Metro Atlanta Counties: A Local Guide to the 29-County Region

If you live in Atlanta, commute into the city, or are planning a visit, you’ll hear the term “Metro Atlanta” constantly. But what exactly does that include? Which counties are considered part of the Atlanta metropolitan area, and how does that affect transportation, services, and daily life?

This guide breaks down the Metro Atlanta counties, explains how the region is commonly defined, and gives you practical context for getting around.

What Does “Metro Atlanta” Mean?

When people say Metro Atlanta, they’re usually talking about the larger urban and suburban area surrounding the City of Atlanta, not just Fulton County.

The most widely used definition in planning and transportation is the 29‑county Atlanta metropolitan region often referenced by regional agencies such as:

• Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC)
• Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)
• Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA)

This 29‑county region covers the core city, close‑in suburbs, exurbs, and growing communities that are economically and socially tied to Atlanta.

The 29 Metro Atlanta Counties (Full List)

Below is a clear list of the 29 counties commonly included in the Metro Atlanta region:

• Barrow County
• Bartow County
• Butts County
• Carroll County
• Cherokee County
• Clayton County
• Cobb County
• Coweta County
• Dawson County
• DeKalb County
• Douglas County
• Fayette County
• Forsyth County
• Fulton County
• Gwinnett County
• Hall County
• Haralson County
• Heard County
• Henry County
• Jasper County
• Lamar County
• Meriwether County
• Morgan County
• Newton County
• Paulding County
• Pickens County
• Pike County
• Rockdale County
• Spalding County

If you live, work, or regularly travel in one of these, you’re generally considered to be in Metro Atlanta.

Core vs. Outer Metro Atlanta Counties

Not all metro counties feel the same. Locals often divide the region into core and outer areas based on proximity to downtown and density.

Core Metro Counties (Most Commonly Mentioned)

These are the counties people usually think of first when they say “Atlanta”:

• Fulton County – Includes Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Roswell, and more.
• DeKalb County – Includes parts of Atlanta, plus Decatur, Brookhaven, Dunwoody, and others.
• Cobb County – Includes Marietta, Smyrna, Kennesaw, Acworth.
• Gwinnett County – Includes Lawrenceville, Duluth, Norcross, Snellville, Peachtree Corners.
• Clayton County – Includes Jonesboro and parts of the area around Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
• Henry County – Includes McDonough, Stockbridge.
• Cherokee County – Includes Woodstock, Canton.
• Douglas, Fayette, and Rockdale Counties – Often grouped with the core because of close commuting ties.

These core counties have heavier traffic, more commuter transit options, and are closely tied to daily life in the City of Atlanta.

Outer and Exurban Counties

Counties like Barrow, Bartow, Dawson, Hall, Haralson, Heard, Jasper, Lamar, Meriwether, Morgan, Newton, Paulding, Pickens, Pike, Spalding, and Carroll are more exurban or rural, but many residents commute into the Atlanta area for work and services.

They’re still considered part of Metro Atlanta because of economic and commuting connections—even if they feel less “city-like.”

Quick Reference: Metro Atlanta Counties at a Glance

Below is a simple table to help you see where counties sit relative to the city, and how they’re commonly perceived:

This isn’t an official classification, but it reflects how many locals talk about the region.

Why the County Matters When You’re Getting Around

In Metro Atlanta, your county can affect:

• Transit options
• Commuting patterns
• Road maintenance and local projects
• Airport access and shuttle choices

Transit and Transportation by County

Here are some of the key transit providers and how they connect to counties:

• MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority)

  • Rail and local bus services.
  • Primarily serves Fulton, DeKalb, and parts of Clayton and Cobb (through special routes and connections).
  • Main rail lines converge in Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead Atlanta.

• Xpress (Managed through the State / Regional authorities)

  • Commuter bus services from many outer and core counties into job centers like Downtown, Midtown, and Perimeter.

• County-Level Transit Systems (examples):

  • CobbLinc – Serves Cobb County, links to MARTA.
  • Gwinnett County Transit (Ride Gwinnett) – Serves Gwinnett County, with commuter routes into Atlanta.
  • Connect Douglas – Transit in Douglas County.
  • Some other counties offer limited or demand-response transit, especially for seniors or people with disabilities.

If you’re planning to commute into Atlanta, knowing which county you’re in is important for:

• Selecting the right park-and-ride lot
• Understanding which bus routes or rail stations are realistic
• Estimating travel time during rush hour

How Metro Counties Connect to the Atlanta Airport

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is physically located in Clayton County and the City of Atlanta (Fulton/Clayton area), but it serves travelers throughout all 29 counties.

Key points by area:

• Core counties (Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton):
  • Easier access via major interstates (I‑75, I‑85, I‑285, I‑20) and MARTA heavy rail directly into the airport station.
• Outer and exurban counties:
  • Commonly use I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, GA‑400, or I‑985 plus airport parking, ride-hailing, hotel shuttles, or private transportation services.

Even if you live in an outer county like Hall or Paulding, you’re still very much part of the airport service area most Atlantans rely on.

Government and Services: Who Handles What?

Each county in Metro Atlanta has its own county government responsible for local services like:

• Property tax administration
• Certain court services
• Public safety (sheriff’s office, some law enforcement functions)
• County roads and some infrastructure
• Zoning outside city limits

If you need official information about your specific county—such as property records, elections, or local ordinances—it’s best to go directly to your county government offices.

Examples of Central Government Locations (for Orientation)

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

• DeKalb County Administration Building
  1300 Commerce Dr, Decatur, GA 30030

• Cobb County Government (Marietta Government Complex)
  100 Cherokee St NE, Marietta, GA 30090

• Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center
  75 Langley Dr, Lawrenceville, GA 30046

Most other metro counties have their main courthouse or administration building in the county seat (for example, McDonough for Henry County, Canton for Cherokee County, Douglasville for Douglas County).

How Metro Atlanta Counties Affect Daily Life

If you’re new to Atlanta or trying to decide where to live, it helps to understand how counties shape daily life:

• Commute Times & Traffic

  • Core counties can mean shorter distance to job centers but heavier traffic.
  • Outer counties can offer more space but longer commutes into Atlanta.

• Transit Access

  • If you want reliable rail or frequent buses, living in Fulton or DeKalb, or near a major MARTA station, offers the most options.
  • Some counties rely almost entirely on driving or limited commuter transit.

• Local Identity

  • Many residents say they’re “from Atlanta” even if they technically live in Marietta (Cobb), Decatur (DeKalb), or Lawrenceville (Gwinnett).
  • Counties often have their own character, school systems, and local culture, even while being part of the broader metro.

How to Tell If You’re in a Metro Atlanta County

If you’re not sure whether a particular city or address is inside Metro Atlanta, you can:

1. Check the County Name on Your Address or Property Tax Bill

   • The county name is typically shown under your mailing or property information.

2. Look Up the City

   • Cities like Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, Decatur, Marietta, Smyrna, Lawrenceville, Jonesboro, McDonough, Griffin, Newnan, Carrollton, Gainesville, and many more fall inside metro counties.

3. Use County Government Resources

   • Each county’s website usually allows you to search your address to confirm jurisdiction and available services.

If the county is one of the 29 listed above, you’re in Metro Atlanta as most local planners and residents understand it.

In summary, Metro Atlanta is much more than just the City of Atlanta—it’s a 29‑county region that stretches across north, south, east, and west Georgia, tied together by commuting patterns, shared services, and the daily movement of people in and out of the city. Knowing which county you’re in helps you navigate transportation, government services, and life in and around Atlanta more confidently.