Photo: Nyttend · Public domainAthens spent more per resident in 2022 than 82% of similar cities
Athens’ city government spent $1.5 million on day-to-day services in the year to April 30, 2022, about $773 per resident. Water and other utilities ($734,000) are counted separately.
What stands out about how Athens is run
Read from the city’s budget and official records.
$773 per resident in 2022: more than 82% of them
Athens’ day-to-day spending in 2022 ($773 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 637 Illinois cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $501, and the middle half spent $342–$713. Athens spent more than 82% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($484,000), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
Illinois cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Athens itself left out).
About $773 per resident a year, or $2.12 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 33%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
Athens reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $3,065 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.87% of the home’s value, vs 2.01% across Illinois.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Athens’ rate.
Can I afford it? →The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate. In a town this small the estimate has a wide margin.
Tax bills are one input to Athens’ Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Athens →
Who’s in charge in Athens
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Athens’ meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The city posts agendas and minutes on athens-il.com ↗.
One full-time city employee for every 210 residents
On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll (a Census estimate). Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (1,893).
By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022
The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.
Athens Community Unit School District 213
Athens’ K–12 school district, shared with Cantrall, Fancy Creek Township. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $13,087 per pupil, $7,153 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.
Illinois districts overall: 52% local, 38% state, 10% federal.
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
Athens’ votes are counted by county
Illinois reports official results by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Athens alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Menard County’s results.
Donald J TrumpRepublican69.6%4,499 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat28.4%1,834 votesOthers: 2.0% (131 votes).
Most votes in Menard County: Donald J Trump
Illinois: Harris 54.4%, Trump 43.5%
100% of Athens lies in Menard County. Every 2024 race in Menard County is on the county’s page.
Menard County’s 2024 results →Official 2024 general election returns, as certified (MIT Election Data + Science Lab). Percentages are of votes for candidates; blank and spoiled ballots aren’t counted. Candidates are listed by votes, and party colors are neutral on purpose.
Portraits: Kamala D Harris: official vice-presidential portrait, Lawrence Jackson, The White House, 2021; Donald J Trump: official portrait, Shealah Craighead, The White House, 2017. All are U.S. government works in the public domain. A race shows photos only when every candidate has an official portrait; otherwise every candidate in it gets initials.
From town hall to Washington
Every level of government that speaks for Athens.
- 1Your cityMayor & councilOfficials: athens-il.com ↗
- 2Illinois HouseState representatives
- 3Illinois SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Illinois
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
Reach Athens’ government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Athens’ government
How much does Athens spend per resident?
About $773 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to April 30, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $773 was more than 82% of 637 Illinois cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Athens?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $3,065 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.87% of the typical home’s value, vs 2.01% across Illinois. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see athens-il.com.
Who runs Athens’ government?
See athens-il.com for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Athens yet.
How did Athens vote in 2024?
Illinois counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Athens alone. Menard County, where 100% of Athens lies, voted Trump 69.6%, Harris 28.4% for president; its page has every race.
How many people work for Athens?
9 full-time and 23 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $52,364 (about $628,368 a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.
Who represents Athens in the state legislature?
State Senate District 54 (Steve McClure) and State House District 108 (Wayne Rosenthal). The House district also covers 105 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Athens’ government
Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.
Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts); legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →