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

If you spend any time in metro Atlanta, you’ll hear DeKalb County mentioned a lot. That leads many people to wonder: is DeKalb County in Atlanta, or is Atlanta in DeKalb County?

The short answer:
Atlanta is a city that spans multiple counties, and part of the City of Atlanta is in DeKalb County.
But DeKalb County itself is much larger than just the Atlanta portion.

Understanding how this works is important for taxes, schools, voting, city services, and mailing addresses if you live in or are moving to the Atlanta area.

Atlanta vs. DeKalb County: The Basics

Atlanta is a city.
DeKalb is a county.

In Georgia, cities and counties are separate layers of government. They often overlap.

• The City of Atlanta lies mostly in Fulton County,
  but a significant part of Atlanta extends into western DeKalb County.
• DeKalb County includes many areas that are not Atlanta at all, such as:
  • Decatur (the county seat)
  • Stone Mountain
  • Tucker
  • Brookhaven
  • Dunwoody
  • Clarkston
  • Avondale Estates
  • Chamblee
  • Lithonia and others

So you can have:

• An Atlanta address in Fulton County, or
• An Atlanta address in DeKalb County, or
• A DeKalb County address that is not in the City of Atlanta.

This is where a lot of confusion comes from.

Where Is the City of Atlanta in DeKalb County?

Only the western portion of DeKalb County is inside the Atlanta city limits. This includes several well-known neighborhoods and areas, such as:

• East Atlanta
• Kirkwood
• Edgewood
• East Lake
• Portions of Druid Hills
• Parts of the Emory area (depending on the boundary)
• Neighborhoods around Moreland Ave, Flat Shoals Ave, and Memorial Dr that fall inside the city line

If you’re unsure whether a specific address is in City of Atlanta–DeKalb County or just unincorporated DeKalb (or another city), the city boundary line can cut down the middle of streets and even through blocks.

Quick Reference: Atlanta vs. DeKalb County

Here’s a simple breakdown to keep things straight:

How to Tell If an Address Is in the City of Atlanta or Just DeKalb County

For relocation, taxes, schools, and voting, the key question is not just “Is this in DeKalb?” but:

Here are practical ways to check:

1. Look at Your Property Tax Information

If you own or are buying a home, the county tax records will typically show:

• The county (DeKalb)
• The city/municipality (for example: Atlanta, Decatur, Brookhaven, or “Unincorporated”)

You can search by address on the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s or Property Appraisal website to see how the property is classified.

2. Check Your Utility or City Service Providers

If your address is inside the City of Atlanta (even the DeKalb side), some services may be provided by Atlanta city departments rather than DeKalb or another city:

• City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management for water/sewer (many, but not all, Atlanta addresses)
• Atlanta Police Department and Atlanta Fire Rescue for public safety, if you’re in city limits

If you’re outside Atlanta city limits (but in DeKalb County), services may be from:

• DeKalb County Police Department
• DeKalb County Fire Rescue
• Another city government (for example, Decatur Police Department if you live in the City of Decatur)

3. Confirm with the City or County

If you’re still unsure, you can contact local government offices:

• City of Atlanta – ATL 311 (Non-Emergency Customer Service)
  Phone: 3-1-1 (within city) or (404) 546-0311
  They can help confirm if your address is in City of Atlanta and what services you should expect.

• DeKalb County Government – General Information
  Main Line: (404) 371-2000
  You can ask whether a specific address is inside a city (like Atlanta, Decatur, Brookhaven) or in unincorporated DeKalb.

Why It Matters Whether You’re in Atlanta or Just DeKalb

1. Taxes and Fees

If your home is in City of Atlanta–DeKalb County, you may pay:

• DeKalb County property taxes
• City of Atlanta city taxes
• Possibly additional special district or school district assessments

If you live in unincorporated DeKalb or another city like Decatur or Brookhaven, your tax mix will be different.

2. Schools and School Districts

Most of DeKalb County is served by DeKalb County School District. However, some cities have their own school systems:

• City Schools of Decatur for residents of the City of Decatur
• Certain areas on the Atlanta side may fall under Atlanta Public Schools (APS)

Your exact school zone depends on both:

• The county, and
• Whether you’re inside a particular city’s limits

Families moving to the Atlanta area often double-check school district maps with the relevant district office.

3. Voting and Representation

Your exact location determines:

• Which city council district you’re in (if you’re inside City of Atlanta, Decatur, etc.)
• Which county commission district you belong to in DeKalb
• Which state legislative and congressional districts represent you

Someone in Atlanta–DeKalb may vote for:

• City of Atlanta Mayor and City Council
• DeKalb County Commissioners
  while a neighbor a few blocks away, still in DeKalb County but outside city limits, might not vote in Atlanta city elections.

4. Police, Fire, and Emergency Services

Location affects which agencies respond to your 911 calls:

• Inside City of Atlanta (DeKalb side):
  Usually Atlanta Police and Atlanta Fire Rescue

• In unincorporated DeKalb or another DeKalb city:
  Typically DeKalb County Police and DeKalb County Fire Rescue, or that city’s departments where they exist (for example, Decatur, Brookhaven, Dunwoody).

Common Situations That Confuse New Residents

“My mailing address says ‘Atlanta,’ but my kids go to DeKalb schools.”

That can happen. The U.S. Postal Service uses city names for mailing, but that doesn’t always match official city boundaries.

Your address might:

• Show Atlanta, GA as the mailing city,
• Be in DeKalb County,
• And still be outside the City of Atlanta, making you part of DeKalb County School District or another jurisdiction.

“I live near East Atlanta Village. Am I in Atlanta or DeKalb?”

Parts of East Atlanta Village and surrounding neighborhoods are firmly within City of Atlanta–DeKalb County. However, a short drive away you can cross into areas that are still DeKalb County but not inside the City of Atlanta.

The only way to know for sure is to:

• Check a city limits map, or
• Use your address with city/county tools or contact local offices.

“I pay DeKalb County property tax—does that mean I live in DeKalb, not Atlanta?”

You definitely live in DeKalb County, but you might or might not be in the City of Atlanta. Many residents:

• Pay DeKalb County taxes,
• And also pay City of Atlanta city taxes,
  because their property lies in Atlanta–DeKalb.

Key Government Offices for DeKalb and Atlanta Residents

If you’re trying to sort out where you fall and what to do next, these offices are good starting points:

DeKalb County Government
1300 Commerce Drive
Decatur, GA 30030
Main Line: (404) 371-2000

DeKalb County Tax Commissioner
4380 Memorial Drive
Decatur, GA 30032
Phone: (404) 298-4000

City of Atlanta – City Hall
55 Trinity Avenue SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
ATL 311: 3-1-1 (inside city) or (404) 546-0311

These offices can help you understand:

• Whether you’re inside city limits
• Which services you receive
• How your taxes and fees are structured

Simple Takeaways for Anyone Living In or Moving to Atlanta

• DeKalb County is not “in” Atlanta, but part of Atlanta is in DeKalb County.
• Atlanta spans two counties: mostly Fulton, partly DeKalb.
• Many DeKalb communities—like Decatur, Tucker, Stone Mountain, Brookhaven, Dunwoody—are not part of the City of Atlanta.
• Your exact address, not just your ZIP code or mailing city, determines:
  • City vs. county taxes
  • School district
  • Voting districts
  • Police, fire, and other services

If you’re planning a move, signing a lease, or buying a home in the Atlanta area, it’s worth taking a few minutes to confirm whether your future address is City of Atlanta–DeKalb, another city in DeKalb County, or unincorporated DeKalb, so you know exactly how life, services, and costs will work in your new neighborhood.