Athens, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Athens, Pennsylvania had a total population of 3,243, the 439th largest borough in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $53,000, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 9.4% 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 | 3,260 | 3,243 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $49,588 | $53,000 | +6.9% |
| Median home value | $166,800 | $167,200 | +0.2% |
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: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Athens Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Bradford County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sayre | 5,431 | $50,801 | 7.8% | $169,500 |
| Towanda | 2,791 | $60,888 | 12.6% | $166,900 |
| Canton | 1,531 | $42,132 | 22.2% | $126,300 |
| Troy | 1,408 | $51,016 | 29.7% | $155,900 |
| South Waverly | 1,069 | $87,813 | 8.6% | $162,300 |
| Wyalusing | 653 | $43,636 | 17.1% | $157,100 |
| Monroe | 621 | $53,947 | 12.4% | $174,000 |
| Greens Landing | 593 | $69,219 | 33.1% | $119,000 |
| Rome | 547 | $55,000 | 25.8% | $150,000 |
| New Albany | 358 | $77,273 | 13.5% | N/A |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masontown | 3,201 | $53,676 | $126,300 | 16.9% | 31.7% |
| Mount Oliver | 3,319 | $52,297 | $96,900 | 17.5% | 15.1% |
| Marienville | 3,163 | $52,029 | $99,100 | 10.1% | 4.6% |
| Blairsville | 3,215 | $56,337 | $105,900 | 19.8% | 14.7% |
| Etna | 3,364 | $53,654 | $135,800 | 26.2% | 17.8% |
Population Overview
Athens is a small community located in Pennsylvania, within Bradford County. The total population is 3,243. It ranks as the 439th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Athens is 47.0 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Athens is $53,000. This is 32% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.8%. This is 9% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 9.4%. This is 79% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $167,200. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $254,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 40.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 41% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Athens has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.1%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 10.3%.
Education
27.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Athens, Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. 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, Pennsylvania?
Athens, Pennsylvania has a population of 3,243 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Athens, PA?
The median household income in Athens is $53,000, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Athens, PA?
The poverty rate in Athens is 12.8%. This means approximately 405 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Athens, Pennsylvania?
Athens's population is 89.2% White, 1.3% Black, 5.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Athens, PA?
The median home value in Athens is $167,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Athens, Pennsylvania?
27.4% of adults (25+) in Athens hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.