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CITY · 2020 ACS

Athol

Massachusetts · 8,486 residents · 8.187 sq mi
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The short version

Athol has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $54,500. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $165,100. Households here earn about 35% less than the Massachusetts median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 40.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 30%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
8,486
+1%since 2000
from 8,370 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
1,037 / sq mi
+1%since 2000
from 1,022 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
40.3
+9%since 2000
from 37.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
8K8K8K9K9K1990201020202024Athol
20249K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$54,500
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,630 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,577
+59%since 2000
from $16,062 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
32.6%
+11.5 ptssince 2009
from 21.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
14.6%
+4.3 ptssince 2000
from 10.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade15.8%
US avg: 10%
Information11.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade7.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance5%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services4.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Professional, scientific, technical4.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration3.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.8%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing1.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.3%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$165,100
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $84,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$809
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $466 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
63.3%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 64.1% in 2000
36.7% rent
Afford Score
3.0
+14%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Athol on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.8%(7,932)
Black0.7%(62)
Hispanic / Latino2.2%(183)
Asian0.4%(35)
Other0%
Diversity Score8.3%(695)
2020
White, non-Hispanic86.7%(7,359)
Black1%(89)
Hispanic / Latino6%(510)
Asian0.8%(68)
Other4.4%(374)
Diversity Score28.3%(2,405)
Diversity Score
28
+241%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.8%
+7.4 ptssince 2000
from 11.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
87.9%
+7.7 ptssince 2000
from 80.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.1%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 4.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
33.1 min
+76%since 2000
from 18.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
69.4%
−12.2 ptssince 2009
from 81.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
15.5%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.3%
−7.2 ptssince 2011
from 15.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
62.5%
−2.8 ptssince 2011
from 65.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
27.2%
−35.8 ptssince 2009
from 63.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.1%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
Female
52.9%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.7% in 2009
Foreign born
6.0%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.9%
−88.4 ptssince 2013
from 93.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Athol to nearby cities

ATHOL VS
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ATHOL VS
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ATHOL VS
Fitchburg
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ATHOL VS
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Home value$484,900+194%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Athol, Massachusetts?

Athol, Massachusetts has about 8,486 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Athol, Massachusetts?

The typical household in Athol, Massachusetts earns about $54,500 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Athol, Massachusetts expensive?

In Athol, Massachusetts, the median home is worth about $165,100, and the typical rent is about $809 a month.

How educated are people in Athol, Massachusetts?

About 18.8% of adults age 25 and over in Athol, Massachusetts hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Athol, Massachusetts?

About 14.6% of people in Athol, Massachusetts live below the federal poverty line.

Has Athol, Massachusetts grown since 1990?

Yes, Athol, Massachusetts has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 246 residents, a change of about -3 percent over that period.

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

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