New Athens, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, New Athens, Illinois had a total population of 1,933, the 512th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $56,553, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
New Athens Quick Facts
How New 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 | 1,937 | 1,933 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $61,477 | $56,553 | -8.0% |
| Median home value | $118,100 | $116,300 | -1.5% |
How New 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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
New Athens Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in St. Clair County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belleville | 41,370 | $63,535 | 14.6% | $141,300 |
| O'Fallon | 32,262 | $105,982 | 6.2% | $295,700 |
| East St. Louis | 17,999 | $35,700 | 32.8% | $52,600 |
| Fairview Heights | 16,745 | $80,930 | 8.8% | $177,700 |
| Swansea | 14,710 | $91,587 | 8.7% | $223,600 |
| Shiloh | 14,572 | $99,573 | 6.8% | $274,000 |
| Columbia | 11,127 | $107,606 | 5.4% | $293,000 |
| Mascoutah | 8,816 | $97,375 | 9.8% | $224,900 |
| Freeburg | 4,592 | $92,065 | 6.7% | $241,200 |
| Lebanon | 4,474 | $88,750 | 14.8% | $170,700 |
Cities Similar to New Athens
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thornton | 1,940 | $59,647 | $155,100 | 20.4% | 15.1% |
| Albion | 2,001 | $56,500 | $93,800 | 12.4% | 27.8% |
| Mount Olive | 1,872 | $55,625 | $94,100 | 13.2% | 17.8% |
| Mount Sterling | 1,980 | $59,087 | $131,200 | 21.5% | 12.3% |
| Jonesboro | 1,870 | $58,500 | $106,400 | 29.2% | 20.9% |
Population Overview
New Athens is a small community located in Illinois, within St. Clair County. The total population is 1,933. It ranks as the 512th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in New Athens is 41.4 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in New Athens is $56,553. This is 32% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.5%. This is 3% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 2.6%. This is 56% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $116,300. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, New Athens is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 82.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
New Athens has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (94.2% vs 58.1%). The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
17.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 53% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for New Athens, Illinois 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 Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. 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 New Athens, Illinois?
New Athens, Illinois has a population of 1,933 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in New Athens, IL?
The median household income in New Athens is $56,553, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in New Athens, IL?
The poverty rate in New Athens is 11.5%. This means approximately 215 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of New Athens, Illinois?
New Athens's population is 94.2% White, 0.1% Black, 2.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in New Athens, IL?
The median home value in New Athens is $116,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is New Athens, Illinois?
17.8% of adults (25+) in New Athens hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.