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Athens, TN
City in McMinn County, Tennessee. ZIP codes: 37303.
Population
14,471
Land area
15.6sq mi
People per sq mi
930
ZIP codes
1
Athens and its ZIP codes
Athens at a glance
- Athens is about 5.4 times as dense as Tennessee as a whole.
- By population, it ranks 43rd among 502 cities and towns in Tennessee.
- The median household income is $53,929, 23% below the Tennessee median of $69,595.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $225,000 (22% below Tennessee) and median rent is $846 a month.
Local data for Athens, TN
Counts from official public data
- Hospitals1
- Emergency Rooms1
- Nursing Homes2
- Schools5
- Colleges2
- Libraries1
- Banks8
- Post Offices1
- Parks13
- Grocery Stores14
- Restaurants87
- Affordable Housing6
- Home Health Agencies1
- Dialysis Centers1
- Mental Health & Addiction Treatment3
- Private Schools1
- Community Colleges & Trade Schools1
- Toxic Release Facilities6
- Historic Places6
Housing and community stats
Athens, TN, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$53,929
Poverty rate
17.0%
Median home value
$225,000
Median rent
$846/mo
Homeownership
59.9%
Bachelor's or higher
23.2%
Median age
39.0
Average commute
21.7 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (1,949), German Americans (1,702), Mexican Americans (829).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for McMinn County. PPP loans are for Athens.
Unemployment rate
4.6%
Aug 2026, +0.3 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$53,996
17,072 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$48,697
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$443M
FY 2026, $8,322 per person
How people get to work
Athens, TN, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone81.9%
- Carpooled9.5%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked2.3%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.3%
- Worked from home4.9%
Average one-way commute: 21.7 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Athens, TN, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: earthquake
Storm events since 1996
447
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
25
0.1% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
88° / 28°F
60.4 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone6 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Athens, TN, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
46.5%
U.S. 33.3% +13.2 pts
Diabetes
15.2%
U.S. 12.1% +3.1 pts
Smoking
19.9%
U.S. 12.8% +7.1 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
13.7%
U.S. 11.1% +2.6 pts
ZIP codes in Athens
1 in or overlapping Athens. Population shown
Cities near Athens
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| NiotaCity | 4.6 mi | 2.3 |
| EnglewoodTown | 6.9 mi | 1.9 |
| RicevilleCensus-designated place | 8.1 mi | 2.2 |
| EtowahCity | 9.3 mi | 2.8 |
| SweetwaterCity | 11 mi | 9 |
| DecaturTown | 12 mi | 3.8 |
| MadisonvilleCity | 14 mi | 6 |
| CalhounTown | 14 mi | 1.2 |
| DelanoCensus-designated place | 15 mi | 3.8 |
| CharlestonCity | 16 mi | 1.1 |
| Tellico PlainsTown | 18 mi | 2 |
| PhiladelphiaCity | 18 mi | 1.6 |
| BentonTown | 21 mi | 3 |
| Spring CityTown | 21 mi | 2.8 |
| KahiteCensus-designated place | 21 mi | 1.3 |
| VonoreTown | 22 mi | 8.8 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Athens, TN in?
- Athens is in McMinn County, Tennessee.
- What ZIP codes are in Athens, TN?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Athens include 37303.
- What is the population of Athens, TN?
- About 14,471 people live in Athens, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Athens?
- Nearby places include Niota (4.6 mi), Englewood (6.9 mi), Riceville (8.1 mi), Etowah (9.3 mi), Sweetwater (11 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023