Georgia : Safety by City
- Acworth
- Alpharetta
- Athens
- Atlanta
- Augusta
- Brookhaven
- Brunswick
- Cartersville
- Chamblee
- Dalton
- Dunwoody
- East Columbus
- East Point
- Johns Creek
- Kennesaw
- Lawrenceville
- Mableton
- Macon
- Marietta
- McDonough
- Milton
- Newnan
- Peachtree City
- Peachtree Corners
- Perry
- Pooler
- Roswell
- Sandy Springs
- Savannah
- Smyrna
- Snellville
- South Fulton
- Statesboro
- Stockbridge
- Stonecrest
- Suwanee
- Tucker
- Tybee Island
- Valdosta
- Warner Robins
- Woodstock
Peachtree Corners, Georgia is an inviting suburb that is not too different than Peachtree City, Georgia.
Only that it is a totally different city on the opposite end of the Atlanta area.
For ease of reading, we’ll call Peachtree Corner PTC.
We do have a whole wonderful article on Peachtree City, also known as PTC.
Wait.
That’s even more confusing.
Ok, from now on we’ll refer to it as the locals do – “The Corner.”
Whether you consider it a pro or a con, the city isn’t along a major highway like many of the others.
This is great for getting away from the interstate noise and having a more secluded area, but it’s bad for the extra traffic you have to sit in to get to an interstate.
The city can hold its own with a big shopping center, a town square for events, and easy access to the “Hooch”, which is the nickname for the Chattahoochee River.
If you ask me, people got tired of trying to spell Chattahoochee and just shorted it down.
This is a very popular town for “Shooting the Hooch”, which means riding an inner tube down the river.
One publication even called it a “rite of passage” in the Atlanta area.
The Corner gets law enforcement from Gwinnett County Police Department, making exact crime statistics challenging.
The county polices seven cities and only releases data on those seven cities total.
They don’t break it down by city.
I’ve got some investigative tricks up my sleeve to get you the best data available just for Peachtree Corners, but it’s not going to be exact.
Some people in Atlanta might not even know what Peachtree Corners is.
It has only been a city since 2012 and there isn’t a big lure there for people who live inside the Perimeter.
If anyone is ever confused when you’re asking for information, just say it’s near Norcross and they’ll understand.
Warnings & Dangers in Peachtree Corners
OVERALL RISK: LOW
There's a low overall risk in Peachtree Corners. It's a suburban city that caters to many lifestyles in the Atlanta area. There is housing for millennials, places for large families to spread out, and a tech professional's dream come true neighborhood with its innovation lab.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
The popular MARTA system doesn't go to The Corner, so you'll have to get to a park and ride facility in a nearby city if you want to choose that route. Parking in those lots is free for the first 24 hours, which is a great way to save money. The bus system in Gwinett County does stop here. You can check out the routes on the website to see if it works for your travel needs. Otherwise, a taxi or rideshare is openly available. There's low risk with these options, but lock your car and take all valuables if you choose to use the MARTA park and ride.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
I don't have exact numbers and the powers-that-be in the crime number-crunching world just want me to compare a city of similar size for you, but that's not a good comparison. Here's what I will tell you. There is a big shopping area called The Forum. Use caution when you're there just because of the large number of shoppers and the fact that thieves know people are going there to spend money. Lock the car in the lot and if you need to put a bunch of stuff in the trunk to keep it out of plain sight, do it before you arrive at the mall so nobody sees you do it. There's a low risk of it happening, but if it happens, this might be one of the prime places.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
People in Georgia are used to the ongoing risk of thunderstorms and tornadoes throughout the year, but there's a medium risk it's going to happen and if you aren't used to those types of storms, they can be scary. What really made me laugh in my research is when I Googled Peachtree Corners, the first picture that came up was a shot of a traffic jam in a snowstorm. Yes, that CAN happen here, but it doesn't very often. Maybe every other year or so.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
Given that this is a residential area and not a tourist town, we can assume there aren't people so desperate for money they are going to hold you up outside a Publix. The city also has license plate readers, so any car that is in the area is going to be caught on camera. This makes any crime that does happen a little easier to solve.
TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
This is a distant Atlanta suburb, but still just 30 minutes away from downtown Atlanta. The ATL is always going to be a hard target as the largest city in the south and the hub of so much transportation and distribution. There's a medium risk, but not something you should worry about when making travel decisions.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
There were some shopping, elderly, and spoofed phone call scams, but those are targeted at people who live here. Tourists shouldn't have to worry about being scammed.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
There's a low risk here with a lot of shopping and outdoor amenities for women. Digging into news reports about sexual assaults, there aren't a lot of them out there but the ones that are can be pretty brutal in nature. One story I wish I could unread. Just be sure to protect yourself when you're out drinking or if you're alone in the wilderness. Always let someone know where you are going and when you plan to be back. Never go home with someone you just met.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
Gwinett County provides the water here and as of the 2020 Annual Water Quality Report, there were no violations reported in the water. The "Hooch" water can be a different story and we'll talk about that a little later on.
Safest Places to Visit in Peachtree Corners
Town Center is the most “downtown” area you’ll get in this quiet suburb.
Across 21-acres there are green spaces, shops, restaurants, businesses, and townhomes.
Bonus if you get to enjoy it there on a night the fire pit is lit up and there’s a water display to cool off in the hot, muggy Georgia summer.
Check ahead for town events happening during your stay, as this is where those events are usually held.
The Forum is an open-air shopping center with all your favorite name-brand stores.
There are several personal beauty salons here from waxing to cryotherapy.
Most of the restaurants here are national or regional chains, but there are plenty to choose from.
The Chattahoochee River – oops, sorry – The Hooch is along the north side of the city boundaries, but two of the most popular places to reach the river are from Medlock Bridge or Jones Bridge.
These riverside parks are great because you can fish, “shoot the Hooch”, play volleyball, visit a dog park, or just walk around the trail.
In addition, the city has a connected trail system that runs nearly 12 miles through some of the main shopping and dining areas.
Right next door in Dunwoody, there is a park called Treetop Quest.
This is an obstacle course in the air through the tops of trees with various skill levels.
Courses are available for kids as young as seven years old.
I always like offering you guys up some indoor activities in case there is a rainy day or storms are in the forecast.
Nitro Zone is in The Corner and is a mix of a bowling alley, sports bar, arcade, and go-kart track.
Places to Avoid in Peachtree Corners
There really isn’t a bad part of town in Peachtree Corners, but there are a lot of areas that won’t really be of interest to you if you’re just visiting to see the sights.
A lot of this community space is homes for the 42,000 people who live here.
You might have heard about the Curiosity Lab in the city.
It’s a place where tech companies can use space to pave the way for the technological future.
It’s not open to tourists and there are no tours available.
If you are with a tech start-up company, it is worth the time of asking to see the grounds.
Driverless cars are being tested here daily on the same street you can drive on, so don’t be surprised if you see a car without a driver in it.
This is Atlanta and it’s known for its congested traffic in every single way possible.
If you need to get to a certain location by a certain time, always add 15-30 minutes for the commute.
If you are using a mapping system to search how long it will take to get somewhere, be sure to use the “leaving at XX time” option so you can see the real traffic estimate.
I once was driving through Atlanta at 4 am just to avoid rush hour, and I still got flipped off by a guy who was seemingly angry I wasn’t driving 100 mph through the city.
Avoid getting baited into road rage.
Plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Peachtree Corners
- The river levels on the Hooch change daily, sometimes several times a day. It’s an intricate system all the way back to a dam at Lake Allatoona. When the river is higher, the water will be more swift. When it’s lower, it will be a smoother ride.
- There are many places along the Hooch, especially within city boundaries, where it’s required for everyone on the river to have a life vest. Just wear the darn thing and don’t complain. The bottom of that river is a tangled mess and you don’t want to risk getting stuck just because you thought you looked silly in a life vest.
- Bring bug spray when spending time outdoors, especially from spring through fall. Mosquitos are everywhere here. The humid conditions are ripe for the skeeters to breed and you might not realize how badly you’ve been bitten by them until you get home. A bug spray with DEET in it should keep them at bay.
- Gwinett County has a crime mapping tool that is wonderful since we can’t get official FBI data. You can search as far back as six months and select the exact location, types of crime, and perimeter area you want to search. For what it’s worth, I searched around The Forum, and the most popular days for thefts from October 2022 through April 2022 were Mondays and Tuesdays. Each day averaged about 12 thefts.
- If you rent a bike for the multi-use trails, be sure it comes with a bike lock or buy one at the store. In my research of this region, bicycles are one of the most commonly stolen items in all of the cities.
- When riding a bike in Georgia on a street, you are expected to follow all the laws as if you were a vehicle. That means no rolling through stop signs or running red lights. Stay to the far right of the road and wear bright-colored clothing. This isn’t a very bicycle respectful state, so make sure you stand out. If you are riding at night you are required to have a headlight on the bike.
- The Georgia Department of Natural Resources offers fishing licenses online and you’ll need to buy one if you want to fish here. You can’t use the license from your home state or country.
- When thunder roads, go indoors. It’s more than a mantra, it’s life-saving advice. You don’t want to get caught outside in a severe thunderstorm, so download a reliable weather app while you’re here and keep your mobile device charged. If you hear a siren, that means a tornado warning has been issued and you should seek shelter immediately.
- Lake Lanier is another popular place in Gwinett County to play in and on the water. There have been a lot of drownings and boating accidents on this river. There’s a city at the bottom that was once home to 1100 African Americans. There are ghost stories and real-life warnings you’ll hear from people about the lake. More than six million people visit there each year, so it’s not dangerous to visit. Just be extra careful as the lake levels rise and drop a lot throughout the mass expanse of the lake and there are a lot of things you can get tangled up in at the bottom.
- If you have a newer mobile device, make sure it’s WEA enabled. Gwinett County will send emergency alerts through a wireless notification system using the function that should already be on your phone. Phones come with the feature enabled, but if you’ve ever turned it off you’ll want it back on while visiting Peachtree Corners.
So... How Safe Is Peachtree Corners Really?
Usually, I can say something like “If you are from a big city, you won’t be surprised by crime.
If you are from a small city, it might be a lot of crime.”
When it comes to Peachtree Corners, I don’t think there’s anyone who’s going to be shocked at the crime that happens here.
It’s a safe community with an average income of around $65,000.
There aren’t low-income housing areas or gangs running rampant.
That said, it is close to a really big city with a lot of crime, so you can’t let your guard down either.
There is nothing in any crime statistic I’ve seen that tells me you need anything more than basic personal safety practices to enjoy your time here.
How Does Peachtree Corners Compare?
City | Safety Index |
---|---|
Peachtree Corners | 72 |
New Orleans | 57 |
Baltimore | 56 |
Boston | 67 |
Washington DC | 56 |
New York City | 67 |
Detroit | 56 |
Niagara Falls (Canada) | 87 |
Calgary (Canada) | 82 |
Buenos Aires (Argentina) | 60 |
Vancouver (Canada) | 82 |
Cordoba (Argentina) | 61 |
Toronto (Canada) | 81 |
Useful Information
Visas
You show your Visa at the point of entry into the United States. A Visa doesn't guarantee entry into the country, but when you do get through customs, you won't need to use the Visa again until you are leaving the country. A passport will be needed for things like hotel reservations and car rentals.
Currency
You can only use the U.S. Dollar here. The tech park presence probably means there's more of a chance you could use cyber currency here, but it's safest to stick with the U.S. Dollar. You don't really need to carry cash and one credit card should suffice for all purchases.
Weather
Layer up in the winter as temperatures can become bi-polar. From May through September you're going to have very muggy days with warmer temperatures. It's really the humidity that gets you in Georgia, not incredibly high temperatures. If you have room, packing a raincoat isn't a bad idea.
Airports
Atlanta's airport is on the other side of town, but it's about a 30-45 minute drive. I'd plan for an hour to make room for traffic delays.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is going to give you peace of mind when you are visiting a new place. I've flown through Atlanta about two dozen times in my life and I can count on one hand how many times my flight took off as scheduled.
Peachtree Corners Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High °C | 12 | 14 | 19 | 23 | 27 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 28 | 23 | 18 | 13 |
Low °C | 1 | 3 | 7 | 11 | 16 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 11 | 6 | 3 |
High °F | 54 | 57 | 66 | 73 | 81 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 82 | 73 | 64 | 55 |
Low °F | 34 | 37 | 45 | 52 | 61 | 68 | 72 | 70 | 64 | 52 | 43 | 37 |
Georgia - Safety by City
City | Safety Index |
---|---|
Acworth | 86 |
Alpharetta | 86 |
Athens | 58 |
Atlanta | 58 |
Augusta | 86 |
Brookhaven | 71 |
Brunswick | 51 |
Cartersville | 78 |
Chamblee | 71 |
Dalton | 91 |
Dunwoody | 74 |
East Columbus | 87 |
East Point | 54 |
Johns Creek | 91 |
Kennesaw | 84 |
Lawrenceville | 85 |
Mableton | 76 |
Macon | 61 |
Marietta | 78 |
McDonough | 72 |
Milton | 87 |
Newnan | 75 |
Peachtree City | 89 |
Peachtree Corners | 72 |
Perry | 86 |
Pooler | 86 |
Roswell | 73 |
Sandy Springs | 82 |
Savannah | 70 |
Smyrna | 74 |
Snellville | 51 |
South Fulton | 48 |
Statesboro | 88 |
Stockbridge | 78 |
Stonecrest | 53 |
Suwanee | 86 |
Tucker | 74 |
Tybee Island | 82 |
Valdosta | 74 |
Warner Robins | 68 |
Woodstock | 88 |
Thank you for providing such a comprehensive analysis of crime rates in Peachtree Corners. The detailed breakdown of different types of crimes helps to paint a clear picture of the area’s safety.