How Many Counties Are in Atlanta? Understanding the City and the Metro Area

If you live in Atlanta, are moving here, or are planning a visit, it’s very common to wonder: “How many counties are in Atlanta?”

The answer depends on whether you mean:

• The City of Atlanta itself, or
• The larger Atlanta metropolitan area (often called “metro Atlanta”).

Below is a clear breakdown so you know exactly how Atlanta fits into Georgia’s county system.

The Short Answer: How Many Counties Are “In” Atlanta?

• The City of Atlanta is located in 2 counties:

  • Fulton County
  • DeKalb County

• The broader Atlanta metropolitan area (the region people usually mean when they say “Atlanta”) commonly includes about 11 core counties, and in some definitions 20+ counties.

So if you’re asking strictly about the city limits, the number is two counties. If you’re thinking about the greater Atlanta region, that number is much larger.

Atlanta as a City: Which Counties Is It In?

The 2 Counties That Make Up the City of Atlanta

The City of Atlanta is unusual because it is not contained entirely within a single county. Instead, its boundaries cross over into two separate counties:

1. Fulton County
2. DeKalb County

Most of what people think of as “Atlanta” is in Fulton County, but significant portions of the city—especially on the east side—are in DeKalb County.

Here’s a quick overview:

If your mailing address says “Atlanta, GA”, that does not always mean you are inside the official city limits. Your actual city and county may be different from your postal address.

Fulton County and DeKalb County: How They Matter to You

If you live, work, or spend a lot of time in Atlanta, knowing which county you are in matters for:

• Property taxes
• Voting locations and elected officials
• School districts (Atlanta Public Schools vs. Fulton County Schools vs. DeKalb County Schools)
• Court and legal matters
• County services (such as libraries, sheriff’s offices, and certain public programs)

Fulton County (Majority of the City of Atlanta)

Key points about Fulton County:

• Atlanta is the county seat of Fulton County.
• Most famous Atlanta landmarks are in Fulton, including:
  • Downtown and Midtown business districts
  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium
  • State Farm Arena
  • The Georgia State Capitol area
• Many city neighborhoods you hear about frequently—like Buckhead, West Midtown, and Old Fourth Ward—are in Fulton County.

Main Fulton County Government Center

• Address: 141 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Typical Uses: Property records, some court services, county administration

DeKalb County (Eastern Parts of Atlanta)

Key points about DeKalb County:

• Eastern parts of the City of Atlanta fall inside DeKalb County.
• Atlanta neighborhoods in DeKalb County include areas like:
  • East Atlanta Village
  • Parts of Kirkwood
  • Edgewood
  • Some parts of Druid Hills
• Certain city residents pay City of Atlanta taxes and DeKalb County taxes.

DeKalb County Government – Downtown Decatur

• Address: 1300 Commerce Dr, Decatur, GA 30030
• Typical Uses: County administration, courts, county services

If you’re unsure which county you’re in, you can usually check:

• Your property tax bill
• Your voter registration information
• Your county tag office for car registration

Metro Atlanta: How Many Counties Are in the “Atlanta Area”?

When people talk about “Atlanta” in a regional sense, they often mean metro Atlanta, not just the city itself. This includes many surrounding cities and suburbs that are tightly connected by commuting, shopping, and shared infrastructure.

The Core Metro Atlanta Counties

A commonly recognized core metro Atlanta area includes 11 counties:

1. Fulton County
2. DeKalb County
3. Cobb County
4. Gwinnett County
5. Clayton County
6. Henry County
7. Cherokee County
8. Douglas County
9. Fayette County
10. Rockdale County
11. Forsyth County

These counties together make up what most residents think of as “greater Atlanta”—places where people regularly commute into the city, share media and transit systems, and use Atlanta as their main urban center.

Expanded Metro Definitions

Some official and planning agencies use larger definitions of the Atlanta metropolitan area that include 20 or more counties, stretching further out into north and central Georgia.

If you’re a visitor or new resident, you’ll usually only need to be familiar with the core 10–11 counties where Atlanta’s economic and commuting patterns are strongest.

Why Are There So Many Counties Around Atlanta?

Georgia has a relatively large number of counties compared with many other states, and Atlanta grew in the middle of several of them. As the city and surrounding suburbs expanded, development spread across multiple counties rather than remaining within a single one.

Some practical things this means for you:

• Different county services:
  • Libraries, courts, jails, and county police or sheriff’s departments are organized by county.
• Different school systems:
  • For example, Atlanta Public Schools (APS) serves the City of Atlanta, while other parts of Fulton or DeKalb may be in Fulton County Schools or DeKalb County School District.
• Different taxes and fees:
  • Sales taxes, property taxes, and some service fees can vary by county, even within the metro area.

“Atlanta” vs. “Atlanta Address”: Why It Can Be Confusing

You will often see addresses like “Atlanta, GA” that are not actually inside the City of Atlanta or may be in a different county than you expect. The postal system uses city names for mail routing, which do not always match incorporated city boundaries.

For example:

• A home in Sandy Springs (north of the city) might sometimes use “Atlanta” in casual conversation, but it is a separate city in Fulton County.
• Parts of unincorporated DeKalb or Clayton County may have an Atlanta mailing address but are not inside the City of Atlanta government limits.

If it matters for voting, schools, or taxes, it’s best to confirm:

• Your official city/municipality
• Your county
• Whether you’re inside or outside the City of Atlanta boundaries

How to Find Out Which County You’re In (If You Live in the Atlanta Area)

If you live near Atlanta and are unsure which county you’re in, here are some simple ways to check:

1. Look at your property tax statement
   • It usually clearly lists the county tax office.
2. Check your voter registration
   • It will list your county of registration and precinct.
3. Visit or contact your local tag office (for car registration)
   • They operate by county, such as:
     • Fulton County Tax Commissioner’s Office – 141 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
     • DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office – 4380 Memorial Dr, Suite 100, Decatur, GA 30032
4. Use county or city mapping tools
   • Many county government websites provide locator tools to confirm whether an address is inside their jurisdiction.

Key Takeaways for Someone in or Visiting Atlanta

• The City of Atlanta itself lies in 2 counties: Fulton and DeKalb.
• The metro Atlanta area often refers to 11 core counties, and sometimes more than 20 in broader definitions.
• Knowing your county matters for:
  • Taxes
  • Schools
  • Voting
  • Court and county services
• Having an Atlanta mailing address does not always mean you’re in the City of Atlanta or in Fulton County.

If you’re living in or moving to the Atlanta area, it’s worth taking a few minutes to confirm both your city and county so you understand which local government offices and services apply to you.