The numbers behind Medicare in Clarke County
| Clarke County | Georgia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 16,791 | 1,696,217 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 12.9% | 15.4% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 18,811 | 2,041,931 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 10,383 | 1,148,032 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 55.2% | 56.2% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
With roughly 16,791 residents age 65 and older, Clarke County is 25th among 159 Georgia counties for older residents. That group is 12.9% of its population, compared with 15.4% across Georgia. The 5,660 residents now between 60 and 64 will become Medicare-eligible soon, and our turning 65 guide walks through it. By age, the 65-and-older group splits 61% ages 65 to 74, 30% ages 75 to 84 and 9% age 85 and up (Census 2023). About 55.2% of people with Medicare in Clarke County are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. That is close to the Georgia average of 56.2%. What most people do in a county is less important than what fits you. We weigh Medicare Advantage against Original Medicare with Medigap using your doctors, your drugs and your budget.
Who has Medicare in Clarke County
The U.S. Department of Agriculture classifies Clarke County as a metro county (counties in metro areas of fewer than 250,000 population). Counties like this tend to have a wider choice of hospitals and Medicare plans than rural ones, though networks still differ plan by plan.
CMS counts 19,248 Medicare beneficiaries in Clarke County (2023). Their average age is 74, about the same as the Georgia average of 73. About 11% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, close to the state figure of 12%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Clarke County, CMS reported about 564 emergency room visits and 216 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (560) and close to it for hospital stays (223). About 8% received home health care. These figures describe how people use care under Original Medicare; they do not show what any plan covers or costs.
Sources: CMS Medicare Geographic Variation, 2023; USDA Rural-Urban Continuum Codes, 2023.
Medicare Advantage and Part D plan availability and provider networks are set county by county, so the plans open to you in Clarke County may differ from those in a neighboring county. We are not based in Clarke County; we help Clarke County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Clarke County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists these hospitals in Clarke County:
- Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center — Athens (acute care; nonprofit; no emergency department; CMS overall rating 4 of 5)
- St. Mary's Hospital — Athens (acute care; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 1 of 5)
A hospital being in the county does not mean every plan covers it. Medicare Advantage networks differ by plan, so we check the hospitals and doctors you actually use before you enroll. Ratings are CMS Care Compare overall hospital star ratings; they describe the hospital, not whether a plan covers it. Source: CMS Hospital General Information.
Communities and ZIP codes in Clarke County
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Clarke County at Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance) (128,628), Winterville (1,195), Bogart (110), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
ZIP codes that fall mostly inside Clarke County include 30601, 30602, 30605, 30606, 30609. Plan availability can change by ZIP code, so have yours ready when we compare plans.
Questions about Medicare in Clarke County?
Reach out to us: fill out our short form or call (571) 354-0146, and a licensed agent will compare the plans available to you, check your doctors and drugs, and stay with you each year at renewal. For general Medicare information, the federal helpline is 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Medicare resources from official sources
- Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov, searchable by ZIP code.
- Georgia Access, Georgia’s own health insurance exchange, if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Medicare Care Compare for hospitals and doctors.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner: Georgia’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Clarke County residents
Here is what we can help Clarke County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance and annuities.
Get a clear answer for Clarke County
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonPlain-English Medicare answers
- What Medicare Part D actually costs
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
- How to read your Medicare Annual Notice of Change
- Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N
Clarke County compared with similar Georgia counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floyd County | 17,174 | 56.1% | 16% | Metro |
| Newton County | 16,381 | 65.4% | 14% | Metro |
| Lowndes County | 16,370 | 52.1% | 15% | Metro |
| Bartow County | 17,525 | 57.1% | 12% | Metro |
| Walton County | 17,530 | 60.6% | 11% | Metro |
| Whitfield County | 15,871 | 42.9% | 18% | Metro |
See every Georgia county in our Georgia directory or go to our Georgia Medicare hub.