Athena, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Athena
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City
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| Motto(s):
"A Great Place to Live"
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Location in Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Umatilla |
| Incorporated | 1904 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.55 sq mi (1.42 km2) |
| • Land | 0.55 sq mi (1.42 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,719 ft (524 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,209 |
| • Density | 2,202.19/sq mi (850.92/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (Pacific) |
| ZIP code |
97813
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| Area code(s) | 541 |
| FIPS code | 41-03200 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2409746 |
| Website | cityofathena.com |
Athena is a city in Umatilla County, Oregon, United States. The population was 1,126 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Hermiston-Pendleton Micropolitan Statistical Area.
History
Athena, about halfway between Pendleton, Oregon, and Walla Walla, Washington, was originally called Centerville. However, confusion about the name sometimes arose because Oregon had another Centerville, in Washington County, and the state of Washington had a Centerville, in Klickitat County. In 1889, local government officials asked the Centerville school principal, D. W. Jarvis, to recommend a different name. He chose Athena after the Greek goddess, and they agreed.
Centerville got its first post office on October 11, 1878. The first postmaster was William T. Cook. The post office name was changed to Athena on May 16, 1889.
Nineteenth-century settlers of Scottish descent brought to Athena an interest in the customs and music of Scotland. Before World War I, Athena had a Caledonian Society that held an annual picnic featuring Scottish dancing and bagpipes. Weston-McEwen High School in Athena revived the tradition in the 1950s when it organized a Scots dance group and a pipe band. The band has since performed at many venues in the United States and has traveled to Scotland and England to play.
Athena was also a filming location in the 1930 F.W. Murnau film "City Girl" starring Charles Farrell and Mary Duncan.
The city of Athena was born on Scottish heritage and wants to keep the history and culture alive in the small rural town. Every July the city hosts the Caledonian Games. This event hosts food venues, picnic, and a wide variety of games that are common in Scottish heritage. The event holds "Scottish heritage and athletes competing in events based on historic farm skills."
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.57 square miles (1.48 km2), all of it land.
Climate
According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Athena has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csa" on climate maps.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 495 | — | |
| 1900 | 703 | 42.0% | |
| 1910 | 586 | −16.6% | |
| 1920 | 621 | 6.0% | |
| 1930 | 504 | −18.8% | |
| 1940 | 513 | 1.8% | |
| 1950 | 750 | 46.2% | |
| 1960 | 950 | 26.7% | |
| 1970 | 872 | −8.2% | |
| 1980 | 965 | 10.7% | |
| 1990 | 997 | 3.3% | |
| 2000 | 1,221 | 22.5% | |
| 2010 | 1,126 | −7.8% | |
| 2020 | 1,209 | 7.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,126 people, 446 households, and 325 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,975.4 inhabitants per square mile (762.7/km2). There were 484 housing units at an average density of 849.1 per square mile (327.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.4% White, 0.4% African American, 3.0% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 2.8% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.5% of the population.
There were 446 households, of which 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.1% were non-families. 23.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.91.
The median age in the city was 41.6 years. 25% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.2% were from 25 to 44; 29.2% were from 45 to 64; and 16.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.0% male and 52.0% female.
Education
Athena is served by the Athena Weston School District.
Industry
Hodaka motorcycles were once designed in Athena under the aegis of the Pacific Basin Trading Company, with manufacture in Japan. The Hodaka marque is recognized as an American vintage cycle; it was the vintage marque at the 2006 American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Vintage Motorcycle Days at Mid-Ohio. Reunions of former PABATCO employees, vintage enthusiasts, and present-day Hodaka owners and riders are held in Athena annually, including swap meet, bike show, scrambles, and observed trials.
See also
In Spanish: Athena (Oregón) para niños
