With its vibrant sense of history, culture and commerce, Atlanta, Georgia, welcomes tens of thousands of new residents every year. In fact, recent census data shows that the Atlanta metro area is the third fastest-growing region in the United States. Despite this, Atlanta still ranks among the country’s cities with the highest crime rates.
If you’re looking at Atlanta homes for sale, finding a safe neighborhood could be a top priority. Moreover, this may be particularly important if you want a family-friendly place to live.
The 14 Safest Neighborhoods in Atlanta, GA
To determine Atlanta’s safest neighborhoods, we analyzed the Crime Scores found through CAP Index. Each score ranges between 1 and 10, with 1 representing the lowest amount of crime and 10 representing the highest. The national average is 4/10, and we’ve identified neighborhoods with a crime score of 3/10 or less.
Cross Creek
- Median Home Price: $285,000
- Crime Score: 3/10
A bastion of condo and townhouse living awaits future homeowners in Cross Creek, which includes the Cross Creek Golf Club. Resident-exclusive amenities like community pools and clubhouses attract locals and future homeowners. “Cross Creek is basically resort living in the city,” says Elaine Carter, a real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty First Atlanta.
Ridgedale Park
- Median Home Price: $450,000
- Crime Score: 3/10
Just 1 mile east of Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza, Ridgedale Park serves as a central point for luxury shopping opportunities. Modern condos and vintage homes are popular here, and the area is served by top-ranking schools in the Atlanta Public School District.
Ardmore
- Median Home Price: $649,000
- Crime Score: 3/10
Best known as the home of the Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, Ardmore is a quiet suburban community just 2 miles north of midtown Atlanta. Access to residential sidewalks, Ardmore Park and the Northside Trail make it one of the most walkable neighborhoods on this list.
Lake Claire
- Median Home Price: $899,500
- Crime Score: 3/10
Though it lacks an actual lake, Lake Claire makes up for it with one of the most central locations on this list. It’s adjacent to historic Atlanta neighborhoods like Candler Park and Inman Park, and it is served by highly ranked public schools. These include Midtown High School, which has an A grade on Niche.
Paces
- Median Home Price: $965,000
- Crime Score: 2/10
Surrounded by countless acres of forest and gentle streams, Paces is a neighborhood of luxury homes half-hidden by canopies of green foliage. Easy access to Interstate 75 provides a direct route into Atlanta’s city center. Meanwhile, you can find high-end retail shops and restaurants just across the Chattahoochee River in Vinings, Georgia.
West Paces
- Median Home Price: $992,500
- Crime Score: 3/10
Compared with the rustic sensibilities of the nearby Paces neighborhood, West Paces offers the well-manicured ambiance of suburbia. The neighborhood dedicates a sizable chunk of its space to convenient retail and dining options. The area is also the home of some of the best private schools in the state, including Pace Academy and the Atlanta Girls School.
Collier Hills
- Median Home Price: $1 million
- Crime Score: 3/10
Collier Hills stands out as one of the most walkable neighborhoods on the list. It is known for its midcentury cottage-style houses and easy access to the Northwest Beltline Trail, which cuts through its northeastern corner.
Memorial Park
- Median Home Price: $1.1 million
- Crime Score: 3/10
The compact community of Memorial Park is made up of a handful of streets cutting through hilly and affluent suburbs. It borders Atlanta Memorial Park and Bobby Jones Golf Course. Residents are drawn to the area for its privacy, safety and natural beauty.
Chastain Park
- Median Home Price: $1.1 million
- Crime Score: 3/10
Situated 3 miles north of the heart of Buckhead, Chastain Park fully surrounds the park that bears its name. The park itself includes a 268-acre public greenspace filled with trails, playgrounds and sports facilities. Local schools are highly rated on sites like Niche. Moreover, nature lovers find it easy to appreciate sites like the nearby Blue Heron Nature Preserve.
Castlewood
- Median Home Price: $1.5 million
- Crime Score: 1/10
Castlewood is known as a close-knit neighborhood where everyone knows your name. It maintains community events appropriate for residents of all ages, including cocktail-laden social events and annual Easter Egg hunts.
Northwest Buckhead
- Median Home Price: $1.6 million
- Crime Score: 1/10
Luxury homes and high-end retail establishments dot the landscape in Northwest Buckhead, located just 2 miles west of the area’s commercial district. Northwest Buckhead offers quiet and privacy, and it’s just a short trip from downtown Buckhead.
Peachtree Battle
- Median Home Price: $1.8 million
- Crime Score: 2/10
Well-maintained, older homes in a traditional suburban environment set Peachtree Battle apart. The neighborhood maintains its reputation as an old-fashioned area inhabited by residents who know their neighbors and the importance of a safe neighborhood.
Mt. Paran-Northside
- Median Home Price: $2.5 million
- Crime Score: 1/10
Found within a heavily wooded residential area just 5 miles north of downtown Atlanta, Mt. Paran-Northside is known for its mansions, most of which are situated on considerable amounts of acreage. Its location in North Buckhead provides access to some of the best public and private schools in Atlanta, along with a variety of retail and restaurant options.
Kingswood
- Median Home Price: $2.5 million
- Crime Score: 1/10
As part of the Buckhead neighborhood, Kingswood has easy access to shopping, premier restaurants and highly ranked public schools. Sprawling estates come with a voluntary homeowners association, which provides private security, adding to the safety of a neighborhood already known for its seclusion.
Comparing Midtown and Downtown Safety in Atlanta
Downtown and midtown Atlanta did not make the list of the city’s 14 safest neighborhoods. And while the Crime Scores are high in both areas, midtown and downtown are still two of the most popular areas in the city.
Midtown has proven to have the higher crime rates in the past three years, according to data from the Atlanta Police Department. This is particularly true when it comes to property crimes.
Residents are advised by the Atlanta Police Department to always lock their vehicles and avoid leaving critical items, such as firearms, phones and garage door openers, where criminals can easily access them.
Atlanta’s Downtown Ambassador Force advises staying alert of one’s surroundings and sticking to well-lit, highly trafficked areas.
Atlanta’s Safest Neighborhoods: Frequently Asked Questions
The safest neighborhoods in Atlanta include Castlewood, Northwest Buckhead, Mt. Paran-Northside and Kingswood. All four of these neighborhoods are safe areas, with each receiving the lowest possible Crime Score of 1/10 from CAP Index.
According to CAP Index, downtown Atlanta, midtown Atlanta and Mechanicsville have the worst Crime Scores in the city. Each of these neighborhoods has a Crime Score of 9/10.
Downtown and midtown Atlanta both share a similar Crime Score of 9/10 from CAP Index. However, the Atlanta Police Department has indicated that midtown Atlanta has had a higher incidence of crime over the past three years.
Yes. Northwest Buckhead, in particular, is one of the safest areas to live in Atlanta. With a Crime Score of 1/10, CAP Index data shows that Northwest Buckhead gets the best possible rating for safety.
Phil Keeling is an award-winning author and journalist. He specializes in writing about diversion and travel, and has written extensively about tourism, entertainment, food and wine. He studied theater and writing at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the Savannah College of Art & Design. Keeling currently makes his home in the Bon Air neighborhood of Richmond, Virginia.
