<P> The U.S. State of Georgia is divided into 159 counties , more than any other state except for Texas , which has 254 counties . Under the Georgia State Constitution , all of its counties are granted home rule to deal with problems that are purely local in nature . Also , eight consolidated city - counties have been established in Georgia : Athens -- Clarke County , Augusta -- Richmond County , Columbus -- Muscogee County , Georgetown -- Quitman County , Statenville -- Echols County , Macon -- Bibb County , Cusseta -- Chattahoochee County , and Preston - Webster County . </P>
how many counties does the state of georgia have
159 counties