Living in Athens, Wisconsin
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Athens · Census data 2020–2024
Athens has 1,055 residents with a median age of 44.2. The median household income is $52,750 (32% lower than the Wisconsin median), the median home value is $189,700, the median rent is $681/month.
Athens is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Athens at a glance
- Population
- 1,055
- Median age
- 44.2State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $52,750State: $77,485
- Median home value
- $189,700State: $266,500
- Median rent
- $681/moState: $1,087
- Homeowners
- 64.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 12%
- Average commute
- 26 min
Is Athens a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 29% lower than the state median; unemployment of 2.3%.
Cons: Median household income 32% lower than the Wisconsin median; an average commute of 26 minutes; a poverty rate of 14.6%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Athens
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Athens the median home value is $189,700, 43% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $681 per month, which is 24% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,426 a month in housing costs.
Athens median household income
The median household income in Athens is $52,750 and the income per person is $33,195. 14.6% of residents live below the poverty line (Wisconsin: 10.6%).
Housing in Athens: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 530
- Owner-occupied
- 64.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 35.1%
- Vacant
- 15.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1966
- Average household size
- 2.36
Athens demographics
- Population
- 1,055
- Median age
- 44.2
- Under 18
- 22%
- 65 and older
- 18%
- Households
- 447
- Foreign-born
- 1.2%
- Veterans
- 8.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Athens ›
Education in Athens
12% of adults 25 and older in Athens have a bachelor's degree or higher (Wisconsin: 33.4%), and 4.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Athens
- Unemployment rate
- 2.3%State: 3.2%
- Average commute
- 26 minState: 22 min
- Work from home
- 6.7%
- Drive alone
- 75.4%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 80.8%
Athens vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | 1,055 | $52,750 | $189,700 | $681 |
| Edgar | 1,409 | $63,482 | $180,200 | $813 |
| Stetsonville | 575 | $54,756 | $182,500 | $446 |
| Dorchester | 879 | $60,536 | $156,000 | $837 |
| Marathon City | 1,422 | $89,519 | $198,200 | $853 |
| Abbotsford | 2,024 | $68,580 | $151,500 | $888 |
| Colby | 1,907 | $50,114 | $184,700 | $854 |
| Medford | 4,431 | $59,842 | $186,600 | $846 |
| Stratford | 1,438 | $66,739 | $200,700 | $783 |
More for people moving to Athens
Athens ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Athens: FAQ
What is the median household income in Athens, WI?
The median household income in Athens is $52,750, 32% lower than the Wisconsin median of $77,485 (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 $189,700, compared with $266,500 in Wisconsin.
How much is rent in Athens?
The median gross rent in Athens is $681 per month, about 24% of household income.
Is Athens, WI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 29% lower than the state median; unemployment of 2.3%. Minuses: median household income 32% lower than the Wisconsin median; an average commute of 26 minutes; a poverty rate of 14.6%.
What is the median age in Athens?
The median age in Athens is 44.2 years (Wisconsin: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Athens?
The average commute to work in Athens is 26 minutes; 6.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Athens?
The unemployment rate in Athens is 2.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Athens?
12% 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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