What County Is Atlanta, Georgia In?

If you’re wondering “Atlanta, Georgia is what county?”, the short answer is:

Most of the City of Atlanta is in Fulton County, with a portion in DeKalb County.

That split matters more than many people realize. It can affect your taxes, schools, voting location, courts, and which county offices you deal with.

This guide walks through how Atlanta’s county situation works, how to know which county you’re in, and what that means for daily life in and around the city.

Atlanta’s Counties at a Glance

Atlanta is a city, not a county. But the city’s boundaries cross county lines.

Key facts:

• Primary county:Fulton County, Georgia
• Secondary county:DeKalb County, Georgia
• Type of city: Multi-county city (spans more than one county)
• Nearby counties (not part of Atlanta city limits): Cobb, Clayton, Gwinnett, Douglas, Henry, and others

Simple Reference Table

Where Exactly Is Atlanta in Fulton and DeKalb Counties?

Fulton County: The Heart of Atlanta

Most of Atlanta’s downtown, Midtown, and many intown neighborhoods are in Fulton County, including:

• Downtown Atlanta
• Midtown
• Buckhead
• West Midtown / Westside
• Many popular neighborhoods like Old Fourth Ward, Castleberry Hill, West End, and Virginia-Highland (portions)

Fulton County is often what people mean when they say “Metro Atlanta”, although metro Atlanta actually stretches into multiple counties.

DeKalb County: The Eastern Portion of Atlanta

A significant section of Atlanta lies in DeKalb County, especially on the east side of the city. Examples of Atlanta neighborhoods partly or fully in DeKalb County include:

• Parts of East Atlanta
• Areas near Candler Park
• Portions of neighborhoods along Moreland Avenue, Glenwood Avenue, and toward Decatur

These areas are still officially Atlanta, GA, but for many services they are handled by DeKalb County, not Fulton.

How to Tell Which County You’re In (Atlanta Address)

If you live in Atlanta or are moving here, it’s important to know whether your specific address is in Fulton or DeKalb County.

Here are practical ways to check:

1. Look Up Your Property Address

For a home or business in Atlanta:

• Fulton County property search – used for most Atlanta addresses on the west, central, and north side of the city
• DeKalb County property search – used for Atlanta addresses on the east side

Searching your address on the appropriate county’s official site will show:

• Your county
• Your property tax jurisdiction
• Sometimes your school district and commission district

2. Check Your Property Tax Bill

If you already own property in Atlanta, your property tax bill will clearly list:

• Fulton County or DeKalb County as the taxing authority
• The relevant county tax commissioner or tax office

3. Use Your Voter Registration

When you’re registered to vote in Georgia, your voter info will show:

• Your county of registration
• Your precinct and polling location

If your Atlanta address is in:

• Fulton County – you vote through the Fulton County Department of Registration & Elections
• DeKalb County – you vote through the DeKalb County Voter Registration & Elections Office

Why It Matters Which County Your Atlanta Address Is In

Even though you’re “in Atlanta” either way, your county determines many practical things.

1. Property Taxes and Homeownership

Your county affects:

• Property tax rates
• Who you pay, and how you file appeals
• Eligibility for certain homestead exemptions

Homeowners in Atlanta should know whether to contact:

• Fulton County Tax Commissioner

  • Main office (Government Center):
    141 Pryor St. SW, Suite 1085
    Atlanta, GA 30303
    Phone: typically listed on official Fulton County resources

• DeKalb County Tax Commissioner

  • Main office (Property Tax Division):
    4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 100
    Decatur, GA 30032

If you’re unsure, your county listed on the tax bill is the one that applies.

2. Schools and Education

Atlanta-area schooling can be complex because city and county lines don’t always match school district lines.

In and around Atlanta, different school systems include:

• Atlanta Public Schools (APS) – serves many areas within the City of Atlanta, primarily in Fulton County but also parts extending into DeKalb
• Fulton County Schools – serves parts of Fulton County that are outside the City of Atlanta
• DeKalb County School District – serves many areas in DeKalb County, including some neighborhoods close to, but not always within, Atlanta city limits

If you have or plan to have children, it’s important to check:

• Exact address
• Assigned school zone through the relevant district’s lookup tools

3. Voting, Jury Duty, and Local Representation

Your county determines your local government representation and civic responsibilities:

• County commissioners:
  • If your Atlanta address is in Fulton County, you fall under the Fulton County Board of Commissioners.
  • If in DeKalb County, you fall under the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners.
• Jury duty notices will come from the county where your address is located.
• Local elections, such as county commission races, district attorney, sheriff, and school board, are all county-based.

Your mayor and city council are based on the City of Atlanta, but your county-level officials depend on your county of residence.

4. Courts, Detention, and Legal Matters

If you have to appear in court or handle legal paperwork:

• Fulton County residents in Atlanta generally deal with:
  • Fulton County Courthouse
    136 Pryor St. SW
    Atlanta, GA 30303
• DeKalb County residents in Atlanta generally deal with:
  • DeKalb County Courthouse
    556 N. McDonough St.
    Decatur, GA 30030

Traffic tickets, small claims, and other matters may route through municipal court, state court, or magistrate court, depending on where the incident occurred and which county it’s in.

5. County Services and Assistance Programs

Many public services are provided at the county level, including:

• Public health services and some clinics
• Certain social services and assistance programs
• Some housing programs and permits
• Certain business registrations or occupational taxes (depending on the type)

So an Atlanta resident may still need to contact:

• Fulton County Board of Health for west/central Atlanta
• DeKalb County Board of Health for east-side Atlanta addresses

Common Misunderstandings About Atlanta and Counties

“Is Atlanta its own county?”

No. Atlanta is a city, not a county. Counties in Georgia are a separate layer of government. Atlanta sits mainly in Fulton County, plus part of DeKalb County.

“Is all of Fulton County considered Atlanta?”

No. Fulton County includes:

• The City of Atlanta (large portion)
• Other cities like Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, South Fulton, and more

An address in Fulton County is not automatically an Atlanta address.

“If my address says Atlanta, GA, does that mean I’m in Fulton County?”

Not necessarily. Many addresses that say “Atlanta, GA” can fall into:

• Fulton County
• DeKalb County
• In some metro areas, mailing addresses can overlap with other city names, so the ZIP code and official parcel records are what truly determine your county.

Always verify by:

• Checking your property tax records
• Looking up your voter registration
• Using your county’s online tools

Practical Tips for Residents and Visitors

For Current or New Residents

• ✅ Check your county as soon as you move in.
  This helps you know where to register to vote, where your taxes go, and which offices to contact.
• ✅ Keep county contact info handy.
  Whether for property tax questions, car tags, or permits, knowing if you’re in Fulton or DeKalb will save time.
• ✅ Ask when signing a lease or buying a home.
  Real estate professionals in Atlanta are used to the Fulton/DeKalb split and can often answer immediately.

For Visitors to Atlanta

If you’re visiting, you rarely need to worry about the exact county, but there are a few exceptions:

• Traffic tickets – The county where the violation occurred may handle your case.
• Court appearances or legal issues – These are handled in the specific county where the incident took place.
• Public records or police reports – You’ll request these from the appropriate county or city agency.

Most major attractions in Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead sit in Fulton County, though the general metro area spans several counties.

Quick Answer Recap

• Atlanta, Georgia is primarily in Fulton County.
• A portion of the City of Atlanta is also in DeKalb County.
• Atlanta is not its own county and is not the same thing as Fulton County, though the two are closely linked.
• Your specific address determines whether you deal with Fulton or DeKalb for taxes, voting, schools, courts, and many services.

If you live, work, or spend significant time in Atlanta, it’s worth taking a minute to confirm which county your exact location falls in so you know where to turn when you need local government services.