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CITY

Athens

Alabama · 34,209 residents (2025 est.) · 40.604 sq mi
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The short version

Athens has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $69,922. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 53% since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $270,000.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 40.9
US median: 38.9
Average education
31% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 62%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
29,002
+53%since 2000
from 18,967 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
714 / sq mi
+53%since 2000
from 467 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
40.9
+9%since 2000
from 37.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:34,209 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
16K19K23K27K30K1990201020202024Athens
202429K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$69,922
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,980 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$42,717
+121%since 2000
from $19,315 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
48.1%
+23.9 ptssince 2009
from 24.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
12.2%
−4.1 ptssince 2000
from 16.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.505
+1%since 2010
from 0.499 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade19.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Information9.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade6.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services6.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration5.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance4.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Education & health services2.9%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Professional, scientific, technical1.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food0.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$270,000
+62%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $91,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$899
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $381 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
64.0%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 63.1% in 2000
36.0% rent
Vacancy rate
9.4%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
12.3%
−9.8 ptssince 2009
from 22.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
37.3%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 35.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.9
+44%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
67
RELATED:See current rent listings in Athens on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic75.1%(14,245)
Black18.1%(3,436)
Hispanic / Latino4.9%(922)
Asian0.7%(134)
Other0%
Diversity Score48.2%(9,149)
2024
White, non-Hispanic69.1%(20,043)
Black16.8%(4,866)
Hispanic / Latino8.6%(2,495)
Asian1.1%(308)
Other4.4%(1,290)
Diversity Score60.6%(17,573)
Diversity Score
61
+26%since 2000
from 48 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
31.4%
+6.7 ptssince 2000
from 24.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
88.6%
+12.4 ptssince 2000
from 76.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
12.0%
+4.8 ptssince 2000
from 7.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.6 min
+72%since 2000
from 14.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
82.3%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 82.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.2%
−6.6 ptssince 2009
from 13.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.2%
+6.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.4%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.1%
−6.2 ptssince 2011
from 9.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
59.8%
−0.7 ptssince 2011
from 60.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.8%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 10.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
39.7%
−24.2 ptssince 2009
from 63.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.2%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 44.8% in 2009
Female
52.8%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 55.2% in 2009
Foreign born
5.8%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 5.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.3%
−38.0 ptssince 2009
from 45.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.4%
+4.1 ptssince 2012
from 12.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
10.4%
−75.4 ptssince 2013
from 85.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.7%
+19.0 ptssince 2017
from 69.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
91.8%
+0.7 ptssince 2016
from 91.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
6.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2016
from 6.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Athens to nearby cities

ATHENS VS
Madison
Income$134,655+93%
Home value$398,800+48%
Population67,968+99%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ATHENS VS
Decatur
Income$61,563−12%
Home value$210,200−22%
Population58,056+70%
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ATHENS VS
Huntsville
Income$74,714+7%
Home value$293,600+9%
Population233,627+583%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ATHENS VS
Meridianville
Income$97,434+39%
Home value$291,900+8%
Population11,150−67%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Athens, Alabama?

Athens, Alabama has about 29,002 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Athens, Alabama?

The typical household in Athens, Alabama earns about $69,922 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Athens, Alabama expensive?

In Athens, Alabama, the median home is worth about $270,000, and the typical rent is about $899 a month.

How educated are people in Athens, Alabama?

About 31.4% of adults age 25 and over in Athens, Alabama hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Athens, Alabama?

About 12.2% of people in Athens, Alabama live below the federal poverty line.

Has Athens, Alabama grown since 1990?

Yes, Athens, Alabama has grown since 1990. The population has added about 12,212 residents, a change of about 73 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →