Athol, MA

Full City Profile · Massachusetts · Franklin County County

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
8,711 Population 1,064/sq mi density
$61,742 Median Income $27,627 per capita
$227,000 Home Value $336,064 Zillow
$1,018 Median Rent 34.1% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature
452 Violent Crime/100K 748 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$61,742 median income, 9.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$227,000 home value, $1,018/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
452 violent crimes/100K (19% above avg)
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
21.9% bachelor's degree or higher

Athol, MA

At a Glance

Median Income
$61,742
18% below
$27,627 per capita
Home Value
$227,000
19% below
Zillow: $336,064
Median Rent
$1,018/mo
12% below
34.1% of income on rent
Violent Crime
452/100K
19% above
748/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
21.9%
35% below
88.3% high school+
Unemployment
9.0%
150% above
17.2% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
35.4%
10% above
17.4% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
48°F

How Athol Compares to the U.S. Average

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

Income
82%
Home Value
81%
Rent
88%
Poverty
139%
Bachelor's
65%
Unemployment
250%
Crime
119%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Athol a Good Place to Live?

C+
2.7 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Athol residents earn a median household income of $61,742 , which is 18% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $27,627. The unemployment rate stands at 9.0% (150% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 17.2% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 2,581 business establishments, including 154 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Athol is $227,000 , 19% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $336,064. Median rent is $1,018/month, with 34.1% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 105.8 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1942.

Safety & Crime

Athol reports 452 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 19% above the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 748/100K.

Education

21.9% of adults in Athol hold a bachelor's degree or higher (35% below the national average). 88.3% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Athol has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 42.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Data Overview

People

Population8,711
Median Age36.7 yrs
Density1,064/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Foreign Born3.5%
Veterans7.4%

Economy

C+
Median Income$61,742
Per Capita$27,627
Unemployment9.0%
Poverty17.2%
County GDP$3,704M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,043

Housing

A+
Home Value$227,000
Rent$1,018
Ownership63.8%
Zillow$336,064
Housing Units3,911
Rent Burden34.1%

Crime

F
Violent452/100K
Property748/100K

Health

Obesity35.4%
Diabetes9.9%
Smoking17.4%
Heart Disease6.1%
Premature Death6,666/100K

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
Rain42.2 in/yr
AQI36 (Good)
Elevation525 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.9%
High School+88.3%
Graduate+6.1%
School Score6.1/10

Community

2024 VoteR 30% / D 67%
Commute27 min
Broadband91.7%
Internet Speed110 Mbps
EV Stations8
Libraries30

Did You Know?

The median home in Athol was built in 1942.
The nearest airport is Worcester Regional (29 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.437 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
19.9% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 110 Mbps.
There are 154 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 6 fatal vehicle crashes.