Living in Athens, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Athens · Census data 2020–2024
Athens has 2,102 residents with a median age of 34.7. The median household income is $81,192 (about the same as the Illinois median), the median home value is $164,000, the median rent is $855/month.
Athens at a glance
- Population
- 2,102
- Median age
- 34.7State: 39
- Median household income
- $81,192State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $164,000State: $263,300
- Median rent
- $855/moState: $1,274
- Homeowners
- 72.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24.6%
- Average commute
- 25 min
Is Athens a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 38% lower than the state median; an average commute of 25 minutes; unemployment of 5.7%; a poverty rate of 9.5%.
Cons: Median household income about the same as the Illinois median.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Athens
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Athens the median home value is $164,000, 51% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $855 per month, which is 33.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,404 a month in housing costs.
Athens median household income
The median household income in Athens is $81,192 and the income per person is $35,387. 9.5% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in Athens: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 984
- Owner-occupied
- 72.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 27.6%
- Vacant
- 9.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1980
- Average household size
- 2.36
Athens demographics
- Population
- 2,102
- Median age
- 34.7
- Under 18
- 26.3%
- 65 and older
- 11.3%
- Households
- 891
- Foreign-born
- 1.4%
- Veterans
- 7.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Athens ›
Education in Athens
24.6% of adults 25 and older in Athens have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 8.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Athens
- Unemployment rate
- 5.7%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 25 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 9.6%
- Drive alone
- 76.7%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.2%
Athens vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | 2,102 | $81,192 | $164,000 | $855 |
| Cantrall | 142 | $87,500 | $145,800 | $850 |
| Lake Petersburg | 928 | $144,375 | $338,700 | — |
| Petersburg | 2,341 | $56,458 | $177,700 | $653 |
| Sherman | 4,386 | $148,906 | $297,800 | $2,041 |
| Greenview | 912 | $63,594 | $93,700 | $717 |
| Williamsville | 1,314 | $106,731 | $199,300 | $943 |
| Grandview | 1,243 | $48,819 | $71,500 | $1,069 |
| Tallula | 494 | $69,167 | $94,500 | $1,028 |
More for people moving to Athens
Athens ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Athens: FAQ
What is the median household income in Athens, IL?
The median household income in Athens is $81,192, about the same as the Illinois median of $83,390 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Athens?
The median home value in Athens is $164,000, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
How much is rent in Athens?
The median gross rent in Athens is $855 per month, about 33.6% of household income.
Is Athens, IL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 38% lower than the state median; an average commute of 25 minutes; unemployment of 5.7%; a poverty rate of 9.5%. Minuses: median household income about the same as the Illinois median.
What is the median age in Athens?
The median age in Athens is 34.7 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in Athens?
The average commute to work in Athens is 25 minutes; 9.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Athens?
The unemployment rate in Athens is 5.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Athens?
24.6% of adults in Athens have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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