Athens, AL

Census Place

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2024 Population
29,002
US Senator
Tommy Tuberville
Republican Party
US Senator
Katie Britt
Republican Party
2024 Median Age
40.9
1.68% 1-year decrease
2024 Poverty Rate
12.2%
9.87% 1-year decrease
2024 Median Household Income
$69,922
7.57% 1-year growth
2024 Median Property Value
$270,000
6.42% 1-year growth
2024 Employed Population
13,799
8.43% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Athens, AL reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

96.2% of the residents in Athens, AL are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Athens, AL are Athens State University (845 degrees awarded in 2023).

In 2024, the median property value in Athens, AL was $270,000, and the homeownership rate was 64%.

Most people in Athens, AL drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Athens, AL was 2 cars per household.

United StatesAlabamaLimestone County, ALHuntsville, ALLimestone County PUMA, AL

Population & Diversity

Athens, AL is home to a population of 29k people, from which 96.2% are citizens. As of 2024, 5.75% of Athens, AL residents were born outside of the country (1.67k people).

In 2024, there were 4.12 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (20k people) in Athens, AL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 4.87k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 983 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

96.2%
2024 Citizenship
97%
2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 96.2% of Athens, AL residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Athens, AL was 97%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Athens, AL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Athens, AL
  1. White (Non-Hispanic)
    20k ± 852
  2. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
    4.87k ± 724
  3. Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
    983 ± 338
8.6%
Hispanic Population
2.5k people

In 2024, there were 4.12 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (20k people) in Athens, AL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 4.87k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 983 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

8.6% of the people in Athens, AL are hispanic (2.5k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Athens, AL as a share of the total population.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Alabama.
Most Common Origin
  1. Mexico
    52,201 ± 5,580 people
  2. Guatemala
    19,759 ± 3,444 people
  3. Korea
    10,633 ± 2,529 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Alabama was Mexico, the natal country of 52,201 Alabama residents, followed by Guatemala with 19,759 and Korea with 10,633.

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Foreign-Born Population

5.75%
2024 Foreign-Born Population
1.67k people
5.25%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
1.44k people

As of 2024, 5.75% of Athens, AL residents (1.67k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Athens, AL was 5.25%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Athens, AL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Gulf War (2001-)
    658 ± 190
  2. Vietnam
    406 ± 134
  3. Gulf War (1990s)
    267 ± 171

Athens, AL has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.62 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Athens, AL.

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Economy

The economy of Athens, AL employs 13.8k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Athens, AL were Manufacturing (2,675 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (1,562 people), and Retail Trade (1,356 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($120,530), Wholesale Trade ($109,881), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($89,044).

Employment

Occupations

13.8k
2024 Value
± 1,077
8.43%
1 Year growth
± 10.3%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Athens, AL grew at a rate of 8.43%, from 12.7k employees to 13.8k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Athens, AL, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,515 people), Sales & Related Occupations (1,462 people), and Production Occupations (1,386 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Athens, AL.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Alabama.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Alabama (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

13.8k
2024 Value
± 1,077
8.43%
1 Year growth
± 10.3%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Athens, AL grew at a rate of 8.43%, from 12.7k employees to 13.8k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Athens, AL, are Manufacturing (2,675 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (1,562 people), and Retail Trade (1,356 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Athens, AL, though some of these residents may live in Athens, AL and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$50,486
Median earning men ± $5,249
$41,070
Median earning women ± $2,703

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($124,840), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($120,305), and Wholesale Trade ($109,643).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Wholesale Trade ($157,700), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($70,938), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($61,229).

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Alabama.
Y-Axis
2.1%
Year-over-year growth
Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 2.13M people employed in Alabama. This represents a 2.1% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 11.2%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Alabama.

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Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Alabama went to Donald J. Trump with 64.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (34.1%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.533%).

Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt are the senators currently representing the state of Alabama. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Alabama is currently represented by 7 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Voting results are not available for Athens, AL. Showing the available data for Alabama.
2024 Election Results
  1. Donald J. Trump (64.6%)
    Republican Party
  2. Kamala Harris (34.1%)
    Democratic Party
  3. Robert Kennedy (0.533%)
    Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Alabama went to Donald J. Trump with 64.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (34.1%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.533%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Alabama for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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Senator Elections

US Senators from Alabama

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Alabama.
Tommy Tuberville
Senator from Alabama2
Assumed office on January 3, 2021
Katie Britt
Senator from Alabama3
Assumed office on January 3, 2023

Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt are the senators currently representing Alabama.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Alabama over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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Education

In 2023, universities in Athens, AL awarded 845 degrees. The student population of Athens, AL in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 900 male students and 2,055 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Athens, AL are White (613 and 72.9%), Black or African American (137 and 16.3%), Hispanic or Latino (38 and 4.52%), and Two or More Races (22 and 2.62%).

The largest universities in Athens, AL by number of degrees awarded are Athens State University (845 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Athens, AL are Elementary Education & Teaching (85 and 10.1%), General Business Administration & Management (79 and 9.35%), and Liberal Arts & Sciences (68 and 8.05%).

The median tuition cost in Athens, AL for a public four year colleges is $7,530 for in-state students and $15,060 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2023 there were 2,955 students enrolled in Athens, AL, 30.5% men and 69.5% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 2,128 records, of which 69.4% were women and 30.6% men.

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Completions

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. Elementary Education & Teaching
    85 degrees awarded
  2. General Business Administration & Management
    78 degrees awarded
  3. Liberal Arts & Sciences
    68 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Athens, AL was Elementary Education & Teaching with 85 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Athens, AL according to their major.

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Universities

Gender
Race
Athens State University
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
845 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Athens State University with 845 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

In 2023, 256 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Athens, AL, which is 0.435 times less than the 589 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 613 degrees mean that there were 4.47 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 137 degrees awarded.

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Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 4-year or above ($7,530) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($2,310) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Athens, AL was $270,000 in 2024, which is 0.812 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $253,700 to $270,000, a 6.42% increase. The homeownership rate in Athens, AL is 64%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Athens, AL have an average commute time of 24.6 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Athens, AL is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$270,000
Median Property Value 2024
±$18,606
$7,202
Median Property Taxes
±$693

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Athens, AL the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Athens, AL compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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Rent vs Own

64%
Homeownership
2024
65.9%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2024

In 2024, 64% of the housing units in Athens, AL were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 63.3%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Athens, AL compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$69,922
Median Household Income
± $8,296
11.3k
Number of Households
± 871

In 2024, the median household income of the 11.3k households in Athens, AL grew to $69,922 from the previous year's value of $65,000.

The following chart displays the households in Athens, AL distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Athens, AL is from Alabama.
0.456
2023 Wage GINI in Alabama
0.458
2022 Wage GINI in Alabama

In 2023, the income inequality in Alabama was 0.456 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.523% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Alabama was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Alabama in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Alabama across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024
  1. Drove Alone (82.3%)
  2. Worked At Home (8.18%)
  3. Carpooled (7.18%)

In 2024, 82.3% of workers in Athens, AL drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (8.18%) and those who carpooled to work (7.18%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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Commute Time

24.6 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Athens, AL have a shorter commute time (24.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.87% of the workforce in Athens, AL have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Athens, AL compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Car Ownership

2 cars
Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Athens, AL distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Athens, AL have 2 cars.

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Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

12.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Athens, AL (3.46k out of 28.4k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 6 - 11, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Females 35 - 44.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Athens, AL is White, followed by Hispanic and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Health

89.6% of the population of Athens, AL has health coverage, with 52.4% on employee plans, 12.5% on Medicaid, 12.7% on Medicare, 11.1% on non-group plans, and 0.814% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Alabama see 1,571 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,571 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2016 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 684 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.3% were men and 52.7% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.5% under 18 years, 22.4% between 18 and 34 years, 39.6% between 35 and 64 years, and 16.6% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.3% were men and 52.7% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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Uninsured People

10.4%
Uninsured
52.4%
Employer Coverage
12.5%
Medicaid
12.7%
Medicare
11.1%
Non-Group
0.814%
Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Athens, AL declined by 0.329% from 10.5% to 10.4%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Athens, AL changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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