Athens town, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Athens town, West Virginia has a total population of 1,156, the 136th largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $62,292, which is 8% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.7%.
Key Takeaways
- 53.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in West Virginia.
- Unemployment rate of 8.2% is notably above the national average.
Athens town Quick Facts
How Athens town Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 18 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Athens town Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Athens town
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gilbert Creek CDP | 1,119 | N/A | $92,700 | 14.2% | 15.3% |
| Hamlin town | 1,173 | $56,583 | $92,500 | 13.0% | 10.8% |
| White Hall town | 1,141 | $72,000 | $260,700 | 30.8% | 4.7% |
| Bethany town | 1,066 | $61,250 | $113,600 | 49.6% | 6.8% |
| Buffalo town | 1,110 | $55,313 | $124,100 | 14.8% | 21.3% |
Population Overview
Athens town is a small community located in West Virginia. The total population is 1,156. It ranks as the 136th most populous out of 430 cities and towns in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Athens town is 27.3 years. This is 36% lower than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Athens town is $62,292. This is 8% higher than the state median of $57,917. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 21% lower. The poverty rate stands at 9.7%. This is 41% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.6%. The unemployment rate is 8.2%. This is 43% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $156,800. Housing costs are about average than the state median of $155,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Athens town is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Athens town has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.0% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 6.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (6.0% vs 3.2%).
Education
53.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Athens town in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 130% higher than the state rate of 23.3%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 98.5%. Notably, 19.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Athens town, West Virginia 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 West Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 430 Census-designated places in West Virginia. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Athens town, West Virginia?
Athens town, West Virginia has a population of 1,156 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Athens town, WV?
The median household income in Athens town is $62,292, which is 21% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Athens town, WV?
The poverty rate in Athens town is 9.7%. This means approximately 92 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Athens town, West Virginia?
Athens town's population is 88.0% White, 6.0% Black, 1.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Athens town, WV?
The median home value in Athens town is $156,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Athens town, West Virginia?
53.5% of adults (25+) in Athens town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.