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CITY · 2020 ACS

Athens

Texas · 12,857 residents · 17.833 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 $37,533. 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 is $94,300. The poverty rate of 29.5% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 41% less than the Texas median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 37.1
US median: 38.8
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
12,857
+14%since 2000
from 11,297 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
721 / sq mi
+14%since 2000
from 633 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
37.1
+7%since 2000
from 34.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
11K11K12K13K13K1990201020202024Athens
202413K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$37,533
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,372 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,888
+32%since 2000
from $16,561 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
25.8%
+6.8 ptssince 2009
from 19.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
29.5%
+11.2 ptssince 2000
from 18.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade11.9%
US avg: 10%
Information8.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade7.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing5.3%
US avg: 0.5%
Finance & insurance4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services2.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration0.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food0.7%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing0.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$94,300
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $65,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$816
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $441 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
52.2%
−7.0 ptssince 2000
from 59.1% in 2000
47.8% rent
Afford Score
2.5
+12%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Athens on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic61.8%(6,986)
Black19.1%(2,154)
Hispanic / Latino17.4%(1,962)
Asian0.6%(72)
Other0%
Diversity Score67.6%(7,641)
2020
White, non-Hispanic49.2%(6,328)
Black16%(2,059)
Hispanic / Latino29.8%(3,825)
Asian1%(133)
Other2.3%(292)
Diversity Score78.8%(10,132)
Diversity Score
79
+17%since 2000
from 68 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.1%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 17.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
81.9%
+13.5 ptssince 2000
from 68.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.4%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 6.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.2 min
+34%since 2000
from 16.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
80.1%
+7.5 ptssince 2009
from 72.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
15.1%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.5%
−1.4 ptssince 2011
from 7.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
52.0%
−6.7 ptssince 2011
from 58.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
34.6%
−22.2 ptssince 2009
from 56.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.0%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.1% in 2009
Female
53.0%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.9% in 2009
Foreign born
11.0%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 13.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
23.3%
−47.6 ptssince 2013
from 70.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Athens

Iona
Pop 13,631
Smyrna
Pop 13,340
Goldenrod
Pop 12,878
Callaway
Pop 14,369
Places similar to Athens
Head to head

Compare Athens to nearby cities

ATHENS VS
Tyler
Income$67,486+80%
Home value$235,300+150%
Population113,723+720%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ATHENS VS
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Income$44,981+20%
Home value$166,000+76%
Population19,555+41%
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ATHENS VS
Whitehouse
Income$99,458+165%
Home value$253,800+169%
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ATHENS VS
Jacksonville
Income$51,375+37%
Home value$119,800+27%
Population14,658+6%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Athens, Texas?

Athens, Texas has about 12,857 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Athens, Texas?

The typical household in Athens, Texas earns about $37,533 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Athens, Texas expensive?

In Athens, Texas, the median home is worth about $94,300, and the typical rent is about $816 a month.

How educated are people in Athens, Texas?

About 19.1% of adults age 25 and over in Athens, Texas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Athens, Texas?

About 29.5% of people in Athens, Texas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Athens, Texas grown since 1990?

Yes, Athens, Texas has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,890 residents, a change of about 17 percent over that period.

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

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