Signals
Jonesboro
Athens
Growth
75 · Top 11%
vs74 · Top 14%
Climate
70 · Top 36%
vs76 · Top 16%
Physical resilience
47 · Bottom 38%
vs50 · Bottom 43%
Housing affordability
92 · Bottom 43%
vs96 · Top 45%
Access
77 · Top 49%
vs68 · Bottom 34%
Economic stability
40 · Bottom 35%
vs38 · Bottom 32%
Measured values
| Metric | Jonesboro | Athens | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,792 | 68,227 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $56,738 | $61,438 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $32,407 | $32,322 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 93/sq mi | 109/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $192,200 | $205,300 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $929 | $822 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 60.8% | 76.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 17.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 20.1% | 13.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 993 | 198 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 7.3 | 2.9 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -0.1% | 44.5% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 91°F | 88°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 31°F | 28°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 48.5" | 60.4" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 44 mi | 46 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 21.9 min | 28.6 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 35.3 | 42.9 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Jonesboro
Elevated or high exposure: ice storm.
Athens
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Full profiles: Jonesboro, AR Metro Area · Athens, TN Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology