Athens, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Athens, Ohio had a total population of 23,396, the 72nd largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $38,204, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 40.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (40.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 64.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Ohio.
- Unemployment rate of 8.2% is notably above the national average.
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 | 23,211 | 23,396 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $37,059 | $38,204 | +3.1% |
| Median home value | $242,200 | $247,000 | +2.0% |
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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Athens Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Athens County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nelsonville | 4,279 | $49,750 | 16.6% | $99,200 |
| The Plains | 2,748 | $59,688 | 19.0% | $233,500 |
| Glouster | 1,473 | $38,375 | 28.0% | $82,600 |
| Albany | 1,013 | $52,070 | 9.3% | $145,600 |
| Coolville | 664 | $47,333 | 18.1% | $128,600 |
| Chauncey | 655 | $35,200 | 34.7% | $74,400 |
| Stewart | 479 | N/A | 0.0% | $73,900 |
| Trimble | 466 | $47,120 | 17.6% | $60,400 |
| Buchtel | 451 | $70,000 | 13.8% | $150,000 |
| Jacksonville | 344 | $66,875 | 12.2% | $88,100 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford | 21,753 | $40,764 | $238,000 | 61.1% | 45.5% |
| Zanesville | 24,740 | $43,280 | $123,700 | 15.1% | 24.1% |
| Trotwood | 23,041 | $50,113 | $113,200 | 19.3% | 21.5% |
| Maple Heights | 23,258 | $53,414 | $97,900 | 16.1% | 25.4% |
| Sandusky | 24,606 | $50,139 | $113,100 | 22.0% | 25.6% |
Population Overview
Athens is a small city located in Ohio, within Athens County. The total population is 23,396. It ranks as the 72nd most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Athens is 21.6 years. This is 46% lower than the state median of 39.7 years. Only 8.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Athens is $38,204. This is 46% lower than the state median of $71,389. It is also 53% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 40.0%. This is 201% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.3%. 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 8.2%. This is 72% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $247,000. Housing costs are 15% higher than the state median of $214,800. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.5x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 32.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 52% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Athens is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.2%. The Black or African American population (3.7%) is well below the state average of 12.0%.
Education
64.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Athens in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 103% higher than the state rate of 31.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.7%. Notably, 36.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Athens, Ohio 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 Ohio state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio. 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, Ohio?
Athens, Ohio has a population of 23,396 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Athens, OH?
The median household income in Athens is $38,204, which is 53% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Athens, OH?
The poverty rate in Athens is 40.0%. This means approximately 6,677 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Athens, Ohio?
Athens's population is 81.6% White, 3.7% Black, 4.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Athens, OH?
The median home value in Athens is $247,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.5x.
How educated is Athens, Ohio?
64.1% of adults (25+) in Athens hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 36.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.