Athens, city in northeastern Georgia, seat of Clarke County, on the Oconee River and the Piedmont Plateau. It is the home of the University of Georgia (1785), the country's oldest chartered state university. Athens is also a commercial and agricultural hub and has experienced considerable industrialization since World War II ended in 1945. Manufactures include electrical equipment, textiles, timepieces, and processed poultry. The city has many beautiful Greek Revival buildings. Athens was founded as the site of the University of Georgia and is named for the Greek city. It was incorporated 1806. Population 42,549 (1980); 45,734 (1990); 101,489 (2000).
