Did Buckhead Secede From Atlanta? What Really Happened and What It Means for You

If you live in Atlanta, visit often, or are thinking about moving here, you’ve probably heard people ask: “Did Buckhead secede from Atlanta?”

The short, clear answer is: No. Buckhead did not secede from the City of Atlanta.
As of today, Buckhead is still part of the City of Atlanta and remains one of its official neighborhoods and economic centers.

This guide breaks down what happened, why there was so much talk about “Buckhead City,” and what it actually means for residents, workers, and visitors in Atlanta.

Is Buckhead Still Part of the City of Atlanta?

Yes. Buckhead is still in Atlanta.

Buckhead remains:

• Within the city limits of Atlanta
• Under the City of Atlanta government
• Served by the Atlanta Police Department (APD) and Atlanta Fire Rescue Department
• Represented on the Atlanta City Council
• Part of Fulton County

You still pay City of Atlanta property taxes (if you own property there), follow Atlanta city ordinances, and vote in Atlanta municipal elections if Buckhead is your home address within city limits.

Where Did the “Buckhead Secession” Idea Come From?

Background on the Buckhead City Proposal

In recent years, some residents and business owners in Buckhead raised concerns about:

• Crime and public safety
• How city tax dollars are used
• Infrastructure and local services
• Representation in city government

In response, a movement to create a separate “Buckhead City” gained attention. Supporters wanted Buckhead to become its own city, separate from Atlanta, with its own:

• Mayor and city council
• Police department
• City services and budget

This idea is often referred to as “Buckhead secession” or “Buckhead Cityhood.”

Did Lawmakers Approve Buckhead City?

No. Although there was significant debate in the Georgia legislature, proposals to allow a referendum on Buckhead cityhood did not result in Buckhead becoming a separate city.

At different points:

• Bills were introduced in the Georgia General Assembly to allow Buckhead residents to vote on cityhood.
• Those bills sparked public hearings, media coverage, and strong opinions from both supporters and opponents.
• Ultimately, lawmakers did not pass legislation that would remove Buckhead from Atlanta.

Because of this, no official secession vote took place, and no new city was created.

Key Facts: Buckhead and Atlanta Today

Here’s a quick snapshot of the situation as it stands now:

How Buckhead’s Status Affects Everyday Life

For Residents

If you live in Buckhead (for example, near Peachtree Road, West Paces Ferry Road, Lenox Road, or Northside Drive):

• Your mailing address may say “Atlanta, GA” with a Buckhead ZIP code (like 30305, 30309, 30326, etc.).
• You are still a City of Atlanta resident for:
  • Property taxes
  • City services (trash pickup, some street maintenance, local ordinances)
  • City elections (mayor, council members)
• Police response is typically from APD’s Zone 2, which covers most of Buckhead.

If you hear someone say “Buckhead left Atlanta,” they’re talking about a proposal that did not pass, not a change that actually took place.

For Visitors and Workers

If you’re:

• Shopping at Lenox Square or Phipps Plaza
• Going out around Buckhead Village
• Working in Buckhead office towers along Peachtree Road or around Piedmont Road

You are still in the City of Atlanta. Parking rules, local ordinances, and public safety resources operate under Atlanta city rules and Fulton County jurisdiction.

Who Governs Buckhead Right Now?

City Government

Buckhead is governed by the City of Atlanta. This includes:

• Mayor’s Office
  City Hall
  55 Trinity Ave SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main information line: typically available via the City of Atlanta’s general contact number.

• Atlanta City Council
  Buckhead neighborhoods fall into certain City Council districts and Neighborhood Planning Units (NPUs).
  Residents can:

  • Contact their district council member
  • Attend NPU meetings for their Buckhead area
  • Participate in public comment on city policies

County Government

Buckhead also falls under Fulton County for:

• Courts and the justice system
• Property records
• Some public health and social services

Fulton County Government Center
141 Pryor St SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

Why Didn’t Buckhead Become Its Own City?

Different people highlight different reasons, but several common factors shaped the outcome:

• State-level decision-making: Any new city in Georgia must be approved by the Georgia General Assembly and then typically by local voters. Lawmakers did not move forward with creating Buckhead as a separate city.
• Financial and legal questions: There were concerns about:
  • What would happen to Atlanta’s existing bonds and debt
  • How to divide schools, parks, and infrastructure
  • The impact on Atlanta’s overall budget and services
• Regional impact: Many Atlanta and state leaders raised issues about how splitting Buckhead from Atlanta might affect the broader metro area, including transportation, economic development, and public safety.

The result: The proposal did not advance to the point of actually creating “Buckhead City.”

Public Safety and City Services in Buckhead

One major driver of the cityhood conversation was concern about crime and safety in Buckhead.

Current Law Enforcement in Buckhead

Today, public safety in Buckhead typically involves:

• Atlanta Police Department (APD)
  Headquarters
  226 Peachtree St SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303

  Buckhead is primarily covered by APD Zone 2, which patrols many north Atlanta neighborhoods, including much of Buckhead.

• Private and supplemental security
  Some Buckhead business districts and residential communities partner with:

  • Off-duty officers
  • Private security patrols
    These do not replace APD but operate alongside it.

If you live, work, or spend time in Buckhead, you still rely on Atlanta’s city-level public safety system, not a separate Buckhead city police department.

If You Move to or From Buckhead, What Changes?

Since Buckhead is still part of Atlanta, any move to or from Buckhead within city limits is just a move within the same city.

• Moving into Buckhead from another Atlanta neighborhood:

  • You remain a City of Atlanta resident.
  • Your voting, taxes, and basic city services still come from Atlanta (though your specific council district or school zone may change).

• Moving out of Buckhead but staying in Atlanta:

  • Same: you keep Atlanta city status, just with a different neighborhood and possibly different local school or NPU.

• Moving from Buckhead to another city in metro Atlanta (like Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, or Smyrna):

  • You shift to that city’s government and its services.
  • This has nothing to do with Buckhead secession; it’s just a move between established cities.

How to Confirm You’re in the City of Atlanta

Some areas near Buckhead can be confusing because nearby cities like Brookhaven and Sandy Springs border Atlanta.

To see if an address is officially in the City of Atlanta:

1. Check your property tax bill or statement

   • If you see City of Atlanta listed as a taxing authority, you are in the city.

2. Look up your address with local government tools

   • Use the City of Atlanta or Fulton County address lookup tools when available.
   • Many residents also call city offices to confirm city boundaries near Buckhead.

3. Ask your leasing office or real estate agent

   • For apartments or homes advertised as “Buckhead,” confirm whether the property is inside Atlanta city limits or in a neighboring city that uses “Buckhead area” as a locator.

This can help with understanding which school system, trash pick-up rules, and local election ballots apply to you.

What to Watch for Going Forward

Discussions about Buckhead’s relationship with Atlanta have been intense at times and may continue. However:

• Buckhead cannot secede on its own.
  Any change would require:

  • Action by the Georgia General Assembly, and
  • Typically, a referendum (vote) by local residents.

• If the topic resurfaces, it will likely involve:

  • New legislative proposals
  • Public hearings and media coverage
  • Extensive debate among residents, city officials, and state leaders

Until such a process is successfully completed—which it has not been—Buckhead remains legally and officially part of Atlanta.

Practical Takeaways for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

• Buckhead did not secede from Atlanta.
• Buckhead is still a neighborhood and commercial district within the City of Atlanta, not an independent city.
• City services in Buckhead are still provided by:
  • City of Atlanta (police, fire, many local services)
  • Fulton County (courts, some health and social services)
• If you live, work, or travel in Buckhead, you are operating under Atlanta city laws and systems, just as before.

Understanding this helps clear up confusion when you hear about “Buckhead City” in conversations or headlines. For everyday life—taxes, voting, safety, services—your point of reference is still the City of Atlanta.