Population 1,288 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Athens
Household size in Athens
| Period | Athens | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.40 | 2.44 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.41 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.18 | 2.44 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.23 | 2.43 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.17 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Athens is a place of small households, averaging 2.23 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.40, but in a place this small, much of that may be survey noise rather than real change.
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
| Period | Athens | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.7 | 41.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 29.9 | 42.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 33.0 | 43.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 32.6 | 43.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | −0.1 | +1.9 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 32.6, Athens is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples.
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
| Period | Athens | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.2% | 9.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.2% | 10.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.7% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.1% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.0 pts | +0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 4.1% of households in Athens, well below the national share of 11.6%.
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
Renters in Athens
| Period | Athens | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.2% | 25.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 25.4% | 27.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.5% | 26.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 13.9% | 25.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −17.2 pts | −0.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 13.9% of households in Athens rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. About two-thirds of owners (66.8%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%.
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
| Period | Athens | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.2% | 15.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.5% | 15.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.7% | 16.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 27.5% | 14.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | +12.3 pts | −0.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Athens: 27.5% 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.
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
| Period | Athens | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1971 | 1970 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1980 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1977 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1982 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +10 | +6 | +6 |
Homes in Athens are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1982, versus 1980 nationally. Homes here are newer than in West Virginia as a whole, where the median home dates to 1976.
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
| Period | Athens | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $485 | $578 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $572 | $657 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $676 | $759 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,016 | $905 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$531 | +$327 | +$606 |
The median renter in Athens pays $1,016 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Still, rents here are higher than in West Virginia overall ($905). Rent takes 46.3% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
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
Bachelor's degrees in Athens
| Period | Athens | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.4% | 18.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 29.7% | 19.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 28.6% | 21.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 20.9% | 25.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | −7.5 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Athens: 20.9% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%.
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
| Period | Athens | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 84.2% | 82.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 91.9% | 84.8% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 84.6% | 87.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.9% | 89.4% | 89.3% |
| Change | +9.8 pts | +6.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Athens is above the national rate: 93.9% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%.
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
| Period | Athens | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.6% | 7.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.0% | 8.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.7% | 6.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.5% | 5.5% | 5.4% |
| Change | −7.0 pts | −1.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Athens has been low: just 2.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
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 compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | 2.23 | 32.6 | 4.1% | 13.9% | 27.5% | 1982 | $1,016 | 20.9% | 93.9% | 2.5% |
| Speedway | 2.19 | 32.6 | 4.5% | 11.7% | 24.8% | 1982 | $981 | 19.1% | 91.7% | 1.9% |
| Gardner | 2.53 | 39.0 | 8.2% | 16.2% | 19.7% | 1985 | $932 | 26.8% | 95.4% | 2.7% |
| Spanishburg | 2.63 | 40.2 | 10.6% | 16.0% | 23.4% | 1995 | $866 | 21.7% | 97.5% | 0.0% |
| Lerona | 2.94 | 41.4 | 9.3% | 3.4% | 24.1% | 1988 | $822 | 26.9% | 86.0% | 0.0% |
| Lick Creek | 2.70 | 43.1 | 7.0% | 8.1% | 15.7% | 1984 | $790 | 22.6% | 77.5% | 0.0% |
| Kellysville | 2.70 | 34.9 | 19.5% | 20.6% | 16.5% | 1991 | $874 | 15.9% | 95.5% | 0.0% |
| Princeton | 2.35 | 41.9 | 10.2% | 34.0% | 15.3% | 1972 | $761 | 21.4% | 91.3% | 1.3% |
| Oakvale | 2.40 | 43.9 | 8.3% | 20.1% | 12.4% | 1982 | $760 | 26.2% | 89.0% | 2.4% |
| Camp Creek | 2.98 | 40.1 | 10.7% | 2.3% | 27.1% | 1991 | $823 | 27.7% | 92.5% | 0.0% |
| Lovern | 2.63 | 43.9 | 6.6% | 3.7% | 12.2% | 1983 | $800 | 24.2% | 77.5% | 0.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Stahlstown, PA · Hooper Bay, AK · Wauzeka, WI · Prewitt, NM · Dahlgren, IL · Stockbridge, WI · Standing Rock, NM · Floral, AR · Round Mountain, NV · Riverton, KS
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. 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.
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