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CITY · 2020 ACS

Athens

West Virginia · 962 residents · 0.403 sq mi
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The short version

Athens has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $52,760. Population has declined 13% since 2000. 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $131,300. At a median age of 24.0, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. 50% 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: $66,278
Younger
median age 24.0
US median: 38.8
More educated
50% 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
962
−13%since 2000
from 1,102 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,387 / sq mi
−13%since 2000
from 2,734 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
24.0
+1%since 2000
from 23.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
7009161K1K2K1990201020202024Athens
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$52,760
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,260 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,018
+33%since 2000
from $13,553 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
28.5%
+12.5 ptssince 2009
from 15.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
9.7%
−11.1 ptssince 2000
from 20.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade9%
US avg: 10%
Information3.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade2.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.7%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$131,300
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $70,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$700
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $394 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
66.9%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 67.7% in 2000
33.1% rent
Afford Score
2.5
−4%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-Hispanic91.7%(1,010)
Black4.8%(53)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(10)
Asian1.5%(17)
Other0%
Diversity Score17.3%(191)
2020
White, non-Hispanic84.8%(816)
Black7.8%(75)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(13)
Asian1.8%(17)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score26%(250)
Diversity Score
26
+50%since 2000
from 17 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
50.0%
+17.1 ptssince 2000
from 32.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
96.6%
+12.2 ptssince 2000
from 84.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
19.4%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 17.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.1 min
−4%since 2000
from 14.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
66.0%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 62.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
1.6%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
13.3%
+11.9 ptssince 2011
from 1.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
48.5%
−0.8 ptssince 2011
from 49.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
40.2%
−36.0 ptssince 2009
from 76.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
54.7%
+22.4 ptssince 2009
from 32.3% in 2009
Female
45.3%
−22.4 ptssince 2009
from 67.7% in 2009
Foreign born
4.9%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.9%
−82.6 ptssince 2013
from 86.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Athens

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Pop 1,122
Mayo
Pop 1,119
Blades
Pop 1,372
Astor
Pop 1,391
Places similar to Athens
Head to head

Compare Athens to nearby cities

ATHENS VS
Bluefield
Income$49,375−6%
Home value$105,400−20%
Population9,158+673%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ATHENS VS
Beckley
Income$45,826−13%
Home value$158,000+20%
Population16,373+1283%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ATHENS VS
Pulaski
Income$49,491−6%
Home value$160,500+22%
Population8,807+644%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ATHENS VS
Radford
Income$57,348+9%
Home value$220,700+68%
Population17,243+1356%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Athens, West Virginia?

Athens, West Virginia has about 962 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Athens, West Virginia earns about $52,760 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 $131,300, and the typical rent is about $700 a month.

How educated are people in Athens, West Virginia?

About 50.0% 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 9.7% 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 190 residents, a change of about 25 percent over that period.

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

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