Which County Is Atlanta In? A Local’s Guide to Atlanta’s Counties and Borders

If you live in Atlanta, are planning a move, or are trying to figure out how government services work here, the question “Which county is Atlanta in?” comes up a lot—and the answer is a bit more layered than many people expect.

The Short Answer: Atlanta Is Mostly in Fulton County

The City of Atlanta is primarily in Fulton County, Georgia.

For most residents and visitors:

• Your Atlanta address is likely in Fulton County
• Many major city landmarks and neighborhoods are in Fulton County

Examples of well-known Atlanta areas in Fulton County include:

• Downtown Atlanta and Midtown
• Buckhead
• West Midtown / Westside
• Old Fourth Ward
• Atlantic Station
• Castleberry Hill
• West End
• Grant Park (portions)
• Virginia-Highland (portions)

However, that’s not the whole story.

Atlanta Is Also in DeKalb County

While Atlanta is mostly in Fulton County, part of the city extends into DeKalb County. So the complete answer is:

Some neighborhoods commonly associated with the DeKalb County side of Atlanta include:

• Parts of East Atlanta
• Parts of Kirkwood
• Parts of Edgewood
• Areas approaching Candler Park and Lake Claire
• Some sections along the I-20 East and Moreland Avenue corridor

If you have an Atlanta mailing address, you might be in Fulton County or DeKalb County, depending on where in the city you live.

Why It Matters Which County You’re In

Knowing whether you’re in Fulton or DeKalb is important for everyday life in Atlanta. County lines can affect:

1. Property Taxes and Homestead Exemptions

If you’re a homeowner in Atlanta:

• You pay property taxes to the county where your home physically sits
• Your homestead exemption (a property tax break for primary residences) is handled by your county’s tax office

Even if your address says Atlanta, GA, the tax rules, rates, and exemption applications differ for:

• Fulton County Board of Assessors

  • 235 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Main phone: (404) 612-6440

• DeKalb County Tax Commissioner

  • 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 100, Decatur, GA 30032
  • Main phone: (404) 298-4000

🏡 Tip: Before filing for homestead or appealing your assessment, confirm your county based on your property record—not just your ZIP code.

2. Voting, Elections, and Jury Duty

Your county of residence determines:

• Where you’re registered to vote
• Your county-level races (commissioners, sheriffs, etc.)
• Where you may be called for jury duty

Atlanta spans two counties, but you only belong to one county for elections:

• Fulton County Department of Registration & Elections

  • 130 Peachtree Street SW, Suite 2186, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Main phone: (404) 612-7020

• DeKalb County Voter Registration & Elections

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

🗳️ Check your voter registration using your exact residential address to see whether you’re classified as a Fulton or DeKalb voter, even if your city is listed as Atlanta.

3. Courts, Records, and Legal Matters

Many legal processes are handled at the county level, including:

• Deeds and property records
• Some civil and criminal court cases
• Probate (wills, estates)
• Marriage licenses and certain licenses/permits

If you live in Atlanta in Fulton County, you’ll typically use:

• Fulton County Courthouse
  136 Pryor Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

If you live in Atlanta in DeKalb County, you’ll generally use:

• DeKalb County Courthouse
  556 N. McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030

📝 Always verify which county your address belongs to before filing documents, to avoid delays or re-filing.

4. Schools and School Districts

Public K–12 schools in Atlanta are tied to school districts, which usually follow county boundaries more closely than city lines.

Inside the City of Atlanta, you may be in one of these main districts:

Because the lines can be complicated, especially near the borders:

🎒 Tip: Use your exact street address to check zoning with the appropriate school district (APS or DeKalb County Schools) rather than assuming based on city name alone.

5. Services and Emergency Response

Your county can affect which agencies respond or provide services, including:

• Certain health and human services
• Some types of permits and inspections
• Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction and county jails
• Some public health programs and clinics

Both Fulton and DeKalb operate their own:

• County health departments
• Courts and jails
• Social services offices

For emergencies, dialing 911 connects you to the correct local dispatch, but for non-emergency services or records, you’ll need to know:

• Am I in Fulton County Atlanta or DeKalb County Atlanta?

How to Tell Which County Your Atlanta Address Is In

Because Atlanta crosses county lines, your best move is to verify your specific address. Here are a few practical ways:

1. Check Your Property Tax or Mortgage Statement

If you’re a homeowner, look at:

• Your property tax bill
• Your mortgage escrow statement (if taxes are paid through your lender)

It should clearly list either:

• Fulton County or
• DeKalb County

2. Look Up Your Address on County Property Search

Both Fulton and DeKalb offer public property search tools where you can:

• Enter your street address
• Confirm which county and sometimes which city the property belongs to

This is especially helpful if you’re on or near the county border.

3. Check Your Voter Registration or Driver’s License Record

Your voter registration and some state records will show your county of residence. Since Atlanta spans two counties, this can quickly clarify which one you’re tied to for:

• Elections
• Jury duty
• Certain local services

Common Atlanta County Confusions

Because Atlanta is such a regional hub, people often mix up:

Atlanta vs. Fulton County vs. Metro Atlanta

• City of Atlanta: A municipal government spanning parts of Fulton and DeKalb.
• Fulton County: A county that includes Atlanta plus many other cities and areas like Sandy Springs, Johns Creek, and South Fulton.
• Metro Atlanta: A much larger region including multiple counties (such as Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton, and others) beyond just Fulton and DeKalb.

You can easily have:

• A Smyrna or Marietta address (not Atlanta) in Cobb County
• A Stone Mountain or Decatur address in DeKalb County, outside the City of Atlanta
• An Atlanta mailing address in unincorporated areas or nearby cities, depending on how the postal service routes mail

The mailing city name is not always a reliable guide to city limits or county boundaries.

Visiting vs. Living in Atlanta: Does County Matter?

If you’re just visiting:

Most visitors staying in Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead are in Fulton County. For typical tourism—hotels, attractions, restaurants—the county rarely affects you directly, aside from:

• Sales tax rate (set at the state and county/local level)
• Certain event rules or venue regulations

If you’re moving to or within Atlanta:

If you’re relocating, the county can impact:

• Property taxes and homeownership costs
• Which schools your children may attend
• Where you’ll go for courts, tag offices, and permits
• Your local representation (county commissioners, sheriffs, etc.)

Before signing a lease or purchase agreement, it’s smart to clarify:

• Is this address inside the City of Atlanta?
• Is it in Fulton County or DeKalb County (or another nearby county)?

Many real estate listings will include both city and county, but when in doubt, confirm independently.

Key Takeaways

• Atlanta is primarily in Fulton County but also extends into DeKalb County.
• Your Atlanta address can belong to either Fulton or DeKalb, depending on your exact location.
• County lines affect:
  • Property taxes and exemptions
  • Voting and elections
  • Courts and legal records
  • School districts in many cases
  • Some public services and programs
• To know your county for sure, use your exact street address to check with:
  • County tax records
  • Property search tools
  • Voter registration records

Understanding whether you’re in Fulton County Atlanta or DeKalb County Atlanta makes it much easier to navigate services, schools, taxes, and everyday life in the city.