A college town with diversity and culture describes Athens, Georgia. If you're packing your bags and relocating to Athens, here is some information about the city.

Located in Clarke County, Athens is home to the University of Georgia. The founding and subsequent growth of Athens has primarily been due to the prosperity of this major university. In 1991, the city formed a unified government with Clarke County, now referred to as Athens-Clarke County. U.S. Census estimates in 2005 put this community's population at 103,238, a 3% increase since 2000. The metro area had 175,085 people. The racial profile of Athens finds 58.6% of residents were White non-Hispanic, 27% African American, and 8.9% Hispanic. The average household size was 2.3 people. No surprise for a college town, is the very young citizenry with an average of 26.9 years. Married couple families accounted for just 28% of city homes.

Well educated but low paid describes the populous of Athens-Clarke County. The median income of households in 2005 was $29,820, far below the U.S. average of $46,242. Families had more earning power with $45,746 of annual income, but still lagging the nation by more than $9,000. Jobs in the educational field were tops for both men and women in Athens. For men, 20% of jobs were in the educational services industry, 24% for women. Of citizens 25 and older, 43% held a bachelor's degree or higher. With many young people relocating to Athens for an education rather than a job, unemployment and poverty levels tend to be high. The jobless rate was above 10% in early 2005, while nearly 30% of the community lived below the poverty line.

Housing can be very affordable in Athens. The 2005 median house/condo value was $146,800. That's more than $20,000 below the national average.
With recent residential development, 32% of city housing units have been built since 1990. Over 60% of households were occupied by renters. The median monthly housing costs for mortgaged owners was $1,122, while renters were paying $658. About 55% of renters spent 30% or more of their income on housing. Crime in Athens is slightly above the national level with moderate personal risk and average property crimes rates. In 2005, the FBI Crime Index was lower than previous years at 365.7. The U.S. average was 325.2.

Athens was founded at the site of the University of Georgia in 1785. At the end of the Civil War, the city was spared from destruction during the Union army's "March to the Sea". A variety of antebellum buildings were left behind, many are of which are now preserved as part of the country's historic places. Those relocating to Athens will find a significant liberal community with its college atmosphere. The music scene has produced groups like R.E.M. and the B-52's. Other bands include Indigo Girls, Matthew Sweet, and Widespread Panic. Athens also has a vibrant literary reputation. The city has been home to a number of well-known authors to include Pulitzer Prize winners Deborah Blum and Edward Larson.

Hot in the summer and cool in the winter, Athens' climate can fluctuate. Summertime highs peak at 90.2 degrees on average, while January's lows are near freezing at 32.9. The yearly average for precipitation is 47.8 inches. Historically, tornado activity in the area is near the state average, 41% greater than the overall U.S. average.