Welcome to Athens, known as "The Classic City." Athens is located approximately 61 miles northeast of Atlanta and offers something for everyone. Just below the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this university city of just over 100,000 residents offers visitors a unique blend of Southern heritage and contemporary entertainment. Enjoy a wide range of award-winning restaurants. Stroll through our charming downtown area or wander through picturesque North campus. View local and national art collections at one of our many local galleries. Whether you're looking for art, history, sports, shopping, entertainment, or nature, you'll find it in Athens!

Athens Demographics

• Clarke County was founded in 1801
• Athens was chartered in 1806
• Located 61 miles northeast of Atlanta

Government

• In 1991, the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County became the 28th consolidated city-county government in the U.S. and the third in Georgia.
• Mayor: Heidi Davison, elected 2002 http://www.athensclarkecounty.com

Population

• 103,691 (2003 U.S. Census estimate, includes UGA students residing in Clarke County)

Industry According to Employment

• Government 29%
• Manufacturing 14%
• Retail Services and Tourism 23%
• Other Services 14%
• Health Care 12%
• Finance / Insurance / Real Estate 3%
• Wholesale Trade 3%
• Unclassified 2%
  (Source: Georgia Department of Labor)

Athens Tourism Dollars

• Hotel/motel tax: 7%
• Sales tax: 7%
• Tourism expenditures for 2002 contributed $154.5 million to Clarke County's economy, generated 2,200 jobs and supported a $38.75 million payroll.
• Athens hosted 450,000 overnight visitors in 2002.
• Each motorcoach of travelers that overnights in Athens spends an estimated $156 per person, per night.
• In 2003 567 events at The Classic Center generated 18,000+ room nights and added $8.5 million in direct economic impact to Athens' economy.

Georgia Tourism Dollars

• Tourism is second only to agriculture as a dollar and job producer in Georgia.
• 48 million overnight tourists and countless day trip visitors spent $25 billion in Georgia in 2003, supporting 209,000+ jobs and $6 billion in resident wages.
• $1.14 billion in tourism tax revenues saves each Georgia household $352 in local and state taxes.