Describe your county's political/demographic history

[old timey villain]

Clarke County, GA. Not born here but I've lived here for the past 6 years and consider it my home. The county is home to Athens, GA which is home to the University of Georgia. Because it's a college town, Athens is more diverse and liberal than the rest of the state, especially the surrounding area. Most people see it as an island of (non atlas) blue in a sea of (non atlas) red. It wasn't always so far left though. UGA used to be your typical southern school more like Auburn, Alabama and Ole Miss. It wasn't integrated until the early 60s and even after that it remained pretty "old south." That changed around the 80s though when the Athens music scene took off. Bands like REM and the B52s really took off around that time and Athens gained a reputation as great music city, attracting more artsy, liberal residents and students. You can see the change in election results. Clarke goes quickly moves to the left of Georgia in the 80s and 90s. I'll start with 1984 since the favorite son effect wears off by then in GA.

1984
Clarke: 53% Reagan 47% Mondale
Georgia: 60% Reagan 40% Mondale

1988
Clarke: 48% Bush 48% Dukakis (Dukakis wins by 4 votes)
Georgia: 59% Bush 40% Dukakis

1992
Clarke: 42% Bush 43% Clinton
Georgia: 36% Bush 53% Clinton

1996
Clarke: 56% Clinton 38% Dole
Georgia: 46% Clinton 47% Dole

2000
Clarke: 52% Gore 41% Bush
Georgia: 55% Bush 43% Gore

2004
Clarke: 58% Kerry 40% Bush (almost a total flip from statewide margin)
Georgia: 58% Bush 41% Kerry

2008
Clarke: 65% Obama 34% McCain
Georgia: 52% McCain 47% Obama

2012
Clarke: 63% Obama 34% Romney
Georgia: 53% McCain 45% Obama


So since 1984 Clarke has gone from being 14 points more D than the state to 27 points more D in 2012