Is Atlanta a County? Understanding Atlanta’s Place in Georgia

When people search for “Georgia Atlanta County”, they’re often trying to understand how Atlanta fits into Georgia’s county system. If you live in Atlanta, are moving here, or are visiting and trying to make sense of addresses and government offices, the terms city, county, and metro area can get confusing.

Here’s how it works in Atlanta, Georgia—and what it means for your daily life, services, and addresses.

Atlanta Is a City, Not a County

Atlanta is a city in the state of Georgia. It is not its own county.

Most of the City of Atlanta is located in Fulton County, but parts of Atlanta also extend into DeKalb County. So when you see “Atlanta, GA” on an address, that doesn’t automatically tell you which county it’s in.

Key points:

• Atlanta = city
• Fulton & DeKalb = counties that contain parts of the City of Atlanta
• “Metro Atlanta” = a larger region that includes many counties and cities

This matters for things like property taxes, voting, schools, courts, and public services, which are often handled at the county level rather than just by the city.

Which County Is Atlanta In?

Fulton County: The Primary County for Atlanta

Most of Atlanta lies in Fulton County, including Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Westside, and many central neighborhoods.

Examples of Atlanta neighborhoods in Fulton County:

• Downtown Atlanta
• Midtown Atlanta
• Buckhead
• West End
• Vine City
• Old Fourth Ward (mostly)
• Georgia Tech area
• Atlantic Station

If your Atlanta address is in these areas, you are almost certainly in Fulton County.

Main county government hub (Fulton County):

• Fulton County Government Center
  141 Pryor Street SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: (404) 612-4000

This is a key point of contact for property records, some permits, court information, and county services if you live in Atlanta/Fulton.

DeKalb County: Eastern Parts of Atlanta

Some eastern and southeastern parts of the City of Atlanta are in DeKalb County.

Examples of Atlanta neighborhoods in DeKalb County:

• East Lake (Atlanta side)
• Edgewood (parts)
• Kirkwood (parts)
• East Atlanta (Atlanta side)
• Some areas near the Atlanta–Decatur border

If you live in these neighborhoods, you may have an Atlanta mailing address, but your county government is DeKalb.

Main county government hub (DeKalb County):

• DeKalb County Administrative Building
  1300 Commerce Drive
  Decatur, GA 30030
  Phone: (404) 371-2000

For property taxes, county courts, and certain local services, DeKalb County is your point of contact if your Atlanta address lies inside DeKalb.

Atlanta vs. Fulton County vs. “Metro Atlanta”: What’s the Difference?

These three terms come up constantly and can be easy to mix up.

City of Atlanta

• A municipal government with a mayor and city council
• Handles services like City of Atlanta police, city parks, city zoning, and city water (through the Department of Watershed Management)
• Has its own boundaries that cross two counties (Fulton and DeKalb)

Fulton County (and DeKalb County)

• County governments that cover both Atlanta and other cities/unincorporated areas
• Provide services such as:
  • County courts and jails
  • Property tax collection and property records
  • Some health and human services
  • Certain public works functions

Metro Atlanta (Atlanta Metropolitan Area)

• A multi-county region, not a single government
• Includes the City of Atlanta and many surrounding cities and counties, such as:
  • Fulton County
  • DeKalb County
  • Cobb County
  • Gwinnett County
  • Clayton County
  • And several others

When people say they’re in “Atlanta,” they might mean:

• The City of Atlanta specifically, or
• The broader metro Atlanta region, even if they actually live in a different city (like Sandy Springs, Marietta, Decatur, or College Park)

How to Find Out Which County Your Atlanta Address Is In

If you already live in Atlanta or are moving here, knowing your county is important for voting, taxes, schools, and certain services.

Here are practical ways to figure it out:

1. Check your property tax bill

   • It will say Fulton County or DeKalb County (or another county if you’re elsewhere in metro Atlanta).

2. Look at your voter registration card

   • It lists your county of registration.

3. Use the county property search

   • Fulton County and DeKalb County both have online property lookup tools where you can enter your address and confirm the county.

4. Ask your landlord or leasing office

   • Apartment complexes in Atlanta usually know which county they’re in because it affects taxes and local regulations.

Why County Matters in Atlanta

Even if your mailing address always just says “Atlanta, GA,” the county behind that address affects many parts of life.

1. Property Taxes and Records

• If your Atlanta home or condo is in Fulton County, your property taxes and records are handled by:
  • Fulton County Tax Commissioner
    141 Pryor Street SW, Suite 1085
    Atlanta, GA 30303
• If your Atlanta home is in DeKalb County, they’re handled by:
  • DeKalb County Tax Commissioner
    4380 Memorial Drive
    Decatur, GA 30032

For renters, this may not affect you directly, but it can explain differences in rent and services between neighborhoods.

2. Voting and Elections

Your county determines your local elections, some judicial races, and where you go to vote early or on Election Day.

• Atlanta residents in Fulton County vote in Fulton County-run polling places and elections.
• Atlanta residents in DeKalb County vote in DeKalb County-run polling places and elections.

Even within the City of Atlanta, your county and city ballots can look different from your friend’s if you live on opposite sides of the county line.

For in-person questions, you can go to:

• Fulton County Department of Registration & Elections
  130 Peachtree Street SW, Suite 2186
  Atlanta, GA 30303

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

3. Schools

Atlanta has multiple school systems in the broader area, but inside the City of Atlanta, a large portion of students attend Atlanta Public Schools (APS).

However, some “Atlanta” mailing addresses are not in the City of Atlanta at all—they’re in other cities or unincorporated county areas, which may be served by:

• Fulton County Schools
• DeKalb County School District
• Other neighboring districts, depending on exact location

If your address says “Atlanta, GA” but you’re outside official city limits, your children might not be zoned for APS. Your county and municipal boundaries determine which school district you’re in.

4. Courts and Jury Duty

If you get a notice for jury duty or need to appear in court, the county will matter:

• Address in Atlanta/Fulton → Usually Fulton County courts
• Address in Atlanta/DeKalb → Usually DeKalb County courts

Common centralized locations:

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

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

5. Local Services and Permits

Some services come from the City of Atlanta, others from your county, and some from the state or federal government.

For example:

• City of Atlanta

  • Building permits inside city limits
  • City code enforcement
  • City water and sewer (for most residents inside city limits)
  • City parks and recreation centers

• County (Fulton or DeKalb)

  • Some health services and clinics
  • County roads in unincorporated areas
  • Certain business/occupational licenses (depending on where the business is located)

If you’re not sure whether to contact the city or the county, start by asking:

• “Is my address inside City of Atlanta limits?”
• “Is my address in Fulton or DeKalb (or another county)?”

Quick Reference: Atlanta and Its Counties

Here’s a simple overview to keep things straight:

Common Address & Identity Confusions Around “Atlanta County”

Because of overlapping names and postal designations, people run into a few recurring confusions:

“My address says Atlanta, but I was told I’m not in the City of Atlanta.”

The U.S. Postal Service uses “Atlanta, GA” on many addresses that are not actually within the official city limits. You might technically live in:

• Sandy Springs
• Brookhaven
• South Fulton
• Unincorporated Fulton or DeKalb

…even though your mailing address says “Atlanta.” In that case, your city government (and sometimes your school district and police department) is not the City of Atlanta.

“Is there such a thing as Atlanta County?”

No. There is no county named “Atlanta County” in Georgia.

If someone asks for your “Atlanta county,” they probably mean:

• “Which county do you live in, if you live in or near Atlanta?”
• For most City of Atlanta residents: Fulton County
• For some Atlanta addresses on the east side: DeKalb County

“I’m moving to Atlanta. Which county should I put on forms?”

If a form asks for your county, you’ll need to know exactly where your new place is. Once you have the address:

• Confirm if it’s within City of Atlanta limits
• Confirm its county (often via online county lookup or asking your landlord/agent)

Then list Fulton or DeKalb—or another county if your address is actually in a different city within the metro area.

Helpful Government Contacts for Atlanta Residents

If you live in or are moving to Atlanta and need to sort out city vs county issues, these offices are commonly used starting points:

City of Atlanta – City Hall
55 Trinity Avenue SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Main line: (404) 330-6000

Fulton County Government Center
141 Pryor Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Main line: (404) 612-4000

DeKalb County Administrative Building
1300 Commerce Drive
Decatur, GA 30030
Main line: (404) 371-2000

These offices can help direct you to the correct department for property questions, permits, voting, courts, or local services, depending on whether your address is inside the City of Atlanta and which county it’s in.

In short: Atlanta is a city in Georgia, mostly in Fulton County, partly in DeKalb County. There is no “Atlanta County,” but knowing which county your Atlanta address is in is essential for taxes, schools, voting, and local services.