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Athens, AL
City in Limestone County, Alabama. ZIP codes: 35611, 35613.
Population
29,002
Land area
41.8sq mi
People per sq mi
693
ZIP codes
2
Athens and its ZIP codes
Athens at a glance
- Athens is about 6.9 times as dense as Alabama as a whole.
- It is the 21st most populous of 592 cities and towns in Alabama.
- Households here earn a median of $69,922 a year, 9% more than the Alabama figure of $63,999.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $270,000 (29% above Alabama) and median rent is $899 a month.
Local data for Athens, AL
Counts from official public data
- Hospitals1
- Emergency Rooms1
- Nursing Homes2
- Schools11
- Colleges1
- Libraries1
- Banks15
- Post Offices1
- Parks10
- Grocery Stores22
- Restaurants133
- Affordable Housing5
- Home Health Agencies2
- Hospice Care1
- Dialysis Centers2
- Community Health Centers1
- Mental Health & Addiction Treatment2
- Private Schools1
- Toxic Release Facilities5
- Historic Places4
Housing and community stats
Athens, AL, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$69,922
Poverty rate
12.2%
Median home value
$270,000
Median rent
$899/mo
Homeownership
64.0%
Bachelor's or higher
31.4%
Median age
40.9
Average commute
24.6 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (3,830), German Americans (2,410), Mexican Americans (1,718).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Limestone County. PPP loans are for Athens.
Unemployment rate
2.9%
Aug 2026, +0.5 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$64,128
34,737 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$59,614
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$793M
FY 2026, $7,653 per person
PPP loans
$17.5M
423 loans, 2,101 jobs reported
How people get to work
Athens, AL, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone82.3%
- Carpooled7.2%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked0.8%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.5%
- Worked from home8.2%
Average one-way commute: 24.6 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Athens, AL, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: cold wave
Storm events since 1996
1,035
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
218
0.6% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
90° / 34°F
59.1 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone4 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Athens, AL, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
40.2%
U.S. 33.3% +6.9 pts
Diabetes
14.2%
U.S. 12.1% +2.1 pts
Smoking
14.6%
U.S. 12.8% +1.8 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
10.3%
U.S. 11.1% -0.8 pts
ZIP codes in Athens
2 in or overlapping Athens. Population shown
Cities near Athens
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| MooresvilleTown | 10 mi | 0.2 |
| ElkmontTown | 11 mi | 1.6 |
| MadisonCity | 11 mi | 30.6 |
| HarvestCensus-designated place | 13 mi | 12.3 |
| DecaturCity | 13 mi | 54.6 |
| TrinityCity | 14 mi | 5.1 |
| TrianaCity | 16 mi | 2.8 |
| ArdmoreTown | 16 mi | 2 |
| HillsboroTown | 16 mi | 1.9 |
| PricevilleCity | 17 mi | 6.4 |
| Ardmore, TNCity | 17 mi | 4.7 |
| Redstone ArsenalCensus-designated place | 18 mi | 21.8 |
| Prospect, TNCensus-designated place | 18 mi | 1.4 |
| LesterTown | 19 mi | 1.9 |
| RogersvilleTown | 20 mi | 3 |
| Elkton, TNCity | 21 mi | 2 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Athens, AL in?
- Athens is in Limestone County, Alabama.
- What ZIP codes are in Athens, AL?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Athens include 35611, 35613.
- What is the population of Athens, AL?
- About 29,002 people live in Athens, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Athens?
- Nearby places include Mooresville (10 mi), Elkmont (11 mi), Madison (11 mi), Harvest (13 mi), Decatur (13 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023