Athol, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Athol, Massachusetts had a total population of 8,801, the 91st largest community in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $67,394, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 8.6% is notably above the national average.
Athol Quick Facts
How Athol 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 | 8,711 | 8,801 | +1.0% |
| Median household income | $61,742 | $67,394 | +9.2% |
| Median home value | $227,000 | $248,700 | +9.6% |
How Athol 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: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Athol Rankings in Massachusetts
Explore Massachusetts Rankings
Other Cities in Worcester County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester | 207,055 | $70,102 | 19.6% | $374,400 |
| Leominster | 43,909 | $83,816 | 9.2% | $380,400 |
| Fitchburg | 41,798 | $73,040 | 15.6% | $336,400 |
| Milford | 27,731 | $93,310 | 8.4% | $464,700 |
| Gardner | 21,148 | $67,518 | 13.7% | $301,600 |
| Southbridge Town | 17,928 | $66,287 | 15.3% | $294,800 |
| Webster | 12,228 | $63,837 | 16.0% | $333,100 |
| Clinton | 7,658 | $79,516 | 9.2% | $375,600 |
| Whitinsville | 7,115 | $96,145 | 10.3% | $449,600 |
| Northborough | 6,392 | $133,839 | 2.1% | $560,500 |
Cities Similar to Athol
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plymouth | 7,918 | $81,703 | $446,800 | 39.0% | 10.0% |
| Clinton | 7,658 | $79,516 | $375,600 | 24.1% | 9.2% |
| Middleborough Center | 8,155 | $97,616 | $424,900 | 32.2% | 8.8% |
| Webster | 12,228 | $63,837 | $333,100 | 18.8% | 16.0% |
| West Yarmouth | 6,194 | $65,841 | $494,600 | 39.1% | 9.1% |
Population Overview
Athol is a small city located in Massachusetts, within Worcester County. The total population is 8,801. It ranks as the 91st most populous out of 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts.
Age Demographics
The median age in Athol is 36.8 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 40.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Athol is $67,394. This is 35% lower than the state median of $103,960. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.0%. This is 110% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. 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 8.6%. This is 68% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $248,700. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $562,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 63.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 62.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Athol is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.1%. The Black or African American population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 6.4%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 7.2%.
Education
21.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 54% lower than the state rate of 47.3%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Athol, Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts. 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 Athol, Massachusetts?
Athol, Massachusetts has a population of 8,801 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Athol, MA?
The median household income in Athol is $67,394, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Athol, MA?
The poverty rate in Athol is 21.0%. This means approximately 1,830 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Athol, Massachusetts?
Athol's population is 82.7% White, 3.1% Black, 8.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Athol, MA?
The median home value in Athol is $248,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Athol, Massachusetts?
21.9% of adults (25+) in Athol hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.