City · Texas
Athens, Texas
Athens, city, in Henderson County, Texas. Athens had 13,870 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 7.9% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 12,857 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 13,200 (±28). GEOID 4804504.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
13,870
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 12,857 · ACS 2020-2024: 13,200 ±28
Median household income
$67,984
±$17,249 (90% margin)
Texas: $78,476
Median home value
$210,800
±$13,667 (90% margin)
Texas: $283,800
Median gross rent
$1,112
±$120 (90% margin)
Texas: $1,403
Where is Athens and what county is it in?
Athens is a city in Henderson County, Texas. It covers 17.8 square miles of land, 720 residents per square mile in 2020.
Athens is in the Athens, TX micropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Athens, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 13,870 people lived in Athens on July 1, 2025, up 7.9% since 2020, slower than Texas (+8.8%). The 2020 Census counted 12,857 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 13,200 (±28).
| Measure | Athens | Henderson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 13,200 ±28 | 84,862 | +536 |
| Households | 4,698 ±320 | 33,575 | +832 |
| Average household size | 2.56 ±0.17 | 2.49 | −0.45 |
| Housing units | 5,408 ±339 | 41,852 | +860 |
Athens's population since 2000
From 11,297 in 2000 to 13,870 in 2025: up 22.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Athens as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Athens?
The median resident of Athens is 34.2 years old; 22.8% are under 18 and 19.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 48.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 31.8%. 12.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Athens | Henderson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.2 ±4.2 | 43.8 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.8% ±2.3 pts | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.4% ±2.3 pts | 22.5% | – |
| Male | 46.5% ±3.1 pts | 49.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 31.8% ±4.0 pts | 14.8% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 48.3% ±3.7 pts | 73.9% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 13.1% ±3.0 pts | 5.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.9% ±2.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.8% ±1.9 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 12.0% ±2.9 pts | 5.5% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 29.3% ±5.0 pts | 10.9% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.3% ±2.0 pts | 8.5% | – |
| With a disability | 15.4% ±3.1 pts | 18.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 24.1% ±4.0 pts | 16.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 83.9% ±3.5 pts | 88.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.3% ±4.0 pts | 20.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.1% ±2.5 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 82.1% ±3.8 pts | 86.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.6% ±0.9 pts | 1.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Athens earn?
Half of Athens's 4,698 households earn less than $67,984 a year (±$17,249), against $65,179 in Henderson County and $78,476 in Texas. In 2015-2019 the median was $46,950 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $21,034 after inflation. 12.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Athens | Henderson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $67,984 ±$17,249 | $65,179 | +$21,034 |
| Mean household income | $80,798 ±$8,628 | $86,325 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,150 ±$3,197 | $34,448 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.7% ±4.0 pts | 14.7% | −17.5 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.8% ±9.1 pts | 20.7% | −30.1 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 15.9% ±4.0 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 89.9% ±3.6 pts | 94.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 81.9% ±5.2 pts | 86.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Athens?
Owners occupy 57.7% of Athens's occupied homes and renters 42.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $210,800 by its owner (±$13,667). The median renter pays $1,112 a month including utilities, and 43.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Athens | Henderson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $210,800 ±$13,667 | $211,300 | +$103,483 |
| Median gross rent | $1,112 ±$120 | $1,048 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 43.9% ±10.4 pts | 44.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,551 ±$128 | $1,573 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 57.7% ±5.3 pts | 77.8% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 42.3% ±5.3 pts | 22.2% | – |
| Housing units | 5,408 ±339 | 41,852 | +860 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±1.8 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 12.5% ±6.7 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 61.1% ±5.6 pts | 64.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 8.0% ±3.1 pts | 25.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±0.9 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 7.8% ±2.8 pts | 13.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.4% ±3.4 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 12.2% ±4.2 pts | 4.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Athens building?
Builders took permits for 22 new housing units in Athens in 2025 (16 in single-family houses), 1.6 per 1,000 residents against 6.6 across Texas.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Athens work and get to work?
80.5% of Athens's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 20.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.3%.
| Measure | Athens | Henderson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.6% ±3.9 pts | 54.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3% ±1.8 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 80.5% ±5.5 pts | 76.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.9% ±4.8 pts | 11.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1% ±0.3 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Walked | 2.5% ±2.0 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.1% ±2.1 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.7 min ±3.1 | 29.1 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Athens?
3 census tracts lie mostly in Athens, and 4 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $32,941 (Tract 9512.02) to $86,395 (Tract 9512.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9513Henderson County | 6,306 | $80,868 |
| Tract 9512.01Henderson County | 3,906 | $86,395 |
| Tract 9512.02Henderson County | 2,364 | $32,941 |
| Tract 9503.03Henderson County | 2,106 | $73,144 |
| Tract 9504Henderson County | 4,845 | $80,091 |
| Tract 9503.01Henderson County | 3,625 | $58,462 |
| Tract 9503.02Henderson County | 2,241 | $42,250 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Athens) · Census block assignment files
How does Athens compare with other places in Texas?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Athens is the 2,543rd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 204th-most populous of 1,224 in Texas.
Athens ranks 461st of 933 places in Texas with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 204th | 1,224 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 287th | 784 |
| Residents per square mile | 699th | 979 |
| Median household income | 461st | 933 |
| Per capita income | 548th | 978 |
| Median home value | 453rd | 950 |
| Median gross rent | 432nd | 852 |
| Poverty rate | 448th | 716 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 445th | 877 |
| Median age | 652nd | 973 |
| Owner-occupied share | 810th | 973 |
| Travel time to work | 749th | 976 |
Athens's figures with every place in Texas (CSV)
Every place in Texas, sortable · Compare Athens with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Athens?
9 of the 57 figures for Athens on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Athens are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Athens.