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Athens, MI

Full City Profile · Michigan · Calhoun County County

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,149 Population 1,149/sq mi density
$58,438 Median Income $31,374 per capita
$141,800 Home Value $202,246 Zillow
$876 Median Rent 21.4% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
189 Violent Crime/100K 3,030 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$58,438 median income, 1.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$141,800 home value, $876/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
189 violent crimes/100K
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.6% bachelor's degree or higher

Athens, MI

At a Glance

Median Income
$58,438
22% below
$31,374 per capita
Home Value
$141,800
50% below
Zillow: $202,246
Median Rent
$876/mo
25% below
21.4% of income on rent
Violent Crime
189/100K
50% below
3,030/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
8.6%
74% below
92.3% high school+
Unemployment
1.6%
56% below
9.6% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
40.4%
26% above
16.2% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
49°F
260 sunny days/yr

How Athens Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Athens's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
78%
Home Value
50%
Rent
75%
Poverty
77%
Bachelor's
26%
Unemployment
44%
Crime
50%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Athens a Good Place to Live?

C+
2.9 / 5.0 — Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Athens residents earn a median household income of $58,438 , which is 22% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $31,374. The unemployment rate stands at 1.6% (56% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 9.6% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 2,626 business establishments, including 268 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Athens is $141,800 , 50% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $202,246. Median rent is $876/month, with 21.4% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 96.2 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1953.

Safety & Crime

Athens reports 189 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 50% below the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 3,030/100K.

Education

8.6% of adults in Athens hold a bachelor's degree or higher (74% below the national average). 92.3% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.6/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Athens has an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 31.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Data Overview

People

Population1,149
Median Age37.9 yrs
Density1,149/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Foreign Born13.6%
Veterans8.2%

Economy

B+
Median Income$58,438
Per Capita$31,374
Unemployment1.6%
Poverty9.6%
County GDP$9,107M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,232

Housing

A+
Home Value$141,800
Rent$876
Ownership77.8%
Zillow$202,246
Housing Units449
Rent Burden21.4%

Crime

F
Violent189/100K
Property3,030/100K

Health

Obesity40.4%
Diabetes9.5%
Smoking16.2%
Heart Disease5.5%
Premature Death10,979/100K

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
Sunny Days260/yr
Rain31.5 in/yr
AQI38 (Good)
Elevation893 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.6%
High School+92.3%
Graduate+3.7%
School Score4.6/10

Community

2024 VoteR 56% / D 42%
Commute29 min
Broadband79.2%
Internet Speed107 Mbps
EV Stations18
Libraries8

Did You Know?

The median home in Athens was built in 1953.
The nearest airport is Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International (19 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.444 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
6.8% of the population has a disability.
13.6% of residents are foreign-born.
Average internet download speed is 107 Mbps.
There are 268 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 20 fatal vehicle crashes.