Is Atlanta in DeKalb County? How the City’s Borders Really Work

If you’ve ever looked at an Atlanta address and wondered, “Is Atlanta in DeKalb County?”, you’re not alone. The short answer is:

Yes, part of the City of Atlanta is in DeKalb County — but not all of it.
Atlanta is a city that spans multiple counties, mainly Fulton County and DeKalb County.

Understanding where Atlanta and DeKalb County overlap is important for things like:

• Which county services you use
• Where you vote
• Which school system you’re in
• How your property taxes and permits are handled

Below is a clear breakdown of how Atlanta fits into DeKalb County and what that means if you live, work, or plan to move here.

Atlanta and Its Counties: The Big Picture

Atlanta is a city, not a county. In the Atlanta metro area, it’s common for cities to cross county lines, and Atlanta is one of them.

In simple terms:

So:

• Part of Atlanta is in DeKalb County
• Part of Atlanta is in Fulton County
• Some addresses say “Atlanta, GA” but are actually not in the City of Atlanta (just in an Atlanta ZIP code or postal area)

Which Parts of Atlanta Are in DeKalb County?

Roughly speaking, the eastern side of Atlanta is in DeKalb County.

Common areas of Atlanta that are (at least partly) in DeKalb County include:

• Neighborhoods and communities east of Moreland Avenue and south/east of Ponce de Leon Avenue
• Portions of:
  • East Atlanta
  • Kirkwood
  • Edgewood
  • East Lake
  • Candler Park (parts)
  • Reynoldstown (portions)
  • Areas near the City of Decatur border

These areas are inside the City of Atlanta limitsandinside DeKalb County, which means:

• You have City of Atlanta services (like Atlanta Police, Atlanta Fire Rescue, Atlanta Watershed)
• You fall under DeKalb County for county-level responsibilities (like county courts, tax assessments, and some public health services)

If you’re unsure, the line can literally run down a single street. Two houses on opposite sides of the same block might be in different counties.

How to Tell if Your Atlanta Address Is in DeKalb County

Because mailing addresses can be confusing, don’t rely only on:

• ZIP code
• “Atlanta, GA” in the address
• Nearby landmarks

Instead, use these more reliable checks:

1. Look Up Your Property on County Websites

If you own or are buying property, you can search for your address on either county’s online property records:

• If it shows up on DeKalb County property records: you’re in DeKalb
• If it shows up on Fulton County property records: you’re in Fulton

(If you see your address in both, you may be near the county line and can call either county’s tax office for clarification.)

2. Check Your Property Tax Bill

If you already live here, your annual property tax bill will clearly list:

• The county issuing the bill
• The tax districts, including city and school systems

You might see something like “City of Atlanta / DeKalb County.”

3. Verify Your Voter Registration

Your voter registration will list your county of registration and your districts. If your registration says DeKalb County and your city is Atlanta, you live in the DeKalb portion of Atlanta.

You can confirm with the DeKalb County Voter Registration & Elections Office:

• Address: 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300, Decatur, GA 30032
• Phone: (404) 298-4020

Atlanta vs. DeKalb County vs. “Atlanta Area”: Clearing Up the Common Mix-Ups

In metro Atlanta, three things often get blended together:

1. City of Atlanta – The municipal government with its own mayor, city council, police, and services.
2. DeKalb County – A county government that includes part of Atlanta plus other cities and unincorporated areas.
3. Greater Atlanta area – A broad regional idea used for mail, marketing, and “metro Atlanta” identity.

Here’s how they differ in practice:

City of Atlanta

• Has its own zoning rules, building permits, code enforcement, and city ordinances
• Provides APD (Atlanta Police Department) and Atlanta Fire Rescue as city services
• Oversees City of Atlanta property taxes (along with the counties)

DeKalb County

• Runs county-level services such as:
  • County courts (DeKalb County State and Superior Courts)
  • DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office & Jail
  • Certain public health and social services
• Responsible for county property assessment and county taxes in its portion of Atlanta

“Atlanta” Mailing Address

Many places outside the City of Atlanta have an Atlanta, GA mailing address but are in:

• DeKalb cities (like Brookhaven or Dunwoody)
• Unincorporated DeKalb or Fulton
• Other neighboring cities

So an “Atlanta, GA” address does not automatically mean:

• You’re in the City of Atlanta, or
• You’re in a specific county

If You Live in Atlanta, GA, What Changes if You’re in DeKalb vs. Fulton?

If your home is inside the City of Atlanta but in different counties, daily life looks similar, but important details change.

1. Property Taxes and Assessments

• County property taxes are based on your county:
  • Atlanta/DeKalb properties are assessed by DeKalb County
  • Atlanta/Fulton properties are assessed by Fulton County

Property owners interact with the county tax assessor and tax commissioner for:

• Property value assessments
• Homestead exemptions
• Tax payment issues

For DeKalb County property tax questions:

• DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office
  • Main Office: 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 100, Decatur, GA 30032
  • Phone: (404) 298-4000

2. Schools

Being in Atlanta does not always mean you’re in Atlanta Public Schools (APS).

Generally:

• City of Atlanta in Fulton County → Often zoned to APS
• City of Atlanta in DeKalb County → Some areas are APS; others may be in DeKalb County School District, depending on exact boundaries

School zoning is very location-specific. The safest way is to:

• Use school zone tools on APS and DeKalb County School District websites, or
• Call the district with your exact address

Key offices:

• Atlanta Public Schools (APS) – Main Office
  130 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303 – Phone: (404) 802-3500

• DeKalb County School District – Administrative & Instructional Complex
  1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 – Phone: (678) 676-1200

3. Voting, Jury Duty, and Courts

If you live in Atlanta/DeKalb:

• You are a DeKalb County resident for:
  • Voter registration
  • Jury duty
  • County courts (e.g., DeKalb Superior Court)

But you’re still a City of Atlanta resident for:

• City of Atlanta elections (mayor, city council)
• City ordinances, code enforcement, and municipal issues

For DeKalb County court and jury questions:

• DeKalb County Courthouse
  556 N. McDonough St, Decatur, GA 30030
  Main line (Switchboard): (404) 371-2000

4. Police, Fire, and Emergency Services

Inside the City of Atlanta, your primary emergency services are:

• Atlanta Police Department (APD)
• Atlanta Fire Rescue Department (AFRD)

Even if you’re in the DeKalb County part of Atlanta, city public safety departments usually serve you, supported by DeKalb County as needed.

For non-emergency questions:

• Atlanta Police Department – Non-Emergency Line: (404) 658-6666
• Atlanta Fire Rescue Department – Headquarters:
  226 Peachtree St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303 – Main line: (404) 546-7000

Always dial 911 in an emergency; the dispatcher will route the call based on your exact location.

Renting or Buying in Atlanta? County Lines Matter

If you’re moving to Atlanta or changing neighborhoods, it pays to know whether your potential home is in DeKalb or Fulton, even if the listing just says “Atlanta.”

Here’s why the county matters:

For Renters

• School options if you have or plan to have children
• Voting location and county representation
• Possible differences in nearby services (libraries, county parks, health services)

For Homebuyers

• Property tax rates and assessments
• Which school system serves your address
• How appeals, homestead exemptions, and tax questions are handled

Before signing a lease or contract:

• Ask directly: “Is this in DeKalb County or Fulton County?”
• Confirm with public records or voter registration tools, not just the listing description

Quick Ways to Confirm If an Atlanta Address Is in DeKalb County

When you need a fast answer, use this simple checklist:

1. Check Your Voter Registration

   • County listed as DeKalb? Then you’re a DeKalb County resident, even if your city is Atlanta.

2. Look at a Recent Property Tax Bill

   • Sent by DeKalb County? You’re in DeKalb.
   • Sent by Fulton County? You’re in Fulton.

3. Call the Appropriate County Office

   • If you suspect DeKalb, call the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner or Voter Registration & Elections with your full address.

4. Ask When Setting Up or Changing Services

   • When contacting city or county offices for permits, trash service, or business licenses, confirm, “This is in DeKalb County, correct?”

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

• Is Atlanta in DeKalb County?

  • Yes, part of it is. The City of Atlanta spans Fulton County and DeKalb County.

• Can you live in Atlanta and be a DeKalb County resident?

  • Yes. If your home is in the DeKalb portion of the City of Atlanta, you are both a City of Atlanta and DeKalb County resident.

• Does an “Atlanta, GA” mailing address always mean you’re in the City of Atlanta or DeKalb County?

  • No. Many addresses in the metro area use “Atlanta, GA” but may be outside city limits and in different counties.

• Why should you care which county you’re in?

  • It affects your property taxes, schools, voting, courts, and some public services.

If you live, work, or plan to move to Atlanta, taking a few minutes to confirm whether your address is in DeKalb County or Fulton County will give you much clearer expectations about how local government, services, and daily logistics will work for you.