, which supports the region’s agricultural practices. Athena’s landscape is characterized by wide-open spaces, gently rolling hills, and a patchwork of farmland. The nearby Blue Mountains to the east provide a scenic backdrop and offer recreational opportunities such as hiking, camping, and hunting. Athena’s small size and rural setting make it a quiet, close-knit community, where agriculture and small-town values are at the center of life. The town’s location near major highways makes it accessible to larger cities like Pendleton and Walla Walla, Washington, while maintaining a peaceful, rural atmosphere.

Demographics

Median resident age: 35.3 years
Median household income: $36,875
Median house value: $86,400

Population by Race

Races in Athena:

  • White Non-Hispanic (89.0%)
  • Hispanic (5.2%)
  • American Indian (4.7%)
  • Other race (3.6%)
  • Two or more races (2.3%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: German (18.6%), English (11.8%), Irish (10.6%), United States (8.8%), Scottish (4.1%), French (3.4%).

Elevation: 1710 feet

Land area: 0.6 square miles

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Athena

  • High school or higher: 83.4%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 17.3%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 5.9%
  • Unemployed: 4.7%
  • Mean travel time to work: 24.1 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Athena city

  • Never married: 18.5%
  • Now married: 64.6%
  • Separated: 0.8%
  • Widowed: 6.8%
  • Divorced: 9.3%

4.3% Foreign born (2.5% Latin America, 1.1% Europe).

Population change in the 1990s: +207 (+20.4%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Athena:

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Athena:

  • WALLA WALLA REGIONAL (about 24 miles; WALLA WALLA, WA; Abbreviation: ALW)
  • EASTERN OREGON REGIONAL AT PENDLETON (about 26 miles; PENDLETON, OR; Abbreviation: PDT)
  • TRI-CITIES (about 53 miles; PASCO, WA; Abbreviation: PSC)

Other public-use airports nearest to Athena:

  • MARTIN FIELD (about 16 miles; COLLEGE PLACE, WA; Abbreviation: S95)
  • LA GRANDE/UNION COUNTY (about 50 miles; LA GRANDE, OR; Abbreviation: LGD)
  • LOWER MONUMENTAL STATE (about 51 miles; KAHLOTUS, WA; Abbreviation: W09)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Athena:

  • WALLA WALLA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 21 miles; WALLA WALLA, WA; Full-time enrollment: 2,812)
  • EASTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY (about 44 miles; LA GRANDE, OR; Full-time enrollment: 2,192)
  • COLUMBIA BASIN COLLEGE (about 53 miles; PASCO, WA; Full-time enrollment: 3,529)
  • WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY (about 92 miles; PULLMAN, WA; Full-time enrollment: 18,110)
  • LEWIS-CLARK STATE COLLEGE (about 112 miles; LEWISTON, ID; Full-time enrollment: 2,213)
  • EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (about 130 miles; CHENEY, WA; Full-time enrollment: 7,852)
  • SPOKANE FALLS COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 143 miles; SPOKANE, WA; Full-time enrollment: 6,284)

Schools

Public high school in Athena:

  • WESTON-MCEWEN HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 217; Location: 540 E MAIN ST; Grades: 09 – 12)

Private high school in Athena:

  • BLUE MOUNTAIN VALLEY SEVENTH D (Students: 30; Location: PO BOX 757; Grades: 1 – 12)

Public primary/middle school in Athena:

  • ATHENA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 150; Grades: KG – 03)

Libraries

Library in Athena:

  • ATHENA PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $32,140; Location: 418 E. MAIN ST.; 8,070 books; 438 audio materials; 2 video materials; 54 serial subscriptions)

Related Posts: