City profile · West Virginia · Census ACS 2023

Athens, WV

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Athens - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

1,156
Residents
$62,292
Median income
$156,800
Median home
$896
Median rent (state)

Athens - the verdict

Nationally, Athens sits in the 39th percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

39th
percentile, household income
29th
percentile, home value
4th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Athens, WV

Athens is a small town in West Virginia, home to 1,156 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $62,292 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.6%. Home values in Athens run a median of $156,800, and the median resident age is 27.3 years. About 53.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 44.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 0 residential units authorized here in 2024 (No Permits). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 52.2°F.

Living costs in West Virginia run below the national norm: the state registers 89.5 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $896 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $220 across West Virginia, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 65.2 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Moderate).

Population

1,156 residents

Census ACS 2023 - West Virginia

Median Household Income

$62,292 /yr

Poverty 9.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

89.5 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, West Virginia average

How does Athens compare to other US cities?

Athens measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 39% higher than other cities
Home value 29% pricier than other cities
Median rent 4% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Athens against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to West Virginia only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

West Virginia-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher is Athens's strongest outlier among West Virginia cities

Among the 390 West Virginia cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Athens ranks #14 - the 96th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Athens only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#93 of 330
72nd percentile in West Virginia
Median Gross Rent
#243 of 390
35th percentile in West Virginia
Median Home Value
#85 of 337
75th percentile in West Virginia
Poverty Rate
#211 of 389
46th percentile in West Virginia
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#14 of 390
96th percentile in West Virginia

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within West Virginia only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

39thIncome percentile

39th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Athens's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$156,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 71% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Athens $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Athens, WV Athens, WV's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Athens, WV-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Athens, WV median $62,292/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Athens, WV's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Athens, WV. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 53.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 44.1%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
1,156
Median Income
$62,292
Median Home Value
$156,800
Median Age
27.3
Poverty Rate
9.6%
Labor force participation
44.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
53.5%

Climate

Avg Temperature
52.2°F
Annual Precipitation
N/A
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,180 residents1,200 residents1,220 residents1,240 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,220 residents 1,184 residents ▼ -3.0%
Athens's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 0

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
58.9%
Carpool
13.9%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
8.0%
Work from Home
17.0%
Other
2.2%

Based on 411 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for West Virginia - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$110
avg/month
Natural Gas
$72
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$38
avg/month
Total Utilities
$220
estimated/month

Estimates reflect West Virginia state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a West Virginia state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Athens sits in

Cost of Living Index
89.5
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$896/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
65.2 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in West Virginia

Lesage
1,165 people
White Hall
1,141 people
Benwood
1,173 people
Hamlin
1,173 people
Alderson
1,182 people
Washington
1,129 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Athens's 1,156 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Babson Park, FL
1,156 people
St. Ansgar, IA
1,156 people
Concord, MI
1,156 people
New London, MN
1,156 people
Cedar Bluff, VA
1,156 people
Lake Don Pedro, CA
1,157 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Athens's $62,292 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Paton, IA
$62,292 median income
Grantsboro, NC
$62,292 median income
New Washington, OH
$62,292 median income
Chincoteague, VA
$62,292 median income
Candler-McAfee, GA
$62,299 median income
Floyd, VA
$62,283 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Athens, WV Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Athens, WV - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 88.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.6% White 88.0% Black or African American 6.0% Asian 0.9% American Indian 0.7% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 4.4% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Athens compares to nearby West Virginia cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Athens (this city) 1,156 $62,292
Lesage 1,165 $38,944
White Hall 1,141 $72,000
Benwood 1,173 $39,474
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WV NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Athens, WV?

What is the population of Athens, WV? +

Athens, WV counts 1,156 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Athens, WV? +

Athens households earn a median of $62,292 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Athens? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Athens; the closest available measure is the West Virginia state average, a cost of living index of 89.5 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within West Virginia vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Athens, WV? +

Athens's median home value sits at $156,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Athens? +

Climate normals put Athens's yearly average temperature at 52.2°F. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.