Athens city, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Athens city, Alabama has a total population of 27,474, the 22nd largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $65,000, which is 5% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.5%.
Athens city Quick Facts
How Athens city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 52 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Athens city Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Cities Similar to Athens city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise city | 28,990 | $68,306 | $198,500 | 24.6% | 17.4% |
| Daphne city | 28,673 | $86,479 | $309,700 | 43.5% | 5.7% |
| Opelika city | 31,944 | $58,763 | $213,700 | 33.5% | 15.0% |
| Northport city | 30,991 | $77,781 | $258,800 | 37.1% | 12.6% |
| Foley city | 22,330 | $67,346 | $260,100 | 26.3% | 11.8% |
Population Overview
Athens city is a mid-sized community located in Alabama. The total population is 27,474. It ranks as the 22nd most populous out of 589 cities and towns in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Athens city is 41.6 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Athens city is $65,000. This is 5% higher than the state median of $62,027. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 17% lower. The poverty rate stands at 13.5%. This is 14% lower than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.3%. This is 31% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $253,700. Housing costs are 30% higher than the state median of $195,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 63.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 69.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Athens city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 17.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (8.7% vs 5.4%).
Education
30.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% higher than the state rate of 27.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Athens city, Alabama is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Alabama state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 589 Census-designated places in Alabama. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Athens city, Alabama?
Athens city, Alabama has a population of 27,474 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Athens city, AL?
The median household income in Athens city is $65,000, which is 17% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Athens city, AL?
The poverty rate in Athens city is 13.5%. This means approximately 3,631 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Athens city, Alabama?
Athens city's population is 68.4% White, 17.1% Black, 8.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Athens city, AL?
The median home value in Athens city is $253,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Athens city, Alabama?
30.8% of adults (25+) in Athens city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.