Athens-Clarke County, GA

Georgia · Metropolitan Area

Athens-Clarke County is a large city in Georgia with a population of 126,987. Residents earn $51,655 per year, which is 31% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
126,987 Population 1,091/sq mi density
$51,655 Median Income $31,836 per capita
$271,800 Home Value
$1,162 Median Rent
63°F Avg Temperature 292 sunny days/yr
306 Violent Crime/100K 3,121 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$51,655 median income, 3.2% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.7 / 5.0
$271,800 home value, $1,162/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
306 violent crimes/100K (19% below avg)
A+
Education
4.9 / 5.0
48.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $51,655
31% lower than US avg
Home Value $271,800
4% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 306/100K
19% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 48.7%
45% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,162
0% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.7%
5% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.2%
11% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.7%
2% higher than US avg

How Athens-Clarke County Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population126,987
Median Age29.2 yrs
Density1,091/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 58%

Economy

B+
Median Income$51,655
Per Capita$31,836
Unemployment3.2%
Poverty12.7%
County GDP$10,824M
Commute21 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$271,800
Rent$1,162
OwnershipN/A

Crime

F
Violent306/100K
Property3,121/100K
Murder3.3/100K
Assault169/100K
Burglary625/100K

Health

Obesity33.7%
UninsuredN/A
Smoking14.4%
Depression21.0%
Heart Disease6.0%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI44 (Good)
Rain47.7 in/yr
Sunny Days292/yr
Elevation663 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+48.7%
High School+89.9%
School Score4.92

Community

2024 VoteR 30% / D 69%
Commute21 min
Libraries5

Is Athens-Clarke County a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Athens-Clarke County receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Athens-Clarke County offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Athens-Clarke County is $51,655, 31% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.2%, indicating a healthy job market. 12.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Athens-Clarke County is $271,800, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,162 per month. The price-to-income ratio of 5.3x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Athens-Clarke County is below the national average at 306 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,121 per 100,000, 59% above the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 48.7% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 89.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Athens-Clarke County enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. With 292 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 47.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.

Athens-Clarke County has a population of 126,987 with a density of 1,091 people per square mile. The median age is 29.2 years, 25% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (57.6%), with 2.1% Hispanic, 26.2% Black.

Population

126,987
Total Population
1,091
People / sq mi
29.2yrs
Median Age
25% below US avg
116.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.4%
Female 52.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Athens-Clarke County vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only84.9%
8% above US avg
Spanish15.1%
13% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Athens-Clarke County vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Athens-Clarke County is $51,655, which is 31% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 12.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Athens-Clarke County vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$51,655
31% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,836
Avg Weekly Wage$1,110
IRS Avg AGI$75,639

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.2%
11% below US avg
Poverty Rate12.7%
2% above US avg
Establishments (County)3,952
County GDP$10,824M

Business (County)

Restaurants388
Healthcare505
Retail501
Manufacturing95

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,663
62% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.08%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.7 min
Work from Home11.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Athens-Clarke County is $271,800, 4% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,162 (0% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$271,800
4% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,162
0% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$979
1 Bedroom$1,023
2 Bedrooms$1,203
3 Bedrooms$1,524
4 Bedrooms$1,775

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied40.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,663
62% above US avg
Effective Rate2.08%
In Athens-Clarke County, 33.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 14.4% are current smokers. 21.0% report depression. 27.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Athens-Clarke County vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.7%
5% above US avg
Diabetes13.3%
Heart Disease6.0%
High Blood Pressure36.5%
Asthma10.5%
COPD6.7%
Cancer6.5%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking14.4%
3% above US avg
Binge Drinking15.0%
Physical Inactivity27.4%
Depression21.0%
Mental Distress18.1%
Physical Distress13.8%
Short Sleep34.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate87.4%
Checkup Rate77.4%
Dental Visits57.1%
Premature Death8,073/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment5.5/10
Exercise Access74.0%
Healthcare Facilities505
Athens-Clarke County has a violent crime rate of 306 per 100,000 residents, 19% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,121 per 100,000 (59% above US avg). The murder rate is 3.3 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Athens-Clarke County vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent306.2/100K
19% below US avg
Murder3.3/100K
48% below US avg
Rape31.3/100K
Robbery102.9/100K
Assault168.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,120.7/100K
59% above US avg
Burglary625.5/100K
Theft2,341.4/100K
Vehicle Theft153.9/100K
Arson21.4/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)11

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Athens-Clarke County has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.7 inches. The area enjoys 292 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.

Temperature

49°F Jan (9°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average62.8°F
16% above US avg
January Average49°F (9°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days292 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.7 inches
26% above US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median44.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation663 ft (202 m)
Area116.4 sq mi (301.6 km²)
Population Density1,091/sq mi
Coordinates33.9496°N, 83.3701°W
County FIPS13059
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 48.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (45% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 38.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 30.4%
D 68.6%

Winner: Democrat by 38.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+48.7%
45% above US avg
High School+89.9%
School Test Score4.92
A+ Education Grade (4.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density1,091/sq mi
Total Area116.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities505
Restaurants388
Retail Stores501

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)11
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.7 min
Work from Home11.9%

Nearby Cities

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