These are the most dangerous places in GA, new study shows. See if you live in one
The crime data in Georgia tells many different stories. In some counties, rates are falling well below national averages, while in others, violent incidents, property theft and drug-related offenses continue to rise at alarming levels.
Safe Home security resource compiled a list of the Georgia areas with the highest instances of property and violent crime and it’s more complicated than it seems.
Georgia’s murder rate is relatively low at 7.1 per 100,000. Macon-Bibb County has a murder rate of 29 per 100,000, the highest of any metropolitan area in FBI data.
How the numbers are calculated
Based on the latest data from 2023 and 2024, they calculated rates per 1,000 or 100,000 residents, allowing for comparisons that take population size into account.
The data primarily comes from FBI Uniform Crime Reporting and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which track violent crimes and property crimes.
- Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault.
- Property crimes include burglary, larceny (theft) and vehicle theft.
- Rates standardize crime counts to fairly compare places of different sizes.
- Data accuracy depends on local reporting standards and population estimates.
How does Georgia compare to national numbers?
There is no consistent trend to the data in comparisons, and it fluctuates by areas. However, Georgia’s overall violent crime rate is 3% under the national average with 352 instances per 100,000 people.
Violent Crime:
| Crime Type | Georgia | National |
|---|---|---|
| Murder | 7.1 | 5.7 |
| Aggravated assault | 270.0 | 263.7 |
| Robbery | 42.2 | 65.4 |
| Rape | 32.5 | 38.0 |
Property Crime:
| Crime Type | Georgia | National |
| Burglary | 223.3 | 250.7 |
| Larceny | 1,349.4 | 1,343.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 250.6 | 317.2 |
Georgia’s most crime-plagued areas
According to CrimeGrade, Macon-Bibb County ranks in the 19th percentile, meaning it is more dangerous than 81% of the counties in Georgia. Muscogee County did quite a bit better, ranking in the 36th percentile.
Highest property crime per 100,000:
- Morrow: 8,432
- College Park: 7,864
- Hiram: 5,654
Highest violent crime per 100,000:
- College Park: 1,771
- Cordele: 1,757
- Americus: 1,353
Cities with the lowest crime rates
These cities are mostly situated in North Georgia and all have far fewer incidents of crime than their more southern counterparts. They also all have populations under 4,000 people.
Lowest property crime per 100,000:
- Alto: 100
- Lookout Mountain: 121
- Ball Ground: 164
How safe is Georgia generally?
Although the numbers seem upsetting, Georgia falls under the national average in several categories. Violent crime dropped by approximately 10.5% and property crime has declined, overall.
- Overall violent crime: 3% below the national average.
- Property crime: 5% below the national average
- Murder rates are 25% higher than the national average
Factors to consider
Crime in Georgia is complex and often contradictory, shaped by a range of variables.
Contributing factors include:
- Urban centers and transportation hubs generally have higher crime rates.
- Rural and suburban counties tend to see much lower crime.
- Georgia compares favorably to national crime averages and shows improvement in violent crime reduction.
- Challenges remain with murder rates and some property crime increases.
- Community engagement and understanding crime patterns are vital for continued safety improvements
Now that the numbers are out, do you feel safe in your area? Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.