Athens County, Ohio Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Athens County is located in Ohio with a total population of 61,573. It is the 41st most populous county out of 88 in Ohio.

Age Demographics

The median age in Athens County is 32.8 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 39.6 years. Only 14.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Athens County is $53,837. This is 23% lower than the state median of $69,680. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 31% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.1%. This is 67% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. 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 5.8%. This is 19% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $173,800. Housing costs are 13% lower than the state median of $199,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 61.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 67.0%.

Race & Ethnicity

Athens County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.1% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.5%. The Black or African American population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 12.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 4.6%.

Education

35.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 14% higher than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.8%. Notably, 18.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.