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Athens city, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026

As of 2026, Athens city, Tennessee has a total population of 14,250, the 43rd largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $53,151, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.4%.

Athens city Quick Facts

Population 14,250
Median Household Income $53,151
Median Home Value $197,300
Poverty Rate 18.4%
Unemployment Rate 5.5%
Median Age 40.8 years
Homeownership Rate 58.1%
Affordability Ratio 3.7x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 22.6%
High School Graduation Rate 86.7%
Diversity Index 34/100
Population 14,250 43rd of 504
Median Income $53,151 average
Poverty Rate 18.4% 48% higher national
Median Home Value $197,300 average

How Athens city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

5.5% Unemployment Rate State: 4.7% | National: 5.2%
57.6% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 58.1%
Renter 41.9%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.7x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

34out of 100
Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 46 | National average: 60

Education

Athens city Rankings in Tennessee

#43 Population of 504
#263 Median Income of 504
#153 Education of 504
#190 Home Value of 504

Explore Tennessee Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Cities Similar to Athens city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Elizabethton city14,364$44,834$159,70025.2%19.0%
Greeneville town15,531$51,516$210,70025.0%16.7%
Lewisburg city12,607$52,634$183,40016.5%25.7%
Dyersburg city16,075$51,846$170,90023.0%23.5%
Manchester city12,651$55,019$215,70025.7%15.8%

Population Overview

Athens city is a small city located in Tennessee. The total population is 14,250. It ranks as the 43rd most populous out of 504 cities and towns in Tennessee.

Age Demographics

The median age in Athens city is 40.8 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Athens city is $53,151. This is 21% lower than the state median of $67,097. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 32% lower. The poverty rate stands at 18.4%. This is 33% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 5.5%. This is 16% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $197,300. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $256,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 58.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 67.0%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Athens city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.6%. The Black or African American population (6.1%) is well below the state average of 15.7%.

Education

22.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% lower than the state rate of 30.4%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.7%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Athens city, Tennessee is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Tennessee state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 504 Census-designated places in Tennessee. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

Free data download: Get all Tennessee city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Athens city, Tennessee?

Athens city, Tennessee has a population of 14,250 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Athens city, TN?

The median household income in Athens city is $53,151, which is 32% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Athens city, TN?

The poverty rate in Athens city is 18.4%. This means approximately 2,453 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Athens city, Tennessee?

Athens city's population is 80.4% White, 6.1% Black, 6.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.

What is the median home value in Athens city, TN?

The median home value in Athens city is $197,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.

How educated is Athens city, Tennessee?

22.6% of adults (25+) in Athens city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.