Athens, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Athens, Tennessee had a total population of 14,471, the 43rd largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $53,929, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 | 14,250 | 14,471 | +1.6% |
| Median household income | $53,151 | $53,929 | +1.5% |
| Median home value | $197,300 | $225,000 | +14.0% |
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: 46 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Athens Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in McMinn County
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabethton | 14,374 | $46,975 | $172,900 | 26.4% | 18.8% |
| McMinnville | 13,844 | $47,179 | $182,200 | 11.7% | 20.7% |
| Dyersburg | 15,979 | $52,064 | $168,300 | 21.9% | 21.6% |
| Greeneville | 15,646 | $49,889 | $227,400 | 26.8% | 18.5% |
| Manchester | 12,944 | $57,500 | $237,400 | 22.9% | 14.9% |
Population Overview
Athens is a small city located in Tennessee, within McMinn County. The total population is 14,471. It ranks as the 43rd most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Athens is 39.0 years. This is about the same as the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Athens is $53,929. This is 23% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.0%. This is 24% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 33% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $225,000. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 59.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Athens is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.7%. The Black or African American population (6.4%) is well below the state average of 15.4%.
Education
23.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 25% lower than the state rate of 31.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Athens, Tennessee 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 Tennessee state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee. 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, Tennessee?
Athens, Tennessee has a population of 14,471 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Athens, TN?
The median household income in Athens is $53,929, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Athens, TN?
The poverty rate in Athens is 17.0%. This means approximately 2,316 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Athens, Tennessee?
Athens's population is 76.9% White, 6.4% Black, 7.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Athens, TN?
The median home value in Athens is $225,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Athens, Tennessee?
23.2% of adults (25+) in Athens hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.