United States › Tennessee › Athens CITY · 2000 CENSUS
Athens Tennessee · 13,220 residents · 15.6 sq mi
Time machine
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The short version
Athens is home to 13,220 people in Tennessee. About 17% of adults have finished a four-year degree. The typical home is worth $74,700, having risen by half since 1990. Households here earn about 19% less than in Tennessee as a whole. The median household earns $29,277, about 31% below the national median. 18.4% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Mid-age
median age 36.5
US median: 35.2
Less educated
17% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Less affordable
home values up 28%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01
Population & growth from 34.6 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
12K 13K 13K 14K 15K 1990 2000 2010 2020 2024 Athens Age distribution, 2000
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02
Income & economy $29,277
+15%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $19,259 in 1990
US average: $42,589
from $10,286 in 1990
US average: $21,522
from 23.3% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
$74,700
+28%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $44,200 in 1990
US average: $120,530
$422
+27%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $252 in 1990
US average: $602
from 62.9% in 1990
39.1% rent
Section 04
Race & ethnicity 1990
White, non-Hispanic 90.6%(10,923)
Hispanic / Latino 0.2%(25)
2000
White, non-Hispanic 85.1%(11,247)
No data for the years selected.
Section 04 · Origins
Detailed origins & ancestry Detailed origin tables are available for 2024; showing 2024 data.
Ancestry
+ 13 more ancestry groups with data from 17.4% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
from 59.8% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
from 6.1% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06
Commute & transportation from 14.5 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
Women 15+
Never married 19.1%(1,111)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2000
Section 09
Health coverage Showing 2024 (the nearest year with coverage data).
from 14.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
from 45.0% in 2020
US average: 54.8%
Direct-purchase
from 14.2% in 2020
US average: 13.8%
from 19.9% in 2020
US average: 18.4%
from 25.2% in 2020
US average: 20.9%
VA health care
from 2.0% in 2020
US average: 2.2%
Any private
from 59.3% in 2020
US average: 67.1%
Any public
from 41.6% in 2020
US average: 36.7%
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later) 25.1%(171)
Gulf War (1990s) 26.3%(179)
Share of the 681 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Drill deeper
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Frequently asked
How many people live in Athens, Tennessee? Athens, Tennessee has about 13,220 residents according to the 2000 Census.
What is the median household income in Athens, Tennessee? The typical household in Athens, Tennessee earns about $29,277 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Athens, Tennessee expensive? In Athens, Tennessee, the median home is worth about $74,700, and the typical rent is about $422 a month.
How educated are people in Athens, Tennessee? About 16.6% of adults age 25 and over in Athens, Tennessee hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Athens, Tennessee? About 18.4% of people in Athens, Tennessee live below the federal poverty line.
Has Athens, Tennessee grown since 1990? Yes, Athens, Tennessee has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,166 residents, a change of about 10 percent over that period.
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