Athens, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Athens, Texas had a total population of 13,200, the 227th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $67,984, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.7%.
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 | 13,013 | 13,200 | +1.4% |
| Median household income | $70,601 | $67,984 | -3.7% |
| Median home value | $205,700 | $210,800 | +2.5% |
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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 67 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Athens Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Henderson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gun Barrel City | 6,570 | $71,310 | 16.2% | $237,300 |
| Chandler | 3,518 | $49,573 | 14.0% | $246,300 |
| Tool | 2,367 | $71,333 | 17.3% | $213,300 |
| Malakoff | 2,045 | $56,719 | 20.5% | $83,800 |
| Brownsboro | 1,658 | $62,250 | 15.4% | $197,800 |
| Payne Springs | 1,201 | $63,145 | 12.6% | $233,200 |
| Berryville | 1,184 | $68,194 | 7.2% | $137,100 |
| Frankston | 1,088 | $56,667 | 9.5% | $103,700 |
| Eustace | 1,039 | $68,250 | 12.9% | $192,900 |
| Log Cabin | 998 | $53,438 | 9.7% | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kilgore | 13,470 | $66,295 | $171,600 | 19.2% | 17.4% |
| Wells Branch | 13,523 | $66,656 | $401,100 | 49.4% | 12.9% |
| Andrews | 13,468 | $73,690 | $196,300 | 18.5% | 16.8% |
| Henderson | 13,385 | $61,285 | $173,700 | 21.5% | 14.9% |
| Forest Hill | 14,062 | $68,457 | $187,400 | 14.2% | 14.8% |
Population Overview
Athens is a small city located in Texas, within Henderson County. The total population is 13,200. It ranks as the 227th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Athens is 34.2 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 35.6 years. 10.7% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Athens is $67,984. This is 13% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 16% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.7%. This is 8% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $210,800. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $283,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 57.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Athens is White (non-Hispanic), making up 48.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 31.8%.
Education
21.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% lower than the state rate of 33.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 83.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Athens, Texas 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 Texas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas. 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, Texas?
Athens, Texas has a population of 13,200 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Athens, TX?
The median household income in Athens is $67,984, which is 16% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Athens, TX?
The poverty rate in Athens is 12.7%. This means approximately 1,539 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Athens, Texas?
Athens's population is 48.3% White, 13.1% Black, 31.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Athens, TX?
The median home value in Athens is $210,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Athens, Texas?
21.3% of adults (25+) in Athens hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.