Population 61,737 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Athens County: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Athens County
Household size in Athens County
| Period | Athens County | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.42 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.42 | 2.51 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.50 | 2.47 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.41 | 2.46 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.01 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
The average household in Athens County has 2.41 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. That is in line with the rest of Ohio. Households are largest in the southeast and smallest in the west.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Athens County
| Period | Athens County | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.4 | 39.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 34.1 | 40.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 35.9 | 40.7 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 37.2 | 40.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.9 | +1.8 | +2.3 |
Athens County is younger than the country as a whole: its median age is 37.2, against 40.1 nationally. The median age has climbed from 32.4 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Few Ohio counties are younger: only two of 88.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Athens County
| Period | Athens County | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.4% | 11.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.9% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.0% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.0 pts | −0.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Athens County: 7.0% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 2.0 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of Ohio's 88 counties, only five have a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Athens County
Renters in Athens County
| Period | Athens County | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.4% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 43.5% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 42.2% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 39.6% | 32.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.8 pts | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
About four in ten households in Athens County rent their homes (39.6%), a bit above the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 55.6% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 1.8 points, even as the national share rose. Of Ohio's 88 counties, only three have a higher share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Athens County
| Period | Athens County | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.0% | 10.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.5% | 10.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 18.4% | 10.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 13.9% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.1 pts | −2.2 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Athens County: 13.9% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has fallen 2.1 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Athens County
| Period | Athens County | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1973 | 1968 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1972 | 1969 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1975 | 1970 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1975 | 1972 | 1980 |
| Change | +1 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in Athens County run a bit older than the national norm, with a median build year of 1975 against 1980. That is in line with the rest of Ohio. The newest homes are mostly in the west, the oldest in the north.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Athens County
| Period | Athens County | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $677 | $765 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $714 | $814 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $809 | $901 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,004 | $1,142 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$327 | +$377 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Athens County costs $1,004 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $327 a month since 2006–10, up 48%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 33.3% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the north; the highest are in the southeast.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Athens County
Bachelor's degrees in Athens County
| Period | Athens County | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.2% | 25.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 34.2% | 26.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 35.4% | 28.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 35.7% | 31.9% | 35.6% |
| Change | +1.5 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are about as common in Athens County as nationally: 35.7% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share is higher than in Ohio as a whole (31.9%). The share with a degree has edged up 1.5 points since 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Athens County
| Period | Athens County | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 86.3% | 87.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 90.5% | 88.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.6% | 90.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 91.8% | 91.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.5 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Athens County is a bit above the national rate: 91.8% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Ohio as a whole looks much the same. The share with a diploma has risen 5.5 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Athens County
| Period | Athens County | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.4% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.7% | 9.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.6% | 5.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.8% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.6 pts | −3.8 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment runs high in Athens County: 6.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Of Ohio's 88 counties, only two have higher unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 4.6 points, as it has nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Athens County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens County | 2.41 | 37.2 | 7.0% | 39.6% | 13.9% | 1975 | $1,004 | 35.7% | 91.8% | 6.8% |
| Vinton County | 2.39 | 43.4 | 9.1% | 24.5% | 11.5% | 1984 | $805 | 12.9% | 83.9% | 5.3% |
| Wood County | 2.34 | 43.9 | 10.0% | 24.9% | 11.4% | 1970 | $854 | 24.2% | 91.4% | 5.4% |
| Washington County | 2.37 | 44.6 | 11.1% | 24.6% | 11.2% | 1970 | $854 | 22.2% | 93.9% | 4.8% |
| Pleasants County | 2.58 | 43.5 | 10.1% | 18.6% | 13.9% | 1979 | $686 | 14.5% | 89.9% | 9.5% |
| Ross County | 2.43 | 41.4 | 12.3% | 30.4% | 8.9% | 1975 | $914 | 17.6% | 89.2% | 3.9% |
| Ritchie County | 2.46 | 45.0 | 7.7% | 15.8% | 18.4% | 1977 | $628 | 15.0% | 85.5% | 2.0% |
| Doddridge County | 2.55 | 47.0 | 12.8% | 11.2% | 19.8% | 1976 | $862 | 13.8% | 85.1% | 7.5% |
| Highland County | 2.57 | 41.3 | 10.2% | 25.7% | 11.8% | 1979 | $814 | 16.5% | 87.9% | 3.2% |
| Clinton County | 2.46 | 40.9 | 9.5% | 28.2% | 8.1% | 1976 | $987 | 19.4% | 91.9% | 4.2% |
| Harrison County | 2.47 | 43.1 | 8.7% | 26.4% | 13.2% | 1966 | $922 | 27.6% | 90.0% | 4.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: San Benito County, CA · Cherokee County, SC · Carteret County, NC · Gila County, AZ · Madison County, ID · Elko County, NV · Montcalm County, MI · Pender County, NC · Box Elder County, UT · Rutland County, VT
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Athens County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.