Athens, Georgia

Athens, or Athens-Clarke County, is the fifth largest city in Georgia. Located in the Classic Heartland Region of Georgia, Athens-Clarke County is a unified city-county. The merger of the city and county was carried out in 1991. It covers 118.2 sq mi (306.2 sq km) and has a population of 190,000 (2011 estimate). The city observes the Eastern Standard Time, which is UTC-5, and in summer the Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-4.

Athens, Georgia
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:TowardsUGAArch.jpg
Author: Chuck


The city of Athens experiences a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and cold winters. The average high temperature in July is 90°F (32.2°C) while the low temperature in January averages 33°F (0.6°C). March is the wettest month, with 4.99 in (126.7 mm) of precipitation.

Athens was of course named after Athens in Greece. The founding of the city is related to the establishment of the University of Georgia in 1785. A town came into being as the university was developed and buildings erected. It officially became a town in December, 1806 and received a city charter in 1872.

University of Georgia Art Building
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:UGAArtBuilding.jpg
Author: Chuck


Even as an African American middle class developed in Athens, the city school district remained segregated until 1970. There were sporadic violence against the blacks leading up to the end of segregation, including the murder of black Army reserve office Lemuel Penn in 1964.

Today the racial composition of Athens comprises 65% white, 27% black, and small percentages of other ethnic groups.

Visiting Athens

Sights and Places of Interest in Athens

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