How Long Has Atlanta Been the Capital of Georgia?

If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting and curious about the city’s role in Georgia’s history, you might wonder: How many years has Atlanta been the capital of Georgia?

The short, clear answer:
Atlanta has been the capital of Georgia for about 160 years, officially since 1868.

Below is how that timeline works, why the capital moved here, and what that means for understanding modern Atlanta.

A Quick Timeline: From Milledgeville to Atlanta

Georgia has had several capital cities. Atlanta is not the state’s first capital—but it’s the longest-serving one.

Georgia’s Capital Cities Over Time

When you focus on Atlanta:

• Capital designation: 1868
• Years as capital (as of the mid‑2020s): roughly 157–160+ years

So when someone asks, “How many years was Atlanta the capital of Georgia?”, they’re really asking how long it has held that status up to now—and the answer is about a century and a half and counting.

Why Did Georgia Move Its Capital to Atlanta?

If you’ve ever walked near the Georgia State Capitol downtown and wondered, “Why here?”, the answer is tied to transportation, geography, and post–Civil War rebuilding.

1. Atlanta’s Railroad Roots

Atlanta started as a railroad town, originally known as Terminus and then Marthasville before becoming Atlanta. After the Civil War, the city quickly rebuilt and again became a key transportation crossroads.

For Georgia leaders in the 1800s, that meant:

• Easier access from different regions of the state
• Better movement of goods, officials, and information
• Stronger prospects for economic growth

Those same transportation advantages still shape Atlanta today—with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, multiple interstates, and major freight routes all converging here.

2. Population Shifts Toward North Georgia

Over time, more Georgians moved toward the Piedmont and north Georgia, including what’s now the Atlanta metro area.

Having the capital in Milledgeville (more central-south) made less sense as population, business, and rail lines concentrated around Atlanta.

3. Rebuilding After the Civil War

The state had to reorganize during Reconstruction. With Atlanta rebuilding rapidly and emerging as a business center, it was a logical choice to become the new center of government, symbolizing:

• Economic recovery
• A more modern, urban future
• Georgia’s connection to regional and national commerce

What “Capital of Georgia” Means Day-to-Day in Atlanta

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, the capital status isn’t just historic trivia—it affects what’s located here and how the city functions.

Key Government Sites in Atlanta

As the capital, Atlanta hosts the core branches of Georgia state government, primarily clustered downtown:

• Georgia State Capitol

  • Location: 206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA 30334
  • Houses the Governor’s office, General Assembly (State Senate and House of Representatives), and important legislative and ceremonial spaces.
  • The building with the golden dome you can see from I‑75/85.

• Coverdell Legislative Office Building

  • Near the Capitol; offices for many state legislators and committees.

• Judicial Government Hub (nearby)

  • Key state-level courts are headquartered in the Atlanta area, including the Supreme Court of Georgia and Court of Appeals of Georgia.

If you work, study, or do business downtown, you’re regularly moving through the political heart of the state.

Visiting the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta

If you’re local or in town for a trip, understanding Atlanta as the capital becomes very real once you step inside the Capitol building.

What You Can Do There

• Take a tour

  • Self-guided walk-throughs are often available on weekdays.
  • You can see the House and Senate chambers (when not in session), historic exhibits, and the Georgia Capitol Museum, which includes state history, artifacts, and natural history displays.

• Watch state government in action

  • When the Georgia General Assembly is in session (usually starting in January), visitors can observe from public galleries, subject to security and space.

• Learn about Georgia history

  • Exhibits help explain how and why Atlanta replaced Milledgeville as the capital and how the state evolved over time.

If you’re planning a visit, it’s wise to:

• Check current hours and security policies
• Allow extra time for downtown traffic and parking
• Bring a valid photo ID, especially if you might enter office areas

How Being the Capital Shapes Modern Atlanta

Atlanta’s long run as capital—more than 150 years—has strongly influenced the city’s growth and identity.

1. Government as a Major Employer

Because Atlanta is the capital:

• State government agencies employ tens of thousands of workers in the metro area.
• Many Atlantans work in or around:
  • State departments and agencies
  • Regulatory and licensing boards
  • Education and transportation offices

For residents, this means a steady concentration of public sector jobs and support industries like law, consulting, and lobbying.

2. Policy and Advocacy Hub

If you’re involved in education, healthcare, transportation, business, or community organizing in Atlanta, the capital status matters:

• Bills and budgets that affect schools, roads, and services across Georgia are debated here.
• Advocacy groups, professional associations, and nonprofits maintain a presence around the Capitol area to engage with lawmakers.

Atlanta’s role as the capital reinforces its status as the center of statewide debate and decision-making.

3. Atlanta’s Image in Georgia and Beyond

Being the capital for over a century and a half helps shape how Atlanta is viewed:

• Within Georgia, people often think of Atlanta as both the political and economic engine.
• Nationally, when people think of Georgia, they frequently picture Atlanta’s skyline, airport, and cultural scene.

For residents, that often translates into:

• More events tied to state government (rallies, press conferences, legislative days)
• Frequent visits from state and national political figures
• A steady spotlight on Atlanta in state and national news

Where to See Atlanta’s “Capital City” Role Up Close

If you want to experience how Atlanta functions as the capital, there are a few key areas and buildings to explore:

Downtown Capitol District

Around the intersection of Washington Street, Mitchell Street, and Capitol Avenue, you’ll find:

• Georgia State Capitol
• Nearby legislative and administrative offices
• Memorials and monuments related to Georgia history

This area is easiest to reach by:

• MARTA Rail: Georgia State or Five Points Stations
• Car: Be prepared for limited street parking and consider paid decks or lots nearby.

Nearby Government and Civic Sites

Within central Atlanta, you’ll also find:

• Atlanta City Hall (for city government)
• Fulton County Government Center (for county-level services, including courts and records)
• Federal buildings like the Richard B. Russell Federal Building (showing Atlanta’s layered role as local, state, and federal hub)

These clusters emphasize how Atlanta isn’t only Georgia’s capital—it’s a multi-level government center.

Key Takeaways for Someone in Atlanta

To directly answer the question in everyday terms:

• How many years was Atlanta the capital of Georgia?

  • Atlanta has been the capital since 1868, so it has held that status for about 160 years and still is the capital today.

• Why Atlanta, and not Savannah or Milledgeville anymore?

  • Because Atlanta became the transportation, population, and economic center of the state, especially after the Civil War.

• What does that mean if you live in or visit Atlanta?

  • The city hosts the state’s main government institutions, shaping jobs, policies, and public life.
  • You can see this firsthand by visiting the Georgia State Capitol and surrounding government district downtown.

Understanding how long Atlanta has been the capital gives context to why the city looks and functions the way it does today—from its busy legislative sessions to its steady flow of state workers and visitors who come here to do the business of Georgia.