Athens, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Athens, Louisiana had a total population of 358, the 391st largest village in Louisiana, with a median household income of $15,673, which is 74% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 55.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 74% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (55.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.7%.
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 | 286 | 358 | +25.2% |
| Median household income | $16,250 | $15,673 | -3.6% |
| Median home value | $91,500 | $84,000 | -8.2% |
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: 59 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Athens Rankings in Louisiana
Explore Louisiana Rankings
Other Cities in Claiborne Parish
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homer | 2,654 | $23,160 | 45.3% | $80,700 |
| Haynesville | 2,515 | $20,688 | 48.3% | $58,700 |
| Lisbon | 251 | $57,917 | 2.8% | $66,400 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natchez | 351 | N/A | $66,900 | 0.7% | 47.9% |
| Singer | 347 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 51.9% |
| Sun | 381 | N/A | $160,700 | 17.5% | 11.6% |
| Kilbourne | 384 | N/A | $75,700 | 8.9% | 19.3% |
| Clarence | 317 | N/A | $97,900 | 1.9% | 29.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 358, Athens's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Athens is a small community located in Louisiana, within Claiborne Parish. The total population is 358. It ranks as the 391st most populous out of 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Athens is 34.3 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 38.0 years. With 28.5% of the population under 18, Athens has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Athens is $15,673. This is 74% lower than the state median of $60,756. It is also 81% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 55.3%. This is 192% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 1.7%. This is 73% lower than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $84,000. Housing costs are 61% lower than the state median of $216,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x. 62.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Athens is Black or African American, making up 57.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 41.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (57.3% vs 30.5%).
Education
10.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% lower than the state rate of 27.0%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 78.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Athens, Louisiana 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 Louisiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana. 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, Louisiana?
Athens, Louisiana has a population of 358 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Athens, LA?
The median household income in Athens is $15,673, which is 81% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Athens, LA?
The poverty rate in Athens is 55.3%. This means approximately 198 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Athens, Louisiana?
Athens's population is 41.6% White, 57.3% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Athens, LA?
The median home value in Athens is $84,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x.
How educated is Athens, Louisiana?
10.5% of adults (25+) in Athens hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.