What County Is Atlanta In? Understanding Atlanta’s County (and Counties)

If you live in Atlanta, are moving here, or you’re trying to sort out local services, you’ve probably wondered: “What county is Atlanta in?”

The direct answer:

• The City of Atlanta is primarily in Fulton County, Georgia.
• A smaller portion of Atlanta is in DeKalb County.

So Atlanta is a city that spans two counties: Fulton and DeKalb.

Below is a clear breakdown of what that means for residents, visitors, and anyone dealing with addresses, taxes, courts, or public services in Atlanta, Georgia.

Atlanta’s Counties at a Glance

Here’s a simple overview:

Fulton County: Atlanta’s Primary County

Fulton County is the main county associated with Atlanta.

Most of the places people think of when they say “Atlanta” are in Fulton County, including:

• Downtown Atlanta
• Midtown Atlanta
• Buckhead
• The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport area (partly)
• Many major attractions (like the Georgia State Capitol area, major sports arenas, and convention spaces nearby)

If you live, work, or stay near the central core of the city, you are very likely in Fulton County.

Key Fulton County services for Atlantans

If your Atlanta address is in Fulton County, you’ll usually deal with:

• Fulton County tax commissioner for property taxes and vehicle tags
• Fulton County courts for county-level legal matters
• Fulton County Sheriff’s Office and other county agencies for certain public services

Some key Fulton County locations that many Atlanta residents use include:

• Fulton County Government Center
  • 141 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Fulton County Tax Commissioner – Main Office
  • Often based near downtown government facilities; check your tax notice or county site for the latest exact office locations and hours.

If any of your paperwork asks for your county of residence, and you’re in central, west, or north Atlanta neighborhoods (like Midtown, Westside, Buckhead, or downtown), you’ll almost always put Fulton County.

DeKalb County: The Other County Within Atlanta’s City Limits

While Fulton County gets most of the attention, part of the City of Atlanta is in DeKalb County.

This mainly affects eastern parts of Atlanta, including some neighborhoods where:

• Your mailing address says “Atlanta, GA”,
• But your county government is actually DeKalb, not Fulton.

Examples of areas that can fall within Atlanta city limits but DeKalb County include parts of:

• East Atlanta
• Areas near Candler Park and Lake Claire (depending on exact address)
• Some neighborhoods closer to Emory University and the eastern side of the city boundary

Because city boundaries and county lines are complex, the only reliable way to know your county is to look up your specific address.

Key DeKalb County services for Atlantans

If your Atlanta address falls in DeKalb County, then:

• You pay county-level property taxes to DeKalb County, not Fulton.
• County courts and certain public services are handled by DeKalb County.
• Your vehicle tag, property records, and some permits may go through DeKalb offices.

Important DeKalb County locations used by some Atlanta residents include:

• DeKalb County Government – Administrative Offices
  • 1300 Commerce Dr, Decatur, GA 30030
• DeKalb County Tax Commissioner – Main Office
  • 4380 Memorial Dr, Suite 100, Decatur, GA 30032

So you can absolutely live in “Atlanta, GA” and still be dealing with DeKalb County for many official matters.

Why Does Atlanta Span More Than One County?

Atlanta’s city limits expanded over time as the city grew. As the population spread eastward, parts of what had been DeKalb County areas were incorporated into the City of Atlanta, while still remaining in DeKalb County.

Think of it this way:

• City lines determine things like:
  • City of Atlanta taxes
  • City services (police, fire, sanitation in many areas)
  • Representation on the Atlanta City Council
• County lines determine things like:
  • County property taxes
  • County court systems
  • Some health, social, and record-keeping services

Atlanta grew across existing county boundaries, so now the city and county borders overlap in a way that can be confusing if you’re new here.

How to Know Which County Your Atlanta Address Is In

Because Atlanta sits in both Fulton and DeKalb, it’s important to know which one you’re in, especially for:

• Property taxes
• Vehicle registration
• Jury duty
• Court filings
• School district information (for areas outside the separate Atlanta Public Schools system)

Here are straightforward ways to confirm your county:

1. Check your property tax bill or mortgage escrow statement

   • It will typically list Fulton County or DeKalb County.

2. Look at your vehicle registration or tag renewal notice

   • The issuing county usually appears on the paperwork.

3. Use a government address lookup

   • Both Fulton and DeKalb County maintain tools that let you confirm which county serves your address.

4. Call or visit your county tax office

   • Provide your Atlanta address and they can tell you which county handles it.

If you’re renting and don’t see tax bills yourself, you can still ask your landlord or property manager:

Knowing that answer will help any time a form asks, “What county is your residence in?”

How County Affects Everyday Life in Atlanta

Even though you may feel like you just “live in Atlanta,” your county can change certain details of daily life.

1. Taxes and fees

• City of Atlanta taxes: Paid by residents inside the city limits, regardless of county.
• County taxes: Paid to Fulton or DeKalb, depending on address.

If you own a home in Atlanta, you’ll typically see separate line items for:

• City of Atlanta
• Your county (Fulton or DeKalb)
• Possibly additional local districts or school-related portions

2. Courts and legal matters

• If your Atlanta address is in Fulton County, you’d generally deal with Fulton County courts for county-level matters.
• If your Atlanta address is in DeKalb County, you’d generally use DeKalb County courts.

📝 When filling out legal documents, make sure to list your correct county. That helps route your case or request to the right place.

3. Public services

Certain services are provided by:

• City of Atlanta (such as city police, city fire, local zoning, and in many areas, trash and recycling), but
• Other services may be county-based, such as:
  • Some health and social services
  • Some court-related programs
  • Certain public records

Knowing your county helps you contact the right office the first time.

Common Atlanta Neighborhoods and Their Likely County

Because neighborhood boundaries and city edges can be irregular, this list is general, not absolute. Always verify with your exact address.

• Mostly Fulton County within Atlanta city limits:

  • Downtown
  • Midtown
  • Buckhead
  • West End
  • West Midtown
  • Atlantic Station
  • Bankhead / Grove Park
  • Cascade Road areas (inside city limits)

• Often DeKalb County within Atlanta city limits:

  • Parts of East Atlanta
  • Portions of Kirkwood, Edgewood, and surrounding areas
  • Some neighborhoods near the eastern city boundary

Again, only your exact address can give you a definitive answer.

Using “Atlanta” vs. County Names in Addresses and Forms

When you’re mailing something or entering your address online:

• Your city will usually be “Atlanta” if you’re inside the city limits.
• Your county will be either Fulton or DeKalb, depending on your exact location.

Some suburbs and nearby cities (like Sandy Springs, Decatur, East Point, College Park, Brookhaven, and many others) are also in Fulton or DeKalb counties but are separate cities, not Atlanta.

So:

• “Atlanta, GA” tells people your city and state.
• “Fulton County” or “DeKalb County” tells government agencies which county serves you.

On forms that ask both city and county, you might enter something like:

• City: Atlanta
• County: Fulton
  or
• City: Atlanta
• County: DeKalb

Key Government Contacts for Atlanta Residents

If you’re unsure where to go, these major offices are good starting points for Atlanta-area county questions:

• City of Atlanta – City Hall

  • 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Handles city-level concerns (not county taxes).

• Fulton County Government Center (for most Atlanta addresses west/central/north)

  • 141 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

• DeKalb County Government Offices (for Atlanta addresses on the eastern side)

  • 1300 Commerce Dr, Decatur, GA 30030

When you call or visit, have your full street address and ZIP code ready so staff can quickly confirm whether your Atlanta home or business is in Fulton or DeKalb County.

In summary: Atlanta is mainly in Fulton County, with a portion in DeKalb County. If you live or stay in Atlanta, your exact street address determines which county serves you, and that county will handle your property taxes, some court matters, and various public services.