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CITY

Athens

West Virginia · 1,184 residents (2025 est.) · 0.403 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 $56,667. Population has grown 36% since 2000. 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $168,100. At a median age of 21.1, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, well above the US average, yet household income trails the national figure — a profile common to graduate-student tracts and academic hubs.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 21.1
US median: 38.9
More educated
48% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 31%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,494
+36%since 2000
from 1,102 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,707 / sq mi
+36%since 2000
from 2,734 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
21.1
−11%since 2000
from 23.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,184 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
7009161K1K2K1990201020202024Athens
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$56,667
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,260 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,772
+39%since 2000
from $13,553 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
31.0%
+15.1 ptssince 2009
from 15.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
19.4%
−1.3 ptssince 2000
from 20.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.530
+30%since 2010
from 0.409 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade8%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade3.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Information3.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance3.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Other services2.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical2.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services1.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$168,100
+31%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $70,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$975
+36%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $394 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
74.1%
+6.4 ptssince 2000
from 67.7% in 2000
25.9% rent
Vacancy rate
32.4%
+12.8 ptssince 2009
from 19.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
20.5%
+7.6 ptssince 2009
from 12.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
50.0%
−11.5 ptssince 2009
from 61.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.0
+14%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
21
RELATED:See current rent listings in Athens on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic91.7%(1,010)
Black4.8%(53)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(10)
Asian1.5%(17)
Other0%
Diversity Score17.3%(191)
2024
White, non-Hispanic87.8%(1,312)
Black4.1%(61)
Hispanic / Latino3.1%(46)
Asian2.1%(31)
Other2.9%(44)
Diversity Score28.1%(420)
Diversity Score
28
+62%since 2000
from 17 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
47.8%
+14.9 ptssince 2000
from 32.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
98.3%
+14.0 ptssince 2000
from 84.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
17.2%
−0.1 ptssince 2000
from 17.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.6 min
+19%since 2000
from 14.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
45.6%
−16.7 ptssince 2009
from 62.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
20.8%
+20.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
11.6%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 8.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
17.1%
−9.2 ptssince 2009
from 26.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
10.6%
+7.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.7%
+4.4 ptssince 2011
from 1.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
38.1%
−11.2 ptssince 2011
from 49.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
27.3%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 29.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
33.2%
−42.9 ptssince 2009
from 76.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.1%
+15.7 ptssince 2009
from 32.3% in 2009
Female
51.9%
−15.7 ptssince 2009
from 67.7% in 2009
Foreign born
4.5%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
1.9%
−29.9 ptssince 2009
from 31.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.5%
+2.9 ptssince 2012
from 13.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.8%
−82.7 ptssince 2013
from 86.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
92.2%
+14.8 ptssince 2017
from 77.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
93.7%
+3.6 ptssince 2016
from 90.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.6%
−0.9 ptssince 2016
from 2.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Athens to nearby cities

ATHENS VS
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Income$49,375−13%
Home value$105,400−37%
Population9,158+673%
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ATHENS VS
Beckley
Income$45,826−19%
Home value$158,000−6%
Population16,373+1283%
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ATHENS VS
Pulaski
Income$49,491−13%
Home value$160,500−5%
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ATHENS VS
Radford
Income$57,348+1%
Home value$220,700+31%
Population17,243+1356%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Athens, West Virginia?

Athens, West Virginia has about 1,494 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Athens, West Virginia?

The typical household in Athens, West Virginia earns about $56,667 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Athens, West Virginia expensive?

In Athens, West Virginia, the median home is worth about $168,100, and the typical rent is about $975 a month.

How educated are people in Athens, West Virginia?

About 47.8% of adults age 25 and over in Athens, West Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Athens, West Virginia?

About 19.4% of people in Athens, West Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Athens, West Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Athens, West Virginia has grown since 1990. The population has added about 722 residents, a change of about 94 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 →

Athens, West Virginia: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy