If you live in Atlanta, are thinking about moving here, or are visiting for an extended stay, it’s natural to wonder: “How many murders are happening in Atlanta this year?” Just looking for a single number, though, can be misleading without context.
Below is a clear, Atlanta-focused guide to how homicides are tracked, what’s publicly available, how crime trends have been shifting, and what practical steps you can take to stay informed and safe.
When people ask, “How many murders in Atlanta this year?” they usually want a sense of safety and risk.
A few things make that hard to answer with a precise, up‑to‑the‑day figure:
Because of this, what you’ll usually find are:
For current, exact numbers in Atlanta, it’s better to know where to look and how to interpret what you see than to rely on a single number that changes frequently.
In most Atlanta crime reports:
When reading Atlanta crime statistics, look for wording like:
This helps you compare apples to apples when looking at data from different years or sources.
If you want the most up‑to‑date picture of how many murders have occurred in Atlanta this year, these local sources are your best starting points.
The Atlanta Police Department (APD) provides crime information for the City of Atlanta, including homicides.
You can typically find:
Key APD contacts for crime information:
Atlanta Police Department Headquarters
226 Peachtree Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Main phone: (404) 546‑5895 (general information)
Zone precincts (Zone 1–6) also sometimes share local crime summaries at community meetings and via neighborhood associations.
If you prefer in-person or phone guidance, you can contact APD’s Public Affairs Unit through the main line and ask where to find current homicide or violent crime statistics.
Atlanta is part of Fulton County and also extends into DeKalb County. You may see crime data from:
City of Atlanta online crime dashboards or open data portals
These typically show:
Fulton County and DeKalb County public safety pages
These are more county‑wide and may be broader than just the city limits.
When viewing these tools, be sure to:
For past years, Atlanta homicide totals are often included in:
These are less current (usually lagging by many months) but more stable once published.
While exact year-to-date numbers change, there are some general patterns Atlanta residents usually pay attention to:
For someone relocating or choosing where to live, it’s helpful to:
One major source of confusion is the difference between:
When you see homicide numbers, verify:
Metro Atlanta numbers will always be higher, simply because they cover a much bigger population and area. For personal decision-making (like where to live), focus on city-level and even neighborhood-level information.
If you’re choosing a place to live in Atlanta, you may want to understand local safety patterns, not just overall city totals.
Use crime maps that show incidents by location
Filter by:
Attend or watch neighborhood public safety meetings
Many Atlanta neighborhoods have:
Talk with local residents and property managers
They can often share:
Check APD zone crime snapshots
Atlanta is divided into police Zones 1–6. Each has its own patterns. You can ask APD which zone covers your address and what the recent violent crime trends have been.
No city can offer a risk‑free environment, but many Atlanta residents use common-sense habits that reduce personal risk, especially around violent crime.
If you’re concerned about crime or need to report something in Atlanta, here are key contacts.
If you or someone you know has been affected by violent crime, including homicide loss:
Fulton County District Attorney’s Office – Victim‑Witness Assistance Program
Lewis R. Slaton Courthouse
136 Pryor Street SW, 3rd Floor
Atlanta, GA 30303
Main phone: (404) 612‑4981
DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office – Victim‑Witness Assistance
556 N. McDonough Street
Decatur, GA 30030
Main phone: (404) 371‑2561
These offices can provide information about case status, court processes, and available support services.
Below is a simple summary of where to look and what each source is best for.
| Need / Question | Best Local Resource | What You’ll Typically Get |
|---|---|---|
| “How many homicides so far this year in the city?” | Atlanta Police Department (APD) crime data | Year‑to‑date counts and city-level trends |
| “Is my neighborhood seeing a lot of violent crime?” | APD crime maps, APD zone reports, NPU meetings | Neighborhood or zone‑specific patterns |
| “Is this number high or low compared with other years?” | APD year‑to‑year comparisons, state/national summaries | Trend over time (rising, falling, or steady) |
| “Who do I call to report a crime or share a tip?” | 911, APD Non-Emergency, Crime Stoppers | Emergency response and anonymous reporting |
| “Where can I get help as a crime victim?” | Fulton/DeKalb DA Victim‑Witness Programs | Support services and case information |
When you’re making decisions about living, working, or spending extended time in Atlanta, consider:
Look beyond a single homicide count. One number for “this year” doesn’t tell you:
Compare over several years. You’ll get a better sense of whether the city is:
Focus on the neighborhoods where you’ll spend most of your time.
Commuting patterns, nightlife areas, and your home neighborhood all matter more than the overall citywide total.
Balance crime data with quality-of-life factors. Many Atlanta residents choose neighborhoods based on:
If you want to know exactly how many murders have occurred in Atlanta so far this year, your best step is to check the most recent crime data published by the Atlanta Police Department and, if needed, follow up via their non-emergency line for guidance on interpreting the numbers.
