Small city in Henderson County

Living in Athens, TX

C

112th of 192Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people
Overall score 41 of 100

Athens gets an overall grade of C and ranks 112th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on getting around and cost of living, and trails on internet access and home ownership.

  • Education levels scores low (15 of 100)
  • Health scores low (14 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Athens isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthAthens
Where Athens is in Texas.
Population
13,870+7.9% since 2020
Median rent
$1,11221% lower than Texas
Median home value
$210,80026% lower than Texas
Household income
$67,984Median
Average commute
21 minOne way
Violent crime
327Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Athens

Athens is a small city in Henderson County. 13,870 people lived here in 2025, up 7.9% from 2020. It is spread out.

Local spots people know include Cain Park, Coleman Park and O.D. Baggett Park.

The median age is 34.2, 32% of households have children, 58% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $67,984 a year (13% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Athens

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $1,112, 21% lower than the Texas median.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 21 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in Athens

  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of tornadoes, hail and strong wind as very high here.

Who Athens suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit: 20% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 16% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 32% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 13% lower than the Texas median, with 105 restaurants and 8 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 74% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 19% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 16% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 41% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 82% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,112 is 21% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 15% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $1,112 is 21% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 54% for people on a budget.

Athens report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Athens with other US cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.

  • Cost of living: grade B

    Median rent $1,112, homes cost 3.1x income.

    66 of 100 vs US cities

  • Jobs and income: grade C-

    Median household income $67,984, 4.3% unemployed.

    39 of 100 vs US cities

  • Schools: grade C-

    5 rated campuses, 20% rated A or B.

    33 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Safety: grade C-

    327 violent crimes per 100k, 1,040 property crimes per 100k.

    38 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Errands and things to do: grade B-

    8 grocery stores, 105 restaurants, 11 parks mapped in town.

    63 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Getting around: grade B+

    Average commute 21 min, 3.1% work from home.

    74 of 100 vs US cities

  • Education levels: grade D-

    21% have a bachelor’s degree.

    15 of 100 vs US cities

  • Health: grade D-

    19% of adults uninsured.

    14 of 100 vs US cities

  • Home ownership: grade D-

    58% of homes owner-occupied.

    13 of 100 vs US cities

  • Internet access: grade F

    82% of homes have broadband.

    3 of 100 vs US cities

Where Athens stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Average commute: 21 min22% lower than Texas (27 min)
  • Median rent: $1,11221% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Home value to income: 3.1x14% lower than Texas (3.6x)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 21%12 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Homes with broadband internet: 82%9 points lower than Texas (91%)
  • Median household income: $67,98413% lower than Texas ($78,476)

Cost of living in Athens

Athens renters pay a median of $1,112 a month, 21% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $44,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 54% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $910 for a one-bedroom, $1,114 for a two-bedroom and $1,456 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.

The median home is worth $210,800, 26% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,154 before tax, or $1,378 with property tax. That is $266 a month more than the median rent, a gap that can be worth it if you plan to stay a while.

Texas has no state income tax, but it leans on property taxes instead, though they are lighter here than in much of the state. The median homeowner in Athens pays $2,690 a year, 36% lower than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.

See the full cost of living breakdown for Athens

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in AthensStudio$8221 bedroom$9102 bedrooms$1,1143 bedrooms$1,4564 bedrooms$1,648
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Henderson County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent21% lower than Texas$1,112$1,403$1,413
Median home value26% lower than Texas$210,800$283,800$332,700
Home value to income14% lower than Texas3.1x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent2 points higher than Texas54%52%51%
Median property tax per year36% lower than Texas$2,690$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them5 points lower than Texas58%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas197819921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$1,378
Mortgage payment
$1,154
Property tax
$224
Median rent, for comparison
$1,112

Based on a $210,800 home in Athens, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median paid locally, or the county median where the local figure is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.

Is Athens safe?

In 2025, Athens Police Department reported 45 violent crimes and 143 property crimes. That works out to 327 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 16% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 1,040 property crimes per 100,000, 50% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime is down about 20% since 2021, based on the yearly rates below.

Crime rates describe the whole area a police department covers. Some streets are much quieter than the average and some are busier, so look at the neighborhood grades and visit at different times of day.

Violent crimes per 100,000 people in Athens by yearTexas32720212022202320242025

Violent crimes per 100,000 people by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.

Violent crime
327
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
1,040
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Athens by yearTexas1,04020212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Athens Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.

Schools in Athens

Athens has 5 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 20% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Athens ISD.

Texas districts usually assign students by attendance zone rather than the closest campus, so check the zone for a specific address with the district before you sign a lease or buy.

Schools grade
33
of 100 vs Texas cities
Average rating
77
Texas median 81

Ratings are the 2025 Texas Education Agency A to F accountability ratings. Always check which school serves a specific address with the district.

Top-rated schools

  • BBel Air ElementaryElementary, Athens ISD82 of 100
  • CAthens High SchoolHigh, Athens ISD79 of 100
  • CCentral AthensElementary, Athens ISD76 of 100
  • CAthens MiddleMiddle, Athens ISD75 of 100
  • CSouth Athens ElementaryElementary, Athens ISD73 of 100

Best neighborhoods in Athens

We grade 3 areas inside Athens. The top three are Northeast Athens (B-), Central Athens (D) and Northwest Athens (F). Use the map to color the city by any grade, or the sliders to rank areas by what you care about.

Loading map
    All 3 Athens neighborhoods, A to Z

    Daily life in Athens

    Everyday places mapped inside Athens, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Cain Park, Coleman Park, O.D. Baggett Park.

    The average one-way commute is 21 minutes, 22% shorter than the Texas average. 3% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

    The median household income is $67,984, income per person is $30,150, unemployment is 4.3% and 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

    Grocery stores
    8
    Pharmacies
    8
    Restaurants
    105
    Cafes
    8
    Bars
    6
    Parks
    11
    Gyms
    7
    Hospitals and urgent care
    12
    Childcare
    6
    Libraries
    1

    Jobs, income and education

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Median household income13% lower than Texas$67,984$78,476$80,734
    Income per person26% lower than Texas$30,150$40,752$44,673
    Unemployment rateAbout the same as Texas4.3%5.3%5.2%
    People below the poverty line1 points lower than Texas13%14%12%
    Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher12 points lower than Texas21%34%36%
    Adults with a high school diploma or higher2 points lower than Texas84%86%90%
    Adults 18 to 64 without health insuranceAbout the same as Texas19%20%11%
    Homes with broadband internet9 points lower than Texas82%91%91%

    Getting to work

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Average commute22% lower than Texas21 min27 min26 min
    Workers who work from home11 points lower than Texas3.1%14%15%
    Workers who work from home3.1%
    Workers who take transit0.1%
    Workers who walk2.5%
    Workers who bike0%

    Who lives in Athens

    Under 1823%
    18 to 3428%
    35 to 6430%
    65 and over19%

    Median age 34.2 years. 32% of households have children.

    Race and ethnicity
    White48%
    Hispanic or Latino32%
    Black13%
    Asian2.9%
    Other or more than one race3.9%

    Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.

    Weather in Athens

    Athens has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 94°F and January lows about 35°F. There are about 92 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 45 inches of rain a year.

    Average monthly high and low temperatures in Athens30°50°70°90°58J62F69M76A83M90J94J95A89S79O68N59DRain

    Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Athens, 3 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

    Natural hazard risk

    FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is low, hurricane risk is moderate, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is very high. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.

    • River floodingLow
    • HurricanesModerate
    • TornadoesVery high
    • HailVery high
    • Heat wavesHigh
    • WildfiresHigh
    • Winter stormsHigh
    • Strong windVery high

    Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.

    Places near Athens

    Nearby, Malakoff gets an A, Eustace gets a C+ and Brownsboro gets a B-. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

    1. AMalakoffTown, 2,045 people9 mi
    2. C+EustaceTown, 1,039 people12 mi
    3. B-BrownsboroTown, 1,658 people15 mi
    4. C-Payne SpringsTown, 1,201 people17 mi
    5. B-Gun Barrel CityTown, 6,570 people18 mi
    6. CMabankTown, 5,187 people19 mi

    Living in Athens: common questions

    Is Athens, TX a good place to live?

    Athens gets an overall grade of C and ranks 112th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on getting around and cost of living, and trails on internet access and home ownership.

    How much does it cost to live in Athens?

    Renters in Athens pay a median of $1,112 a month, 21% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $210,800, 26% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.1x the median household income, compared with 3.6x across Texas. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $1,378, including property tax.

    Is Athens safe?

    In 2025, Athens Police Department reported 327 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 16% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 1,040 per 100,000, 50% lower than the Texas rate.

    Are the schools good in Athens?

    We found 5 rated public school campuses inside Athens. 20% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 33 of 100 compared with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.

    What are the best neighborhoods in Athens?

    Based on our scores, the top-rated areas in Athens are Northeast Athens, Central Athens and Northwest Athens. We score 3 areas in the city.

    Does Athens flood?

    FEMA rates river flooding risk in Athens as low, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: tornadoes, heat waves, hail, wildfires, winter storms and strong wind. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.

    What is the weather like in Athens?

    Summers in Athens peak at about 94°F in July, and January nights fall to about 35°F. Expect around 92 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 45 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Athens?

    The average one-way commute is 21 min, 22% lower than the Texas average. About 3.1% of workers work from home.

    Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.