Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Athens, TX Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

23,396

Median Agei

21.6

Race & Ethnicityi

White

81.6%19,081

Two or More

7.2%1,687

Hispanic/Latino

4.2%978

Black

3.7%860

Asian

3.2%759

Other

0.1%19

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.1%12

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

3.2%257

High School Diploma

8.8%718

Some College (<1 yr)

3.7%301

Some College (1+ yr)

8.5%692

Associate's Degree

6.4%523

Bachelor's Degree

27.6%2,239

Master's Degree

23.9%1,944

Professional Degree

1.8%147

Doctorate

10.7%872

HS or Higher

94.7%

BA or Higher

64.1%

Graduate+

36.5%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$247,000

Median Renti

$1,011

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

32.6%2,356

Renter-Occupied

67.4%4,882

Total Units

8,221

Homeownership

32.6%

Vacancy Rate

12%

Home Values

Under $50K

2.2%51

$50K–$100K

2.3%55

$100K–$150K

6.7%158

$150K–$200K

21.3%501

$200K–$300K

33.4%786

$300K–$500K

25.7%606

$500K–$1M

7.6%179

$1M+

0.8%20

Rent Distribution

Under $500

444

$500–$750

483

$750–$1,000

1,395

$1,000–$1,250

897

$1,250–$1,500

568

$1,500–$2,000

596

$2,000+

341

Year Built

2010–2019

9.5%784

2000–2009

11.1%914

1990–1999

12.7%1,041

1980–1989

6.2%512

1970–1979

9.9%810

1960–1969

12.5%1,028

1950–1959

10%820

1940–1949

3.7%306

1939 or earlier

24.4%2,006

Heating Fuel

Electricity

50.4%3,649

Utility Gas

47.6%3,443

Bottled/LP Gas

1.4%101

No Fuel

0.4%32

Solar

0.2%13

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$38,204

Mean Household Incomei

$75,103

Per Capita Incomei

$26,028

Poverty Ratei

28.5%

Unemploymenti

8.2%

Labor Forcei

12,914

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

14.2%1,031

$10K–$15K

9.8%707

$15K–$20K

5.4%390

$20K–$25K

7.9%573

$25K–$30K

5.2%373

$30K–$35K

4.1%300

$35K–$40K

4.1%296

$40K–$45K

2.4%171

$45K–$50K

4.3%311

$50K–$60K

5.2%375

$60K–$75K

5.6%402

$75K–$100K

8%579

$100K–$125K

8.2%596

$125K–$150K

3.1%223

$150K–$200K

5.3%386

$200K+

7.3%525

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

466

Residentsi

663

Avg. Tenant Renti

$344/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

15 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing48 homes89% occupied$487/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers117 homes87% occupied$368/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8300 homes89% occupied$311/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $38,204/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $11K/yr

80.8%

Very low income$11K–$19K/yr

18.2%

Low income$19K–$31K/yr

0.5%

Moderate / aboveOver $31K/yr

0.5%

Who Receives This Housing

62.1% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

6.3% of subsidized households are minority

49.8% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

35.2% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

11,247

Avg. Commutei

16.2 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

11,835

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

671(3.1% of civilian adults)