Athens, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Athens, Alabama had a total population of 29,002, the 21st largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $69,922, which is 9% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Athens Quick Facts
How Athens Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,474 | 29,002 | +5.6% |
| Median household income | $65,000 | $69,922 | +7.6% |
| Median home value | $253,700 | $270,000 | +6.4% |
How Athens Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Athens Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Limestone County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ardmore | 1,384 | $50,352 | 12.6% | $216,600 |
| Elkmont | 264 | $49,750 | 8.3% | $234,100 |
| Lester | 181 | $80,833 | 12.7% | $220,800 |
| Mooresville | 81 | $144,000 | 0.0% | $389,500 |
Cities Similar to Athens
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | 29,505 | $73,125 | $202,900 | 25.1% | 16.5% |
| Daphne | 29,453 | $87,250 | $323,400 | 42.9% | 7.2% |
| Northport | 31,218 | $80,913 | $282,600 | 38.2% | 12.3% |
| Opelika | 32,820 | $65,004 | $241,800 | 36.4% | 16.0% |
| Homewood | 27,829 | $94,485 | $558,500 | 70.9% | 8.9% |
Population Overview
Athens is a mid-sized community located in Alabama, within Limestone County. The total population is 29,002. It ranks as the 21st most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Athens is 40.9 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Athens is $69,922. This is 9% higher than the state median of $63,999. It is also 13% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.2%. This is 22% lower than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.1%. This is 33% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $270,000. Housing costs are 29% higher than the state median of $209,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 64.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Athens is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 16.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (8.6% vs 5.6%).
Education
31.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% higher than the state rate of 28.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Athens, Alabama is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Alabama state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 592 Census-designated places in Alabama. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Athens, Alabama?
Athens, Alabama has a population of 29,002 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Athens, AL?
The median household income in Athens is $69,922, which is 13% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Athens, AL?
The poverty rate in Athens is 12.2%. This means approximately 3,457 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Athens, Alabama?
Athens's population is 69.1% White, 16.8% Black, 8.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Athens, AL?
The median home value in Athens is $270,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Athens, Alabama?
31.4% of adults (25+) in Athens hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.