Who Is Atlanta, Georgia’s Mayor? A Local Guide to Your City Leader

If you live in, work in, or are visiting Atlanta, Georgia, it helps to know who the mayor is, what the mayor actually does, and how this role shapes everyday life in the city.

As of the latest widely available information, Atlanta’s mayor is Andre Dickens. He took office in January 2022 as the city’s 61st mayor. Because political offices can change with elections, it’s always smart to verify the current officeholder through the City of Atlanta if you need the most up‑to‑date confirmation.

Below is a practical, Atlanta-focused guide to who the mayor is, what the mayor does, and how you can interact with the Mayor’s Office.

Who Is the Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia?

Andre Dickens serves as the Mayor of the City of Atlanta.

He leads the executive branch of Atlanta’s city government and is responsible for overseeing city departments, setting priorities, and representing Atlanta locally and nationally.

Quick facts about Atlanta’s mayor

What Does the Mayor of Atlanta Actually Do?

If you’re in Atlanta, the mayor has a direct impact on many aspects of daily life, from streets and safety to parks and development.

Key responsibilities of Atlanta’s mayor

The Mayor of Atlanta typically:

• Oversees city departments and agencies
  This includes areas like:

  • Public safety (Atlanta Police Department, Atlanta Fire Rescue Department)
  • Transportation and public works (roads, traffic signals, some infrastructure)
  • Parks and recreation (city parks, community centers)
  • City planning and development
  • Watershed management (water and sewer services within the city)

• Prepares and proposes the city budget
  The mayor drafts a proposed annual budget for the City of Atlanta, which is then considered and approved (with changes as needed) by the Atlanta City Council.

• Sets policy priorities for the city
  Common local focus areas include:

  • Public safety and crime prevention
  • Affordable housing and homelessness
  • Transportation and transit connectivity
  • Economic development and business growth
  • Neighborhood revitalization and infrastructure maintenance

• Represents Atlanta in regional and national issues
  The mayor often:

  • Works with Fulton and DeKalb Counties, the State of Georgia, and neighboring cities
  • Participates in regional planning efforts that affect Metro Atlanta (for example, transportation and economic initiatives)
  • Serves as a visible representative when national attention is on the city (conventions, major sporting events, emergencies)

• Signs or vetoes legislation from the City Council
  The Atlanta City Council passes ordinances and resolutions. The mayor can:

  • Sign them into law
  • Veto them (in many cases subject to council override, depending on rules)

How Atlanta’s Mayor Fits into Local Government

Atlanta operates under a mayor–council form of government, sometimes described as a strong mayor system. That structure affects where you go for help and who makes which decisions.

Mayor vs. City Council

• Mayor of Atlanta

  • Leads the executive branch
  • Manages day‑to‑day city operations and administration
  • Proposes the budget and implements policies

• Atlanta City Council

  • Serves as the legislative branch
  • Passes ordinances, resolutions, and approves the budget
  • Represents specific districts and at‑large positions within Atlanta

If you’re trying to solve a neighborhood-specific issue (like zoning concerns or local traffic calming), you may interact with both:

• Your City Council member for policy and district-level advocacy
• The Mayor’s Office or city departments for implementation or citywide issues

If You Live in Atlanta: Why the Mayor Matters to You

For Atlanta residents, the mayor’s decisions often show up in everyday life:

• Public safety: Police staffing, crime prevention strategies, and community programs are heavily influenced by the mayor’s priorities.
• Roads and infrastructure: Pothole repair, resurfacing projects, and major infrastructure plans often emerge from mayoral proposals and city department directives.
• Parks and recreation: Investment in parks like Piedmont Park, neighborhood playgrounds, trails, and recreation centers is shaped by the city budget and leadership.
• Housing and development: The mayor plays a big role in how the city addresses affordable housing, development incentives, and partnerships with developers.

If you’re noticing changes—more construction cranes, new trails, or changes in street design—those often connect back to broader priorities set by the mayor and council.

If You’re Visiting Atlanta: What the Mayor Has to Do With Your Experience

Visitors don’t usually interact directly with the mayor, but the office still affects your time in the city:

• Clean and maintained downtown areas influence your visit to places like Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia Aquarium, or the Mercedes‑Benz Stadium.
• Transportation and mobility decisions affect:
  • Street design around attractions
  • Cooperation with regional transit agencies such as MARTA
  • Wayfinding and pedestrian safety in busy districts like Midtown and Downtown Atlanta
• Tourism and major events: The mayor’s support and coordination play a part in bringing big events, conventions, and festivals to the city, which can affect hotel availability, traffic, and local activities.

Mayor of Atlanta vs. Metro Atlanta: What’s the Difference?

Many people confuse Atlanta the city with Metro Atlanta (the sprawling region across many counties and cities).

• The Mayor of Atlanta:

  • Governs the City of Atlanta only
  • Works within the city’s boundaries, which include neighborhoods like Buckhead, Midtown, Downtown, Old Fourth Ward, West End, and others

• Metro Atlanta:

  • Includes many cities and counties, such as Sandy Springs, Decatur, Marietta, College Park, East Point, and more
  • Each city has its own mayor and council
  • Counties (like Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett) have separate elected officials, such as county commissioners and sheriffs

If your address is in the broader metro region but not within the City of Atlanta limits, your mayor may be someone else entirely, and different rules can apply to zoning, services, and taxes.

How to Contact the Mayor of Atlanta or the Mayor’s Office

If you want to share a concern, ask a question, or request a ceremonial item (like a proclamation or greeting), you generally work through the Office of the Mayor.

Core government location

• Atlanta City Hall
  55 Trinity Ave SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303

City Hall is the primary building for:

• Mayor’s Office
• Atlanta City Council offices
• Several key city departments and administrative services

Because phone numbers and specific office suites can change, it is best practice to:

• Call the main City Hall line or the City of Atlanta customer service line to be routed correctly
• Check official City of Atlanta information if you need the latest contact details for:
  • Office of the Mayor
  • Constituent services
  • Public information or communications

Common Reasons People in Atlanta Reach Out to the Mayor’s Office

People in Atlanta may contact the mayor or mayor’s staff for:

• Constituent concerns and city service issues

  • Unresolved issues after contacting a city department
  • Broader neighborhood concerns or citywide policy issues

• Policy feedback

  • Sharing views on major initiatives like public safety strategies, housing policy, or infrastructure plans

• Ceremonial requests

  • Proclamations for special observances or community events
  • Requests for a greeting or recognition for a major anniversary or civic occasion

• Community event involvement

  • Inviting the mayor or a representative to speak or attend significant public events within the city

Most day‑to‑day operational issues—such as trash pickup, code enforcement, or water billing—are handled by specific city departments. The mayor’s office may get involved if:

• The matter is escalated
• It reflects a larger citywide issue
• It ties into a policy priority the mayor is focusing on

How the Mayor Influences Key Atlanta Issues

People often want to know not just who the mayor is, but what kind of decisions the mayor can influence. In Atlanta, a few focus areas come up again and again.

Public safety in Atlanta

The mayor plays a central role in:

• Appointing key public safety leaders (such as the Chief of Police and Fire Chief, subject to local rules)
• Setting crime reduction strategies
• Encouraging community policing and partnerships with neighborhoods

Residents who have concerns about public safety often:

• Speak with their City Council member
• Attend neighborhood or NPU (Neighborhood Planning Unit) meetings
• Share input through channels that eventually reach the Mayor and City Council

Growth, development, and housing

Atlanta has seen significant growth and redevelopment, especially in areas near:

• Midtown
• Downtown
• The BeltLine corridor
• Historically underinvested neighborhoods

The mayor influences:

• How the city works with developers
• Affordable housing initiatives and incentives
• City infrastructure that supports new growth

If you live in a neighborhood experiencing rapid change, some of the planning and development dynamics connect back to policy priorities set by the mayor’s administration in coordination with planning staff and the council.

Transportation and mobility

While agencies like MARTA operate regionally, the mayor:

• Influences street design, local transportation projects, and city-controlled right‑of‑way
• Helps shape the city’s role in regional planning efforts
• Works with state and regional partners on major projects that affect commuting, biking, walking, and transit in Atlanta

Participating in Atlanta’s Local Government Beyond the Mayor

If you’re interested in how decisions get made in Atlanta, the mayor is one piece of a wider system.

Common ways residents engage include:

• Attending City Council meetings at City Hall or watching recordings when available
• Participating in Neighborhood Planning Units (NPUs), which give communities a structured way to provide input on zoning, land use, and local issues
• Contacting:
  • Your City Council district representative
  • At‑large council members
  • Relevant city departments (transportation, watershed, planning, etc.)

The mayor often receives input filtered through these channels and uses it to inform policy choices and proposed initiatives.

Knowing that Andre Dickens is currently serving as the Mayor of Atlanta gives you a starting point, but understanding what the mayor does, how the office interacts with city departments, City Council, and your neighborhood is what really helps you navigate life in Atlanta—whether you’re a long‑time resident, a new arrival, or someone trying to better understand how the city is run.