South Fulton, GA vs Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), GA
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
South Fulton, GA and Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), GA spend within 12.4% of each other per resident — $23,211 versus $20,643 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), GA holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 78/100 (grade B) against 48/100 (grade D) for South Fulton, GA — a 30-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
Neither city reports outstanding debt per resident in its current Census filing, which removes debt service as a point of difference between them. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: parks and recreation leads in South Fulton, GA at $985 per resident and in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), GA at $2,332.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on other revenue — 1390% of total revenue in South Fulton, GA and 20% in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), GA.
Summary
South Fulton spends 12.4% more per capita than Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance) ($2,568/person difference). Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), GA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 78/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $36 | $35 |
| Sales Tax | $369 | $1,045 |
| Income Tax | $1,634 | $715 |
| Intergovernmental | $416 | $2,956 |
| Charges & Fees | $1,624 | $1,578 |
| Other | $5,785 | $6,437 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Police | $0 | $1,372 |
| Fire Protection | $456 | $771 |
| Highways & Roads | $129 | $459 |
| Education | $138 | $0 |
| Public Welfare | $1,252 | $508 |
| Health | $0 | $722 |
| Hospitals | $381 | $0 |
| Parks & Recreation | $985 | $2,332 |
| Housing | $2,512 | $2,708 |
| Sewerage | $0 | $183 |
| Utilities | $4,087 | $2,250 |
| Other | $13,271 | $9,338 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.