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MICROPOLITAN AREA

Athens Micro

Athens, TN · 2 counties · 71,590 residents (2025 est.) · 625.252 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 $61,451. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $205,581.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 43.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 50%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
68,227
+14%since 2000
from 60,101 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
109 / sq mi
+14%since 2000
from 96 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
43.0
+14%since 2000
from 37.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:71,590 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
49K54K59K65K70K1990201020202024Athens
202468K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$61,451
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,446 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,322
+98%since 2000
from $16,324 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
39.9%
+21.2 ptssince 2009
from 18.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
13.2%
−1.9 ptssince 2000
from 15.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.450
+3%since 2010
from 0.436 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade26.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance6.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Wholesale trade6.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services4.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services2%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$205,581
+50%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $75,352 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$817
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $401 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
76.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2000
from 76.9% in 2000
23.2% rent
Vacancy rate
13.0%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 11.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
13.7%
−9.0 ptssince 2009
from 22.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
37.3%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 34.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.3
+40%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
68
RELATED:See current rent listings in Athens on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic92.9%(55,818)
Black3.8%(2,309)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(947)
Asian0.6%(360)
Other0%
Diversity Score14.5%(8,728)
Segregation Score0%
2024
White, non-Hispanic86.5%(59,018)
Black3%(2,031)
Hispanic / Latino4%(2,755)
Asian0.7%(502)
Other5.7%(3,921)
Diversity Score30.7%(20,968)
Segregation Score15.6%(10,614)
Diversity Score
31
+112%since 2000
from 15 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
16
−39%since 2020
from 25 in 2020
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.6%
+7.5 ptssince 2000
from 10.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
86.8%
+18.6 ptssince 2000
from 68.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.1%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 3.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.5 min
+52%since 2000
from 17.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
81.8%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 82.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.7%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 10.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.4%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.7%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
3.9%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 5.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.0%
−5.7 ptssince 2011
from 10.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
55.1%
−1.0 ptssince 2011
from 56.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.0%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 11.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
30.0%
−26.6 ptssince 2009
from 56.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.6%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
Female
50.4%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
Foreign born
2.3%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.3%
−39.4 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.4%
−2.2 ptssince 2012
from 21.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
9.4%
−75.1 ptssince 2013
from 84.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
86.6%
+23.5 ptssince 2017
from 63.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.4%
−0.4 ptssince 2016
from 96.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.9%
−0.5 ptssince 2016
from 2.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
In this metro

Principal cities

AthensCENTRAL15,263
What's inside

2 component counties

McMinn CountyCENTRAL57,404Meigs County14,186
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Athens

Albemarle
Pop 68,830
Chillicothe
Pop 76,429
Clearlake
Pop 67,772
Klamath Falls
Pop 70,274
Places similar to Athens
Head to head

Compare Athens side by side

ATHENS VS
Albemarle
Income$60,704−1%
Home value$242,400+18%
Population68,830−4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ATHENS VS
Chillicothe
Income$61,303same
Home value$171,500−17%
Population76,429+7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ATHENS VS
Clearlake
Income$60,621−1%
Home value$324,300+58%
Population67,772−5%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ATHENS VS
Klamath Falls
Income$58,830−4%
Home value$280,400+36%
Population70,274−2%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Athens, TN?

Athens, TN has about 68,227 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Athens, TN?

The typical household in Athens, TN earns about $61,451 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Athens, TN expensive?

In Athens, TN, the median home is worth about $205,581, and the typical rent is about $817 a month.

How educated are people in Athens, TN?

About 17.6% of adults age 25 and over in Athens, TN hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Athens, TN?

About 13.2% of people in Athens, TN live below the federal poverty line.

Has Athens, TN grown since 1990?

Yes, Athens, TN has grown since 1990. The population has added about 17,811 residents, a change of about 35 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →