Until very recently, Warner Robins and Macon were one metropolitan area, as defined by the Census Bureau. But now Warner Robins is its own metro area, located about 15 miles south of Macon. Warner Robins is primarily a military town, supporting the large Warner Robins Air Force Base. Warner Robins was originally named Wellston, but was renamed during WWII. The city is lacking a downtown area, but has plans for urban renewal to create an area that will foster central shopping and entertainment. Like Macon, the nearby existence of Atlanta, one of the premier metro areas in the U.S. about 100 miles to the north, is a big asset.

The city sits where the Piedmont plateau meets the broad coastal plain, giving some hills to the west and broad, flat forests, farmland and wetlands to the southeast. Most of the surrounding countryside is wooded except for a few farms. At the border of subtropical and continental influences, Macon is well situated to escape climatic extremes. In summer, warm, humid periods are cooled by dry northwesterly winds as well as by showers and thunderstorms. Some storms are severe, with tornadoes observed every year in adjacent counties. The Appalachians block some cold air in the winter. Snow occurs occasionally especially in surrounding hilly areas, but amounts are usually small. First freeze is typically in early November, last is in mid-March.