Macon ( /ˈmeɪkən/) is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the largest city in central Georgia. It lies near the geographic center of Georgia, approximately 85 miles (136 km) south of Atlanta, hence the city's nickname as the Heart of Georgia. As of the 2010 Census, Macon had a population of 91,351; in terms of population, Macon is the seventh-largest city in Georgia (just after Sandy Springs). The city has several institutions of higher education, as well as numerous museums and tourism sites. The area is served by the Middle Georgia Regional Airport and the Herbert Smart Downtown Airport. The current mayor of Macon is Robert Reichert, a former Democratic member of the Georgia House of Representatives. Ronnie Thompson, served from 1967–1975 and achieved some national recognition. He was the first of two Republicans to have been elected as mayor, the other being George Israel (1979–1987).