Athens AY-thənz is a city in Menard County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,977 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Springfield, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Menard County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2020 United States Census, it had a population of 12,297. Its county seat is Petersburg. Menard County is part of the Springfield, Illinois, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area.