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CITY

New Athens

Illinois · 1,854 residents (2025 est.) · 2.112 sq mi
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The short version

New Athens has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $56,553. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $116,300. Households here earn about 32% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 41.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 9%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,933
−2%since 2000
from 1,981 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
915 / sq mi
−2%since 2000
from 938 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
41.4
+8%since 2000
from 38.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,854 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2K2K2K2K2K1990201020202024New Athens
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$56,553
−22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $39,625 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,081
+76%since 2000
from $17,627 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
38.6%
+12.4 ptssince 2009
from 26.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
11.5%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 8.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.393
Unchangedsince 2010
from 0.394 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade24.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade9.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Information9.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance8.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical6.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services6.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration6.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing2.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services2%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$116,300
−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $70,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$993
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $438 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
82.2%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 80.0% in 2000
17.8% rent
Vacancy rate
7.6%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 5.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
28.5%
+8.3 ptssince 2009
from 20.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
64.4%
+4.7 ptssince 2009
from 59.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.1
+16%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
21
RELATED:See current rent listings in New Athens on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.4%(1,930)
Black0.8%(15)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(11)
Asian0.4%(7)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.2%(82)
2024
White, non-Hispanic94.2%(1,820)
Black0.1%(1)
Hispanic / Latino2.2%(42)
Asian0.6%(12)
Other3%(58)
Diversity Score14%(271)
Diversity Score
14
+237%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.8%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 11.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
95.5%
+15.8 ptssince 2000
from 79.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.0%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 3.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.7 min
+37%since 2000
from 23.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
89.8%
+7.4 ptssince 2009
from 82.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.5%
−5.5 ptssince 2009
from 9.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.0%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
3.3%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.4%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% 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
3.8%
−6.6 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.6%
−2.0 ptssince 2011
from 4.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
56.9%
−9.0 ptssince 2011
from 65.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.2%
+6.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
30.9%
−28.3 ptssince 2009
from 59.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.1%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 46.8% in 2009
Female
51.9%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 53.2% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.9%
−37.5 ptssince 2009
from 44.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
20.7%
+11.3 ptssince 2012
from 9.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.3%
−83.3 ptssince 2013
from 88.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
90.3%
+11.9 ptssince 2017
from 78.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.3%
+1.2 ptssince 2016
from 98.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.7%
−0.1 ptssince 2016
from 0.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to New Athens

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Pop 1,830
Inglis
Pop 1,640
Fort Denaud
Pop 1,639
Long Neck
Pop 2,161
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Head to head

Compare New Athens to nearby cities

NEW ATHENS VS
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Income$97,375+72%
Home value$224,900+93%
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NEW ATHENS VS
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Income$63,535+12%
Home value$141,300+21%
Population40,237+2070%
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NEW ATHENS VS
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Income$98,711+75%
Home value$249,500+115%
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NEW ATHENS VS
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Income$99,573+76%
Home value$274,000+136%
Population14,604+688%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in New Athens, Illinois?

New Athens, Illinois has about 1,933 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in New Athens, Illinois?

The typical household in New Athens, Illinois earns about $56,553 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is New Athens, Illinois expensive?

In New Athens, Illinois, the median home is worth about $116,300, and the typical rent is about $993 a month.

How educated are people in New Athens, Illinois?

About 17.8% of adults age 25 and over in New Athens, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in New Athens, Illinois?

About 11.5% of people in New Athens, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has New Athens, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, New Athens, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 77 residents, a change of about -4 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 →