Athens, Georgia: Difference between revisions

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}}

{{Infobox settlement

| nickname = "The Classic City"

| settlement_type = [[Consolidated city–county]]

| named_for = [[Athens]], [[Greece]]

| image_skyline = Athens Georgia City Hall 1.jpg

| imagesize = 250px

| image_caption = Athens City Hall

| flag_size =

| image_seal = Seal of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia.png

| image_shield =

| shield_size =

| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Georgia##Location in the United States

| pushpin_relief = 1

| subdivision_name = {{Flag|United States}}

| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]

| subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Georgia (U.S. state)|County]]

| subdivision_name2 = [[Clarke County, Georgia|Clarke]]

| government_type =

| leader_title = Mayor

| established_title3 = As City

| established_date3 = {{start date|1872|08|24}}

| area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2021">{{cite web|title=2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2021_Gazetteer/2021_gaz_place_13.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 13, 2021}}</ref>

| area_total_sq_mi = 118.10

| area_water_sq_mi = 1.77

| area_water_km2 = 4.58

| population_as_of = [[2020 United States census|2020]]

| population_footnotes = <ref name="QuickFacts">{{cite web |title=QuickFacts: Savannah city, Georgia |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/athensclarkecountyunifiedgovernmentbalancegeorgia/POP010220 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=October 13, 2021}}</ref>

| population_metro_footnotes = <ref name="2020Pop">{{cite web |title=2020 Population and Housing State Data |url=https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/2020-population-and-housing-state-data.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=October 13, 2021}}</ref>

| population_metro = 215415 ([[List of metropolitan statistical areas|212th]])

| utc_offset = &minus;5

| timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]

| elevation_m = 194

| elevation_ft = 636

| postal_code = 30601-30609, 30612

| area_code = [[Area code 706|706]]

| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]

| blank_info = 13-03440<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>

| population_demonym = Athenian

}}

 

 

As of 2020, the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]]'s population of the consolidated city-county (all of Clarke County except [[Winterville, Georgia|Winterville]] and a portion of [[Bogart, Georgia|Bogart]]) was 127,315.<ref name="QuickFacts" /> Athens is the [[Georgia (U.S. state)#Major cities|sixth-most populous city]] in Georgia, and the principal city of the [[Athens-Clarke County, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area|Athens metropolitan area]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/bulletins/fy05/b05-02_appendix.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060320183101/http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/bulletins/fy05/b05-02_appendix.pdf|url-status=dead|title=U.S. Whitehouse OMB Bulletin No. 05-02 Appendix (Code 12020*)|archive-date=March 20, 2006}}</ref> which had a 2020 population of 215,415, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.<ref name="2020Pop" /> Metropolitan Athens is a component of the larger [[Atlanta metropolitan area|Atlanta–Athens–Clarke County–Sandy Springs Combined Statistical Area]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2010/cph-t/CPH-T-2.pdf |title=Statistical data|website=census.gov}}</ref>

[[File:Athens, Georgia City Hall 2008.jpg|275px|thumb|left|City Hall on College Avenue in Downtown Athens, seen across Washington Street]] The first buildings on the University of Georgia campus were [[Log building|made from logs]]. The town grew as lots adjacent to the college were sold to raise money for the additional construction of the school. By the time the first class graduated from the university in 1804, Athens consisted of three homes, three stores, and a few other buildings facing Front Street, now known as Broad Street. Completed in 1806 and named in honor of [[Benjamin Franklin]], Franklin College was the first permanent structure of the University of Georgia and the city of Athens. This brick building is now known as Old College.

 

 

During the [[American Civil War]],<ref>{{cite book|last1=Stegeman|first1=John F.|title=These men she gave : Civil War diary of Athens, Georgia|date=1964|publisher=University of Georgia Press|location=Athens|isbn=9780820334585|url=http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/ugapressbks/do-pdf:ugp9780820334585|access-date=February 21, 2018}}</ref> Athens became a significant supply center when the New Orleans armory was relocated to what is now called the Chicopee building. Fortifications can still be found along parts of the North Oconee River between College Avenue and Oconee Street. In addition, Athens played a small part in the ill-fated "Stoneman Raid" when a skirmish was fought on a site overlooking the Middle Oconee River near what is now the old Macon Highway.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Seibert|first1=David|title=The Stoneman Raid|url=http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/topics/historical_markers/county/clarke/the-stoneman-raid11|website=GeorgiaInfo: an Online Georgia Almanac|publisher=Digital Library of Georgia|access-date=November 9, 2016}}</ref> A [[Athens Confederate Monument|Confederate memorial]] that used to stand on Broad Street near the University of Georgia Arch was removed the week of August 10, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Aued|first1=Blake|title=Athens-Clarke County Starts Removing Confederate Monument|url=https://flagpole.com/news/in-the-loop/2020/08/13/athens-clarke-county-starts-removing-confederate-monument|website=Flagpole: The Colorbearer of Athens, Georgia|date=August 13, 2020|publisher=Flagpole Magazine|access-date=October 4, 2020}}</ref>

Athens has a [[humid subtropical climate]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=11327&cityname=Athens%2C+Georgia%2C+United+States+of+America&units=|title=Athens, Georgia Climate Summary|publisher=Weatherbase|access-date=December 29, 2015}}</ref> Its climatic regime is in many ways typical of [[Southeastern United States]] with hot summers transitioning into cool winters, but with precipitation being consistently high throughout the year. Normal monthly temperatures range from {{convert|43.5|°F|1}} in January to {{convert|80.6|°F|1}} in July; on average, maxima reach {{convert|90|°F|0}} or higher and stay below {{convert|40|°F|0}} on 58 and 5.8 days annually, and there are 48 days annually with a minimum at or below freezing.<ref name = "NOWData FFC"/>

 

 

Precipitation is relatively well spread (though the summer months are slightly wetter), and averages {{convert|46.3|in|mm|sigfig=3}} annually, but has historically ranged from {{convert|28.61|in|mm|abbr=on}} in 1954 to {{convert|71.39|in|mm|abbr=on}} in 1964.<ref name = "NOWData FFC"/> Snowfall is sporadic, averaging {{convert|2.9|in|cm|1}} per winter, but has reached {{convert|13.6|in|cm|1}} in 2010–2011.<ref name = "NOWData FFC"/>

|2010= 115452

|2020= 127315

}}

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The large population increase from 1990 to 2000 reflects the city's expanded boundaries that came with the consolidation of Athens and Clarke County, and not merely an influx of new residents. Since that time the population has increased an average of 12.7% every ten years.

==Government==

{{Expand section|date=March 2009}}

In 1990, the City of Athens and Clarke County voters voted to unify their governments, becoming only the second unified government in Georgia and the 28th nationwide.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.accgov.com/115/Historical-Timeline|title=Historical Timeline &#124; Athens-Clarke County, GA - Official Website|website=www.accgov.com}}</ref>

*Legislative: The [https://www.accgov.com/108/Government government] is headed by an elected [https://www.accgov.com/315/Mayor mayor] and 10 elected [https://www.accgov.com/168/Commission-Information-Biographies commissioners] from 10 equally divided districts. Previously, they have been formed from 8 geographical districts and two super-districts covering districts 1–4 and 5–8

| hqlocmappoptitle =

| sworntype = Sworn

| unsworntype = Civilian

| unsworn = 73

| minister1pfo =

| chief1name = Jerry Saulters

| child1agency =

| unittype =

}}

 

 

==Economy==

[[File:State Botanical Garden of Georgia 001.jpg|275px|thumb|upright=1.15|Formal garden at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia]]

 

* The "[[Tree That Owns Itself]]", which is now an offspring of the original tree

* The [[Georgia Museum of Art]], the official state museum of art, at the University of Georgia

 

===Colleges and universities===

* [[Athens Technical College]] is a [[Technical College System of Georgia]] public college. It offers certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees in business, health, technical, and manufacturing-related fields.<ref>[http://www.athenstech.edu/ Athens Technical College]. Retrieved July 23, 2010.</ref>

* [[Augusta University]] (AU) through its Medical College of Georgia has a [https://medicalpartnership.usg.edu/ Medical Partnership]<ref>[http://medicalpartnership.usg.edu/ AU-UGA Medical Partnership] Retrieved December 4, 2016.</ref> with the University of Georgia housed at the University of Georgia Health Science Campus,<ref>[http://medicalpartnership.usg.edu/?/about/campus AU-UGA Medical Partnership Health Science Campus] Retrieved December 7, 2016.</ref> and the AU College of Nursing has had a campus in Athens<ref>[http://www.augusta.edu/nursing/campuses.php AU CON Campuses] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129172430/http://www.augusta.edu/nursing/campuses.php |date=November 29, 2016 }} Retrieved December 4, 2016.</ref> since 1974.<ref>[http://www.augusta.edu/nursing/history.php AU CON History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129172510/http://www.augusta.edu/nursing/history.php |date=November 29, 2016 }} Retrieved December 7, 2016</ref>

* [[College of Athens]] (CoA) is a private Christian college that was established in 2012. CoA currently offers certificates, undergraduate, and graduate degrees in nine various major areas.<ref>[https://acmin.org/ Athens College of Ministry] Retrieved November 3, 2020</ref>

 

* [[WXAG]] 1470 AM, [[urban gospel]] music

 

 

Amateur radio has a long history in Athens. The Athens Radio Club 2-meter repeater operates on 145.330&nbsp;MHz with a (-) offset and a PL tone of 123.0/123.0. Its antenna is located at 390’ AGL on a tower in the northern part of the city.<ref>[https://aspace-arls.galileo.usg.edu/repositories/2/archival_objects/2617 Athens Radio Club collection.] Athens Regional Library System.</ref> The Athens Radio Club is affiliated with the [[American Radio Relay League]] and sponsors four community events each year.<ref>[https://www.athensradioclub.org/ Athens Radio Club.] Website</ref>

The movie ''[[Darius Goes West]]'' was shot in Athens.<ref>{{Cite book| title=The History of Independent Cinema |author=Phil Hall | publisher=BearManor Media | page=215 | year=2009 | isbn=978-1-59393-335-7}}</ref>

 

 

In 2012, ''[[Trouble with the Curve]]'' was partially filmed at The Globe in downtown Athens.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://onlineathens.com/local-news/2012-09-21/athens-sees-itself-trouble-curve |title=Athens sees itself in "Trouble with the Curve" |date=September 21, 2012 |access-date=July 12, 2013}}</ref> In the same year, ''[[The Spectacular Now]]'' was filmed entirely in Athens and the surrounding area.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://onlineathens.com/features/2012-08-17/soaking-spotlight |title=Soaking up the spotlight |date=August 17, 2012 |access-date=July 12, 2013}}</ref>

 

====Airports====

 

====Alternative Transportation====

 

====Rail====

 

Passenger service is proposed to return to Athens via a proposed route of the [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]] to [[Atlanta]] segment of the [[Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Atlanta to Charlotte Passenger Rail Corridor Investment Plan - Alternatives Development Report|url=http://www.dot.ga.gov/InvestSmart/Rail/EIS/18-Appendix%20B%20-%20Alternatives%20Development%20Report.pdf|date=March 2019|access-date=December 7, 2020}}</ref> The alignment with a proposed station stop in Athens was chosen as this segment's preferred alternative on September 30, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Federal Rail Administration (FRA) and the Georgia DOT have reviewed comments received during the Tier 1 DEIS public comment period|url=http://www.dot.ga.gov/AboutGeorgia/Pages/TheNetworkDetails.aspx?postID=9/30/20%209:54%20AM%20-%20The%20Federal%20Rail%20Administration%20(FRA)%20and%20the%20Georgia%20DOT%20have%20reviewed%20comments%20received%20during%20the%20Tier%201%20DEIS%20public%20comment%20period|date=September 30, 2020|access-date=December 7, 2020}}</ref>

* [[Bill Mallonee]] – American singer-songwriter

* [[Jeff Mangum]] – indie folk musician (lived in Athens until the early 2000s)

* [[Eaddy Mays]] – television and film actress

* [[Brian McCann (baseball)|Brian McCann]] – MLB player, born in Athens<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=435263 |title=Major League Baseball – Brian McCann |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |access-date=October 29, 2011}}</ref>

|publisher=Taylor & Francis

|isbn=1-135-94859-3

|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=REtEXQNWq6MC

| ref = {{harvid|Hellmann|2006}}

{{Clarke County, Georgia}}

{{Georgia (U.S. state)}}

{{Georgia county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Athens, Georgia| ]]

[[Category:Athens – Clarke County metropolitan area]]

[[Category:Cities in Georgia (U.S. state)]]

[[Category:Consolidated city-counties]]