Athens, TN Demographics

A map of Athens's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	11,126	10,994	76.9%	78.1%
Hispanic	1,108	1,041	7.7%	7.4%
Multiracial	1,104	718	7.6%	5.1%
Black	925	1,061	6.4%	7.5%
Asian	176	197	1.2%	1.4%
Native American/Other	32	73	0.2%	0.5%

Athens, Tennessee has an estimated population of 14,471, a slight increase from the 14,084 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 76.9% White, 7.7% Hispanic, 7.6% Multiracial, 6.4% Black, 1.2% 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 more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Tennessee 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 37.7% in 2020 and 39.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Athens is ranked the 43rd most populous place in Tennessee, out of 504 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 42nd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Athens's White Population

11,126 residents of Athens, or 76.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Athens is higher than in Tennessee overall, where 71% of the population is White. Athens ranks 395th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 504 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athens's White population has grown by an estimated 1.2%. White residents' share of Athens's population has decreased from 78.1% to 76.9%.

Athens is more White than neighboring Niota (62.3% White). Athens is less White than neighboring Riceville (86.3% White), Englewood (87.3% White), Etowah (77.7% White), and Sweetwater (82.1% White).

Athens's Black Population

925 residents of Athens, or 6.4% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Athens is lower than in Tennessee overall, where 15.4% of the population is Black. Athens ranks 110th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 504 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athens's Black population has declined by an estimated 12.8%. Black residents' share of Athens's population has decreased from 7.5% to 6.4%.

Athens is more Black than neighboring Niota (3.1% Black), Riceville (6% Black), Englewood (0.2% Black), Etowah (3.7% Black), and Sweetwater (5.1% Black).

Athens's Asian Population

176 residents of Athens, or 1.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Athens is comparable to the share in Tennessee overall, where 1.9% of the population is Asian. Athens ranks 66th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 504 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athens's Asian population has declined by an estimated 10.7%. Asian residents' share of Athens's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.2%.

Athens is more Asian than neighboring Riceville (0% Asian), Etowah (0% Asian), and Sweetwater (0% Asian). Athens is less Asian than neighboring Niota (14.8% Asian), and Englewood (1.5% Asian).

Athens's Hispanic Population

1,108 residents of Athens, or 7.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Athens is comparable to the share in Tennessee overall, where 7.4% of the population is Hispanic. Athens ranks 60th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 504 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athens's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 6.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Athens's population has remained roughly unchanged at 7.7%.

Athens is more Hispanic than neighboring Niota (3.7% Hispanic), Riceville (6.6% Hispanic), Englewood (1.5% Hispanic), Etowah (6.8% Hispanic), and Sweetwater (6.9% Hispanic).

Athens's Native American/Other Population

32 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 Tennessee overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Athens ranks 247th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 504 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athens's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 56.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Athens's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.2%.

Athens is more Native American/Other than neighboring Niota (0.1% Native American/Other), Englewood (0% Native American/Other), Etowah (0% Native American/Other), and Sweetwater (0.1% Native American/Other). Athens is less Native American/Other than neighboring Riceville (1.2% Native American/Other).

Athens's Multiracial Population

1,104 residents of Athens, or 7.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Athens is slightly higher than in Tennessee overall, where 3.7% of the population is Multiracial. Athens ranks 90th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 504 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athens's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 53.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Athens's population has increased from 5.1% to 7.6%.

Athens is more Multiracial than neighboring Riceville (0% Multiracial), and Sweetwater (5.8% Multiracial). Athens is less Multiracial than neighboring Niota (15.9% Multiracial), Englewood (9.4% Multiracial), and Etowah (11.8% 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.