Clarke County

As of the latest estimates, Clarke County, GA has a population of approximately 128,000. The racial composition is about 65% White, 27% Black or African American, 5% Asian, and 3% from other races. Hispanic or Latino individuals comprise roughly 11% of the population. The median household income is around $41,000, and the poverty rate stands at about 28%. The median age is approximately 28 years, reflecting the presence of the University of Georgia.

Clarke County, GA, primarily featuring Athens, has a median home value of approximately $220,000 as of 2023. The median monthly rent is around $950. Homeownership rate stands at about 38%, with renting prevalent at 62%. The market exhibits a mix of single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments. Housing costs have risen over the past few years due to growing demand, partly fueled by the University of Georgia's presence. The area sees roughly 1,000 new housing units annually, addressing both student and residential needs.

Clarke County, GA, hosts multiple elections for various offices, including local, state, and federal positions. The Board of Elections oversees these elections. For recent local elections, key positions include the Mayor and County Commissioners.

In the 2022 Athens-Clarke County elections, for instance, the Mayoral race featured incumbent Kelly Girtz; he won re-election with approximately 60% of the vote. For County Commission District 5, Deborah Gonzalez secured her position, garnering around 55% of the votes.

Voter turnout typically ranges between 25-45% in local elections, spiking during presidential election years. In 2020, Clarke County had a roughly 70% voter turnout.

Residents can find detailed candidate information and election results at the Athens-Clarke County Board of Elections website or local government offices.

Clarke County, GA, home to the University of Georgia, has a higher educational attainment rate compared to many areas but lags behind some benchmarks. According to the U.S. Census Bureau:

• 88.4% of adults (25+) in Clarke County possess at least a high school diploma, which is slightly below the national average of 88.5% (as of 2021).
• 45.6% of adults in the county hold a bachelor's degree or higher, surpassing the national average of approximately 35% and the Georgia state average of about 32.2%.

This indicates a well-educated population, likely influenced by the presence of a major university. While high school graduation rates are near the national average, higher education rates in Clarke County are notably exceptional compared to both state and national levels.

As of recent data, Clarke County, GA, has an employment rate of approximately 95.4% with an unemployment rate around 4.6%. The labor force consists of about 65,000 individuals. The top industries in Clarke County include Education (significantly influenced by the University of Georgia), Healthcare, Retail Trade, Accommodation and Food Services, and Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.

When compared to national averages, Clarke County has a higher concentration of jobs in education due to the presence of the University of Georgia. The healthcare and retail sectors are on par with both state and national averages. However, the county has a lower proportion of manufacturing jobs compared to the national average of around 8.5%.

Statewide in Georgia, manufacturing and logistics play a larger role, reflecting Georgia's position as a transportation hub, whereas Clarke County is more education and service-oriented.

As of the latest data, Clarke County, GA has an average household income of approximately $45,000 per year. This is significantly lower than both the national and state averages. The national average household income is about $68,700, while Georgia's state average is around $63,200. The data highlights a noticeable economic disparity between Clarke County and broader benchmarks.

These figures underscore the economic challenges faced by residents of Clarke County compared to both the state and the nation.

As of 2022, Clarke County, Georgia had a varying rate of crimes. According to the latest data, the overall crime rate stands at approximately 48 per 1,000 residents annually. Violent crime rates are about 3 per 1,000 residents, while property crimes are significantly higher. The table below details the types of crimes and their statistics for Clarke County, GA:

These figures provide a snapshot of the crime landscape in Clarke County and contribute to understanding community safety.