Athens, WV Demographics

A map of Athens's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	1,312	816	87.8%	84.8%
Black	61	75	4.1%	7.8%
Hispanic	46	13	3.1%	1.4%
Multiracial	44	34	2.9%	3.5%
Asian	31	17	2.1%	1.8%
Native American/Other	0	7	0.0%	0.7%

Athens, West Virginia has an estimated population of 1,494, a dramatic increase from the 962 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 87.8% White, 4.1% Black, 3.1% Hispanic, 2.9% Multiracial, 2.1% 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 less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is more diverse than West Virginia 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 27.3% in 2020 and 22.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Athens is ranked the 100th most populous place in West Virginia, out of 439 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 150th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Athens's White Population

1,312 residents of Athens, or 87.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Athens is comparable to the share in West Virginia overall, where 89.7% of the population is White. Athens ranks 386th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 439 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athens's White population has grown by an estimated 60.8%. White residents' share of Athens's population has increased from 84.8% to 87.8%.

Athens is less White than neighboring Princeton (88.1% White), Oakvale (93.7% White), Glen Lyn (98.5% White), Lashmeet (97.6% White), and Rich Creek (92.9% White).

Athens's Black Population

61 residents of Athens, or 4.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Athens is comparable to the share in West Virginia overall, where 3.1% of the population is Black. Athens ranks 46th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 439 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athens's Black population has declined by an estimated 18.7%. Black residents' share of Athens's population has decreased from 7.8% to 4.1%.

Athens is more Black than neighboring Princeton (2.6% Black), Oakvale (1.2% Black), Glen Lyn (0% Black), Lashmeet (0% Black), and Rich Creek (0.5% Black).

Athens's Asian Population

31 residents of Athens, or 2.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Athens is comparable to the share in West Virginia overall, where 0.8% of the population is Asian. Athens ranks 19th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 439 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athens's Asian population has grown by an estimated 82.4%. Asian residents' share of Athens's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.1%.

Athens is more Asian than neighboring Princeton (0.1% Asian), Oakvale (2% Asian), Glen Lyn (0% Asian), Lashmeet (0% Asian), and Rich Creek (0% Asian).

Athens's Hispanic Population

46 residents of Athens, or 3.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Athens is comparable to the share in West Virginia overall, where 2.1% of the population is Hispanic. Athens ranks 176th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 439 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athens's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 253.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Athens's population has increased from 1.4% to 3.1%.

Athens is more Hispanic than neighboring Princeton (0.6% Hispanic), Oakvale (1.2% Hispanic), Glen Lyn (1.5% Hispanic), Lashmeet (2.4% Hispanic), and Rich Creek (0.4% 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 West Virginia overall, where 0.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Athens ranks 94th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 439 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 decreased from 0.7% to 0.0%.

Athens is less Native American/Other than neighboring Oakvale (0.4% Native American/Other), and Rich Creek (1.9% Native American/Other).

Athens's Multiracial Population

44 residents of Athens, or 2.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Athens is comparable to the share in West Virginia overall, where 3.9% of the population is Multiracial. Athens ranks 233rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 439 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athens's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 29.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Athens's population has decreased from 3.5% to 2.9%.

Athens is more Multiracial than neighboring Oakvale (1.6% Multiracial), Glen Lyn (0% Multiracial), and Lashmeet (0% Multiracial). Athens is less Multiracial than neighboring Princeton (8.6% Multiracial), and Rich Creek (4.3% 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.