Athens Population

1850–2026

35,936

2026 projection

41.4% since 2020 (increase)

010K20K30K40K186018801900192019401960198020002020

Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts and annual estimates, including 2010–2020 intercensal estimates. 2026 is a projection. Values between recorded years are interpolated.

Use the left and right arrow keys to inspect population observations.

Population by year

Population estimates for Athens. Annual change is shown as a percentage. Growth is the total change since the preceding observation.
202635,936+1,7275.05%
202534,209+1,5824.85%
202432,627+1,6725.40%
202330,955+2,3048.04%
202228,651+1,5935.89%
202127,058+1,6526.50%
202025,406+7172.90%
201924,689+6652.77%
201824,024+4301.82%
201723,594+1500.64%

Showing 10 of 32 years.

The 2020 row compares the April 1 Census count with the July 1, 2019 estimate (about nine months). Its Growth and Annual change therefore do not represent a full year.

Growth since 2020, compared

Athens is growing faster than Limestone County, Alabama, and the U.S.

  • Athens+33.0%
  • Limestone County+18.0%
  • Alabama+3.2%
  • United States+3.1%

Change from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2025 population estimates—not annualized growth or site projections.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau. U.S. totals are summed from the 50 states and D.C.; unavailable comparisons are omitted.

Athens Demographics

40.9median age

Median age

Female42.6 yrs
Male39.4 yrs

Adults

23,138
5,066 seniors (65+) · 22% of adults18,072 other adults

Sex

Female 52.8% · 15,305Male 47.2% · 13,697

Population by age

MaleFemale85+ years, male: 22185+ years, female: 30780–84 years, male: 26380–84 years, female: 51875–79 years, male: 32075–79 years, female: 54970–74 years, male: 57570–74 years, female: 90165–69 years, male: 34165–69 years, female: 1,07160–64 years, male: 98060–64 years, female: 98755–59 years, male: 1,04655–59 years, female: 95950–54 years, male: 69350–54 years, female: 84045–49 years, male: 1,05145–49 years, female: 93840–44 years, male: 1,18040–44 years, female: 1,06535–39 years, male: 81435–39 years, female: 89630–34 years, male: 1,08530–34 years, female: 1,23825–29 years, male: 1,09625–29 years, female: 91620–24 years, male: 95220–24 years, female: 81315–19 years, male: 62815–19 years, female: 84310–14 years, male: 63510–14 years, female: 1,0295–9 years, male: 1,0365–9 years, female: 7510–4 years, male: 7810–4 years, female: 68485+80–8475–7970–7465–6960–6455–5950–5445–4940–4435–3930–3425–2920–2415–1910–145–90–45005001K1K

Hover or tap an age group to see exact counts. Use the up and down arrow keys to inspect age groups.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S0101

Race and ethnicity

Tap a square or a group below to highlight it.

Each square is about 1% of residents (roughly 290 people).

Hispanic or Latino residents can be of any race. All other groups exclude Hispanic residents.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table B03002

Athens Income

$69,922median household income

Median household income

$69,922

Half of households earn more, half earn less

Median earnings

$47,616

Typical yearly pay for a worker 25 or older.

Poverty rate

12.2%

About 1 in 8 residents

U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Tables S1901, S1501, S1701

Athens Marital Status

50% of residents age 15 and older are married.

MarriedNever married
Overall
Male
Female
Marital status of residents age 15 and older
StatusOverallMaleFemale
Married50%52%48%
Never married30%34%27%
Divorced13%11%15%
Widowed6%2%10%
Separated<1%<1%<1%

U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S1201

Sources

14 sources

Population

American Community Survey, 2024 5-year

Additional sources