Athens, IL Demographics

A map of Athens's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	1,876	1,799	89.2%	91.0%
Hispanic	87	30	4.1%	1.5%
Black	56	25	2.7%	1.3%
Multiracial	56	116	2.7%	5.9%
Asian	27	3	1.3%	0.2%
Native American/Other	0	4	0.0%	0.2%

Athens, Illinois has an estimated population of 2,102, an increase from the 1,977 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 89.2% White, 4.1% Hispanic, 2.7% Black, 2.7% Multiracial, 1.3% Asian, and 0.0% 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 more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Illinois 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 16.8% in 2020 and 20.0% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Athens is ranked the 495th most populous place in Illinois, out of 1,461 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 503rd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Athens's White Population

1,876 residents of Athens, or 89.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Athens is significantly higher than in Illinois overall, where 58.1% of the population is White. Athens ranks 708th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athens's White population has grown by an estimated 4.3%. White residents' share of Athens's population has decreased from 91.0% to 89.2%.

Athens is less White than neighboring Cantrall (96.5% White), Greenview (96.1% White), Petersburg (94.3% White), Sherman (89.5% White), and Lake Petersburg (100% White).

Athens's Black Population

56 residents of Athens, or 2.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Athens is considerably lower than in Illinois overall, where 13.3% of the population is Black. Athens ranks 496th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athens's Black population has grown by an estimated 124.0%. Black residents' share of Athens's population has increased from 1.3% to 2.7%.

Athens is more Black than neighboring Cantrall (0% Black), Greenview (0% Black), Petersburg (0.2% Black), and Lake Petersburg (0% Black). Athens is less Black than neighboring Sherman (8.5% Black).

Athens's Asian Population

27 residents of Athens, or 1.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Athens is slightly lower than in Illinois overall, where 5.9% of the population is Asian. Athens ranks 964th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athens's Asian population has grown by an estimated 800.0%. Asian residents' share of Athens's population has increased from 0.2% to 1.3%.

Athens is more Asian than neighboring Cantrall (0% Asian), Greenview (0.4% Asian), Petersburg (0% Asian), Sherman (0% Asian), and Lake Petersburg (0% Asian).

Athens's Hispanic Population

87 residents of Athens, or 4.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Athens is considerably lower than in Illinois overall, where 18.8% of the population is Hispanic. Athens ranks 1111th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athens's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 190.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Athens's population has increased from 1.5% to 4.1%.

Athens is more Hispanic than neighboring Cantrall (1.4% Hispanic), Greenview (1.2% Hispanic), Petersburg (0% Hispanic), Sherman (1% Hispanic), and Lake Petersburg (0% Hispanic).

Athens's Native American/Other Population

0 residents of Athens, or 0.0% 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 Illinois overall, where 0.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Athens ranks 1021st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athens's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Athens's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Athens is less Native American/Other than neighboring Cantrall (2.1% Native American/Other), and Greenview (0.2% Native American/Other).

Athens's Multiracial Population

56 residents of Athens, or 2.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Athens is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 3.4% of the population is Multiracial. Athens ranks 144th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athens's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 51.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Athens's population has decreased from 5.9% to 2.7%.

Athens is more Multiracial than neighboring Cantrall (0% Multiracial), Greenview (2.1% Multiracial), Sherman (1% Multiracial), and Lake Petersburg (0% Multiracial). Athens is less Multiracial than neighboring Petersburg (5.6% 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.