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CITY · 2010 ACS

Athens

Tennessee · 13,458 residents · 15.562 sq mi
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The short version

Athens has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $31,062. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $99,900. The poverty rate of 24.8% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 28% less than the Tennessee median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Mid-age
median age 39.1
US median: 37.2
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
13,458
+2%since 2000
from 13,220 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
865 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 850 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
39.1
+7%since 2000
from 36.5 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
12K13K13K14K15K1990201020202024Athens
202414K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$31,062
−16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,277 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,259
+8%since 2000
from $16,877 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
13.8%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 15.6% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
24.8%
+6.4 ptssince 2000
from 18.4% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.438
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade25.9%
US avg: 10.9%
Information14.3%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade6.1%
US avg: 7.2%
Other services4.2%
US avg: 7%
Finance & insurance3.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing3.7%
US avg: 3.1%
Public administration3.7%
US avg: 4.9%
Education & health services1.9%
US avg: 0.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.9%
US avg: 4.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.3%
US avg: 2.4%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$99,900
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $74,700 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$560
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $422 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
34.7%
−26.2 ptssince 2000
from 60.9% in 2000
43.7% rent
Vacancy rate
10.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.0% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
27.5%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 26.4% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
40.7%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 41.6% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
3.2
+26%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Athens on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic85.1%(11,247)
Black9.2%(1,213)
Hispanic / Latino3%(398)
Asian1.4%(182)
Other0%
Diversity Score30.8%(4,070)
2010
White, non-Hispanic82.2%(11,065)
Black8%(1,073)
Hispanic / Latino5.3%(709)
Asian1.6%(218)
Other2.3%(308)
Diversity Score38.2%(5,137)
Diversity Score
38
+24%since 2000
from 31 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.2%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 16.6% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
77.8%
+6.8 ptssince 2000
from 71.0% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
7.0%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 6.2% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.2 min
+20%since 2000
from 13.5 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
85.6%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 83.9% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
10.5%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.6% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.3%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
1.8%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
1.8%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
7.8%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
10.1%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.4% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
32.2%
−31.2 ptssince 2009
from 63.4% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.4%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 47.1% in 2009
Female
54.6%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 52.9% in 2009
Foreign born
3.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
11.0%
−34.3 ptssince 2009
from 45.3% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Athens to nearby cities

ATHENS VS
Cleveland
Income$58,559+89%
Home value$272,200+172%
Population51,172+235%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ATHENS VS
Lenoir City
Income$67,259+117%
Home value$252,400+153%
Population12,530−18%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ATHENS VS
Soddy-Daisy
Income$75,113+142%
Home value$256,600+157%
Population13,474−12%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ATHENS VS
Collegedale
Income$70,246+126%
Home value$365,100+265%
Population11,499−25%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Athens, Tennessee?

Athens, Tennessee has about 13,458 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Athens, Tennessee?

The typical household in Athens, Tennessee earns about $31,062 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 $99,900, and the typical rent is about $560 a month.

How educated are people in Athens, Tennessee?

About 19.2% 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 24.8% 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 1,404 residents, a change of about 12 percent over that period.

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

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