Clarkston is located in central DeKalb County, Georgia, situated just outside the eastern edge of Interstate 285 (the "Perimeter"). It is positioned approximately 11 miles east of downtown Atlanta and about 5 miles west of the prominent granite dome of Stone Mountain.
The city rests within the Piedmont region of Georgia, an area characterized by a mixture of deciduous and evergreen trees, particularly loblolly pines and native oaks. The physical footprint of the city is quite small—just under two square miles—making it a highly dense and walkable suburban environment compared to its neighboring municipalities.