Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance): Economy & Jobs
Median household income in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance) is $52,974 (about the same as Clarke County median $53,625; 1.5× below Georgia median $77,353), with homes at a median value of $299,200. The surrounding county supports 72,792 jobs (avg $57,718).
- $75,639 avg taxable income per return — higher than the median household income (at Georgia median).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $52,974 — below the Georgia median ($70,136). Poverty rate 26.5% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Affordability · Price To Income Ratio | 5.6× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Rent To Income Pct | 27.6% |
| Affordability · Interpretation | expensive |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $49,240 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $3,724,446 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $75,639 (at Georgia median) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $58,861 |
| Median Household Income | $52,974 (vs Georgia $70,136) |
| Poverty Rate | 26.5% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | white_collar |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Education Healthcare |
| Economic Character · Income Level | middle-class |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $52,974 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 3.3% — below the U.S. average of ~4%. 14% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Mean Commute Min | 20.60 |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 13.5% |
| Commuter Profile · Profile | short commute |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 72,792 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $4,201,425,285 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $57,718 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 4,757,900 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% (vs Georgia 3.5%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 64 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 4,218 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 65.90 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Poultry Totals, Cattle, Floriculture Totals, Field Crops, Other, Cut Flowers & Cut Cultivated G |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 3,243 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 51,240 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 2,475,886 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 27 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 15 |
| Local Businesses · Liquor Stores | 26 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 61 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 21 |
| Local Businesses · Clothing Stores | 8 |
| Local Businesses · Pet Stores | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Bookstores | 4 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 125 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 127 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 38 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 36 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (10)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (3)
| Nearest Snap · Name | DOLLARTREE 11043 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Distance | 1.3 mi |
Sources: USDA SNAP — nearest by coordinates
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | GREATER ROME CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION INC |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $798,646,395 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 6,206.89 (vs Georgia $7,735) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 128,671 people (vs Georgia 37,381) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 70.2% |
|---|---|
| Pct Public Transit | 4.7% |
| Pct Walked | 13.5% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 29.4 years (vs Georgia 35.6y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 23.1% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 2 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | hospital access, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | fair |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12