Athens, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Athens, Wisconsin had a total population of 1,055, the 389th largest village in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $52,750, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.3%.
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 | 1,005 | 1,055 | +5.0% |
| Median household income | $49,904 | $52,750 | +5.7% |
| Median home value | $168,100 | $189,700 | +12.8% |
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: 37 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Athens Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Marathon County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wausau | 39,996 | $64,389 | 14.6% | $167,900 |
| Marshfield | 18,700 | $58,407 | 11.6% | $177,800 |
| Weston | 15,749 | $78,207 | 5.5% | $229,300 |
| Kronenwetter | 8,395 | $115,044 | 6.7% | $273,300 |
| Rib Mountain | 7,289 | $94,294 | 3.6% | $255,900 |
| Rothschild | 5,600 | $88,261 | 8.5% | $203,600 |
| Mosinee | 4,498 | $73,479 | 9.3% | $156,100 |
| Maine | 2,602 | $110,721 | 2.8% | $277,500 |
| Schofield | 2,120 | $65,583 | 8.0% | $154,000 |
| Abbotsford | 2,024 | $68,580 | 9.5% | $151,500 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wittenberg | 1,027 | $52,821 | $138,500 | 16.0% | 8.2% |
| Green Lake | 1,076 | $55,970 | $218,200 | 32.5% | 11.6% |
| Frederic | 1,140 | $52,800 | $153,500 | 16.2% | 16.0% |
| Crivitz | 993 | $55,250 | $167,100 | 16.0% | 14.7% |
| Boyceville | 1,083 | $59,464 | $163,700 | 9.3% | 16.3% |
Population Overview
Athens is a small community located in Wisconsin, within Marathon County. The total population is 1,055. It ranks as the 389th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Athens is 44.2 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 13.1% 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 $52,750. This is 32% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.6%. This is 39% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 2.3%. This is 30% lower than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $189,700. Housing costs are 29% lower than the state median of $266,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 64.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Athens has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.5%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
12.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 64% lower than the state rate of 33.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Athens, Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Wisconsin city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Athens, Wisconsin?
Athens, Wisconsin has a population of 1,055 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Athens, WI?
The median household income in Athens is $52,750, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Athens, WI?
The poverty rate in Athens is 14.6%. This means approximately 154 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Athens, Wisconsin?
Athens's population is 92.3% White, 1.3% Black, 4.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Athens, WI?
The median home value in Athens is $189,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Athens, Wisconsin?
12.0% of adults (25+) in Athens hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.