The first permanent European settlers arrived in Athens in 1797,[7] more than a decade after the United States victory in the American Revolutionary War.

In July 1787, the Congress of the Confederation gave to the Ohio Company of Associates "two townships of good land for the support of a literary institution" in the newly created Northwest Territory.

Originally, large tracts of land in Athens and Alexander Townships were set aside through a contract between the Congress (under the Articles of Confederation) and the Ohio Company of Associates, a group of American Revolutionary War veterans.

Multiple US army regulars became drunk and were arrested by National Guard Provosts for causing disturbances.

The armed regulars were stopped by provosts and the ensuing quarrel quickly escalated into a shoot-out on Washington Street, during which one guardsman was killed and five others were wounded.

[11][12] By 1935, Athens was known as a coal and fruit-producing region and a state center of higher education and psychiatric care.

Athens is surrounded by hills that rise about three hundred feet from river valley to the narrow ridge tops.

[15] That project and the ongoing efforts to maintain the channel have greatly reduced the negative effects of seasonally high river levels.

The old Athens Mental Hospital grounds (now part of the university) was built on the top of a hillside in the late 1860s, and is completely stable due to its position atop the hill rather than on a slope.

The recent University Courtyard Apartments is also built on similar underlying geology across a small valley, but the hilltop was extensively removed in order to create a stable base.

[citation needed] Athens has a hot-summer humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa), typical of most of Ohio.

Manufacturing and technology related businesses, including Quidel Corporation (formerly Diagnostic Hybrids[22][23]), Stewart-MacDonald,[24] Sunpower, Mitchell Electronics, Fastenall, and Gorman-Redlich.

Since the 1970s Athens has earned a reputation as one of the more progressive (liberal) communities in Southeastern Ohio[citation needed].

That reputation includes Democratic political leaning,[25] presence of some international communities, support for use of alternative energy, calling for 'smart growth' development, development of small farms emphasizing sustainable and organic-produced crops, and support for local businesses[citation needed].

Several Athens shopping areas are located outside the uptown area; the largest is on East State Street with a small mall, several shopping strip centers, large box stores, car dealerships, hotels/motels and many local and national sit-down / fast food restaurants.

On the north side of town is Columbus Road area with some shopping, car dealer, motels, eateries and office buildings.

[citation needed] Athens recreation facilities include a community recreation center, several city parks and play grounds, public gardens, soccer fields, an arts center called Arts West, two off-leash enclosed dog parks, and an extensive scenic trail system in the city lands, adjacent Strouds Run State Park, and the Blair Preserve owned by the Athens Conservancy.

It sponsors adult summer and fall slow-pitch softball that is popular among residents in Athens and the county.

This park features 2,606 acres (10.55 km2) of wooded hills, including many bluffs and rock shelters, centered around a man-made lake.

The City of Athens has recently established the Strouds Ridge Preserve project, currently including some 345 acres (140 ha), to save land from development adjacent to the state park.

The Hockhocking Adena Bikeway is a multi-use asphalt trail with its main hub (mile marker 0) at the Athens Community Center on East State Street.

The trail extends 16.4 miles (26.4 km) northwest to Robbins' Crossing and Hocking College in Nelsonville and on to the Rocky Brands complex near the Public Square, and approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) further east along East State Street and US Route 50 to South Canaan Road (Athens County Road 24A).

President Barack Obama visited the city and Ohio University late during the 2012 re-election campaign.

Known as the Bobcats, Ohio University hosts over 250 academic programs,[56] 5,300 employees,[57] and has been recognized by the John Templeton Foundation as one of the top character building institutions in the country.

[61] As a result of COVID and other work-related delays, work has not yet begun, but as a result of a tax-funded levy passed in November 2023 giving a $24 million bond to the Athens City School District (ACSD), as well as $28.5 million from the OFCC CFAP, construction will begin in 2025 and be completed within an estimated 18 to 30 months.

In October 2013, the last section of the 4-lane highway was completed, bypassing Nelsonville's two lane road on SR-33, linking Athens with Columbus.

UMA's mission is to deliver health care services to the residents of southeastern Ohio while providing clinical training opportunities for future osteopathic physicians.

On the hospital grounds is the Cornwell Center, which houses a catheterization lab, cardiac/pulmonary rehabilitation program as well as medical offices.

[citation needed] Hopewell Health Centers operate several health care facilities in Athens, including Athens Behavioral Health and Primary Care Clinic (90 Hospital Drive), Respite Adult Crisis Program (7976 Dairy Lane), Athens County WIC Program (215 Columbus Road, Suite 106), and Early Childhood Program (9 Kenny Drive).

[citation needed] Holzer Athens, (2131 East State Street) employs 42 health care professionals at its clinic.