Atlanta Counties: A Local Guide to the Metro Area and Its County Lines

If you spend time in Atlanta, Georgia, you quickly realize that “Atlanta” stretches far beyond the official city limits. People say “Atlanta” when they mean downtown, Buckhead, Decatur, Sandy Springs, or even cities that are technically in other counties altogether.

Understanding Atlanta’s counties helps with everything from figuring out your property taxes and school districts to knowing which courthouse, police department, or elections office you need to contact.

This guide walks through:

• Which counties make up the Atlanta metro area
• How county lines affect schools, taxes, voting, and services
• Key county offices and contacts that Atlanta residents and visitors actually use
• Tips for people moving to or visiting the Atlanta area

The Core Counties of Metro Atlanta

When locals talk about “metro Atlanta,” they usually mean the 10-county core that surrounds the city. At the center is Fulton County, where the City of Atlanta is primarily located, plus a small portion that falls in DeKalb County.

Here are the core counties most closely associated with Atlanta:

• Fulton County
• DeKalb County
• Cobb County
• Gwinnett County
• Clayton County
• Douglas County
• Fayette County
• Henry County
• Rockdale County
• Cherokee County

Some definitions of the metro region include additional counties (like Paulding, Bartow, Forsyth, and others), but for everyday life in and around the city, these core counties come up the most.

Where Is the City of Atlanta, County-wise?

The City of Atlanta sits mainly in Fulton County, with its eastern portion in DeKalb County. That’s why you sometimes see Atlanta addresses with Fulton County listed, and sometimes DeKalb.

Key areas of Atlanta by county

• Fulton County (west, central, north)
  Includes Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Westside, Cascade, parts of Atlanta’s south side, and many nearby cities like Sandy Springs and Roswell.

• DeKalb County (east)
  Includes East Atlanta areas such as Kirkwood, East Lake, Candler Park, as well as nearby cities like Decatur and Tucker (which are separate cities, not neighborhoods of Atlanta).

If you live or stay in Atlanta, knowing which county you’re in matters for things like:

• Jury duty and courts
• Property taxes and homestead exemptions
• Public school zones (Atlanta Public Schools vs. Fulton vs. DeKalb)
• Which sheriff, police, or county services you deal with

Quick County Snapshot for Atlanta-Area Residents

Below is a simple overview of the major counties most tied to “Atlanta” in everyday conversation:

Why County Lines Matter in Atlanta

1. Schools and School Districts

Public schools in the Atlanta area are organized primarily by county, not by the broader idea of “Atlanta.” Some key districts include:

• Atlanta Public Schools (APS) – Serves the City of Atlanta only, which spans both Fulton and DeKalb counties.
• Fulton County Schools – Serves areas in Fulton County outside the City of Atlanta (e.g., Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta).
• DeKalb County School District – Serves most of DeKalb outside APS and independent cities.
• Cobb County School District, Gwinnett County Public Schools, Clayton County Public Schools, and others serve their own counties.

🔎 Tip: If you’re moving to metro Atlanta, check both the city and county of any address to confirm which school district it falls under.

2. Property Taxes and Homestead Exemptions

If you own a home in the Atlanta area, the county heavily affects your:

• Property tax rate
• Homestead exemptions (tax breaks on primary residences)
• Which office you pay and file with

Each county has its own Tax Commissioner and Tax Assessor. If you live in the City of Atlanta, you may have both city and county tax components.

Examples of key tax offices:

• Fulton County Tax Commissioner
  141 Pryor Street SW, Suite 1085, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: typically listed on the Fulton County government website

• DeKalb County Tax Commissioner
  4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 100, Decatur, GA 30032

For homeowners, knowing your county of residence helps you file homestead exemptions on time and maximize any local tax benefits you’re eligible for.

3. Courts, Jury Duty, and Legal Matters

Court systems in metro Atlanta are county-based. Even if your mailing address is “Atlanta,” your courthouse could be in a neighboring city depending on the county.

Common county-level courts include:

• Superior Court – Handles major civil and criminal cases, divorces, and more.
• State Court – Handles certain civil and misdemeanor criminal cases.
• Magistrate Court – Small claims, minor civil issues, and some warrant matters.

If you receive a jury summons or court notice:

• Check the county name first (Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, etc.).
• Confirm the courthouse address, which may not always be in the City of Atlanta, even if you live nearby.

4. Voting, Elections, and Registration

In Georgia, voter registration, polling places, and elections administration are handled at the county level. Your county determines:

• Where you vote
• How you apply for an absentee ballot
• Your ballot style (local races, school boards, county SPLOSTs, etc.)

Key metro Atlanta elections offices include:

• 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

When voting in Atlanta, you’ll often see races for Atlanta mayor and city council on the same ballot as county commissioners or school board members, but the elections office that runs everything is your county office.

5. Law Enforcement and Emergency Services

While the City of Atlanta Police Department covers most neighborhoods inside city limits, county lines still matter:

• County Sheriffs’ Offices run the county jails and serve certain legal papers.
• County Police Departments (where they exist) handle law enforcement in unincorporated areas and some cities.
• Many cities also have their own police departments (e.g., Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, Marietta).

If you’re unsure who serves your address:

• In an emergency, dial 911 – dispatch will route police, fire, or EMS based on your location.
• For non-emergency questions, you can look up the county sheriff and, if applicable, city police department for your area.

Getting Oriented: Is My Address in Fulton, DeKalb, or Somewhere Else?

Because “Atlanta” sprawls, a lot of people new to the area get confused. Some general patterns:

• Inside the Perimeter (ITP) – Inside I-285, you’re most likely in Fulton or DeKalb, with some parts of Cobb and Clayton close to the edge.
• North of the City – Often Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, or Cherokee.
• South of the City – Often Clayton, Fayette, or Henry.
• East of the City – Typically DeKalb, then Rockdale further out.
• West of the City – Typically Fulton, Cobb, or Douglas further out.

If you’re not sure which county you’re in:

1. Check your property tax bill, voter registration card, or vehicle registration documents.
2. Call your city hall or local county administrative office and give them your address.
3. Use a reputable online GIS or address lookup specific to Georgia or your county government.

Visiting Atlanta: What County Info Actually Matters?

If you’re just visiting Atlanta, the county breakdown matters in a few specific cases:

• Traffic tickets or minor legal issues – Your citation will list a county and a court.
• Jail or inmate lookups – If you’re trying to locate someone, you’ll need to know the county that arrested or houses them.
• Car rentals and accidents – Reports and insurance claims may involve Atlanta Police, county police, or the Georgia State Patrol, depending on where an incident occurred.

For most tourists:

• Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and the airport are primarily in Fulton County (with some airport-area locations also in Clayton County).
• Eastside neighborhoods that feel like “in-town Atlanta” (Edgewood, Kirkwood, East Atlanta) are often in DeKalb County.

Key County Offices Many Atlantans Use

Here are examples of types of county offices that Atlanta-area residents frequently interact with, and where they are typically found:

• County Government / Administration

  • Often located at the county courthouse or government center in the county seat (e.g., downtown Atlanta for Fulton, downtown Decatur for DeKalb).

• Tax Commissioner’s Office

  • Handles property tax payments, many tag and title services, and sometimes motor vehicle registration.

• Superior Court Clerk

  • Records deeds, liens, and other important legal documents.
  • Maintains court records and often handles passport applications.

• Board of Commissioners

  • Your county’s primary governing body, making decisions on zoning, budgets, and services.

• Elections Office

  • Registers voters, runs early voting sites, and manages Election Day polling locations.

When you move, buy a home, start a business, or deal with permits or property records, you’ll usually visit or call your county government first.

Living in Atlanta: How “County” Shapes Daily Life

For people who live in or around Atlanta, county lines quietly structure your day-to-day life, even if you don’t think about them often:

• Your children’s school options and bus routes
• The library system you use (Fulton County Library System vs. DeKalb County Public Library, etc.)
• Parks and recreation programs available near you
• Which trash and recycling services you have (city vs. county vs. private)
• Who maintains your local roads, aside from interstates and state highways

When considering a move within metro Atlanta, many locals compare county to county just as much as neighborhood to neighborhood, looking at:

• School quality
• Property tax rates
• Commute routes
• Available public services and amenities

How to Use This County Knowledge in Metro Atlanta

Whether you’re a longtime resident, a new arrival, or someone planning a move or visit, a few practical steps can make Atlanta’s county map work in your favor:

• Always pair “city” with “county”
  When filling out forms, checking school zones, or registering to vote, make sure you know both.

• Keep your county offices handy
  Save contact info for your county tax office, elections office, and court clerk once you know where you live.

• Ask “Which county?” when getting local advice
  Recommendations for schools, zoning, or taxes can vary widely from Fulton to DeKalb to Cobb, even if they’re all “Atlanta area.”

Understanding Atlanta’s counties turns the metro from a confusing sprawl into a clear map of local governments, services, and communities. Once you know which county you live, work, or stay in, nearly every practical question—about schools, taxes, voting, courts, or services—becomes much easier to answer.