Athena, Oregon Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Athena, Oregon had a total population of 1,377, the 199th largest city in Oregon, with a median household income of $71,898, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.1%.
Athena Quick Facts
How Athena 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 | 1,206 | 1,377 | +14.2% |
| Median household income | $70,729 | $71,898 | +1.7% |
| Median home value | $196,700 | $239,200 | +21.6% |
How Athena 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: 46 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Athena Rankings in Oregon
Explore Oregon Rankings
Other Cities in Umatilla County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hermiston | 19,546 | $66,998 | 10.1% | $266,700 |
| Pendleton | 16,950 | $66,563 | 15.0% | $287,100 |
| Umatilla | 7,508 | $68,826 | 17.4% | $238,500 |
| Milton-Freewater | 7,036 | $52,183 | 12.6% | $240,000 |
| Stanfield | 1,902 | $60,074 | 8.0% | $207,600 |
| Pilot Rock | 1,283 | $89,091 | 10.1% | $199,700 |
| Umapine | 1,215 | $55,927 | 1.2% | $459,000 |
| Mission | 878 | $34,583 | 36.7% | $215,600 |
| Green Meadows | 584 | $121,750 | 2.7% | $311,900 |
| Echo | 494 | $112,639 | 7.1% | $173,100 |
Cities Similar to Athena
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cascade Locks | 1,378 | $70,000 | $385,100 | 29.6% | 8.2% |
| Cannon Beach | 1,361 | $69,375 | $823,200 | 47.1% | 4.5% |
| Dunes City | 1,357 | $65,313 | $538,100 | 27.4% | 10.1% |
| Saunders Lake | 1,338 | $63,914 | $339,700 | 34.6% | 18.1% |
| Rose Lodge | 1,381 | $59,038 | $250,000 | 26.3% | 23.6% |
Population Overview
Athena is a small community located in Oregon, within Umatilla County. The total population is 1,377. It ranks as the 199th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Oregon.
Age Demographics
The median age in Athena is 36.7 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 40.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Athena is $71,898. This is 13% lower than the state median of $83,011. It is also 11% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.0%. This is 25% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 1.1%. This is 80% lower than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $239,200. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $477,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 79.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% higher than the state average of 63.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Athena has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 14.7%.
Education
35.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 3% lower than the state rate of 36.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.3%. Notably, 15.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Athena, Oregon 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 Oregon state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 420 Census-designated places in Oregon. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Oregon city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Athena, Oregon?
Athena, Oregon has a population of 1,377 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Athena, OR?
The median household income in Athena is $71,898, which is 11% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Athena, OR?
The poverty rate in Athena is 9.0%. This means approximately 119 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Athena, Oregon?
Athena's population is 90.6% White, 2.1% Black, 2.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Athena, OR?
The median home value in Athena is $239,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Athena, Oregon?
35.5% of adults (25+) in Athena hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.