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CITY · 2020 ACS

Athens

Alabama · 25,406 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 $53,144. Population has grown 34% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $171,900.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 41.3
US median: 38.8
Average education
28% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 25%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
25,406
+34%since 2000
from 18,967 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
626 / sq mi
+34%since 2000
from 467 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
41.3
+10%since 2000
from 37.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
16K19K23K27K30K1990201020202024Athens
202429K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$53,144
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,980 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,510
+53%since 2000
from $19,315 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
37.7%
+13.5 ptssince 2009
from 24.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
13.1%
−3.2 ptssince 2000
from 16.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade19.7%
US avg: 10%
Information14.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services7%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration5.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade5.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance2.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Transportation & warehousing1.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services1.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$171,900
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $91,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$657
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $381 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
62.1%
−0.9 ptssince 2000
from 63.1% in 2000
37.9% rent
Afford Score
3.2
+20%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic67.5%(17,160)
Black16.8%(4,275)
Hispanic / Latino9.5%(2,415)
Asian0.9%(240)
Other3%(752)
Diversity Score60.3%(15,332)
Diversity Score
60
+25%since 2000
from 48 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
28.3%
+3.5 ptssince 2000
from 24.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
88.5%
+12.3 ptssince 2000
from 76.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.5%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 7.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.2 min
+62%since 2000
from 14.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
89.6%
+6.9 ptssince 2009
from 82.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.3%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 7.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.9%
−3.5 ptssince 2011
from 9.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
58.5%
−1.9 ptssince 2011
from 60.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
33.7%
−30.2 ptssince 2009
from 63.9% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.8%
+5.0 ptssince 2009
from 44.8% in 2009
Female
50.2%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 55.2% in 2009
Foreign born
5.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 5.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
9.2%
−76.6 ptssince 2013
from 85.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Athens

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Pop 35,912
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Pop 32,682
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Pop 33,548
Dunedin
Pop 35,227
Places similar to Athens
Head to head

Compare Athens to nearby cities

ATHENS VS
Madison
Income$134,655+153%
Home value$398,800+132%
Population67,968+99%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ATHENS VS
Decatur
Income$61,563+16%
Home value$210,200+22%
Population58,056+70%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ATHENS VS
Huntsville
Income$74,714+41%
Home value$293,600+71%
Population233,627+583%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ATHENS VS
Meridianville
Income$97,434+83%
Home value$291,900+70%
Population11,150−67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Athens, Alabama?

Athens, Alabama has about 25,406 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Athens, Alabama?

The typical household in Athens, Alabama earns about $53,144 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 $171,900, and the typical rent is about $657 a month.

How educated are people in Athens, Alabama?

About 28.3% 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 13.1% 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 8,616 residents, a change of about 51 percent over that period.

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

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