Athens, PA

Pennsylvania

Athens is a small town in Pennsylvania with a population of 3,260. Residents earn $49,588 per year, which is 34% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
3,260 Population 1,863/sq mi density
$49,588 Median Income $40,304 per capita
$166,800 Home Value
$834 Median Rent
47°F Avg Temperature
120 Violent Crime/100K 1,803 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$49,588 median income, 2.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$166,800 home value, $834/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
120 violent crimes/100K (68% below avg)
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
26.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $49,588
34% lower than US avg
Home Value $166,800
41% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 120/100K
68% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 26.8%
20% lower than US avg
Median Rent $834
28% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.5%
31% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.8%
27% higher than US avg

How Athens Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population3,260
Median Age48.0 yrs
Density1,863/mi²
Male / Female55% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 94%

Economy

B
Median Income$49,588
Per Capita$40,304
Unemployment2.5%
Poverty15.8%
County GDP$6,798M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$166,800
Rent$834
OwnershipN/A

Crime

F
Violent120/100K
Property1,803/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault60/100K
Burglary120/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain41.2 in/yr
Elevation755 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+26.8%
High School+93.1%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 74% / D 26%
Commute20 min
Libraries10

Is Athens a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Athens receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Athens offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Athens is $49,588, 34% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.5%. The poverty rate of 15.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Athens is $166,800, 41% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $834 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Athens is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 120 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,803 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

26.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Athens experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 41.2 inches, including 42.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Athens has a population of 3,260 with a density of 1,863 people per square mile. The median age is 48.0 years, 23% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.6%).

Population

3,260
Total Population
1,863
People / sq mi
48.0yrs
Median Age
23% above US avg
1.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 54.5%
Female 45.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Athens vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.9%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.1%
92% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Athens vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Athens is $49,588, which is 34% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 15.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Athens vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$49,588
34% below US avg
Per Capita Income$40,304
Avg Weekly Wage$1,156
IRS Avg AGI$73,160

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.5%
31% below US avg
Poverty Rate15.8%
27% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,525
County GDP$6,798M

Business (County)

Restaurants116
Healthcare150
Retail235
Manufacturing54

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,894
40% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.93%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.0 min
Work from Home3.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Athens is $166,800, 41% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $834 (28% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$166,800
41% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$834
28% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$900
1 Bedroom$996
2 Bedrooms$1,225
3 Bedrooms$1,570
4 Bedrooms$1,744

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied42.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,894
40% above US avg
Effective Rate2.93%

Health Metrics: Athens vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.6%
Premature Death7,655/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access61.9%
Healthcare Facilities150
Athens has a violent crime rate of 120 per 100,000 residents, 68% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,803 per 100,000 (8% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Athens vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent120.2/100K
68% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape60.1/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault60.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,803.4/100K
8% below US avg
Burglary120.2/100K
Theft1,653.1/100K
Vehicle Theft30.1/100K
Arson60.1/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Athens has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average46.9°F
13% below US avg
January Average24°F (-5°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.2 inches
8% above US avg
Snowfall42.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation755 ft (230 m)
Area1.8 sq mi (4.5 km²)
Population Density1,863/sq mi
Coordinates41.9375°N, 76.5140°W
County FIPS42015
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 26.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (20% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 47.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 73.5%
D 25.6%

Winner: Republican by 47.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+26.8%
20% below US avg
High School+93.1%
School Test Score5.95
B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,863/sq mi
Total Area1.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries10
Healthcare Facilities150
Restaurants116
Retail Stores235

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.0 min
Work from Home3.3%

Nearby Cities

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