|
|
Last Updated: May 12, 2026
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
As of 2026, using the latest crime data available from the FBI, the cities with the highest crime rates in Georgia include:
- College Park: College Park has a violent crime rate of 13.90 and a property crime rate of 73.39 per 1,000 residents, for a total crime rate of 87.29 per 1,000 residents. Here, residents have a 1 in 14 chance of becoming a victim of a property crime and a 1 in 72 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.
- East Point: East Point has a violent crime rate of 12.12 and a property crime rate of 66.74 per 1,000 residents, for a total crime rate of 78.86 per 1,000 residents.
- LaGrange: LaGrange has a violent crime rate of 6.17 and a property crime rate of 43.83 per 1,000 residents, for a total crime rate of 49.99 per 1,000 residents.
- Milledgeville: Milledgeville has a violent crime rate of 6.06 and a property crime rate of 33.73 per 1,000 residents, for a total crime rate of 39.79 per 1,000 residents.
- Alma: Alma has a violent crime rate of 5.65 and a property crime rate of 46.10 per 1,000 residents, for a total crime rate of 51.75 per 1,000 residents.
- Macon: Macon has a violent crime rate of 10.74 and a property crime rate of 38.74 per 1,000 residents, for a total crime rate of 49.48 per 1,000 residents.
- Atlanta: Atlanta has a violent crime rate of 6.52 and a property crime rate of 36.41 per 1,000 residents, for a total crime rate of 42.93 per 1,000 residents.
- Doraville: Doraville has a violent crime rate of 4.91 and a property crime rate of 45.51 per 1,000 residents, for a total crime rate of 50.42 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 Atlanta, which has a population of around 520,070. College Park is the lowest populated city on the list, with almost 14,000 residents.
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 by City
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?
Using current 2024 FBI-based comparisons compiled by USAFacts, Georgia ranked 25th among states for violent crime at 326 offenses per 100,000 people and 24th for property crime at 1,675 offenses per 100,000 people. That places Georgia close to the middle of the pack nationally, but slightly on the higher-crime side of the midpoint rather than squarely average.
What Is the Most Common Crime in Georgia?
The most common reported index crime in Georgia is still larceny-theft. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s 2024 Crime Statistics Summary (the most recent data available), Georgia recorded 126,572 larceny-theft offenses, making up 61.6% of all index crimes. The next most common index crimes were aggravated assault (24,849), motor vehicle theft (23,103), and burglary (21,842). Overall, property crime accounted for 83.74% of Georgia’s index crimes in 2024.
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.
Instagram