The township was named directly or indirectly after Athens, the capital of Greece.

The Cedar Creek Long-Term Ecological Research Site (LTER), an ecosystem ecology and biodiversity research area owned and operated by the University of Minnesota, lies partially within the boundaries of Athens township (the rest is in nearby Anoka County).

Although a scarce nine square miles in area, Cedar Creek LTER sits at the confluence of three major North American biomes (Boreal Forest, Deciduous Forest, and Prairie), and as such is regarded as an ecologists "dream laboratory."

In fact, it was through his extensive studies at the township's Cedar Bog Lake that the seminal ecology researcher Raymond Lindeman first laid the groundwork for what was to become the modern science of ecosystem ecology.

13.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 1.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.