West Athens is a census-designated place (CDP) in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 8,729 at the 2010 census, down from 9,101 at the 2000 census. It is an Unincorporated community within the 2nd Supervisorial District of Los Angeles County. West Athens is served by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, operating out of the South Los Angeles Station. The approximate boundaries for West Athens are: 87th Street to the North, Vermont Avenue to the East, El Segundo Boulevard to the South, and approximately Western Avenue to Van Ness Avenue to the West. West Athens is predominantly residential, with commercial uses along its main corridors.  Los Angeles Southwest Community College lies within West Athens.