Athens, TN

Full City Profile · Tennessee · McMinn County County

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
14,250 Population 916/sq mi density
$53,151 Median Income $31,659 per capita
$197,300 Home Value $262,695 Zillow
$807 Median Rent 28.1% income on rent
59°F Avg Temperature
622 Violent Crime/100K 3,679 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$53,151 median income, 5.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$197,300 home value, $807/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
622 violent crimes/100K (64% above avg)
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.6% bachelor's degree or higher

Athens, TN

At a Glance

Median Income
$53,151
29% below
$31,659 per capita
Home Value
$197,300
30% below
Zillow: $262,695
Median Rent
$807/mo
31% below
28.1% of income on rent
Violent Crime
622/100K
64% above
3,679/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
22.6%
33% below
86.7% high school+
Unemployment
5.5%
53% above
14.9% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
47.7%
49% above
21.3% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
59°F

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
71%
Home Value
70%
Rent
69%
Poverty
120%
Bachelor's
67%
Unemployment
153%
Crime
164%
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 $53,151 , which is 29% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $31,659. The unemployment rate stands at 5.5% (53% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 14.9% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 1,098 business establishments, including 100 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Athens is $197,300 , 30% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $262,695. Median rent is $807/month, with 28.1% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 91.9 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1973.

Safety & Crime

Athens reports 622 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 64% above the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 3,679/100K.

Education

22.6% of adults in Athens hold a bachelor's degree or higher (33% below the national average). 86.7% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.2/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Athens has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 60.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Data Overview

People

Population14,250
Median Age40.8 yrs
Density916/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Foreign Born5.2%
Veterans6.2%

Economy

B
Median Income$53,151
Per Capita$31,659
Unemployment5.5%
Poverty14.9%
County GDP$2,685M
Avg Weekly Wage$979

Housing

A+
Home Value$197,300
Rent$807
Ownership58.1%
Zillow$262,695
Housing Units6,432
Rent Burden28.1%

Crime

F
Violent622/100K
Property3,679/100K

Health

Obesity47.7%
Diabetes13.5%
Smoking21.3%
Heart Disease6.6%
Premature Death14,154/100K

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
Rain60.4 in/yr
AQI32 (Good)
Elevation999 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.6%
High School+86.7%
Graduate+8.1%
School Score5.2/10

Community

2024 VoteR 82% / D 17%
Commute22 min
Broadband90.4%
Internet Speed39 Mbps
EV Stations5
Libraries4

Did You Know?

Athens was founded in 1822.
The median home in Athens was built in 1973.
The nearest airport is Mc Ghee Tyson (42 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.448 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
16.5% of the population has a disability.
The county recorded 13 fatal vehicle crashes.