Athol, MA Demographics

A map of Athol's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	7,276	7,359	82.7%	86.7%
Hispanic	714	510	8.1%	6.0%
Multiracial	477	417	5.4%	4.9%
Black	273	89	3.1%	1.0%
Asian	35	68	0.4%	0.8%
Native American/Other	26	43	0.3%	0.5%

Athol, Massachusetts has an estimated population of 8,801, an increase from the 8,486 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 82.7% White, 8.1% Hispanic, 5.4% Multiracial, 3.1% Black, 0.4% Asian, and 0.3% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Athol, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Athol has become considerably more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Massachusetts overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Athol, that probability was 24.2% in 2020 and 30.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Athol is ranked the 91st most populous place in Massachusetts, out of 248 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). Athol was ranked the 91st most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Athol's White Population

7,276 residents of Athol, or 82.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Athol is significantly higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 66.6% of the population is White. Athol ranks 104th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athol's White population has declined by an estimated 1.1%. White residents' share of Athol's population has decreased from 86.7% to 82.7%.

Athol is less White than neighboring Orange (86.8% White), Petersham (94.6% White), Baldwinville (94.5% White), Winchendon (88.5% White), and Barre (95.4% White).

Athol's Black Population

273 residents of Athol, or 3.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Athol is slightly lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 6.4% of the population is Black. Athol ranks 168th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athol's Black population has grown by an estimated 206.7%. Black residents' share of Athol's population has increased from 1.0% to 3.1%.

Athol is more Black than neighboring Orange (0.6% Black), Petersham (0% Black), Baldwinville (1.3% Black), Winchendon (0.5% Black), and Barre (0% Black).

Athol's Asian Population

35 residents of Athol, or 0.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Athol is lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 7.3% of the population is Asian. Athol ranks 200th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athol's Asian population has declined by an estimated 48.5%. Asian residents' share of Athol's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Athol is more Asian than neighboring Orange (0% Asian), Petersham (0% Asian), Baldwinville (0% Asian), and Barre (0% Asian). Athol is less Asian than neighboring Winchendon (0.8% Asian).

Athol's Hispanic Population

714 residents of Athol, or 8.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Athol is lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 13.3% of the population is Hispanic. Athol ranks 82nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athol's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 40.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Athol's population has increased from 6.0% to 8.1%.

Athol is more Hispanic than neighboring Petersham (1.3% Hispanic), Baldwinville (2.5% Hispanic), Winchendon (5.8% Hispanic), and Barre (0% Hispanic). Athol is less Hispanic than neighboring Orange (9.3% Hispanic).

Athol's Native American/Other Population

26 residents of Athol, or 0.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Athol is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 1.3% of the population is Native American/Other. Athol ranks 201st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athol's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 39.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Athol's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.3%.

Athol is more Native American/Other than neighboring Orange (0.2% Native American/Other), Petersham (0% Native American/Other), Baldwinville (0.1% Native American/Other), Winchendon (0% Native American/Other), and Barre (0% Native American/Other).

Athol's Multiracial Population

477 residents of Athol, or 5.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Athol is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 5.1% of the population is Multiracial. Athol ranks 72nd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Athol's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 14.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Athol's population has increased from 4.9% to 5.4%.

Athol is more Multiracial than neighboring Orange (3.1% Multiracial), Petersham (4.2% Multiracial), Baldwinville (1.6% Multiracial), Winchendon (4.4% Multiracial), and Barre (4.6% 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.