Is Atlanta Safe?
Atlanta has a higher crime rate than most major US cities, but most parts of the city are relatively safe. While the city has a strong police presence Downtown, some other areas may cause safety concerns. Crime varies depending on the area and neighborhood, with the most dangerous areas in Atlanta located in the Southwestern part of the city.
The most common crimes in Atlanta include theft, pickpocketing, and car theft. Violent crimes such as murder and assault also occur as well. Here are the most dangerous places to live in Atlanta.
Top 11 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Atlanta (2023)
- Mechanicsville
- Vine City
- English Avenue
- Adair Park
- Oakland City
- Lakewood Heights
- Center Hill
- West End
- Adamsville
- Grove Park
- Adams Park
1. Mechanicsville
The most dangerous neighborhood in Atlanta is Mechanicsville. It’s also one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods and has a population of 5,886. The violent crime rate in Mechanicsville is a whopping 2,530 per 100,000 people. Gun violence related to gang activity is common. Residents often complain of not feeling safe in this neighborhood, especially at night. Other common crimes reported are thefts, burglaries, and auto theft. Residents who live in Mechanicsville often say that police presence is inadequate, and safety codes in the neighborhood aren’t adequately enforced.
2. Vine City
Another one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Atlanta is Vine City. This neighborhood along with adjacent English Avenue is known as The Bluff and is one of the most dangerous places to live in Atlanta. Despite revitalization efforts, this area remains violent, with a violent crime rate of 2,204 per 100,000 people and a property crime rate of 15,528 per 100,000 people. Vine City also has high poverty rates as well, with almost 50% of families living below the poverty level.
3. English Avenue
English Avenue is also one of the worst neighborhoods in Atlanta due to the high local crime rate. It borders Vine City and suffers from the same issues, including soaring crime and high rates of poverty. The violent crime rate in English avenue is 2,060 per 100,000 people. Some of the most common crimes in the neighborhood include assualts, robberies, and drug offenses.
4. Adair Park
Adair Park is another dangerous Atlanta neighborhood. It has a population of 1,479 and a violent crime rate of 2,024 per 100,000, making the crime rate 138% higher than the city average. Property crime is also high, with home invasions, car theft, and personal theft being common. Overall residents have a 1 in 36 chance of becoming the victim of any type of crime in this neighborhood.
5. Oakland City
Located in Southwestern Atlanta, Oakland City is the most dangerous neighborhood in Atlanta. Oakland City has a violent crime rate of 1,246 per 100,000 people out of a population of 6,350, making the overall crime rate 29% higher than the national average. Oakland City has many issues stemming from poverty, with the average income being $22,857. Oakland City is located along the Atlanta beltline bordering other dangerous cities such as West and Adair Park.
6. Lakewood Heights
Another one of the most dangerous places to live in Atlanta is Lakewood Heights. Located in Southeastern Atlanta, Lakewood Heights has a violent crime rate of 994 per 100,000 people, making it one of the most dangerous in Atlanta. Violent crime remains a problem in this neighborhood; residents often complain of hearing gunshots. Despite concerns over crime, Lakewood is home to many of Atlanta’s television and film production studios. One of Atlanta’s best-known studios, the EUE/Screen Gems soundstage, was opened there in 2010.
7. Center Hill
Located near central Atlanta, Center Hill has a population of 5,471, a violent crime rate of 1,048, and a property crime rate of 3,720 per 100,000 people. Gun violence occasionally occurs in Center Hills, and other violent crimes, such as assaults, are common. Property crimes like home invasions and car thefts make up the bulk of property crimes. Center Hill is considered a low-income neighborhood with little access to basic amenities or employment. Crime overall is 24% higher than the national average, and residents have a 1 in 36 chance of being the victim of any type of crime.
8. West End
Another dangerous Atlanta neighborhood is the West End, which is one of the city’s oldest and most historic neighborhoods, being listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The violent crime rate in West End is 22% higher than the national average, and the property crime rate is 54% higher than the national average. Despite high crime rates, much of this neighborhood is being gentrified and undergoing renovation efforts.
9. Adamsville
Located on the West side of Atlanta, Adamsville has a population of 7,789 and a violent crime rate of 859 per 100,000 people. Adamsville is considered a low-income area with an average income of $21,000. Residents feel unsafe in Adamsville, with shootings and other violent crimes being commonplace. Residents frequently report different types of crimes, such as robberies, prostitution, and open drug sales. As with Mechanicsville, residents complain that crime often congregates around certain properties, such as gas stations, and that police do not adequately patrol these areas. Drug overdoses are common around the areas where crime congregates.
10. Grove Park
Another one of the most dangerous places in Atlanta is Grove Park. This Northwest Atlanta neighborhood has a violent crime rate of 829 per 100,000, making the crime rate 21% higher than the national average. The property crime rate is nearly double the violent crime rate, with burglaries, car thefts, and personal theft being common. Grove Park is considered to be a transitioning neighborhood, but many of the residents still live below the poverty line, with an average income of $28,500 per household.
11. Adams Park
Located in Southwest Atlanta, Adams Park has a population of 3,146 and a violent crime rate of 623 per 100,000. Adams Park has a higher average income than many of the other neighborhoods on this list at an average of $50,000 per household. Common crimes in this neighborhood are assaults, thefts, and burglaries. While many areas of Adams Park are gentrifying, many areas still experience high crime.
Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Atlanta Bottom Line
While Atlanta is a growing and changing city, there are many remaining high-crime areas. Much of the city’s violent areas are located in the Southwest and experience high violent crime rates related to gang activity and the drug trade. Since many of these neighborhoods are transitioning, criminal elements are still present, but they are steadily declining. If you plan on visiting or relocating to Atlanta, use common sense and know your surroundings.