Is Georgia Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Georgia is a state in the southeast loaded with history and charm.

There are beaches in the southeast as well as Savannah, one of the oldest cities in America famous for its many squares lined with trees.

In the north, there are mountains and great outdoor areas to explore.

There is the city of Atlanta, itself a large historical city.

Atlanta has 500,000 people, but there are 6 million in the metropolitan area, half of the state’s population.

The Atlanta aquarium is the largest one in the world.

Atlanta was a big part of the civil war and the civil rights movements of the 60s.

There are several other medium-sized cities, as well as a lot of farmland, especially in the southern part of the state.

Augusta, in the west, is home to the famed Master’s golf tournament.

There is something for everyone in Georgia.

Warnings & Dangers in Georgia

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

Georgia is safe but has its dangerous areas. Georgia has the 22nd highest crime rate in the United States, with 400 crimes per 100,000, slightly above the national average of 380. Georgia is slightly above the national average in many statistical crime categories. Theft and burglary are by far the most common crimes. Georgia has a lot of tourism, and most tourist areas are safe.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

There is a train service and bus service in the Atlanta area. They are safe but are not good for commuting. Atlanta is notorious for its crowded highways and traffic congestion. There is not a lot of public transportation in rural areas or between cities, so if you want to see a lot of the state, you would be better off renting a car. Mid-sized cities have safe taxis from the airport to hotels.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

There have been some pickpockets reported on public transportation in Atlanta, but it is not a common crime. It is unheard of in other areas of the state. It does happen though, so it is a good idea to keep your wallet or purse well hidden.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Since there is a large coastal area, there is a danger of hurricanes. There are a lot of warnings when there is a hurricane. Tornadoes are relatively common in spring and can cause a lot of damage. There are ice storms, and since snow is rare, most cities are not equipped to handle the situation. A small amount of snow can shut cities down.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

There are certain areas, especially in the Atlanta area, where the risk is high. It is not a big risk in other areas of the state. If you stay in tourist areas, and out of the bad areas, you are very unlikely to be mugged in Georgia. The most common crime in Georgia is someone stealing an unlocked car. In any city, there are bad areas, but with common-sense precautions, you should be safe in Georgia.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

There have been shootings and some terroristic acts, but overall there is little risk in Georgia. Recent unrest and the rise of radical groups have caused some concern among law enforcement about domestic terrorism. Cities are often a target, so there is a small risk, but there has not been much terrorism in Georgia.

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

Since it is a state with a lot of tourists, there are a fair number of scams. Taxi drivers may claim their meter is broken and charge you more. Some hotels are using an overbooking scam to get you to pay a high price for a low-quality place. Summer vacation rentals in coastal areas can also be scams.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women often travel alone in Georgia and are completely safe. There are bad areas to be avoided, and common sense precautions should always be taken, but women are generally as safe as men in Georgia.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

Cities provide good quality water throughout the state. The only risk you would face would be a facility with bad pipes, but that is rare.

Safest Places to Visit in Georgia

Savannah, Georgia might be the safest place to visit, and it is a historical city with lots of charm.

Buildings are dating back to the 1700s, and a famous restaurant that has been in business for more than 300 years.

The historical downtown has a lot of picturesque squares.

Atlanta is safe but has its bad areas.

The tourist areas of the city are very safe but don’t go too far off the beaten path.

Atlanta has a lot of history, professional sports, and all the amenities of any large city, as well as the world’s largest aquarium.

Coca-cola was invented in Atlanta and has a museum of colas from around the world that would take a whole day to explore.

The beaches, in places like Tybee Island, are beautiful and very safe.

Georgia beaches are not as commercialized as some in Florida or South Carolina.

The mountainous areas in the north have some of the best white water rafting in the nation.

Smaller towns also have their charm and are great places to visit.

Places to Avoid in Georgia

The further south you go in Atlanta, the more dangerous it becomes.

The Atlanta Suburb of Oakland City has a violent crime rate of 1246 per 100,000, and a property crime rate of 3027.

The national violent crime rate is 366.

The southeastern suburb of Lakewood Heights has a violent crime rate of 994 and is one of the most dangerous areas in the nation.

West end and Adair Park are also dangerous Atlanta suburbs.

The downtown area of Atlanta is safe in the daytime, but not at night, and its crime rate is well above the national average.

While the historical areas of Savannah are safe, there are a lot of robberies and assaults, as well as car thefts in the city.

Its crime rate is higher than the national average.

Albany is a small rural town in the southern part of the state, but it has a high crime rate, as well as Warner Robins and Douglasville.

Brunswick is a coastal town that has a bad reputation, and Macon is further inland and it too has a reputation for property crime.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Georgia

So... How Safe Is Georgia Really?

For the most part, Georgia is a very safe state.

Southern hospitality is a real thing, and most people will welcome you and help you in any way they can.

Just like any other place though, there are some bad people and there are some natural dangers to look out for.

Atlanta is the safest area, as well as the most dangerous area at the same time.

Tourist areas are safe, and most of the city is during the day.

At night is when it gets a little dangerous.

There are areas of Atlanta that are dangerous and you should not go there at any time of the day, but you can find out where those areas are.

With basic common-sense precautions, you should be completely safe in Atlanta.

Other cities, like Savannah, Augusta, or Athens, are similar to Atlanta but on a smaller scale.

There are bad areas to avoid, but as long you avoid those, you are fairly safe.

Many people visit Georgia and there are not a lot of crimes against tourists reported.

The beaches are safe, but there are some natural dangers, such as alligators and mosquitos.

How Does Georgia Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

A visa is required to enter the United States, but once you are in the country you will not need it again in most cases. The visa will be needed when you pass through customs, most likely at the Atlanta airport. You do not need it to travel from state to state.

Currency

The U.S. Dollar is the accepted currency in Georgia. Other currencies are not accepted as payment in businesses around the state. You may do currency exchange at banks, or the airport.

Weather

Summers are hot and humid in Georgia, and it does not cool down at night. Wear very light clothing. It is also a good idea to use sunscreen when outside for long periods. Winters are mild, and a light jacket will be all you will need. Snow is rare but it does happen.

Airports

The Atlanta airport is one of the world's largest. It is a major hub for many airlines and has flights all around the world. Transportation to the city and hotels is easy. Other cities have airports and there are flights from Atlanta, and between some cities.

Travel Insurance

Georgia is safe for the most part, but anything can happen. It is a good idea to have some travel insurance to protect you in case things go wrong. Hopefully, you will not need it, but it is good to have that peace of mind when you are insured.

Georgia Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Georgia - Safety by City