What County Is Atlanta, Georgia In? A Local’s Guide to Atlanta’s Counties

If you’re trying to understand what county Atlanta, Georgia is in, the short answer is:

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

But in everyday life—whether you live here, are moving here, or are visiting—county lines affect things like taxes, schools, voting, courts, and public services. This guide breaks down how Atlanta, Fulton County, and DeKalb County fit together and what that actually means for you.

Atlanta’s Counties at a Glance

Key takeaway:

  • Primary county: Fulton County
  • Secondary county: DeKalb County

Atlanta stretches across both counties. When people say “Atlanta, Georgia,” they’re usually talking about the city, which is an incorporated city that overlaps two counties.

Here’s a quick overview:

Area / TopicCounty (or Counties) InvolvedWhat It Usually Affects
Downtown, Midtown, BuckheadFulton CountyMost city services, courts, main government
East Atlanta, Kirkwood, EdgewoodDeKalb CountySome schools, courts, taxes, voting precincts
“Metro Atlanta” regionMultiple counties (Fulton + others)Traffic, commuting, media, job market
Your mailing address“Atlanta, GA” + ZIP codeMay be Fulton, DeKalb, or even another county

Fulton County: Atlanta’s Primary County

Most of Atlanta is in Fulton County.
Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Westside, and many in-town neighborhoods fall within Fulton County.

Where Fulton County Fits In

If your home, hotel, or office is in much of central Atlanta, it’s probably in Fulton County. Fulton County is where you’ll typically deal with:

  • Property taxes (if you own property in Fulton-portion Atlanta)
  • County courts (civil, criminal, traffic, etc.)
  • Voter registration and elections for county-level offices
  • Some health and social services
  • Some business licenses and permits (depending on what you’re doing)

Key Fulton County Government Locations in Atlanta

If you need in-person services in Atlanta, these major Fulton County locations are in or near downtown:

  • Fulton County Government Center
    141 Pryor St SW
    Atlanta, GA 30303
    Main hub for many county services and administration.

  • Fulton County Courthouse
    136 Pryor St SW
    Atlanta, GA 30303
    Handles many court matters for Fulton County residents in Atlanta.

  • Fulton County Board of Assessors (Property Tax)
    141 Pryor St SW, Suite 1047
    Atlanta, GA 30303

  • Fulton County Registration & Elections (central office location is typically in Atlanta or nearby in Fulton; check before you go for current hours and sites.)

If you live or stay in Atlanta and aren’t sure which county you’re in, checking your property tax bill, voter registration, or court documents will usually show “Fulton County” if you’re in that part.

DeKalb County: Parts of Atlanta Are Here Too

A meaningful part of the City of Atlanta lies in DeKalb County, especially east and southeast of downtown.

Neighborhoods and areas commonly associated with the Atlanta-in-DeKalb side include, for example:

  • Portions of East Atlanta (inside the city limits)
  • Kirkwood (parts within the City of Atlanta)
  • Edgewood
  • Some areas along Moreland Ave, Flat Shoals Ave, and nearby streets that are inside the city line

What Changes When You’re in DeKalb County (But Still in Atlanta)?

If your address is Atlanta, GA but your property is in the DeKalb portion, some things are city-level (Atlanta) and others are county-level (DeKalb):

  • City-level (Atlanta):

    • Atlanta city police and fire protection
    • City of Atlanta zoning and code enforcement
    • City garbage, recycling, and some utilities (where applicable)

  • County-level (DeKalb):

    • DeKalb County property taxes and exemptions
    • DeKalb County courts handling county matters
    • Some public health and social services
    • DeKalb County voter registration/elections for county positions

Key DeKalb County Government Locations Serving Atlanta Residents

For residents in the DeKalb portion of Atlanta, county services come through DeKalb County offices, many of which are based in Decatur or central DeKalb:

  • DeKalb County Courthouse & Administration
    DeKalb County Courthouse
    556 N McDonough St
    Decatur, GA 30030

  • DeKalb County Tax Commissioner (Property Tax)
    Common service location:
    4380 Memorial Dr
    Decatur, GA 30032

  • DeKalb County Voter Registration & Elections
    4380 Memorial Dr, Suite 300
    Decatur, GA 30032

If you live in East Atlanta or nearby and pay DeKalb County taxes, you’re in the DeKalb part of Atlanta, even though your mailing address still says Atlanta, GA.

City of Atlanta vs. “Atlanta Area” vs. Counties

A common confusion is the difference between:

  • City of Atlanta (the incorporated city)
  • Atlanta mailing address (USPS label that can stretch beyond city limits)
  • Metro Atlanta (the broader region, often several counties)
  • County governments (Fulton, DeKalb, and others)

1. City of Atlanta

The City of Atlanta is a specific, legally defined city that spans Fulton and DeKalb counties.
City services include:

  • Atlanta Police Department (APD)
  • Atlanta Fire Rescue Department
  • City zoning and building permits
  • Some water/sewer services through the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management
  • Atlanta municipal courts

2. Mailing Address: “Atlanta, GA”

Many nearby communities use “Atlanta, GA” as a mailing address, even if they’re outside the city limits. These areas might actually be separate cities or unincorporated communities in:

  • Fulton County (e.g., Sandy Springs, South Fulton, College Park – often have their own city names, but some addresses near them still use “Atlanta”)
  • DeKalb County (e.g., Brookhaven, Chamblee, unincorporated areas)
  • Cobb, Clayton, or Gwinnett counties (some edges use “Atlanta” for mailing)

In these cases, you might have an Atlanta mailing address but not live in the City of Atlanta, and your county might not be Fulton or DeKalb.

3. Metro Atlanta (Atlanta Metropolitan Area)

When locals say “Metro Atlanta” or “the Atlanta area,” they usually mean a multi-county region, commonly including:

  • Fulton County
  • DeKalb County
  • Cobb County
  • Gwinnett County
  • Clayton County
  • And often several more

This matters for commuting, housing searches, school decisions, and regional news, but your county-level services are tied to the exact county you live in, not just “metro Atlanta.”

How to Find Out What County Your Atlanta Address Is In

If you’re unsure whether your Atlanta address is in Fulton or DeKalb (or possibly another county with an Atlanta mailing address), there are simple ways to check:

1. Property Tax or Mortgage Documents

  • Homeowners can look at property tax statements or online county property records.
  • The document will clearly list Fulton County, DeKalb County, or another county.

2. Voter Registration Information

Your voter registration record will show your county of registration, which tells you which county you’re legally tied to for voting and many services.

3. Utility or Service Bills

Some utility bills or trash/recycling information include references such as “Fulton County” or “DeKalb County”, especially for county-run services.

4. County Maps and Address Lookup Tools

Many county websites provide address lookup tools that can tell you:

  • The county
  • Your tax district
  • Sometimes even which school district you’re in

These tools are useful if your Atlanta address is near a border or you’re moving and want to know which county you’re choosing.

Why County Lines Matter If You Live in Atlanta

Even though Atlanta feels like one continuous city, county boundaries affect several practical parts of everyday life.

1. Taxes and Fees

  • Property taxes are set and collected at the county level, with city taxes layered on top if you’re inside city limits.
  • The Fulton portion of Atlanta and the DeKalb portion of Atlanta have different county tax rates and exemptions.

For homeowners, this can influence:

  • Total annual property tax bills
  • Homestead exemptions and other local credits

2. Schools

Public schools are typically run by separate school districts:

  • Atlanta Public Schools (APS) serves most of the City of Atlanta, both in Fulton and the part of Atlanta that lies in DeKalb.
  • Outside city limits but still with an Atlanta mailing address, you might be in:
    • Fulton County Schools (not APS)
    • DeKalb County School District
    • Or another county’s district

Checking your exact address and school attendance zone is important if schools are a key factor in where you live.

3. Courts and Legal Issues

If you’re summoned to court or need to file something legal:

  • Fulton County residents usually deal with Fulton County courts in downtown Atlanta or other Fulton locations.
  • DeKalb County residents go to DeKalb County courts, mostly in and around Decatur.

For some matters, you may also interact with Atlanta Municipal Court, which handles city-level issues (like certain traffic or ordinance cases) inside city limits.

4. Voting and Elected Officials

Your county helps determine:

  • Which county commissioners you vote for
  • Where your county polling place is
  • Who runs your elections office

City positions (like the Mayor of Atlanta and Atlanta City Council) are the same across Fulton and DeKalb portions of Atlanta, but county leaders differ depending on which side you live on.

Helpful County Contacts for Atlanta Residents

Here’s a quick reference guide for the two counties that contain the City of Atlanta:

Fulton County (for most of Atlanta)

  • General Government / Administration
    Fulton County Government Center
    141 Pryor St SW
    Atlanta, GA 30303

  • Courts (Main Complex)
    Fulton County Courthouse
    136 Pryor St SW
    Atlanta, GA 30303

  • Tax Assessor / Property Questions
    141 Pryor St SW, Suite 1047
    Atlanta, GA 30303

  • Elections & Voter Registration
    Central office typically in Atlanta or surrounding Fulton; verify current address and hours before visiting.

DeKalb County (for east/southeast parts of Atlanta)

  • General Government & Courts
    DeKalb County Courthouse
    556 N McDonough St
    Decatur, GA 30030

  • Tax Commissioner / Property Tax Office
    4380 Memorial Dr
    Decatur, GA 30032

  • Voter Registration & Elections
    4380 Memorial Dr, Suite 300
    Decatur, GA 30032

If you’re unsure which office to contact, start by confirming your county using your address, then reach out to that county’s main administration or tax/elections office.

Quick FAQ: Counties and Atlanta, Georgia

Is Atlanta in Fulton County or DeKalb County?
Atlanta is in both. Most of the city is in Fulton County, but a portion is in DeKalb County.

If my mailing address is “Atlanta, GA,” does that mean I’m in Fulton County?
Not necessarily. You could be in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Clayton, Gwinnett, or another nearby county. Mailing address alone doesn’t confirm the county.

How do I know what county my Atlanta home or apartment is in?
Check your property tax bill, voter registration, or use a county address lookup tool. Renting? Ask your landlord or look up the property address in county records.

Does my county change my city services?
If you’re inside the City of Atlanta, city services (like police, fire, trash, and zoning) typically come from the City of Atlanta, regardless of Fulton vs. DeKalb. But taxes, courts, and some services differ by county.

If I live in the DeKalb part of Atlanta, am I still an Atlanta resident?
Yes. You are still a City of Atlanta resident, just within DeKalb County rather than the Fulton portion.

Understanding the county structure of Atlanta, Georgia helps you navigate taxes, schools, courts, voting, and public services with far less confusion. When in doubt, start by identifying your exact county—Fulton or DeKalb—then layer on what it means to be inside or outside the City of Atlanta.