Lifestyles

• Housing -- Clarke County has nearly every form of living space that one could want to live in including high rise apartments, lofts in restored historic properties, apartments above stores downtown, suburban single-family homes, and rural estates and farms. Any number of choices are available from the historic to the modern. The average home sale price in Clarke County in 2006 was $146,900.
• Healthcare -- Athens-Clarke County had 5.6 hospital beds per 1,000 population in 2000, which was greater than the statewide average of 3.1 beds per 1,000 population. St. Mary's Hospital has the region's largest pediatric-capable general nursing unit. Athens Regional Medical Center offers the community a vast array of services that make it one of the most sophisticated facilities in northeast Georgia.
• Recreation -- A multitude of recreation opportunities await in Clarke County including cultural events, festivals, shopping, parks and facilities, and major college sports in the Southeastern Conference.
•  Education -- The Athens-Clarke County School District runs 13 elementary, 4 middle and 2 high schools. Additionally, there are 5 private schools in the area. Athens-Clarke County is the home of the University of Georgia and Athens Area Technical School along with other specialized learning institutions. Since 1990, six schools in the Clarke County School District have been designated Georgia Schools of Excellence, the highest honor a public school in the state can receive. The Clarke County School District has more Schools of Excellence than any surrounding school system.
• Community -- Clarke County was created from a part of Jackson County in 1801. It was named for Revolutionary War General Elijah Clarke. On January 14, 1991, the unification of the City of Athens and Clarke County established the second consolidated city/county government in the state of Georgia. Athens grew up around The University of Georgia, the nation's oldest land grant university. It offers the best of both rural and urban living.
• Climate -- The annual average temperature in Clarke County is 61.3°, making the climate mild and enjoyable year round. Coastal beaches are less than a four-hour drive away and mountains just under two hours, offering accessible recreation opportunities.