Understanding the Georgia crime rate by city may be a valuable resource for residents and visitors of the state of Georgia. The crime rate is an important statistic to be aware of. It could affect your decisions on where you live, work, or socialize. Though crime rates generally do not take into account the reasons behind the crime statistics, they can be an important part of objectively evaluating a city’s safety.
Georgia Cities With the Highest Crime Rates
The cities with the highest crime rates in Georgia include:
- College Park: As of 2025, College Park has a violent crime rate of 8.738 and a property crime rate of 27.09 per 1,000 residents. Other crimes, such as kidnapping, drug crimes, vandalism, identity theft, and animal cruelty, total 19.73 per 1,000 residents.
- East Point: East Point has a violent crime rate of 6.285 and a property crime rate of 34.70 per 1,000 residents. Other crimes total 19.11 per 1,000 residents.
- Union City: Union City has a violent crime rate of 3.909 and a property crime rate of 17.08 per 1,000 residents. Other crimes total 10.49 per 1,000 residents.
- Albany: Albany has a violent crime rate of 6.675 and a property crime rate of 37.10 per 1,000 residents. Other crimes total 11.69 per 1,000 residents.
- Forest Park: Forest Park has a violent crime rate of 5.928 and a property crime rate of 28.95 per 1,000 residents. Other crimes total 13.91 per 1,000 residents.
- Macon: Macon has a violent crime rate of 5.324 and a property crime rate of 27.28 per 1,000 residents. Other crimes total 10.97 per 1,000 residents.
- Atlanta: Atlanta has a violent crime rate of 3.474 and a property crime rate of 14.41 per 1,000 residents. Other crimes total 9.306 per 1,000 residents.
- Doraville: Doraville has a violent crime rate of 3.259 and a property crime rate of 24.87 per 1,000 residents. Other crimes total 8.519 per 1,000 residents.
These cities rank high in violent crime rate and property crime rate within the state. Several of them are smaller municipalities, where only a modest number of incidents produce high per-capita crime rates. In most cases, property crime drives the total rate more than violent crime.
The city with the highest population on this list is Albany, which has a population of around 66,700. Albany reported a poverty rate of 29.16%, with an average household income of roughly $45,200. College Park is the lowest populated city on the list, with almost 14,000 residents. The city has an average household income of $48,505 and a reported poverty rate of 20.64%.
Georgia Cities with the Lowest Crime Rates
The cities with the lowest crime rates in Georgia include:
- Milton
- Grovetown
- Braselton
- Woodstock
- Tyrone
These cities report some of the lowest violent crime and property crime rates in the state. Milton is the most populous city on the list, with almost 42,000 people. The city boasts an average household income of roughly $151,235 and a poverty rate of 4.35%. Tyrone is the least populated city on the list, with a population of just under 8,000. Tyrone has an average household income of roughly $133,773 and a poverty rate of 2.06%.
Though crime rates are useful for evaluating a place to visit or relocate to, they are only part of the full picture. Looking into different aspects of the city, including testimonies from other residents or tourists, can provide a more well-rounded information package.
Property Crime vs Violent Crime
The crime rate classifies crimes as either property or violent. A property crime could be burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft, or larceny. A violent crime could be murder, rape, aggravated assault, or robbery. Understanding this difference could give you key insights into Georgia’s crime rate. Some cities may be high in property crime but lower in violent crime, and vice versa. However, it is likely that if one of these crime rates is high, then the other one is too.
What to Do if You’re Accused of a Crime
If you’ve been arrested or believe yourself to be under investigation for a crime in Georgia, the early steps you take can help to determine the eventual outcome of your case. You should:
- Exercise your rights: You have a constitutional right against self-incrimination, so don’t answer any questions without a lawyer present. You’re also entitled to legal counsel if you’ve been arrested for a crime.
- Hire an attorney: The very first thing you should do upon your arrest or realizing that you’re under suspicion is hire a criminal defense attorney.
- Gather evidence: Your lawyer can help you collect evidence that supports your case and disproves the accusation against you.
- Write it down: Write down your recollection of the events while they are still fresh in your mind so that you can share them with your lawyer. Keep in mind that anything you say to your attorney is protected under the attorney-client privilege.
- Prepare for a fight: Facing criminal charges is stressful, but you don’t have to go through this challenging legal process alone. Your lawyer will be there to support you each step of the way.
Why Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
If you’re facing allegations of having committed a crime, you should hire a criminal defense lawyer right away. Your lawyer can help you understand the charges against you and develop an effective defense strategy. They can look for weak points in the prosecution’s case and gather evidence to support yours, all while protecting your constitutional rights and providing you with guidance and representation.
FAQs About Georgia Crime Rate and Criminal Law
What City Has the Highest Crime Rates in Georgia?
A city with one of the highest crime rates in Georgia is College Park, which consistently ranks high on crime metrics. College Park ranks high in terms of both property crime and violent crimes. The crime rate can be partially attributable to the amount of poverty, as the city experiences a poverty rate of over 20% and substantial inequality.
What City in Georgia Has the Lowest Crime Rate?
Milton is one of the cities with one of the lowest crime rates in Georgia. Milton, located within Cherokee, Cobb, Fulton, and Forsyth counties, has a population of roughly 41,500. Residents of the city have an average annual income of just over $151,000 and a low poverty rate of 4.35%. The city has low property and violent crime rates, ranking exceptionally low in both categories.
Where Does Georgia Rank in Crime Rate?
Georgia is typically in the middle of the pack in terms of crime rate when compared to the other forty-nine states. A USA Today study found that Georgia ranked 28th for violent crime, with a rate of 352 compared to the national average of 348. The state has 435 adults incarcerated per 100,000 residents and 25 juveniles.
What Is the Most Common Crime in Georgia?
The most common crime that occurs in Georgia is larceny. In 2022, over 123,000 larceny incidents were reported, accounting for over 60% of the crimes tracked by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The next most common crimes are motor vehicle theft (over 20,000 reports), aggravated assault (almost 28,000 reports), and burglary (just over 21,000 reports). Property crime accounted for roughly 82% of the total crime in 2022.
How Is the US Crime Rate Measured?
The crime rate in the United States is measured according to the U.S. Department of Justice’s two statistical programs. The two programs are the Uniform Crime Reporting Program and the National Crime Victimization Survey. These two programs measure the magnitude, impact, and nature of crimes in the country using data from monthly law enforcement reports, crime records, and surveys.
Engage the Help of an Attorney Today
As a resident of the state of Georgia, you must have an understanding of the crime rates within the state. The crime rate varies by city and can be an important factor to consider when traveling or deciding where to move.
If you live in an area with a relatively high crime rate, it would not be considered impossible for you to be accused of a crime. If this occurs, you will want to speak with a skilled Georgia criminal defense attorney to make sure your rights are protected.
Our team of experienced attorneys is ready to assist with all matters related to Georgia criminal defense law. Attempting to navigate this complex process is not recommended, as the potential cost of handling it poorly can be disastrous. Instead, seek out a legal team with experience defending clients who have faced similar criminal accusations to take on your criminal defense case. Contact our office today to speak with a member of our legal team.
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