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Market Overview
Clarke County is home to the University of Georgia and is the smallest county in Georgia by area. Roughly 6 in 10 occupied homes here are rented (Census ACS, 2020-2024).
Clarke County and the City of Athens merged into one government on January 14, 1991 (ACC). Athens sits about 70 miles northeast of Atlanta. At about 122 square miles, Clarke is the smallest of Georgia's 159 counties (ACC, Feb 2023). The county had 129,921 residents as of July 2025 (Census). That is up 1.0% from the April 2020 count. The county was created in 1801 and named for Revolutionary War General Elijah Clarke. UGA was chartered in 1785, and the Town of Athens followed in 1806.
The median list price in Clarke County was $386,250 in September 2026, up 1.7% in a year (Realtor.com, Sept 2026). There were 590 active listings, and the median listing spent 64 days on market (Realtor.com, Sept 2026). That is down 19.1% from a year earlier. About 18% of listings had a price reduction (Realtor.com, Sept 2026). The median value of owner-occupied homes is $298,900 (Census, 2020-2024). Prices vary by street and home type, so compare recent sales on any block you like. Renters occupy about 59% of homes (Census ACS, 2020-2024). About 41.4% of occupied homes are owner-occupied (Census, 2020-2024). Median household income is $53,625 (Census, 2020-2024). About 24.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Census ACS, 2024 1-year). The county has 16 National Register districts, 16 local historic districts and 44 local historic landmarks (ACC, Feb 2023). If a home sits in one, ask the county about rules before you plan exterior changes.
Clarke County School District runs 15 Pre-K sites, 14 elementary, 4 middle and 3 high schools (ACC, Feb 2023). The district is separate from the Unified Government, and voters elect 9 members to its Board of Education. Check each school's state report card for current results. UGA is the largest employer, with 11,541 jobs (ACC, Dec 2022 estimates). Health care comes next, with Piedmont Athens Regional at 3,300 and St. Mary's Health Care System at 1,863. Other large employers include the school district (2,350), Caterpillar (1,500) and Pilgrim's Pride (1,300). The average commute to work is 20.7 minutes (Census ACS, 2020-2024). UGA enrolled 43,888 students in fall 2025, so plan tours and moves around the university calendar.
UGA is the largest employer, with 11,541 jobs. Piedmont Athens Regional is next with 3,300 (ACC, Dec 2022 estimates).
UGA enrolled 43,888 students in fall 2025, up 1.7% from the year before (UGA, Oct 2025).
About 59% of occupied homes are rented, so rental property is a large part of this market (Census ACS, 2020-2024).
The median list price is $386,250, up 1.7% in a year, with 590 active listings (Realtor.com, Sept 2026).
Explore the Area
An in-town Athens neighborhood near the UGA campus, with a mix of older homes and student housing.
An established in-town Athens neighborhood with independent shops and older homes close to campus.
Historic in-town areas near downtown Athens. Ask about local historic district rules before planning exterior work.
A separate small city inside Clarke County, with its own city government and a quieter, small-town pace.
A largely residential part of Athens east of downtown, with a mix of older and newer homes.
Renters are a large share of this market. About 59% of occupied homes are rented (Census ACS, 2020-2024). UGA enrolled 43,888 students in fall 2025 (UGA, Oct 2025). Rents and vacancy vary by street, so check recent leases before you buy.
Athens is about 70 miles northeast of Atlanta (ACC, Feb 2023). Drive times swing with traffic, so test the route at rush hour. Most residents work locally, and the average commute is 20.7 minutes (Census ACS, 2020-2024).
The median list price was $386,250 in September 2026, up 1.7% from a year earlier (Realtor.com, Sept 2026). The median value of owner-occupied homes is $298,900 (Census, 2020-2024). These measure different things. List price tracks homes for sale now, while the Census figure reflects what owners say their homes are worth. Prices vary by street and home type, so compare recent nearby sales.
UGA leads with 11,541 jobs. Next are Piedmont Athens Regional (3,300), Clarke County School District (2,350) and St. Mary's Health Care System (1,863). Caterpillar (1,500) and Pilgrim's Pride (1,300) are also major employers (ACC, Dec 2022 estimates).
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