RANK #609 / 996 · POP 128,864 · GA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.3%
Known for its consolidated city-county government with Athens, Clarke County, Georgia, offers a blend of urban amenities and natural spaces. Located about 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, the commute to the larger city can take around 1.5 hours during peak times, or just over an hour otherwise. The county is the smallest in Georgia by land area, yet it features over 2,500 acres of parks and facilities, including the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and the Sandy Creek Nature Center, providing opportunities for hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Public transportation, including Athens Transit and UGA Campus Transit, operates throughout the county, with Athens Transit offering fare-free bus service.
Life in Clarke County is shaped by the presence of the University of Georgia, which serves as a major employer and influences the local economy and culture. The community attracts a diverse population, including young professionals. The local economy, historically rooted in manufacturing and textiles, has shifted towards educational, health, and social services due to the university's growth. Recent economic developments include investments in advanced manufacturing and construction materials, with new facilities being established in the area. The Clarke County School District operates numerous elementary, middle, and high schools.
Well below national median
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.7x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Athena Studios Data Center Conversion
Reynolds Capital
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Tallassee Shoals Hydroelectric Facility
Tallassee Shoals LLC / Green Power EMC
|
$50M | Operating |
|
The Classic Center Authority Rooftop Solar Installation
The Classic Center Authority / Cherry Street Energy
|
$50M | Completed |
|
Renewable Energy Project (SPLOST 2020 Project 11)
Athens-Clarke County Unified Government
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Tallassee Road Single Family Detached Lots (150 lots)
Seed Capital Investments
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Mill Row Single Family Detached Lots (90 lots)
Seed Capital Investments
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Clarke County has a Boom Town Index score of 39/100, ranking #609 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.5% and a median household income of $48,692, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Clarke County is $242,600 with median rent at $1,045/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2007, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.5%. Home values changed +1.5% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 10.82% of Clarke County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.