Townapedia
Athens Train Depot OH USA
Athens Train Depot OH USA · Ed! (talk) (Hall of Fame), CC BY-SA 3.0
OU College Green
OU College Green · Ed! (talk) (Hall of Fame), CC BY-SA 3.0
The Plains mound-1
The Plains mound-1 · Jaknouse, CC BY-SA 3.0
Ohio University Cutler Hall
Ohio University Cutler Hall · Orchysterium, CC BY-SA 4.0
Mt Zion Baptist Church Athens OH USA
Mt Zion Baptist Church Athens OH USA · Ed! (talk) (Hall of Fame), CC BY-SA 3.0
County Courthouse Athens OH USA
County Courthouse Athens OH USA · Ed! (talk) (Hall of Fame), CC BY-SA 3.0

The Plains, Ohio

The Plains is a community of 2,748 people in Athens County, Ohio.

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Population2,748 -6.7% since 2019
Elevation715 ft 218 m
Land area2.3 sq mi
ZIP codes45701, 45780
Nearest airportGordon K. Bush Ohio University Regional Airport (ATO) 12 mi

Why visit The Plains

Townapedia lists 10 museums and landmarks, 6 parks and trails, 7 places to eat, 1 place to stay and 3 attractions in and around town.

Highlights include Ohio University, Signal Hill, Athens County Infirmary and Athens Downtown Historic District.

July is the warmest month, with average highs of 82°F; January lows average 22°F.

About The Plains

The Plains is a census-designated place (CDP) in Athens County, Ohio, United States. The population was 3,140 at the 2020 census.

From the Wikipedia article The Plains, Ohio (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Things to do3

Ohio University

School · 3.2 mi

Public university in Athens, Ohio, United States

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Signal Hill

Scenic view · 1.2 mi

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Eclipse Company Store Stage

Cinema and theater · 0.9 mi

Open in Google Maps

Museums and landmarks10

Athens County Infirmary

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.4 mi

Historic district in Chauncy Ohio

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Athens Downtown Historic District

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.0 mi

Athens, Ohio, listed on the NRHP in Athens County, Ohio

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Athens Governmental Buildings

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.2 mi

Local government building in the United States

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Athens Lunatic Asylum

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.4 mi

Collection of buildings, former state hospital in Athens, Ohio

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Athens station

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.9 mi

Former rail station in Athens, Ohio, US

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Beasley Building

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.9 mi

Athens, Ohio, NRHP-lsited

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College Green of Ohio University

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.2 mi

Quadrangle of Ohio University

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Manasseh Cutler Hall

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.2 mi

Building of Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, USA

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Sheltering Arms Hospital

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.4 mi

Hospital in Ohio, United States

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Wolf Plains

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.8 mi

Archaeological site in Ohio, United States

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Parks, trails and playgrounds6

Sells Park

Park · 3.4 mi

Park in Athens, Ohio, United States

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The Plains Preserve

Hiking and trails · 0.6 mi

PO Box 2281, Athens

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Joe Burrow Stadium

Sports field and stadium · 0.5 mi

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Plains Elementary Field

Park · 0.6 mi

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Plains Land Lab

Park · 0.9 mi

Open in Google Maps

The Plains Community Park

Park · 0.5 mi

Open in Google Maps

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Restaurants and cafes7

Bobcat Pizza

Restaurant · Pizza · 0.6 mi

South North Plains Road, The Plains

Open in Google Maps

Eclipse Company Store

Restaurant · Regional · 0.9 mi

11309 Jackson Drive, The Plains

Open in Google Maps

Spices of Life

Cafe · Coffee Shop · 0.4 mi

South Plains Road, The Plains

Open in Google Maps

Little Italy Pizza

Restaurant · Pizza

Open in Google Maps

Gigi's Country Kichen

Restaurant · 0.8 mi

Open in Google Maps

McDonald's

Fast food · Burger · 0.7 mi

80 North Plains Road, The Plains

Mo-Th 05:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 05:00-24:00; Su 06:00-23:00

Open in Google Maps · +1 740-797-0203

Subway

Fast food · Sandwich · 0.6 mi

74 North Plains Road, The Plains

08:00-21:00

Open in Google Maps · +1 740-797-2900

History

"The Plains" originally referred to the local region where the Mound Builders lived and built their signature Indian mounds. A post office called The Plains has been in operation since 1908.

From the History section of The Plains, Ohio on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where to stay1

  • Days Inn by Wyndham Athens

    Motel and hotel · 1.4 mi

    330 Columbus Road, Athens

    Open in Google Maps

Churches and places of worship7

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Shopping2

Gas and EV charging4

Schools, colleges and libraries5

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Healthcare3

Map of The Plains

48 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.

Climate by month

20°40°60°80°January: 2.9 in of rainFebruary: 2.9 in of rainMarch: 3.6 in of rainApril: 3.8 in of rainMay: 4.2 in of rainJune: 4.5 in of rainJuly: 4.3 in of rainAugust: 3.2 in of rainSeptember: 3.2 in of rainOctober: 2.9 in of rainNovember: 2.9 in of rainDecember: 3.2 in of rainJanuary: 38°FFebruary: 42°FMarch: 52°FApril: 65°FMay: 72°FJune: 80°FJuly: 82°FAugust: 82°FSeptember: 76°FOctober: 65°FNovember: 53°FDecember: 43°FJanuary: 22°FFebruary: 23°FMarch: 30°FApril: 40°FMay: 50°FJune: 59°FJuly: 63°FAugust: 61°FSeptember: 54°FOctober: 42°FNovember: 32°FDecember: 27°FJFMAMJJASOND
Average high Average low Rain
Monthly table
MonthHighLowRainSnow
Jan38°F22°F2.9 in5.8 in
Feb42°F23°F2.9 in5.9 in
Mar52°F30°F3.6 in2.3 in
Apr65°F40°F3.8 in0.1 in
May72°F50°F4.2 in0.0 in
Jun80°F59°F4.5 in0.0 in
Jul82°F63°F4.3 in0.0 in
Aug82°F61°F3.2 in0.0 in
Sep76°F54°F3.2 in0.0 in
Oct65°F42°F2.9 in0.0 in
Nov53°F32°F2.9 in0.5 in
Dec43°F27°F3.2 in3.0 in

U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Athens Ou (3 mi away), NOAA NCEI.

People and cost of living

$59,688median household income
$233,500median home value
$971median monthly rent
59.4median age
32.8%of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher
54.2%of homes are owner-occupied
26.3 minaverage commute
Age of residents
Under 187%18 to 3417%35 to 6439%65 and over37%

American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.

Disaster history

Athens County has had 13 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.

  • 2020-03-31: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
  • 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
  • 2019-04-08: Severe Storms, Flooding, And Landslides (Flood)
  • 2018-04-17: Severe Storms, Landslides, And Mudslides (Flood)
  • 2012-08-20: Severe Storms And Straight-Line Winds (Severe Storm)
  • 2012-06-30: Severe Storms (Severe Storm)

OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.

Getting there and nearby towns

Gordon K. Bush Ohio University Regional Airport (ATO) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 12 miles away.

Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.

Reviews, tips and questions

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Sources and licences

Photo credits

Page built October 30, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.