Who Has Been the Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia? A Clear Guide for Residents and Visitors

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia, are thinking about moving here, or are just trying to understand how the city is run, it’s natural to ask: “Who was the mayor of Atlanta, Georgia?”

The answer depends on when you mean. Atlanta has had a long line of mayors, each shaping the city in different ways—from civil rights leadership to modern economic growth and infrastructure upgrades. Below is a practical, Atlanta-focused guide to:

  • Who the current mayor of Atlanta is
  • A quick look at recent past mayors
  • How the mayor’s office works in Atlanta
  • Where and how Atlantans can contact or interact with the Mayor’s Office

The Current Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia

As of the most recent term, the Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia is Andre Dickens.

He serves as the 65th mayor of Atlanta and took office after winning the mayoral election held in the city’s regular election cycle. Atlantans know his administration for focusing on issues like:

  • Public safety and community policing
  • Affordable housing and development
  • Transportation and infrastructure
  • Economic opportunity and jobs within the city

If you’re living in Atlanta and wondering who is currently responsible for city leadership, budgets, and major policy direction, Andre Dickens is the person holding that office.

Quick Reference: Recent Mayors of Atlanta

If your question is more historical—“Who was the mayor of Atlanta around a certain time?”—this quick table can help you place names with eras.

Recent Mayors of Atlanta (Simplified Snapshot)

MayorApproximate Years in OfficeNotable Focus Areas (High-Level)
Andre Dickens2020sPublic safety, housing, infrastructure, equity
Keisha Lance BottomsLate 2010s–early 2020sCriminal justice reform, civil rights, COVID response
Kasim Reed2010sDowntown development, airport expansion, public safety
Shirley Franklin2000sInfrastructure, ethics reforms, water/sewer upgrades
Bill Campbell1990s–early 2000sEconomic development, Olympics-era changes
Maynard Jackson (multiple non-consecutive terms)1970s–1990sAirport growth, minority business inclusion, civil rights

This is not a full historic list but gives an Atlanta-centered overview of who has led the city in recent decades. If you lived here at any point in the last 40–50 years, one or more of these names likely overlaps your time in Atlanta.

How the Mayor of Atlanta Fits Into City Government

Understanding who the mayor is is only part of the picture. If you’re a resident or a visitor trying to navigate local government, it helps to understand what the mayor actually does in Atlanta.

Role of the Mayor in Atlanta

The Mayor of Atlanta functions as:

  • Chief Executive of the City
    • Oversees city departments such as public works, planning, transportation, and public safety.
  • Budget Leader
    • Proposes the city’s annual budget and helps set spending priorities for neighborhoods, infrastructure, and city services.
  • Policy Direction-Setter
    • Plays a central role in shaping major initiatives that affect housing, zoning, transportation, economic development, and public safety.
  • Public Representative of Atlanta
    • Represents the city in regional, national, and international settings, including work related to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, large companies, and major events.

For Atlantans, this means that the mayor has a direct impact on issues like road improvements, city code enforcement, city-backed housing programs, and coordination with MARTA and other regional partners.

Where the Mayor’s Office Is Located in Atlanta

If you want to reach the Mayor of Atlanta or interact with the mayor’s staff, you’ll typically be dealing with City Hall.

Atlanta City Hall – Mayor’s Office

  • Main Government Building: Atlanta City Hall
  • Location: In downtown Atlanta, near the State Capitol and other government offices
  • City Hall Functions:
    • Houses the Mayor’s Office
    • Contains offices for City Council and several key departments
    • Provides public access for some city services, public meetings, and records

Residents commonly turn to City Hall and the Mayor’s Office for:

  • General inquiries about city services and initiatives
  • Questions about city policies or programs
  • Information on public safety, housing, or neighborhood initiatives
  • Ceremonial or community recognition requests (such as proclamations or city acknowledgments)

For up-to-date phone numbers, office hours, or specific contact forms, Atlantans typically check the official City of Atlanta government website or call the city’s main information line.

How the Mayor Affects Daily Life in Atlanta

Whether you’re in Buckhead, Midtown, Downtown, West End, East Atlanta, or South Atlanta, the decisions made by the mayor’s administration can show up in everyday ways:

  • 🚗 Streets and Traffic:
    • Road resurfacing, traffic-calming projects, and coordination with state and regional transportation efforts.
  • 🏠 Housing and Development:
    • Support for affordable housing, zoning decisions, and incentives for new development that can reshape neighborhoods.
  • 🛝 Parks and Public Spaces:
    • Investments in parks, trails like the Atlanta BeltLine, and recreation centers.
  • 👮 Public Safety:
    • Strategies for the Atlanta Police Department and community safety programs.
  • 💼 Jobs and Business Climate:
    • Efforts to attract businesses, support small businesses, and encourage job growth across the city.

So when you ask, “Who was the mayor of Atlanta, Georgia?”, you’re really asking about who has been making and shaping these decisions for the city at a particular time.

How Mayors Are Chosen in Atlanta

If you live in Atlanta and want to know how someone becomes mayor:

  • The Mayor of Atlanta is elected by voters who live within the city limits.
  • Elections are held on a regular cycle, and if no candidate gets more than half the vote, a runoff election is often held between the top two candidates.
  • Candidates typically campaign around issues that matter deeply to Atlantans, such as:
    • Public safety
    • Housing affordability
    • Transportation and congestion
    • Economic opportunity across neighborhoods

Being aware of who the mayor is and when elections occur helps Atlanta residents influence the direction of the city by voting and participating in public meetings or community forums.

How You Can Engage With the Mayor’s Office as an Atlantan

If you’re in Atlanta and want to interact with or learn more about the mayor’s work, common options include:

  • Attending or viewing City Council meetings where the mayor’s initiatives are discussed and voted on.
  • Reaching out to the Mayor’s Office of Communications or Constituent Services for information on city programs or to share concerns.
  • Participating in public hearings, neighborhood planning meetings, or community events where the mayor or staff may be present.

Residents, neighborhood associations, and business owners across the city—from Cascade Heights to Old Fourth Ward to Peachtree Corners commuters who work in the city—often stay engaged this way to keep track of what the mayor is focusing on.

In summary, Andre Dickens is the current Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia, following a line of influential mayors like Keisha Lance Bottoms, Kasim Reed, Shirley Franklin, Bill Campbell, and Maynard Jackson. For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta, the mayor’s role is central to how the city grows, invests in neighborhoods, and delivers everyday services that shape life across the city.