About Athens
Set in the southern part of Ohio, Athens is a close-knit town, home to 24,824 residents as of the latest Census estimates.
Officially, Athens is an incorporated city with its own municipal government. The community covers 9.95 square miles, giving it a balanced suburban layout with room to breathe at roughly 2,495 residents per square mile.
📰 Athens News Today
- Educator Open House scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026 Athens County Independent · Aug 18
- Missing woman found in Athens County, Ohio WSAZ · Aug 18
- Global Education Fair brings 21 countries to Athens County classrooms Ohio University · Aug 13
- Small towns like Athens, Ohio: America’s ambassadors to the world Ohio Capital Journal · Aug 3
- Battle of Athens to be discussed The Parkersburg News and Sentinel · Aug 13
Live headlines via Google News — updates through the day.
What Makes Athens Unique
- One of 11 places in the US named Athens — but the Ohio one has a character all its own.
- Positioned in southern Ohio, convenient to the region's corridors and crossings.
- Part of the fabric of Ohio — one of 1,265 recognized communities statewide.
Why People Love It Here
- The sweet spot: real amenities without big-city congestion.
- Local businesses and schools anchored by a stable resident base of 24,824.
- Well connected: 3+ neighboring communities within 7 miles.
🍽️ Where to Eat in Athens
- Applebee's — american
- Bagel Street Deli — deli
- Big Run Kava Bar — coffee shop (café)
- Brenen's — coffee shop (café)
- Court Street Coffee (café)
- Donkey Coffee & Espresso — coffee shop (café)
- Fluff Bakery and Cafe (café)
- Fusion Noodle — asian
- Ginger Asian Kitchen — chinese
- IHOP — breakfast
Local spots mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.
🎡 Fun Things to Do
- Athens County Fairgrounds · Attraction
- Cube 4 Gallery · Art gallery
- Ohio University Art Gallery · Art gallery
- Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery · Museum
- Trisolini Gallery · Art gallery
- Kennedy Museum of Art · Museum
- Ohio University Alumni Gateway · Attraction
- Southeast Ohio History Center · Museum
- The School of Visual Communication Gallery · Art gallery
- The Star Chamber · Arcade
Attractions mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.
🏞️ Parks & Outdoors in Athens
- Armory Park reviews ★
- Blair Preserve · Nature reserve reviews ★
- Camp Rotan reviews ★
- Dairy Lane Park reviews ★
- East State Street Park reviews ★
- Emeriti Park reviews ★
- Highland Park reviews ★
- Lesli Johnson Preserve · Nature reserve reviews ★
- Mary Beth Zak Lohse Nature Preserve · Nature reserve reviews ★
- Peach Preserve · Nature reserve reviews ★
- Richland Avenue Park reviews ★
- Riddle State Nature Preserve · Nature reserve reviews ★
Parks mapped by the OpenStreetMap community · "reviews" opens each park's live Google reviews.
🏫 Schools in Athens
- Athens Middle School
- East Elementary School
- Morrison Gordon Elementary School
Public schools, U.S. Dept. of Education (NCES) 2023–24 directory.
🏥 Hospitals & Healthcare
- Ohiohealth O'Bleness Hospital ★★★ (3/5 CMS rating) · 24/7 ER
- Appalachian Behavioral Health Care · Psychiatric
Medicare-registered hospitals with official CMS star ratings.
⚡ Quick Facts
StateOhio
TypeCity
Population (2024)24,824
Rank in state#65 of 923
Land area9.95 sq mi
Density2,495/sq mi
Coordinates39.3263, -82.1002