County · Ohio

Athens County, Ohio

Athens County, Ohio. Athens County had 63,197 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.2% since 2020, in line with Ohio (+0.9%). It holds 29 places (10 cities, villages and boroughs, 14 towns and townships and 5 census-designated) and 15 census tracts. GEOID 39009.

Athens County is the county of the Athens, OH micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).

Residents, July 2025 estimate

63,197

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 62,431 · ACS 2020-2024: 61,737

Median household income

$56,001

±$2,207 (90% margin)
Ohio: $71,389

Median home value

$185,000

±$10,740 (90% margin)
Ohio: $214,800

Median gross rent

$939

±$46 (90% margin)
Ohio: $1,034

How many people live in Athens County, and is it growing?

The 2020 Census counted 62,431 residents in Athens County. The Census Bureau estimates 63,197 for July 1, 2025, up 1.2% since 2020, in line with Ohio (+0.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 61,737 over 504 square miles of land.

July 2020→2021 −3,329 (59,057)
2021→2022 +1,850 (60,907)
2022→2023 +1,838 (62,745)
2023→2024 +335 (63,080)
2024→2025 +117 (63,197)

Athens County in Ohio. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.

Counts, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates, with the change from 2015-2019
Measure	Athens County	Ohio	Change since 2015-2019
Total population	61,737	11,810,293	−4,180
Households	23,014±428	4,863,191	no clear change
Average household size	2.35±0.04	2.37	−0.14
Housing units	26,471±141	5,292,391	no clear change

Athens County's population since 2000

From 62,223 in 2000 to 63,197 in 2025: up 1.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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.

2000 Census 62,223
2005 (estimate) 64,075
2010 Census 64,757
2015 (estimate) 65,949
2020 Census 62,431
2025 (estimate) 63,197

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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov

What cities and towns are in Athens County?

Athens County holds 29 places: 10 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 14 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 5 census-designated places. The largest is Athens Township, Athens County with 31,531 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.

Places in Athens County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Ring: estimate with a coefficient of variation over 40%.

Athens Township, Athens County	township	30,163	29,639±51	$48,696	$232,500	33.0%	100%
Athens	city	23,849	23,396±133	$38,204	$247,000	40.0%	100%
York Township, Athens County	township	6,852	6,794±47	$56,208	$125,100	14.7%	100%
Nelsonville	city	4,612	4,279±439	$49,750	$99,200	16.6%	100%
Trimble Township	township	4,041	4,051±42	$58,063	$85,200	19.2%	100%
Dover Township, Athens County	township	3,387	3,316±37	$55,170	$152,900	20.4%	100%
The Plains	CDP	3,140	2,748±481	$59,688	$233,500	19.0%	100%
Lee Township, Athens County	township	2,837	2,841±28	$81,761	$215,600	7.7%	100%
Alexander Township	township	2,801	2,776±20	$80,956	$186,900	10.1%	100%
Troy Township, Athens County	township	2,490	2,584±437	$56,389	$173,500	10.3%	100%
Waterloo TownshipGEOID 3900981777	township	2,352	1,542±407	$67,188	$143,800	6.1%	100%
Glouster	village	1,659	1,473±254	$38,375	$82,600	28.0%	100%
Canaan Township, Athens County	township	1,586	1,888±338	$57,955	$277,400	14.7%	100%
Carthage Township	township	1,459	1,818±467	$53,670	$135,200	11.4%	100%
Lodi Township	township	1,419	1,325±485	$89,583	$231,500	6.5%	100%
Rome Township, Athens CountyGEOID 3900968238	township	1,251	1,683±452	$55,399	$89,800	10.8%	100%
Ames Township	township	1,237	1,128±329	$83,500	$308,700	12.3%	100%
Chauncey	village	959	655±179	$35,200	$74,400	34.7%	100%
Albany	village	917	1,013±258	$52,070	$145,600	9.3%	100%
Bern TownshipGEOID 3900905942	township	556	352±189	$77,981	$56,200	0.0%	100%
Buchtel	village	518	451±140	$70,000	$150,000	13.8%	94%
Coolville	village	454	664±206	$47,333	$128,600	18.1%	100%
JacksonvilleGEOID 3938304	village	400	344±112	$66,875	$88,100	12.2%	100%
Trimble	village	329	466±188	$47,120	$60,400	17.6%	100%
New MarshfieldGEOID 3955062	CDP	316	187±119	not published	not published	40.6%	100%
MillfieldGEOID 3950456	CDP	311	207±196	$41,601	$76,000	11.1%	100%
StewartGEOID 3974622	CDP	221	479±242	not published	$73,900	0.0%	100%
HockingportGEOID 3935826	CDP	205	107±105	$110,671	$162,800	15.9%	100%
AmesvilleGEOID 3901784	village	171	207±107	$77,500	$145,200	7.2%	100%

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov

Who lives in Athens County?

The median resident of Athens County is 33.2 years old; 14.8% are under 18 and 15.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 88.6%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.6%. 3.7% of residents were born outside the United States.

Age, origin and education, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
Measure	Athens County	Ohio	Change since 2015-2019
Median age	33.2±0.4	39.7	+3.6
Under 18 years	14.8%±0.1 pts	22.0%	–
65 years and over	15.1%±0.2 pts	18.3%	–
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	2.3%	4.8%	+0.4 pts
White alone, not Hispanic	88.6%±0.3 pts	75.8%	−1.0 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic	2.2%±0.3 pts	12.0%	−0.7 pts
Asian alone, not Hispanic	2.0%±0.5 pts	2.5%	no clear change
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic	0.0%±0.1 pts	0.1%	–
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic	0.0%±0.1 pts	0.0%	–
Two or more races, not Hispanic	4.6%±0.6 pts	4.3%	–
Some other race alone, not Hispanic	0.2%±0.1 pts	0.4%	–
Born outside the United States	3.7%±0.5 pts	5.2%	no clear change
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+)	5.8%±0.7 pts	8.0%	–
Civilian veterans (age 18+)	5.9%±0.9 pts	6.6%	–
With a disability	17.9%±1.3 pts	14.4%	–
No health insurance coverage	5.7%±0.8 pts	6.4%	no clear change
High school graduate or higher (age 25+)	91.7%±1.4 pts	91.8%	–
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+)	34.9%±2.1 pts	31.5%	+4.7 pts
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+)	18.6%±1.5 pts	12.2%	–
Moved from another state in the past year	2.6%±0.6 pts	1.6%	–

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 County earn?

Half of Athens County's 23,014 households earn less than $56,001 a year (±$2,207), against $71,389 in Ohio. In 2015-2019 the median was $50,342 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $5,659 after inflation. 21.5% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Athens County	Ohio	Change since 2015-2019
Median household income	$56,001±$2,207	$71,389	+$5,659
Mean household income	$77,790±$4,167	$96,990	–
Per capita income	$30,645±$1,648	$40,552	+$3,521
People below the poverty line	21.5%±1.9 pts	13.3%	−8.7 pts
Children under 18 below the poverty line	13.0%±3.6 pts	17.8%	−16.4 pts
Households receiving SNAP	14.4%±1.9 pts	12.5%	–
Households with a broadband subscription	86.9%±2.3 pts	90.1%	–

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 County?

Owners occupy 60.4% of Athens County's occupied homes and renters 39.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $185,000 by its owner (±$10,740). The median renter pays $939 a month including utilities, and 46.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Athens County	Ohio	Change since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied)	$185,000±$10,740	$214,800	+$25,502
Median gross rent	$939±$46	$1,034	no clear change
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent	46.4%±4.3 pts	37.3%	no clear change
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage	$1,396±$66	$1,517	–
Owner-occupied homes	60.4%±2.3 pts	67.2%	no clear change
Housing units	26,471±141	5,292,391	no clear change
Homeowner vacancy rate	1.6%±1.2 pts	0.8%	–
Rental vacancy rate	7.2%±2.4 pts	4.4%	–
Single-family detached homes	60.4%±2.0 pts	68.8%	–
Mobile homes	12.4%±1.6 pts	3.4%	–
Built 2020 or later	0.9%±0.4 pts	1.1%	–
Built 1939 or earlier	22.5%±1.8 pts	19.0%	–

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 County building?

Builders took permits for 179 new housing units across Athens County in 2025 (11 single-family), 2.8 per 1,000 residents.

2019 10 units
2020 13 units
2021 110 units
2022 90 units
2023 4 units
2024 6 units
2025 179 units

Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey

How do people in Athens County get to work?

65.2% of Athens County's workers drive alone and 13.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.5%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Athens County	Ohio	Change since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+)	57.4%±1.7 pts	63.1%	–
Unemployment rate	6.5%±1.2 pts	4.8%	no clear change
Drove alone to work	65.2%±2.3 pts	75.1%	–
Carpooled	9.7%±1.8 pts	7.5%	–
Public transportation	0.7%±0.4 pts	1.0%	–
Walked	9.9%±1.3 pts	2.0%	–
Worked from home	13.1%±1.7 pts	13.0%	+9.4 pts
Mean travel time to work	24.1 min±2.7	23.4 min	+3.4 min

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 are Athens County's census tracts?

Athens County is divided into 15 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $15,043 (Tract 9739.01) to $77,772 (Tract 9737).

Census tracts of Athens County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; sort by any column

Tract 972639009972600	Glouster (29%)	4,042	3,729±332	$48,438	$91,800	$771	21.8%
Tract 972739009972700	Nelsonville (49%)	3,633	3,768±516	$61,780	$96,700	$868	11.9%
Tract 972839009972800	Nelsonville (47%)	3,815	3,682±329	$43,125	$162,400	$649	18.9%
Tract 972939009972900	The Plains (43%)	5,776	6,185±740	$61,644	$221,700	$961	21.7%
Tract 973039009973000	Athens (98%)	3,707	4,129±585	$57,188	$261,100	$1,175	29.2%
Tract 9731.0139009973101	Athens	4,316	3,942±420	$21,056	$117,400	$844	54.4%
Tract 973239009973200	Athens (26%)	4,581	4,211±625	$51,923	$232,800	$870	27.0%
Tract 973339009973300	Athens (43%)	3,926	3,908±527	$71,023	$249,500	$983	6.0%
Tract 973439009973400	Athens (24%)	3,154	3,166±408	$57,266	$213,100	$853	20.0%
Tract 973539009973500	Amesville (6%)	3,351	3,409±349	$61,264	$108,900	$1,107	11.5%
Tract 973639009973600	Coolville (12%)	3,795	4,259±426	$52,407	$165,700	$1,003	7.1%
Tract 973739009973700	–	3,971	4,149±529	$77,772	$164,500	$955	10.5%
Tract 973839009973800	Albany (18%)	4,925	4,586±393	$74,122	$203,200	$883	7.0%
Tract 9739.0139009973901	Athens (93%)	6,193	5,384±407	$15,043	not published	$1,247	80.0%
Tract 9739.0239009973902	Athens (98%)	3,246	3,230±529	$26,532	$195,600	$961	63.1%

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov

How does Athens County compare with Ohio's other counties?

Athens County's rank among Ohio's counties with a reliable estimate (1 = highest)
Measure	Rank
Population	41st of 88
Growth 2020-2025	23rd of 88
Residents per square mile	42nd of 88
Median household income	81st of 88
Median home value	44th of 88
Median gross rent	25th of 88
Poverty rate	3rd of 88
Bachelor's degree or higher	12th of 88
Median age	87th of 88

Every county in Ohio

Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 County 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' school search.