Atlanta’s Elevation: How High Is the City Above Sea Level?

Atlanta isn’t just the capital of Georgia—it’s also one of the highest major cities in the eastern United States. If you live in Atlanta, are planning a trip, or are just curious about the area’s geography, understanding Atlanta’s elevation helps make sense of its climate, neighborhoods, and even some of its nicknames.

Atlanta’s Elevation in a Nutshell

The short answer:

• Average elevation of Atlanta: about 1,050 feet (320 meters) above sea level
• Downtown Atlanta: roughly 1,000–1,050 feet
• Highest points in the city limits: around 1,500+ feet in some northern and western areas
• Lowest points: near 700–800 feet along creeks and river valleys

Atlanta’s elevation isn’t one single number. Instead, it varies across the metro, which you can feel when you’re driving up and down hills in neighborhoods like Buckhead, Midtown, and Southwest Atlanta.

Why Atlanta Is Called “The City in a Forest” and “The City on a Ridge”

Atlanta sits on the Piedmont Plateau, a gently rolling upland region between the Appalachian Mountains and the Coastal Plain. That location explains a lot:

• The “city in a forest” nickname reflects the mix of high ground covered with trees, especially visible from spots like Buckhead, Druid Hills, and the neighborhoods around Northside Drive and Cascade Road.
• Historically, Atlanta grew around a railroad ridge line, where tracks could be laid more easily than in deep valleys or steep mountain areas.
• Its elevation helped make it a natural transportation hub, with rail lines and highways crossing a relatively high, stable area.

This ridge-like setting is part of why downtown and midtown feel elevated compared with nearby river basins.

How Elevation Changes Around Atlanta

Even if the average elevation is around 1,050 feet, different parts of the city sit at different heights.

H3: Elevation by Area (Approximate)

Below is a simple overview of how elevation varies in and around Atlanta. These are rounded, general ranges—not precise survey numbers.

You’ll notice that rivers and creeks are where elevation drops most sharply. The Chattahoochee River, just northwest of the city, sits noticeably lower than the nearby neighborhoods up on the bluffs and ridges.

How Atlanta’s Elevation Affects Everyday Life

For most people in Atlanta, the city’s elevation is something you feel more than you think about.

Climate and Weather

Atlanta’s height above sea level plays a role in its temperate climate:

• Compared to lower parts of south Georgia, Atlanta tends to be very slightly cooler, especially at night.
• Summers are still hot and humid, but elevation helps prevent the city from being as consistently hot as the coastal plain.
• In winter, some light snow or ice events can happen, particularly on higher ground north and west of the city.

You might notice small differences within the metro too. Neighborhoods on higher ridges sometimes feel just a bit cooler or breezier than low-lying creek valleys.

Transportation and Driving

Anyone who drives across Atlanta knows the city isn’t flat:

• Interstates like I‑75/85 through downtown and I‑285 roll over a series of hills.
• Roads such as Peachtree Street, Howell Mill Road, Cascade Road, and Briarcliff Road climb noticeable grades.
• Freight rail lines and MARTA tend to follow more stable elevation paths, avoiding sharp climbs where possible.

These subtle elevation changes can affect drainage, visibility in heavy rain, and where fog collects, especially in lower areas along creeks and near the river.

Building and Development

Elevation and slope matter for:

• Stormwater runoff and flooding risk
• Where retaining walls, culverts, and drainage systems are needed
• How new neighborhoods and commercial areas are laid out

Parts of Atlanta with steeper hillsides may need more careful planning for driveways, foundations, and erosion control, especially in wooded areas of Northwest and Southwest Atlanta.

Elevation, Flooding, and Stormwater in Atlanta

Being at about 1,000 feet above sea level doesn’t mean every spot in Atlanta is safe from flooding. Elevation works at both the regional and local level.

Higher City, Lower Valleys

Regionally, Atlanta is relatively high compared with the coast, but locally:

• Low-lying areas along creeks and streams (for example, along Proctor Creek, Peachtree Creek, and Intrenchment Creek) can be more prone to flooding during heavy rains.
• Some neighborhoods have a mix of high ridges and low floodplains within a short distance.

If you’re considering a home or business location, it can be useful to ask:

• Is the property on a hill, mid-slope, or valley?
• Are there visible streams, culverts, or detention ponds nearby?
• Has the area historically experienced standing water or flash flooding?

The City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management and Fulton County provide floodplain mapping and stormwater guidance for residents who want to understand local elevation and drainage around their property.

Elevation and the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Many travelers are curious about Atlanta’s elevation at the airport, since it can affect takeoff and landing.

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) sits at roughly 1,020 feet above sea level.
• For pilots and airlines, this is considered a moderate elevation, well within normal operating ranges for commercial jets.

If you’re flying in or out, you won’t need to do anything differently because of elevation. It’s mainly part of the data used by pilots, air traffic controllers, and weather services.

Airport main address:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
6000 North Terminal Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30320
Main information line: (800) 897‑1910 (information commonly provided by airport services)

How to Find Elevation for a Specific Address in Atlanta

If you want to know the exact elevation of your home, business, or favorite park in Atlanta, there are several simple approaches:

• 🔍 Online maps with elevation tools: Many map platforms allow you to click on a location and see its approximate elevation.
• 🗺️ Topographic maps: Printed or digital topo maps show contour lines and spot elevations across the Atlanta area.
• 📏 GPS devices and apps: Some handheld GPS units and phone apps display current elevation based on your location.

For more technical or official uses—such as construction, surveying, or drainage planning—residents often consult:

• Licensed land surveyors in the Atlanta area
• City of Atlanta planning or permitting offices for development-related elevation and grading requirements

City of Atlanta – Department of City Planning (central office):
55 Trinity Avenue SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
City information line: (404) 330‑6000 (general inquiries often routed from here)

How Atlanta’s Elevation Compares to Other Georgia Areas

Atlanta’s height stands out when you compare it to other parts of Georgia:

• North Georgia mountains (e.g., near Helen, Blue Ridge, or Brasstown Bald) rise far higher, into the thousands of feet.
• South Georgia and the coast (e.g., Savannah, Brunswick, Valdosta) are much lower, in some areas only tens of feet above sea level.

Atlanta sits in between—higher than the coast, lower than the mountains—which contributes to its mix of mild winters, warm summers, and rolling hills.

Quick Facts: Atlanta’s Elevation at a Glance

• Average city elevation: ~1,050 feet (320 meters) above sea level
• Downtown core: around 1,000–1,050 feet
• Airport (ATL): around 1,020 feet
• Highest city neighborhoods: some areas exceed 1,300–1,500 feet
• Nearby river level (Chattahoochee): around 750–800 feet

If you live in or visit Atlanta, you’re spending most of your time roughly 1,000 feet above sea level, moving up and down a landscape of gentle ridges, valleys, and tree-covered hills that quietly shape how the city looks, feels, and functions.