Athens, AL Demographics

A map of Athens's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	20,043	17,160	69.1%	67.5%
Black	4,866	4,275	16.8%	16.8%
Hispanic	2,495	2,415	8.6%	9.5%
Multiracial	1,241	1,118	4.3%	4.4%
Asian	308	240	1.1%	0.9%
Native American/Other	49	198	0.2%	0.8%

Athens, Alabama has an estimated population of 29,002, a large increase from the 25,406 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 69.1% White, 16.8% Black, 8.6% Hispanic, 4.3% Multiracial, 1.1% Asian, and 0.2% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Athens, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Athens has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is less diverse than Alabama overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Athens, that probability was 50.4% in 2020 and 48.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Athens is ranked the 21st most populous place in Alabama, out of 594 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Athens was ranked the 24th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Athens's White Population

20,043 residents of Athens, or 69.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Athens is higher than in Alabama overall, where 63.4% of the population is White. Athens ranks 360th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 594 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athens's White population has grown by an estimated 16.8%. White residents' share of Athens's population has increased from 67.5% to 69.1%.

Athens is more White than neighboring Madison (66.1% White), Harvest (53% White), and Decatur (55.6% White). Athens is less White than neighboring Elkmont (87.1% White), and Mooresville (100% White).

Athens's Black Population

4,866 residents of Athens, or 16.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Athens is lower than in Alabama overall, where 25.6% of the population is Black. Athens ranks 264th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 594 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athens's Black population has grown by an estimated 13.8%. Black residents' share of Athens's population has remained roughly unchanged at 16.8%.

Athens is more Black than neighboring Elkmont (8.7% Black), Mooresville (0% Black), and Madison (12.6% Black). Athens is less Black than neighboring Harvest (26.9% Black), and Decatur (23% Black).

Athens's Asian Population

308 residents of Athens, or 1.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Athens is comparable to the share in Alabama overall, where 1.4% of the population is Asian. Athens ranks 106th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 594 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athens's Asian population has grown by an estimated 28.3%. Asian residents' share of Athens's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.1%.

Athens is more Asian than neighboring Mooresville (0% Asian), and Decatur (0.8% Asian). Athens is less Asian than neighboring Madison (7.1% Asian), and Harvest (1.4% Asian).

Athens's Hispanic Population

2,495 residents of Athens, or 8.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Athens is slightly higher than in Alabama overall, where 5.6% of the population is Hispanic. Athens ranks 52nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 594 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athens's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 3.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Athens's population has decreased from 9.5% to 8.6%.

Athens is more Hispanic than neighboring Elkmont (0% Hispanic), Mooresville (0% Hispanic), and Harvest (8% Hispanic). Athens is less Hispanic than neighboring Decatur (16.5% Hispanic).

Athens's Native American/Other Population

49 residents of Athens, or 0.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Athens is comparable to the share in Alabama overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Athens ranks 203rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 594 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athens's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 75.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of Athens's population has decreased from 0.8% to 0.2%.

Athens is more Native American/Other than neighboring Elkmont (0% Native American/Other), Mooresville (0% Native American/Other), and Harvest (0% Native American/Other). Athens is less Native American/Other than neighboring Madison (1.2% Native American/Other), and Decatur (0.9% Native American/Other).

Athens's Multiracial Population

1,241 residents of Athens, or 4.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Athens is comparable to the share in Alabama overall, where 3.3% of the population is Multiracial. Athens ranks 171st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 594 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athens's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 11.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Athens's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.3%.

Athens is more Multiracial than neighboring Elkmont (3% Multiracial), Mooresville (0% Multiracial), and Decatur (3.2% Multiracial). Athens is less Multiracial than neighboring Harvest (10.6% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.