Athens, Alabama Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

The current estimated population of Athens is 30,000, with males comprising approximately 48% and females 52%. The population has steadily increased, driven by its proximity to Huntsville and the growth of local industries.

City Facts

• Year Founded: 1818
• County Affiliated: Limestone County
• Land Area: 39.4 square miles
• Population Density: 761 people per square mile
• Area Code: 256
• Zip Codes: 35611, 35612, 35613, 35614

Geography and Location

Athens is located in northern Alabama, approximately 25 miles west of Huntsville. The city is situated in the Tennessee Valley, with gently rolling hills and fertile farmland that have historically supported its agricultural economy. The nearby Tennessee River and Wheeler Lake provide ample opportunities for water-based recreational activities, such as fishing, boating, and hiking. Athens experiences a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters, typical of the southeastern United States. Its location near major highways, including Interstate 65, makes it an important transportation hub for northern Alabama. The city’s economy is diversified, with strong influences from manufacturing, education, and agriculture. Athens is home to Athens State University, the oldest continuously operating institution of higher education in Alabama. Its proximity to the fast-growing city of Huntsville has also made it an attractive location for residential development, as people seek more affordable living options while remaining close to employment opportunities in the larger urban center.

Demographics

Median resident age: 37.5 years
Median household income: $33,980
Median house value: $91,200

Population by Race

Races in Athens:

• White Non-Hispanic (75.1%)
• Black (18.3%)
• Hispanic (4.9%)
• Other race (1.9%)
• Two or more races (1.0%)
• American Indian (0.7%)

Ancestries: United States (18.7%), English (9.1%), Irish (8.8%), German (6.3%), Scotch-Irish (2.1%), Subsaharan African (1.6%).

Elevation: 720 feet

Land area: 39.3 square miles

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Athens

• High school or higher: 76.2%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 24.7%
• Graduate or professional degree: 7.2%
• Unemployed: 4.8%
• Mean travel time to work: 21.4 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Athens city

• Never married: 22.2%
• Now married: 54.8%
• Separated: 1.9%
• Widowed: 9.9%
• Divorced: 11.1%

3.0% Foreign born (2.7% Latin America, 0.3% Asia).

Population change in the 1990s: +1,658 (+9.6%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Athens:

• ATHENS-LIMESTONE HOSPITAL (700 WEST MARKET STREET)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Athens:

• PARKWAY MEDICAL CENTER HOSPITAL (about 14 miles; DECATUR, AL)
• DECATUR GENERAL HOSPITAL (about 23 miles; DECATUR, AL)
• NORTH ALABAMA REGIONAL HOSPITAL (about 23 miles; DECATUR, AL)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Athens:

• HUNTSVILLE INTL-CARL T JONES FIELD (about 18 miles; HUNTSVILLE, AL; Abbreviation: HSV)
• NORTHWEST ALABAMA RGNL (about 44 miles; MUSCLE SHOALS, AL; Abbreviation: MSL)
• BIRMINGHAM INTL (about 87 miles; BIRMINGHAM, AL; Abbreviation: BHM)

Other public-use airports nearest to Athens:

• PRYOR FIELD RGNL (about 10 miles; DECATUR, AL; Abbreviation: DCU)
• ARDMORE (about 14 miles; ARDMORE, AL; Abbreviation: 1M3)
• REDSTONE AAF (about 22 miles; REDSTONE ARSNL HUNTSVILLE, AL; Abbreviation: HUA)

College/University in Athens:

• ATHENS STATE UNIVERSITY (Full-time enrollment: 1,716; Location: 300 N BEATY ST; Public; Website: www.athens.edu)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Athens:

• JOHN C CALHOUN STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 14 miles; DECATUR, AL; Full-time enrollment: 4,547)
• UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE (about 23 miles; HUNTSVILLE, AL; Full-time enrollment: 4,795)
• ALABAMA A & M UNIVERSITY (about 32 miles; NORMAL, AL; Full-time enrollment: 4,886)
• NORTHWEST SHOALS COMMUNITY COLLEGE-MUSCLE SHOALS (about 46 miles; MUSCLE SHOALS, AL; Full-time enrollment: 2,669)
• UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA (about 52 miles; FLORENCE, AL; Full-time enrollment: 4,770)
• GEORGE C WALLACE STATE COMMUNITY COLL-HANCEVILLE (about 53 miles; HANCEVILLE, AL; Full-time enrollment: 3,272)
• COLUMBIA STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 58 miles; COLUMBIA, TN; Full-time enrollment: 2,784)

Schools

Public high schools in Athens:

• ATHENS HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 790; Location: 100 HIGHWAY 31 N; Grades: 09 – 12)
• LIMESTONE COUNTY AREA VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY (Location: 505 E SANDERFER RD; Grades: 10 – 12)

Private high school in Athens:

• ATHENS BIBLE SCHOOL (Students: 348; Location: 507 HOFFMAN ST; Grades: PK – 12)

Biggest public primary/middle schools in Athens:

• CLEMENTS HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,088; Location: 7730 HIGHWAY 72 W; Grades: KG – 12)
• EAST LIMESTONE HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 891; Location: 15641 E LIMESTONE RD; Grades: 06 – 12)
• OWENS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 479; Location: 21465 HIGHWAY 99; Grades: KG – 06)
• ATHENS MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 461; Location: 601 S CLINTON ST; Grades: 07 – 08)
• ATHENS INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL (Students: 450; Location: 1916 US HWY 72; Grades: 05 – 06)
• ATHENS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 280; Location: 515 N MADISON ST; Grades: KG – 04)
• JAMES L COWART ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 278; Location: 1701 W HOBBS ST; Grades: KG – 04)
• JULIAN NEWMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 273; Location: 517 JULIAN NEWMAN DR; Grades: KG – 04)
• JOHNSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 253; Location: 21360 HWY 251; Grades: KG – 05)
• PINEY CHAPEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 217; Location: 20835 ELKTON RD; Grades: KG – 06)

Private primary/middle school in Athens:

• FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (Students: 100; Location: PO BOX 287; Grades: PK – 8)

Libraries

Library in Athens:

• ATHENS-LIMESTONE PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $250,150; Location: 405 EAST SOUTH STREET; 52,942 books; 1,039 audio materials; 1,228 video materials; 51 serial subscriptions)