Athens, Ohio Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Athens, Ohio is 23,211 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 73rd-largest city in Ohio. The median household income is $37,059, the median home value is $242,200, and the median age is 21.8.
The population has grown 2.3% since 2010 (24,266 → 24,824).
23,211
Population
2334
People / sq mi
$37,059
Median Income
$242,200
Median Home Value
Athens covers 9.9 sq mi of land at 2334 people per square mile.
About Athens, OH
Athens is a city in Ohio with a population of 23,211. It ranks #73 among cities in Ohio by population. The median age is 21.8, younger than the national median. The population is 50.2% male and 49.8% female.
The median household income in Athens is $37,059, below the US median of $74,580. 10.8% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $242,200, with monthly rent averaging $1,029. The homeownership rate of 33.9% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Athens reflects 67.1% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 18.0% of workers primarily work from home, noticeably above the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 16.4 minutes each way.
Athens city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Athens city had a population of 24,266 in 2010 and 24,824 in 2024, a 2.3% growth over 14 years. The peak was 25,245 in 2016. Average annual growth rate: 0.30%.
24,824
Population (2024)
24,266
Population (2010)
25,245
Peak (2016)
0.30%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 24,266 |
| 2011 | 24,161 |
| 2012 | 23,904 |
| 2013 | 23,684 |
| 2014 | 23,878 |
| 2015 | 24,858 |
| 2016 | 25,245 |
| 2017 | 25,189 |
| 2018 | 24,594 |
| 2019 | 24,536 |
| 2020 | 23,821 |
| 2021 | 20,700 |
| 2022 | 22,758 |
| 2023 | 24,751 |
| 2024 | 24,824 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 83.7% |
| Black or African American | 4.3% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.9% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$37,059
Median Household Income
$24,562
Per Capita Income
10.8%
Poverty Rate
4.6%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$242,200
Median Home Value
$1,029
Median Rent
33.9%
Owner-Occupied
Education
95.6%
High School+
67.1%
Bachelor's+
Commute
1.9%
Drive Alone
46.7%
Public Transit
18.0%
Work From Home
16.4 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
28.3%
Foreign Born
90.1%
Non-English at Home
3.5%
Veterans
12.2%
With Disability
95.6%
Health Insurance
97.4%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 38.8% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 27.0% |
| Manufacturing | 6.2% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 6.0% |
| Retail Trade | 2.1% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 2.0% |
| Information | 2.0% |
| Public Administration | 1.9% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.3% |
| Construction | 1.1% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.2% |
Largest cities in Ohio
Largest counties in Ohio
Part of Ohio
Metro areas in Ohio
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Athens, Ohio has a population of 23,211 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 73rd-largest city in Ohio.
The median household income in Athens, Ohio is $37,059, with 10.8% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Athens, Ohio is $242,200, with median monthly rent at $1,029 and a homeownership rate of 33.9%.
The median age in Athens, Ohio is 21.8 years. The population is 50.2% male and 49.8% female.
The population has grown 2.3% since 2010 (24,266 → 24,824).
More from Ohio
Population 906,480
Population 367,523
Population 309,595
Population 268,461
Population 189,526
Full rankings of Ohio cities by population
Statewide data for Ohio
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Ohio
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.