Athens, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Athens, West Virginia had a total population of 1,494, the 100th largest town in West Virginia, with a median household income of $56,667, which is 5% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 47.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in West Virginia.
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 | 1,156 | 1,494 | +29.2% |
| Median household income | $62,292 | $56,667 | -9.0% |
| Median home value | $156,800 | $168,100 | +7.2% |
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: 19 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Athens Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Mercer County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluefield | 9,387 | $49,375 | 18.5% | $105,400 |
| Princeton | 5,736 | $43,900 | 16.9% | $120,300 |
| Bluewell | 1,992 | $35,168 | 18.3% | $125,500 |
| Brush Fork | 1,096 | $70,098 | 9.2% | $90,000 |
| Lashmeet | 655 | N/A | 13.0% | $187,500 |
| Montcalm | 484 | $63,024 | 16.5% | N/A |
| Oakvale | 254 | N/A | 10.3% | N/A |
| Bramwell | 135 | $53,929 | 23.7% | $93,000 |
| Matoaka | 30 | $16,786 | 93.3% | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Haven | 1,493 | $55,938 | $106,500 | 14.9% | 19.6% |
| Daniels | 1,489 | $60,278 | $171,300 | 29.4% | 24.2% |
| Marmet | 1,524 | $52,115 | $95,100 | 19.2% | 13.6% |
| Mabscott | 1,396 | $57,813 | $159,700 | 29.7% | 16.7% |
| Shepherdstown | 1,460 | $63,750 | $485,200 | 71.2% | 6.2% |
Population Overview
Athens is a small community located in West Virginia, within Mercer County. The total population is 1,494. It ranks as the 100th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Athens is 21.1 years. This is 51% lower than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Athens is $56,667. This is 5% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.4%. This is 16% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. The unemployment rate is 5.7%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $168,100. Housing costs are 3% higher than the state median of $162,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 74.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Athens has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.8% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 4.1%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.1% vs 0.8%).
Education
47.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Athens in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 98% higher than the state rate of 24.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 98.3%. Notably, 17.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Athens, West Virginia 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 West Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia. 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, West Virginia?
Athens, West Virginia has a population of 1,494 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Athens, WV?
The median household income in Athens is $56,667, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Athens, WV?
The poverty rate in Athens is 19.4%. This means approximately 182 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Athens, West Virginia?
Athens's population is 87.8% White, 4.1% Black, 3.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Athens, WV?
The median home value in Athens is $168,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Athens, West Virginia?
47.8% of adults (25+) in Athens hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.