Athens, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Athens, Michigan had a total population of 1,134, the 415th largest village in Michigan, with a median household income of $70,192, which is 4% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.6%.
Key Takeaways
- Only 9.2% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.4%.
Athens Quick Facts
How Athens Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 977 | 1,134 | No clear change (+16.1%) |
| Median household income | $66,151 | $70,192 | No clear change (+6.1%) |
| Median home value¹ | $106,579 | $157,000 | +47.3% |
| Median gross rent | $985 | $978 | No clear change (-0.7%) |
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
- White: 86.9%
- Black: 0.5%
- Hispanic: 0.6%
- Asian: 0.7%
- Other: 0.1%
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 6.2%
- HS Diploma: 45.1%
- Some College: 30.7%
- Associate's: 8.8%
- Bachelor's: 5.7%
- Graduate+: 3.4%
Athens Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Calhoun County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battle Creek | 52,374 | $55,693 | 17.6% | $141,900 |
| Albion | 7,560 | $39,885 | 25.1% | $99,900 |
| Marshall | 6,804 | $76,050 | 5.7% | $173,500 |
| Springfield | 5,269 | $44,808 | 19.1% | $110,800 |
| Level Park-Oak Park | 3,488 | $70,652 | 12.3% | $124,500 |
| Union City | 1,940 | $62,788 | 14.5% | $107,500 |
| Brownlee Park | 1,661 | $31,969 | 42.1% | $83,700 |
| Homer | 1,610 | $54,737 | 18.7% | $136,200 |
| Tekonsha | 575 | $55,000 | 21.6% | $98,300 |
| Burlington | 264 | $66,250 | 13.3% | $90,800 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weidman | 1,156 | N/A | N/A | 17.7% | 52.3% |
| Onsted | 1,155 | $66,964 | $170,700 | 20.2% | 6.4% |
| Dryden | 1,182 | $70,352 | $208,300 | 17.1% | 4.6% |
| Coloma | 1,074 | $68,889 | $177,100 | 19.4% | 7.4% |
| Harbor Springs | 1,086 | $75,417 | $415,700 | 46.0% | 7.3% |
Population Overview
Athens is a small community located in Michigan, within Calhoun County. The total population is 1,134. It ranks as the 415th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Athens is 45.8 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Athens is $70,192. This is 4% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 13% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.6%. This is 50% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 2.4%. This is 58% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $157,000. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Athens is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Athens has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.9% of all residents. Asian residents account for 0.7%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
9.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 72% lower than the state rate of 32.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Athens, Michigan 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 Michigan state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 745 Census-designated places in Michigan. 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, Michigan?
Athens, Michigan has a population of 1,134 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Athens, MI?
The median household income in Athens is $70,192, which is 13% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Athens, MI?
The poverty rate in Athens is 6.6%. This means approximately 75 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Athens, Michigan?
Athens's population is 86.9% White, 0.5% Black, 0.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Athens, MI?
The median home value in Athens is $157,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Athens, Michigan?
9.2% of adults (25+) in Athens hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.