United States › Alabama › Athens CITY · 2000 CENSUS
Athens Alabama · 18,967 residents · 40.6 sq mi
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The short version
With 18,967 people, Athens is a city in Alabama. Median rent is $381 a month. The typical home is worth $91,300, having risen by half since 1990. Growth has run 13% since 1990, or 2,177 more people. The median household earns $33,980, about 20% below the national median. 16.3% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 37.5
US median: 35.2
Average education
25% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01
Population & growth from 35.2 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
16K 19K 23K 27K 30K 1990 2000 2010 2020 2024 Athens Age distribution, 2000
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02
Income & economy $33,980
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 1990
from $25,823 in 1990
US average: $42,589
from $12,954 in 1990
US average: $21,522
from 14.4% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
$91,300
+18%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $58,900 in 1990
US average: $120,530
$381
−8%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $316 in 1990
US average: $602
from 63.0% in 1990
36.9% rent
Section 04
Race & ethnicity 1990
White, non-Hispanic 81.3%(13,653)
Hispanic / Latino 0.1%(20)
2000
White, non-Hispanic 75.1%(14,245)
Hispanic / Latino 4.9%(922)
No data for the years selected.
Section 04 · Origins
Detailed origins & ancestry Detailed origin tables are available for 2024; showing 2024 data.
Ancestry
+ 15 more ancestry groups with data from 20.4% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
from 66.3% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
from 6.4% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06
Commute & transportation from 18.5 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07
Work & employment No data for the years selected.
Section 08
People & community No data for the years selected.
Marital status
Men 15+
Never married 24.7%(1,721)
Women 15+
Never married 20.1%(1,664)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2000
Section 09
Health coverage Showing 2024 (the nearest year with coverage data).
from 14.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
from 59.1% in 2020
US average: 54.8%
Direct-purchase
from 15.5% in 2020
US average: 13.8%
from 22.2% in 2020
US average: 18.4%
from 17.3% in 2020
US average: 20.9%
VA health care
from 2.4% in 2020
US average: 2.2%
Any private
from 72.7% in 2020
US average: 67.1%
Any public
from 36.3% in 2020
US average: 36.7%
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later) 38.7%(658)
Gulf War (1990s) 34.4%(584)
Share of the 1,699 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
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Drill deeper
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Frequently asked
How many people live in Athens, Alabama? Athens, Alabama has about 18,967 residents according to the 2000 Census.
What is the median household income in Athens, Alabama? The typical household in Athens, Alabama earns about $33,980 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 $91,300, and the typical rent is about $381 a month.
How educated are people in Athens, Alabama? About 24.7% 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 16.3% 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 2,177 residents, a change of about 13 percent over that period.
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