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CITY

Athens

Ohio · 25,313 residents (2025 est.) · 9.946 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#55Youngest by median ageof 6,82621.6
The short version

Athens has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $38,204. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $247,000. At a median age of 21.6, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 46% less than the Ohio median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 21.6
US median: 38.9
More educated
64% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
23,396
+10%since 2000
from 21,342 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,352 / sq mi
+10%since 2000
from 2,146 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
21.6
Unchangedsince 2000
from 21.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:25,313 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
21K22K23K24K25K1990201020202024Athens
202423K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$38,204
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $17,122 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,028
+135%since 2000
from $11,061 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
31.9%
+17.0 ptssince 2009
from 14.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
40.0%
−12.0 ptssince 2000
from 51.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.589
+5%since 2010
from 0.563 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information10%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade6.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance3%
US avg: 5.9%
Other services2.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical1.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing1.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration1.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services1.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Wholesale trade0.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$247,000
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $111,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,011
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $496 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
32.6%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 29.8% in 2000
67.4% rent
Vacancy rate
12.0%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 16.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
12.1%
−7.2 ptssince 2009
from 19.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
63.6%
−10.5 ptssince 2009
from 74.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
6.5
−1%since 2000
from 6.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
48
RELATED:See current rent listings in Athens on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic88.4%(18,861)
Black3.8%(806)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(301)
Asian4.5%(950)
Other0%
Diversity Score22.9%(4,889)
2024
White, non-Hispanic81.6%(19,081)
Black3.7%(860)
Hispanic / Latino4.2%(978)
Asian3.2%(759)
Other7.3%(1,718)
Diversity Score40.7%(9,514)
Diversity Score
41
+78%since 2000
from 23 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
64.1%
+0.3 ptssince 2000
from 63.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.7%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 93.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
36.5%
−1.8 ptssince 2000
from 38.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.2 min
+76%since 2000
from 9.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
46.1%
+3.9 ptssince 2009
from 42.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.3%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 5.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.6%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
20.2%
+12.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
21.8%
−18.8 ptssince 2009
from 40.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
1.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
8.3%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 12.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.2%
−2.5 ptssince 2011
from 10.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
59.4%
+10.8 ptssince 2011
from 48.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
19.1%
−4.8 ptssince 2009
from 24.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
43.2%
−29.3 ptssince 2009
from 72.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.0%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.9% in 2009
Female
51.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
Foreign born
6.6%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 7.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.1%
−46.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.9%
+7.9 ptssince 2012
from 6.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.9%
−90.4 ptssince 2013
from 95.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
89.6%
+12.8 ptssince 2017
from 76.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
91.2%
+2.7 ptssince 2016
from 88.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2016
from 1.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Athens to nearby cities

ATHENS VS
Parkersburg
Income$49,025+28%
Home value$121,600−51%
Population28,593+13%
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ATHENS VS
Vienna
Income$60,388+58%
Home value$154,300−38%
Population10,321−59%
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ATHENS VS
Marietta
Income$47,873+25%
Home value$161,800−34%
Population13,053−48%
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ATHENS VS
Lancaster
Income$59,133+55%
Home value$193,900−21%
Population41,956+66%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Athens, Ohio?

Athens, Ohio has about 23,396 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Athens, Ohio?

The typical household in Athens, Ohio earns about $38,204 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Athens, Ohio expensive?

In Athens, Ohio, the median home is worth about $247,000, and the typical rent is about $1,011 a month.

How educated are people in Athens, Ohio?

About 64.1% of adults age 25 and over in Athens, Ohio hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Athens, Ohio?

About 40.0% of people in Athens, Ohio live below the federal poverty line.

Has Athens, Ohio grown since 1990?

Yes, Athens, Ohio has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,131 residents, a change of about 10 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 →