Population 11,558 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Athol
Household size in Athol
| Period | Athol | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.50 | 2.59 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.44 | 2.62 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.51 | 2.59 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.57 | 2.56 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.08 | −0.03 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
At 2.57 people per household, Athol sits close to the national average of 2.65. Household size has crept up from 2.50 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the center.
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 Athol
| Period | Athol | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.8 | 39.1 | 39.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.5 | 39.8 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 43.2 | 40.8 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 40.9 | 41.1 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.1 | +2.0 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
At 40.9, the median age in Athol is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 39.8, in line with the national trend. Residents skew youngest in the center and oldest in the southeast.
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 Athol
| Period | Athol | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.1% | 10.8% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.4% | 11.3% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.4% | 10.3% | 10.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 13.2% | 11.7% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.1 pts | +0.9 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in eight households in Athol (13.2%), a bit above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has risen 2.1 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Athol has a higher share of single-parent households than the great majority of Massachusetts cities.
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 Athol
Renters in Athol
| Period | Athol | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.4% | 32.4% | 36.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 29.1% | 34.8% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 28.4% | 34.9% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 27.5% | 34.2% | 37.5% | 34.8% |
| Change | +6.1 pts | +1.9 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Athol own their homes; 27.5% rent, below the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 28.1% have no mortgage at all, well below the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the west; owners are most common in the southeast. The renter share is up 6.1 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Athol
| Period | Athol | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.6% | 9.2% | 9.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.1% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.5% | 8.5% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.4% | 6.8% | 7.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | −5.2 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
About as many homes sit empty in Athol as nationally: 9.4%, against 9.6%. The rate is higher than in the Worcester area as a whole (6.8%). Vacancy has fallen 5.2 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Athol
| Period | Athol | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1949 | 1961 | 1958 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1952 | 1962 | 1959 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1949 | 1964 | 1961 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1955 | 1965 | 1963 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Athol is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1955, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1949 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Athol has older homes than the great majority of Massachusetts cities.
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 Athol
| Period | Athol | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $817 | $930 | $1,085 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $752 | $1,008 | $1,157 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $949 | $1,155 | $1,398 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,179 | $1,549 | $1,860 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$362 | +$619 | +$775 | +$606 |
The median renter in Athol pays $1,179 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $362 a month from 2006–10, a 44% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 34.9% 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 east; the highest are in the center.
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 Athol
Bachelor's degrees in Athol
| Period | Athol | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.6% | 33.1% | 38.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.8% | 34.5% | 40.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 18.8% | 36.5% | 43.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 20.9% | 39.8% | 47.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.3 pts | +6.7 pts | +8.7 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Athol: 20.9% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 7.3 points, mirroring the country. Of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people, only six have a lower share of college graduates.
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 Athol
| Period | Athol | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 84.3% | 88.4% | 88.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 84.4% | 89.4% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.6% | 90.5% | 90.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 87.6% | 90.9% | 91.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.3 pts | +2.5 pts | +2.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in eight adults in Athol never finished high school, a bit more than nationally: 87.6% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma has risen 3.3 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only 24 of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people have a lower share of high school graduates.
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 Athol
| Period | Athol | Worcester area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.2% | 7.7% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 15.3% | 8.8% | 8.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.8% | 5.1% | 5.0% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.7% | 5.3% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | −2.4 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Athol: 7.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people, only 13 have higher unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 2.5 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).
Athol 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athol | 2.57 | 40.9 | 13.2% | 27.5% | 9.4% | 1955 | $1,179 | 20.9% | 87.6% | 7.7% |
| Packard Heights | 2.36 | 46.7 | 9.6% | 20.2% | 10.7% | 1962 | $989 | 24.9% | 93.1% | 5.1% |
| North Orange | 2.75 | 43.6 | 18.7% | 10.1% | 5.8% | 1975 | $967 | 21.2% | 96.4% | 3.8% |
| Orange | 2.58 | 43.9 | 13.7% | 29.7% | 11.8% | 1963 | $843 | 16.0% | 92.5% | 8.1% |
| Phillipston Four Corners | 2.78 | 48.8 | 5.9% | 7.6% | 20.2% | 1984 | $1,375 | 25.4% | 92.4% | 9.8% |
| South Athol | 2.47 | 53.5 | 6.1% | 7.3% | 11.8% | 1973 | $1,212 | 31.1% | 93.6% | 2.8% |
| Phillipston | 2.70 | 50.5 | 5.8% | 7.2% | 18.1% | 1979 | $1,445 | 29.3% | 93.7% | 8.6% |
| Royalston | 2.77 | 47.8 | 9.2% | 4.4% | 15.2% | 1979 | $1,644 | 28.3% | 86.3% | 5.4% |
| Petersham | 2.42 | 56.3 | 5.7% | 6.0% | 10.7% | 1963 | $1,652 | 42.4% | 97.7% | 4.1% |
| Baldwinville | 2.59 | 41.8 | 17.6% | 19.0% | 4.9% | 1956 | $924 | 19.3% | 84.1% | 12.1% |
| Warwick | 2.32 | 47.4 | 1.5% | 12.4% | 12.1% | 1973 | $1,300 | 35.4% | 95.4% | 8.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Ellettsville, IN · St. Marys, OH · St. Louis, MI · St. Clair, MO · East Grand Forks, MN · Eastman, GA · South Park Township, PA · South Haven, MI · Elizabeth, CO · Sweetwater, TX
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 Athol. 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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