The 10 Most Dangerous Cities In Georgia


The most dangerous places in Georgia are College Park and Brunswick for 2024 based on Saturday Night Science.

Most dangerous cities in Georgia research summary. We analyzed the most recent FBI crime data using Saturday Night Science to determine the most dangerous cities in Georgia.

We examined the violent and property crime per capita statistics for every place with over 5,000 residents. In total, we analyzed 113 Georgia cities. Here are the results of our analysis:

  • The most dangerous city in Georgia is College Park based on the most recent FBI crime data.

  • The violent crime rate in Georgia is 1,559 per 100k people.

  • The property crime rate in Georgia is 7,199 per 100k people.

  • The safest city in Georgia is Holly Springs.

  • Georgia is the 22nd most dangerous state in the United States.

Most Dangerous Cities In Georgia Map


Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Table | Methodology | FAQs | References


If you are moving to Georgia, you should be aware of the most dangerous places in the Peach State. Georgia is full of beautiful landscapes, gorgeous beaches, and historical towns. But it also has a few cities with areas that may be less beautiful at night.

Those would be the most dangerous places to live in Georgia.

Based on FBI data, we’ve identified the most dangerous cities in Georgia for 2024. Specifically, we compared the violent and property crimes per capita for the 113 cities over 5,000 people. We want you to know where crime occurs so that you can make an informed decision.

The southside of Atlanta is home to several of the most dangerous cities on our list.

The Most Dangerous Cities In Georgia For 2024

  1. College Park
  2. Brunswick
  3. Cordele
  4. Forest Park
  5. Baxley
  6. Morrow
  7. Vidalia
  8. Fitzgerald
  9. Waycross
  10. Moultrie

What is the most dangerous city in Georgia? College Park ranks as the most dangerous city in Georgia for 2024 based on the most recent FBI data.

Read on for more information about our methodology and to learn more about why these cities made the top 10.

For more Georgia reading, check out:

The 10 Most Dangerous Places To Live In Georgia For 2024

College Park, GA

Source: Wikipedia User Robert S. Donovan | CC BY 2.0

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 13,917
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,559 (Second most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 7,199 (Second most dangerous)
Murders: 11
More on College Park: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Located on the south side of Atlanta, College Park once again features at the top of Georgia’s most dangerous cities. It might be home to the world’s busiest airport, but College Park is also home to a whole lot of crime.

College Park is the second most violent place in Georgia, with the seventh highest rate of rape cases and the highest murder rate. Property crime isn’t much better, considering that 209 of College Park’s residents had their cars stolen in 2022.

To be fair, It’s important to remember that the FBI bases its crime data on where the crimes occurred and the police department for College Park covers places Clayton and Fulton County associated with the city and not just the city proper.

That being said, Ludacris, 2 Chainz, and Jung Joc all came from College Park and they don’t sing about rainbows and butterflies.

Brunswick, GA

Source: Wikipedia User Alan Cressler from Decatur, Georgia, USA | CC BY-SA 2.0

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 14,650
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,392 (Fourth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 5,535 (Fourth most dangerous)
Murders: 3
More on Brunswick: Data | Cost Of Living

Located on the southeast coast of Georgia, Brunswick is a historic city with a rich past, serving as the county seat of Glynn County. However, its history is marred by safety concerns, ranking as the second most dangerous place to live in Georgia for the year 2024.

The city reported 204 instances of violent crime, including 3 murders and 58 robberies. Furthermore, Brunswick’s property crime figures stand at 811, making it one of the state’s highest.

Cordele, GA

Source: Wikipedia User Michael Rivera | CC BY-SA 3.0

Overall SnackAbility

1
/10

Population: 9,929
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,712 (Most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 4,763 (Ninth most dangerous)
Murders: 3
More on Cordele: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Cordele presents an amazing summer draw. The community markets itself as the Watermelon Capital of the World. What’s more, you can celebrate that informal status every June, when the town attracts crowds to its annual Watermelon Festival.

Just watch your wallet as you wander the event. Larceny represents a major problem in the area, with 377 such crimes in a population of just 9,929. That’s the number 9 highest pace in the state.

You’ll also need to worry about more serious attacks as well. Cordele also reported 3 sexual assaults over the course of a year.

Forest Park, GA

Source: Public domain

Overall SnackAbility

2
/10

Population: 19,605
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 897 (12th most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 4,830 (Eighth most dangerous)
Murders: 2
More on Forest Park: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Located just south of Atlanta, Forest Park is a place with a whole lot of crime. There were 152 car thefts in Forest Park in 2022, quite high for a city with a population of 19,605.

There were also 674 larceny cases, so make sure nobody pilfers your produce after a day out at the farmer’s market.

Violent crime rates in Forest Park are also quite high, as Forest Park ranks in the top ten statewide for both rape and murder rates.

Forest Park wasn’t on this list last year, so hopefully, they can turn things around and get off this list by next year.

5. Baxley

Baxley, GA

Source: Wikipedia User Bubba73 (Jud McCranie) | CC BY-SA 4.0

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 5,016
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 777 (19th most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 5,283 (Fifth most dangerous)
Murders: 2
More on Baxley: Crime

Located in Appling County, Baxley is a city built around its railroad depot. Despite its modest population of 5,016, Baxley finds itself ranked as the fifth most dangerous place to live in the state. With a violent crime rate of 777/100k, Baxley’s safety concerns are above average,

Baxley’s crime problems do not end with violent crime. The city also ranks highly in property crimes, at the 5 spot statewide.

Morrow, GA

Source: Public domain

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 6,493
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 677 (23rd most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 8,886 (Most dangerous)
Murders: 2
More on Morrow: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Another city to the south of Atlanta, Morrow comes in as the sixth least safe place in Georgia. Morrow is actually the least violent place to feature on our list, but it still had the 55th highest rate of rape cases in Georgia.

Morrow also had the highest property crime rate, with residents facing a 1 in 11 of having their stuff stolen or damaged over 2022. That ridiculously high rate means that Morrow also has the highest overall crime rate in Georgia, outstripping the national average by 300%.

At least you can get away from all the crime by visiting Reynolds Nature Preserve — just get home before dark!

Vidalia, GA

Source: Wikipedia User Michael Rivera | CC BY-SA 4.0

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 10,656
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 750 (20th most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 5,142 (Sixth most dangerous)
Murders: 3
More on Vidalia: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Vidalia, located in Montgomery County, ranks as the seventh most dangerous place to live in the state for 2024. One of the main factors contributing to its ranking is its crime statistics. With a population of 10,656, Vidalia reported 80 violent crimes in the past year, including 3 murders, 2 rapes, 8 robberies, and 67 aggravated assaults.

Property crime is also prevalent in the area, with 548 reported incidents of burglary and other property-related offenses.

Fitzgerald, GA

Source: Wikipedia User Michael Rivera | CC BY-SA 3.0

Overall SnackAbility

2
/10

Population: 8,960
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,138 (Ninth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,995 (18th most dangerous)
Murders: 1
More on Fitzgerald: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Fitzgerald, a city in Ben Hill County, ranks as the eighth most dangerous place to live in the state for 2024.

Despite its current ranking, there is hope for improvement in Fitzgerald’s safety situation. By addressing these crime rates and focusing on community safety initiatives, steps can be taken to enhance the overall well-being of its residents. The local authorities and police force need to work collaboratively with the community to implement effective crime prevention strategies. With concerted efforts, Fitzgerald has the potential to create a safer environment for its inhabitants.

Waycross, GA

Source: Wikipedia User Daffydoc | CC BY-SA 3.0

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 13,630
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 887 (13th most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 4,541 (14th most dangerous)
Murders: 6
More on Waycross: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Waycross, located in the southeast section of Georgia, is all about travel. The town’s name comes from its location as a central railroad hub in the 19th century — it was the place where six rail lines crossed. Get it? Waycross — where a bunch of ways crossed.

Even now, it forms an important nerve center for regional travel, sitting at the nexus of several important highways.

Good thing too. You might need to make a quick getaway. Those escape routes exist whether you’re one of the prolific local criminals or just a concerned citizen looking for a break from Georgia’s number 9 highest crime rate.

Moultrie, GA

Source: Wikipedia User Michael Rivera | CC BY-SA 3.0

Overall SnackAbility

1
/10

Population: 14,454
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 837 (17th most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 4,614 (12th most dangerous)
Murders: 2
More on Moultrie: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Moultrie, the county seat and largest city of Colquitt County, Georgia, is a historic agricultural community. It is the third largest city in Southwest Georgia and is known for its historic downtown district. Despite its rich history and charm, Moultrie has a concerning safety record. In 2024, it stood as the tenth most dangerous place to live in Georgia.

The city, with a population of 14,454, recorded a total of 121 violent crimes and 667 property crimes. This includes 2 murders, 6 rapes, and 15 robberies. The per capita rates paint a grim picture: 837/100k for violent crimes, 4,614/100k for property crimes, and 5,451/100k overall.

Crime By City In Georgia

Rank City Population Total Crimes Per 100K Violent Crimes Per 100K Property Crimes Per 100K Murders
1 College Park 13,917 8,759 1,559 7,199 11
2 Brunswick 14,650 6,928 1,392 5,535 3
3 Cordele 9,929 6,475 1,712 4,763 3
4 Forest Park 19,605 5,728 897 4,830 2
5 Baxley 5,016 6,060 777 5,283 2
6 Morrow 6,493 9,564 677 8,886 2
7 Vidalia 10,656 5,893 750 5,142 3
8 Fitzgerald 8,960 5,133 1,138 3,995 1
9 Waycross 13,630 5,429 887 4,541 6
10 Moultrie 14,454 5,451 837 4,614 2
11 Americus 15,808 4,908 1,246 3,662 2
12 Milledgeville 17,102 5,408 830 4,578 0
13 Griffin 23,862 4,928 1,336 3,591 7
14 Douglasville 36,331 5,708 657 5,050 3
15 Garden City 10,248 4,752 1,034 3,717 2
16 Rome 37,778 4,759 844 3,914 5
17 Fort Valley 8,946 4,616 1,196 3,420 5
18 Atlanta 495,707 4,588 840 3,747 168
19 Bainbridge 14,112 4,662 666 3,996 5
20 LaGrange 32,146 5,023 656 4,367 6
21 Eastman 5,538 5,182 505 4,676 1
22 Covington 14,549 4,426 749 3,677 2
23 Warner Robins 82,409 4,375 717 3,658 12
24 Waynesboro 5,576 3,550 842 2,708 1
25 South Fulton 110,102 3,679 1,040 2,638 22
26 Doraville 11,185 5,078 447 4,631 1
27 Norcross 17,731 3,976 496 3,479 2
28 Thomasville 18,836 4,348 430 3,918 1
29 Hiram 5,203 6,822 288 6,534 0
30 Hinesville 35,443 3,270 620 2,649 1
31 Gainesville 44,314 3,339 557 2,782 3
32 Blakely 5,139 3,580 1,556 2,023 1
33 Newnan 43,932 3,252 1,213 2,039 0
34 Athens-Clarke County 128,177 3,227 595 2,632 4
35 Thomaston 9,681 3,150 454 2,696 3
36 Locust Grove 10,394 4,425 298 4,127 1
37 Toccoa 9,218 3,742 368 3,373 0
38 Columbus 204,986 2,981 630 2,350 19
39 Carrollton 27,844 3,016 373 2,643 0
40 Marietta 62,059 2,911 439 2,471 3
41 Cedartown 10,397 2,875 596 2,279 3
42 Monroe 15,569 3,327 327 2,999 1
43 Cartersville 23,293 2,812 480 2,331 1
44 Chamblee 29,393 2,827 527 2,299 1
45 Clarkston 14,368 2,797 480 2,317 3
46 Dalton 34,276 2,835 370 2,465 2
47 Brookhaven 55,614 2,716 463 2,253 7
48 Calhoun 17,585 2,945 307 2,638 0
49 McDonough 31,292 2,713 361 2,352 3
50 Dunwoody 50,271 3,194 248 2,946 3

Methodology: How we determined the most dangerous cities in Georgia for 2024?

Every year the FBI release two crime datasets on cities in Georgia. First a preliminary dataset limited to the biggest cities in Georgia, followed by a more detailed release at the end of the year.

For our analysis, we focused on the 2022 data, specifically the 2022 Crime In The United States Report for Georgia.

So what criteria did we use? Have a look:

  • Violent Crimes Per Capita
  • Property Crimes Per Capita

In order to make the analysis as apples to apples as possible, we only considered Georgia cities over 5,000 in population. That left us with 113 cities in Georgia.

We then ranked each city from 1 to 113 for the two criteria with a #1 ranking being the most dangerous for the particular criteria.

Next, we averaged the two rankings into one “Dangerous Index”.

Finally, we ranked every city on the “Dangerous Index” with the lowest index being the most dangerous in Georgia — College Park. Any ties went to the smaller city.

This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. It is our tenth time ranking the most dangerous places to live in Georgia and is updated for 2024.

Most Dangerous Places To Live In Georgia FAQs

No, Georgia is not a dangerous state as it ranks as the #29 safest state in the United States based on our analysis of the latest FBI Crime Data. The violent crime rate in Georgia ranks 22nd most dangerous in the United States — 8.19% worse than US average violent crime rate. The property crime rate in the Peach State ranks 24th most dangerous in the United States — 2.71% worse than US average property crime rate. The latest reporting year from the FBI was 2022.

Yes, Atlanta is a dangerous city. Atlanta ranks as the #61 most dangerous out of 328 major cities over 100,000 people in the United States based on our analysis of the latest FBI Crime Data. Keep in mind that are always safe and dangerous parts of any city, so even though Atlanta might be considered dangerous you still need to be aware of where you are. For example, Morningside-Lenox Park is the safest in Atlanta, while West End is considered dangerous by many based on recent crime stats.

Compared to other big cities, the violent crime rate in Atlanta ranks 60th highest in America — 51.87% worse than US average violent crime rate. The property crime rate in the ranks 62nd highest in the United States — 37.35% worse than US average property crime rate. Note the latest reporting year from the FBI was 2022 and that no city in America is ‘dangerous’. Despite the uptick in murders, it’s nothing like you’d see in Tijuana or Caracas where the murder rate is 2x any American city.

Graphing The Most Dangerous And Safest Places In Georgia

Most Dangerous Cities In Georgia Graph

Click To Enlarge

Summary: Locking It All Up In Georgia

So what is the most dangerous city in Georgia? After analyzing 113 cities in Georgia, College Park takes the top spot as the most dangerous city in Georgia based on the most recently reported FBI data — 2022.

The latest FBI crime data shows that College Park ranks as the most dangerous city in Georgia for 2024.

The most dangerous cities in Georgia are .

We want to point out again that there’s still safes places in College Park and that this isn’t a comment on the people that live there. So please don’t beat us up.

What is the most dangerous city in Georgia? College Park ranks as the most dangerous city in Georgia for 2024 based on the most recent FBI data.

Read on for more information about our methodology and to learn more about why these cities made the top 10.

Learn more about the safest places in Georgia.

If you’re looking for something more national, check out the most dangerous cities in America or the most dangerous states in America.

Here are the safest cities in Georgia:

  1. Peachtree City (Pop. 39,301)
  2. Jefferson (Pop. 14,664)
  3. Braselton (Pop. 15,203)
  4. Milton (Pop. 41,330)
  5. Barnesville (Pop. 6,449)
  6. Douglas (Pop. 11,762)
  7. Senoia (Pop. 5,497)
  8. Tyrone (Pop. 7,917)
  9. Johns Creek (Pop. 81,964)
  10. Holly Springs (Pop. 18,511)

For more Georgia reading, check out:

References

About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.

10 thoughts on “The 10 Most Dangerous Cities In Georgia

  1. Where are you finding these sources from? I work with the police department of one of these cities. The cities surrounding one of those cities have a lot higher than one of those. I would like to see your proff.

  2. It is also important to note that the #1 College Park is home to the ATL Airport the busiest in the world and the population of College Park swells to over 100k daily but only 14k are perm residents. The numbers dont reflect the influx of visitors.

  3. Notice how the highest crime cities are primarily black… This right here is all the proof I need to tell the BLM to eat a d***. I love blacks but I will not take part in the segregation of our country, there are whites that are privileged, but I wasn’t, I lived in a bad neighborhood growing up, and had to graduate early to support my Single Mother who was hooked on drugs. I’m also a vet and small businesses owner, I made it out the mud and so can blacks. We live in a world that approves everybody, and shouldn’t cater to any one race. My children have everything they want and need, is that privileged..?? No, it’s called providing for their future.

  4. If you’re moving to Georgia it’s in your best interest to ignore this information, it’s as false as false can be. this is so incorrect it should be illegal, go elsewhere for correct info

  5. I live in Monroe,Ga I go down town a lot and I never see any of this going on most people mind their own business and don’t bother other people.

  6. Back in the 70s, Albany was named one of the 50 safest cities in the United States. At that time, James H. Gray Sr. was mayor and Albany was a growing city with low unemployment. Since Gray’s death in 1986, Albany has deteriorated into an crime-ridden ghetto.

  7. Whoever made this article lying cause I’m from Ga and bout been to every single city on here which I have and these places ain’t dangerous at all they clearly must not be from no Georgia then if they did this.

  8. I’ve lived in Albany and Warner Robins. Albany has much crime and almost no opportunity. The city the interstate left behind.

    As for Warner Robins, same as above except it has I75. It was built for and has subsisted off the military. Plenty of good people, but plenty bad as goes with military towns.

    That said, I never was a victim of crime and I lived in some rough neighborhoods.
    As for police, they have a tough job regardless. But if you grew up in the south, you know the deal.

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