Is Atlanta in Fulton County? How the City’s County Lines Really Work

If you live in Atlanta, are thinking about moving here, or are just trying to understand how things are organized, it’s very normal to wonder: Is Atlanta in Fulton County?

The short answer: Yes — most of the City of Atlanta is in Fulton County, but not all of it.
A significant portion of Atlanta is also in DeKalb County.

Understanding where Atlanta’s city limits and county lines overlap matters for things like taxes, schools, voting, permits, and public services. Here’s how it breaks down in practical, Atlanta-specific terms.

Atlanta and Fulton County: The Big Picture

Atlanta is a city, and Fulton is a county. They are different layers of government that overlap.

• Most of Atlanta’s land area is in Fulton County.
• Eastern parts of Atlanta are in DeKalb County.
• No part of Atlanta is in any other county besides Fulton and DeKalb.

So when people say “Atlanta in Fulton County,” they’re mostly correct — they just aren’t accounting for the DeKalb side of the city, which includes well-known neighborhoods and commercial areas.

Which Parts of Atlanta Are in Fulton County?

If you’re in Downtown, Midtown, or most of the Westside, you are almost certainly in Fulton County.

Common Atlanta neighborhoods and areas that are generally in Fulton County include:

• Downtown Atlanta
• Midtown
• West End & Westview
• Castleberry Hill
• Atlantic Station
• Bankhead / Grove Park
• Buckhead (most of it)
• East Atlanta-adjacent areas west of the DeKalb line (check your address)
• Southwest Atlanta neighborhoods, such as:
  • Campbellton Road corridor
  • Venetian Hills
  • Ben Hill
  • Adamsville

In most of these areas, you pay Fulton County property taxes, vote in Fulton County elections, and use Fulton County courts and services (alongside City of Atlanta services).

Which Parts of Atlanta Are in DeKalb County?

Many people are surprised to learn that some well-known “Atlanta” neighborhoods are actually in DeKalb County, even though their mailing address is “Atlanta, GA.”

Examples of City of Atlanta neighborhoods that are mostly or partly in DeKalb County include:

• East Atlanta (City of Atlanta portions)
• Kirkwood
• Edgewood
• Candler Park
• Inman Park (Eastern sections)
• Virginia-Highland (some portions)
• Druid Hills (Atlanta portions)
• Parts of:
  • Lake Claire
  • Morningside/Lenox Park
  • Old Fourth Ward (east of certain streets)

These neighborhoods are inside the City of Atlanta but are served by DeKalb County for certain services such as county courts and county taxes.

City vs. County: What Actually Changes for You?

Whether your Atlanta address is in Fulton or DeKalb can affect:

1. Property Taxes and County Services

• If your Atlanta property is in Fulton County, your property tax bill involves:

  • City of Atlanta taxes
  • Fulton County taxes
  • Your relevant school system taxes (often Atlanta Public Schools for city residents in Fulton)

• If your Atlanta property is in DeKalb County, your tax bill involves:

  • City of Atlanta taxes
  • DeKalb County taxes
  • School system taxes (often DeKalb County School District unless you’re in a special zone)

💡 Tip: The name “Atlanta, GA” in your mailing address does not guarantee you’re in Fulton County. The county is determined by where your property sits on county maps, not just the city name or ZIP code.

2. Schools and School Districts

Living in the City of Atlanta does not always mean your children are automatically in Atlanta Public Schools (APS).

• Many Atlanta residents in Fulton County are zoned for APS.
• Some Atlanta residents in DeKalb County are zoned for DeKalb County Schools instead.

To verify, you typically need to:

• Check your exact address on the APS or DeKalb County Schools zoning tools.
• Confirm with the school district if you are near a county line.

This is especially important if you’re relocating and choosing a neighborhood based on school options.

3. Voting, Juries, and Local Representation

Your county determines:

• Which county commission you vote for
• Where you may be called for jury duty
• Which county-level officers represent you (like sheriff, district attorney, etc.)

Your city (Atlanta) determines:

• Your City Council district
• The city ordinances and regulations that apply to you
• City services such as Atlanta Police Department, Atlanta Fire Rescue, and city zoning

Many Atlanta residents participate in both a city and county election structure (Atlanta + Fulton or Atlanta + DeKalb).

4. Courts, Licenses, and Legal Matters

The county you’re in often affects:

• Which courthouse handles your case
• Where you go for certain probate, civil, or criminal matters
• Where some permits or licenses (like certain business filings) are processed

For example:

• If your Atlanta residence or case is in Fulton County, you’ll likely use:

  • Fulton County Superior Court
    • 136 Pryor St SW
      Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Fulton County Probate Court (same general government complex)

• If your Atlanta residence or case is in DeKalb County, you may need:

  • DeKalb County Superior Court
    • 556 N McDonough St
      Decatur, GA 30030

Always confirm location requirements with the specific office before visiting.

Quick Reference: City of Atlanta vs. Fulton County vs. DeKalb County

Here’s a simple way to visualize how Atlanta sits inside the counties:

How to Tell If Your Atlanta Address Is in Fulton or DeKalb

If you’re unsure which county your Atlanta address falls into, you can usually confirm in a few ways:

1. Check your property tax bill

   • The bill will clearly list Fulton County or DeKalb County.

2. Look up your address on county property search tools

   • Fulton County and DeKalb County both provide property lookup portals by address or parcel number.

3. Check your voter registration

   • Your voter registration card or online lookup will show your county of registration.

4. Ask your landlord or property manager

   • Many lease documents indicate the county where the property is located.

5. Call the county tax assessor’s office

   • Provide your address and they can confirm which county you’re in.

Important Local Offices for Atlanta Residents in Fulton County

If you confirm that your Atlanta address is in Fulton County, these offices are often relevant:

• Fulton County Government Center
  141 Pryor St SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main switchboard is typically reachable through the Fulton County main line.

• Fulton County Tax Commissioner (Property & Motor Vehicle Taxes)
  Offices are commonly in or near the government complex; you can contact them for tax questions, tag renewals, and payment options.

• Fulton County Voter Registration & Elections
  Handles voter registration, polling locations, and election information for Fulton County residents, including those in Atlanta.

These offices operate alongside City of Atlanta departments, such as:

• City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office
• Atlanta City Council
• Atlanta Department of City Planning
• Atlanta Police and Fire Departments

Why This Matters If You’re Moving to or Around Atlanta

If you’re relocating to Atlanta or moving between neighborhoods, knowing whether you’ll be in Fulton or DeKalb can help you:

• Estimate your overall tax burden
• Understand which school district you’ll be in
• Know which county services and courts you’ll rely on
• Avoid confusion when registering to vote or dealing with legal documents

In everyday life, many residents just say they live in “Atlanta,” but for anything involving government, property, or schools, the county line is important.

In plain terms: Yes, Atlanta is in Fulton County — but not exclusively.
If you live, work, or plan to move within the Atlanta city limits, it’s worth taking a moment to confirm whether your specific address falls in Fulton County, DeKalb County, or right near the boundary between the two.