Living in Athens, Tennessee
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Athens · Census data 2020–2024
Athens has 14,471 residents with a median age of 39. The median household income is $53,929 (23% lower than the Tennessee median), the median home value is $225,000, the median rent is $846/month.
Athens at a glance
- Population
- 14,471
- Median age
- 39State: 38.9
- Median household income
- $53,929State: $69,595
- Median home value
- $225,000State: $286,700
- Median rent
- $846/moState: $1,189
- Homeowners
- 59.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 23.2%
- Average commute
- 22 min
Is Athens a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 22% lower than the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 23% lower than the Tennessee median; unemployment of 6.2%; a poverty rate of 17%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Athens
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Athens the median home value is $225,000, 32% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $846 per month, which is 28.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,256 a month in housing costs.
Athens median household income
The median household income in Athens is $53,929 and the income per person is $31,458. 17% of residents live below the poverty line (Tennessee: 13.8%).
Housing in Athens: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 6,669
- Owner-occupied
- 59.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 40.1%
- Vacant
- 11.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1972
- Average household size
- 2.30
Athens demographics
- Population
- 14,471
- Median age
- 39
- Under 18
- 21.1%
- 65 and older
- 17.9%
- Households
- 5,874
- Foreign-born
- 4%
- Veterans
- 6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Athens ›
Education in Athens
23.2% of adults 25 and older in Athens have a bachelor's degree or higher (Tennessee: 31.1%), and 8.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Athens
- Unemployment rate
- 6.2%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 22 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 4.9%
- Drive alone
- 81.9%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 2.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 92.1%
Athens vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | 14,471 | $53,929 | $225,000 | $846 |
| Niota | 735 | $61,528 | $156,300 | $1,007 |
| Englewood | 1,818 | $51,094 | $140,000 | $763 |
| Riceville | 823 | $51,100 | $286,500 | — |
| Etowah | 3,658 | $39,291 | $190,800 | $741 |
| Decatur | 1,898 | $42,578 | $220,900 | $847 |
| Sweetwater | 6,532 | $45,451 | $178,400 | $619 |
| Calhoun | 546 | $49,028 | $179,700 | $690 |
| Delano | 838 | $121,250 | $163,500 | — |
More for people moving to Athens
Athens ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Athens: FAQ
What is the median household income in Athens, TN?
The median household income in Athens is $53,929, 23% lower than the Tennessee median of $69,595 (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 $225,000, compared with $286,700 in Tennessee.
How much is rent in Athens?
The median gross rent in Athens is $846 per month, about 28.7% of household income.
Is Athens, TN a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 22% lower than the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes. Minuses: median household income 23% lower than the Tennessee median; unemployment of 6.2%; a poverty rate of 17%.
What is the median age in Athens?
The median age in Athens is 39 years (Tennessee: 38.9).
How long is the commute in Athens?
The average commute to work in Athens is 22 minutes; 4.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Athens?
The unemployment rate in Athens is 6.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Athens?
23.2% 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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