Athens, Alabama Income Statistics
Athens Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
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D
Athens Well below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Athens | Alabama Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $62,361 | $64,544 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $50,131 | $52,756 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 5.7% | 4.7% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 10.0% | 9.6% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 8.8% | 7.8% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Athens is about 3% lower than in Alabama. Income has been growing faster in Athens (5.7%/yr) than in Alabama (4.7%/yr).
About 10% of adults in Athens earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, about the same as the Alabama average of 10%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Athens, Alabama grew by 73.3% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $62,361 in 2024. That's an average of about 5.7% per year.
Athens has stayed well below the U.S. median household income in every year from 2009 to 2024 and has never reached it. It came closest in 2012, at 20% lower. The gap has narrowed from 30% in 2009 to 22% in 2024.
Income Distribution in Athens
How incomes are spread across brackets, compared with the U.S. Pick a range to count who falls in it.
Households by income, 2024
Income range calculator
About 2,959 households (30.4% of all households) have an income of $100,000 or more.
Across the U.S.: 40.2% of all households.
In 2024, 27.0% of households in Athens had an income under $35,000 and 16.9% had $150,000 or more. Across the U.S., those shares were 21.6% and 22.8%.
Compared with the U.S., Athens has a larger share of households earning $15,000 to $24,999 (9.5% vs 6.4%) and a smaller share earning $200,000 or more (8.8% vs 13.2%).
| Household income | Households | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $10,000 | 466 | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| $10,000 to $14,999 | 373 | 3.8% | 3.5% |
| $15,000 to $24,999 | 930 | 9.5% | 6.4% |
| $25,000 to $34,999 | 860 | 8.8% | 6.7% |
| $35,000 to $49,999 | 1,253 | 12.9% | 10.1% |
| $50,000 to $74,999 | 1,759 | 18.0% | 15.5% |
| $75,000 to $99,999 | 1,149 | 11.8% | 12.6% |
| $100,000 to $149,999 | 1,311 | 13.4% | 17.4% |
| $150,000 to $199,999 | 788 | 8.1% | 9.5% |
| $200,000 or more | 860 | 8.8% | 13.2% |
Shares are of all 9,748 households, one per occupied home whatever its size. Households with zero or negative income are counted in the lowest bracket. Source: ACS 5-year estimates ending 2024 (table B19001).
Residents 15+ by personal income, 2024
Income range calculator
About 2,030 residents (10.0% of residents aged 15 and over) have a personal income of $100,000 or more.
Across the U.S.: 13.9% of residents aged 15 and over.
That is 11.3% of residents who have any income.
In 2024, 11.7% of Athens residents aged 15 and over reported no personal income, 33.6% had some income but less than $25,000, and 16.2% had $75,000 or more. Across the U.S., those shares were 12.8%, 28.7% and 22.0%.
Compared with the U.S., Athens has a larger share of residents earning $35,000 to $49,999 (15.7% vs 12.6%) and a smaller share earning $100,000 or more (10.0% vs 13.9%).
| Personal income | Residents | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| No income | 2,373 | 11.7% | 12.8% |
| $1 to $9,999 | 2,563 | 12.6% | 11.2% |
| $10,000 to $14,999 | 1,865 | 9.2% | 7.0% |
| $15,000 to $24,999 | 2,411 | 11.9% | 10.5% |
| $25,000 to $34,999 | 1,802 | 8.9% | 9.5% |
| $35,000 to $49,999 | 3,190 | 15.7% | 12.6% |
| $50,000 to $74,999 | 2,841 | 14.0% | 14.3% |
| $75,000 to $99,999 | 1,269 | 6.2% | 8.2% |
| $100,000 or more | 2,030 | 10.0% | 13.9% |
Shares are of the 20,343 residents aged 15 and over, the only people the Census Bureau asks about income, and include those who reported none. A share of the whole population would count children as people without income, while a share of earners alone would hide the 11.7% with no income; the calculator adds that second share whenever your range leaves out people with no income. Source: ACS 5-year estimates ending 2024 (table B19325).
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Athens
| Metric | Athens | Alabama Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.552 | 0.560 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $59,123 | $62,840 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $49,790 | $47,036 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 15.8% | 25.1% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Athens, it is 0.552, lower than Alabama's 0.560, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and about the same as the US's 0.552, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there.
Men's income is about 19% more than women's income in Athens, Alabama. Over a 35-year career, a 19% wage gap accumulates to roughly $326,655 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Athens, Alabama has narrowed from about 24% to 16% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 30% in 2019. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $29 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Athens | Alabama Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 9.1% | 8.8% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 23 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 410 people are unemployed in Athens, Alabama.
The average commute time in Athens is 23 minutes, longer than the 22 minutes in Alabama.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Athens, Alabama has fallen from 9.6% to 3.5% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 10.9% in 2012.
Athens has crossed the U.S. unemployment rate 3 times since 2011, most recently dropping below it by 2021. In 2024 its rate was 1.7 points lower.
Athens, AL Wealth Compared With Nearby Cities
How Athens, AL compares with the 2 cities closest to it.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens, AL | 24,253 | $62,361 #2/3 | 5.7%/yr #1/3 | 3.5% #2/3 | 0.552 #3/3 |
| Madison, AL | 50,327 | $123,671 | 4.3%/yr | 2.3% | 0.542 |
| Decatur, AL | 52,492 | $62,067 | 5.3%/yr | 4.5% | 0.538 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Athens, Alabama has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it about on par with Alabama, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Athens, Alabama.
How Wealthy Is Athens, Alabama?
Athens has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $62,361, about 3% lower than the Alabama average of $64,544.
How has median household income changed in Athens, Alabama?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Athens, Alabama rose 73%, from $35,988 to $62,361. Over the same years, income here outpaced Alabama as a whole: +73% against +56%.
What was the median household income in Athens in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Athens, Alabama was $57,387, up 4% from $55,243 in 2022. The Alabama median that year was $62,326.
What was the median household income in Athens in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Athens, Alabama was $48,215. By 2024 it had risen 29% to $62,361.
Is unemployment high in Athens, Alabama?
Unemployment in Athens, Alabama is only 3.5%, well below the Alabama rate of 4.7%, a sign of a tight labor market where employers compete for workers.
What is the Gini coefficient in Athens, Alabama?
The Gini coefficient in Athens is 0.552. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is almost the same as the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed about as equally as in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Athens, Alabama?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Athens, Alabama has narrowed from about 24% to 16% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 30% in 2019. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $29 since 2009.
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