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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Athens

Alabama · 18,967 residents · 40.604 sq mi
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The short version

Athens has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $33,980. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $91,300.

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

Total population
18,967
+13%since 1990
from 16,790 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Median age
37.5
+7%since 1990
from 35.2 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
16K19K23K27K30K1990201020202024Athens
202429K
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 2000
Under 56.4%(1,215)
US avg: 6.8%
5 to 96.7%(1,271)
US avg: 7.3%
10 to 146.7%(1,270)
US avg: 7.3%
15 to 196.8%(1,298)
US avg: 7.2%
20 to 246.6%(1,252)
US avg: 6.7%
25 to 3413%(2,474)
US avg: 14.2%
35 to 4415.4%(2,920)
US avg: 16%
45 to 5412.8%(2,427)
US avg: 13.4%
55 to 649.7%(1,835)
US avg: 8.6%
65 to 748%(1,524)
US avg: 6.5%
75 to 845.5%(1,035)
US avg: 4.4%
85 and over2.4%(446)
US avg: 1.5%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$33,980
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 1990
from $25,823 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,315
+49%since 1990
from $12,954 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
16.3%
+1.9 ptssince 1990
from 14.4% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$91,300
+18%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $58,900 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$381
−8%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $316 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
63.1%
+0.1 ptssince 1990
from 63.0% in 1990
36.9% rent
RELATED:See current rent listings in Athens on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic81.3%(13,653)
Black17.5%(2,930)
Hispanic / Latino0.1%(20)
Asian1%(168)
2000
White, non-Hispanic75.1%(14,245)
Black18.1%(3,436)
Hispanic / Latino4.9%(922)
Asian0.7%(134)

No data for the years selected.

Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Detailed origin tables are available for 2024; showing 2024 data.

Hispanic origin
Mexican5.9%(1,718)
Guatemalan0.4%(121)
Dominican0.4%(116)
Puerto Rican0.4%(104)
Venezuelan0.2%(67)
Cuban0.2%(51)
Salvadoran0.2%(46)
Spaniard0.1%(43)
Colombian0%(12)
Asian origin
Vietnamese0.3%(81)
Cambodian0.2%(57)
Korean0.2%(47)
Asian Indian0.2%(46)
Filipino0.1%(40)
Thai0.1%(17)
Chinese0%(6)
Pacific Islander origin
Ancestry
English15.5%(4,490)
Irish13.2%(3,830)
American8.9%(2,581)
German8.3%(2,410)
Scottish2.4%(683)
Polish2.1%(617)
French2.1%(613)
Swedish1.5%(430)
Scotch-Irish1.2%(348)
Welsh1.1%(326)
Italian1%(279)
+ 15 more ancestry groups with data
Dutch0.5%(158)
Norwegian0.5%(157)
British0.3%(81)
Danish0.2%(64)
Greek0.1%(26)
Russian0.1%(26)
Bulgarian0.1%(23)
Canadian0.1%(16)
Slovak0%(14)
Ukrainian0%(12)
Serbian0%(10)
Czech0%(7)
Latvian0%(4)
RANKED:Largest English population · Largest Irish population · Largest American population · Largest German population · Largest Mexican population
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
24.7%
+4.4 ptssince 1990
from 20.4% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
76.2%
+9.9 ptssince 1990
from 66.3% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
7.2%
+0.8 ptssince 1990
from 6.4% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.4 min
−22%since 1990
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 married24.7%(1,721)
Married61.6%(4,290)
Widowed2.5%(175)
Divorced11.2%(783)
Women 15+
Never married20.1%(1,664)
Married52.7%(4,361)
Widowed16.2%(1,339)
Divorced11.1%(917)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2000
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Athens to nearby cities

ATHENS VS
Madison
Income$134,655+296%
Home value$398,800+337%
Population67,968+99%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ATHENS VS
Decatur
Income$61,563+81%
Home value$210,200+130%
Population58,056+70%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ATHENS VS
Huntsville
Income$74,714+120%
Home value$293,600+222%
Population233,627+583%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ATHENS VS
Meridianville
Income$97,434+187%
Home value$291,900+220%
Population11,150−67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
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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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →