Is Atlanta in Fulton County? How the City and Counties Actually Fit Together

If you’re moving to Atlanta, changing your address, or trying to figure out your property taxes or school zones, the question “Is Atlanta Fulton County?” comes up a lot.

The short answer: Much of the City of Atlanta is in Fulton County, but not all of it. Atlanta spans two different counties: Fulton and DeKalb.

Understanding this split is important for things like voting, schools, taxes, and services.

Atlanta vs. Fulton County: The Basic Breakdown

Atlanta is a city. Fulton is a county. They are not the same thing, but they overlap.

• Yes: A large portion of the City of Atlanta lies within Fulton County.
• Also yes: A significant portion of Atlanta lies in DeKalb County.
• No: Not all of Fulton County is Atlanta. Fulton also includes cities like Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, East Point, College Park, and others.

Think of it this way:

• Atlanta = city government (Mayor and City Council)
• Fulton County = county government (Board of Commissioners)
• DeKalb County = another county government that also serves part of Atlanta

Quick Reference: How Atlanta and Counties Fit Together

Where Exactly Is Atlanta in Fulton County?

Most people who say “Atlanta” are talking about the core city, which includes:

• Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead
• Many intown neighborhoods, such as:
  • Old Fourth Ward, West End, Southwest Atlanta, Bankhead, Vine City
  • Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, Grant Park, Pittsburgh, Mechanicsville
  • Cascade area, Greenbriar, Adamsville
• Major landmarks and facilities:
  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, Georgia World Congress Center
  • Georgia Tech, Georgia State’s Downtown campus

All of these are in the City of Atlanta within Fulton County.

Parts of Atlanta That Are in DeKalb County

Some well-known Atlanta neighborhoods are actually in DeKalb County, even though they are still inside the City of Atlanta. Examples include parts of:

• East Atlanta
• Kirkwood
• Edgewood
• Candler Park
• Lake Claire
• Druid Hills (some areas within city limits)
• Portions along Moreland Avenue, Briarcliff Road, and nearby corridors

You can live in “Atlanta, GA” with a City of Atlanta address, but still be a DeKalb County resident. This affects who handles your:

• Property taxes
• Courts and jury duty
• Some public health and social services

Why It Matters Whether You’re in Fulton or DeKalb

Even if your mailing address just says “Atlanta, GA,” the county you are in changes what applies to you.

1. Property Taxes and Assessments

• If your Atlanta home is in Fulton County, your property is assessed by the Fulton County Board of Assessors.
• If your Atlanta home is in DeKalb County, it’s assessed by the DeKalb County Board of Assessors.
• In both cases, if you’re inside City of Atlanta limits, you typically pay both city and county property taxes.

This can affect:

• Your tax rate
• How you apply for homestead exemptions
• Where you go to appeal an assessment

2. Voting and Elections

Your county determines:

• Where your county polling place is
• Who your county commissioners are
• Some of your judicial and school board representatives

You still vote in city elections for Atlanta’s Mayor and City Council if you live in the City of Atlanta, but your county races will be either Fulton or DeKalb–specific.

3. Schools

Public school zoning in metro Atlanta is county-based, not city-based (with some separate city school systems in other cities). For Atlanta:

• Most of the City of Atlanta (both Fulton and DeKalb parts) is served by Atlanta Public Schools (APS).
• But if you live in unincorporated Fulton County (outside any city) or in another Fulton city like Sandy Springs, Roswell, College Park, or East Point, your school system is usually Fulton County Schools, not APS.
• If you’re in DeKalb County but not in the City of Atlanta, you are usually served by DeKalb County School District.

Within the City of Atlanta, APS mostly covers both county portions, but your county still matters for taxes and some services.

4. Courts, Juries, and Records

The county you live in determines which court system you use for:

• Superior Court and State Court matters
• Probate Court (wills, estates, some licenses)
• Magistrate Court (small claims and some civil matters)
• Jury duty summons

If you’re an Atlanta resident in Fulton County, your court is typically in the Fulton County Courthouse in Downtown Atlanta.
If you’re an Atlanta resident in DeKalb County, you would usually go to DeKalb County’s courthouses in Decatur.

How to Check If Your Atlanta Address Is in Fulton County

If you’re not sure whether your Atlanta address is in Fulton or DeKalb, there are a few simple ways to find out:

1. Look at Your Property Tax Bill

If you own your home or building, your tax bill will clearly list your county:

• Fulton County Tax Commissioner if you’re in Fulton
• DeKalb County Tax Commissioner if you’re in DeKalb

2. Check Your Voter Registration Card

Your voter card or voter registration info will show your:

• County of residence
• Voting precinct and county-specific districts

3. Use County Property Search Tools

Both Fulton and DeKalb maintain property search tools on their official websites where you can look up an address and see:

• The county
• Basic property details
• Tax information

4. Call the County Directly

If you prefer to speak to someone, you can contact:

• Fulton County Government (Customer Service)
  Main line (commonly used): 404-612-4000
  Government Center: 141 Pryor Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

• DeKalb County Government (Central/General Info)
  Main line (commonly used): 404-371-2000
  Administrative Offices: 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA 30030

Ask them to help you confirm whether a specific Atlanta address is in their county.

City of Atlanta vs. “Atlanta” Mailing Addresses

Another source of confusion: not every “Atlanta, GA” mailing address is inside the City of Atlanta, and not every “Atlanta” address is in Fulton County.

• The U.S. Postal Service uses “Atlanta” as a mailing city for many nearby areas.
• You can have an Atlanta mailing address but actually live in another city or in unincorporated county land.

For example:

• Some addresses in Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, or South Fulton may still show up as “Atlanta” for mailing.
• Some addresses in unincorporated DeKalb or Fulton County might list “Atlanta” but are not in the City of Atlanta.

To confirm if you are actually inside the City of Atlanta, you can:

• Look up your address in the City of Atlanta GIS or property information tools.
• Check your property tax bill for references to “City of Atlanta.”
• Call Atlanta City Hall (City of Atlanta, Customer Service at 404-330-6000) and ask if your address is inside city limits.

How County Lines Affect Everyday Life in Atlanta

For someone living, working, or relocating to Atlanta, here are the key practical impacts of being in Fulton vs. DeKalb:

Housing & Renting

• Landlords and property managers often list properties as “Atlanta” without clarifying the county.
• Your renters’ insurance, property taxes (for owners), and some utility arrangements can vary depending on county.

Utilities and Services

• Water and sewer are often managed by the county (Fulton or DeKalb), though specific service arrangements depend on your exact location.
• Trash and recycling may be handled by the City of Atlanta or the county, depending on whether you’re inside or outside city limits.

Police, Fire, and EMS

If you’re inside the City of Atlanta:

• Atlanta Police Department (APD) is your primary police agency.
• Atlanta Fire Rescue Department provides fire and EMS services.

If you are outside the city but still in Fulton or DeKalb, the respective county or local city departments take over. This generally won’t change your 911 experience (dispatchers route calls correctly), but it matters for understanding jurisdictions and incident reports.

Key Takeaways for Anyone in or Moving to Atlanta

• Atlanta is not the same thing as Fulton County.
• Much of Atlanta is in Fulton County, but a sizable portion is in DeKalb County.
• Your county of residence (Fulton vs. DeKalb) affects:
  • Property taxes and exemptions
  • Voting districts and polling places
  • Courts and jury duty
  • Some services like water, trash, and certain social programs
• Your mailing address saying “Atlanta, GA” does not guarantee:
  • That you’re inside the City of Atlanta, or
  • That you’re in Fulton County

If you’re unsure, always verify your county and city status for your address through:

• Your tax bill
• Voter registration info
• Official county or city look-up tools
• A quick call to Fulton or DeKalb County, or to the City of Atlanta

Understanding this distinction will make it much easier to navigate relocation, home buying, voting, schools, and local services in the Atlanta area.