It’s important to feel secure in your home when it’s time to sleep, without worrying about whether you’ve properly secured your belongings. But how can you be certain that your new home will provide this comfort?
List of Most Dangerous Cities in Georgia
If you’re considering relocating to Georgia, the state’s communities are a mix of safe havens and less reputable ones. This state features breathtaking scenery, gorgeous beaches, and fascinating history, but it also has certain cities with fairly dangerous regions, especially at night. So, using FBI data as a guide, we’ve highlighted Georgia’s most dangerous cities for 2023.
For cities with a population greater than 5,000, we have concentrated on violent and property crimes per capita. Our goal is to arm you with information on crime hotspots so you can make an informed choice. It’s crucial to remember that we are not criticizing the performance of local law enforcement and that each of the cities we analyze also has secure areas. Georgia falls within the top third of the riskiest states in the US when the entire state is considered. This state-wide perception of danger is substantially influenced by the cities named. Read on to find out more as you savor your chicken and dumplings and a glass of your preferred locally brewed beer.
- College Park
One of the most dangerous city in Georgia, College Park, which is located on the southern edge of Atlanta, tops the list once more. It has the busiest airport in the world but also has a high crime rate. The city has Georgia’s highest murder and violent crime rates, as well as the state’s 16th-highest rate of rape cases. Property crime is also common; 213 College Park residents reported having their cars stolen in 2020 alone.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that the FBI’s crime data is based on crime locations, and the police department does not only serve the city proper but also the surrounding areas of Clayton and Fulton County. College Park also gave birth to well-known performers like Ludacris, 2 Chainz, and Jung Joc, whose songs don’t exactly portray an idealized world.
- Americus
The second most dangerous city in Georgia is Americus, a city in Sumter County with 14,910 inhabitants. With a total of 161 violent crimes reported in 2020, Americus has the 13th highest rate of rape cases in the state. It’s critical to stay vigilant and make sure your property is secure because the city has the 22nd and 15th highest murder and burglary rates in the entire state.
Habitat for Humanity’s global headquarters are located in Americus, therefore if local law enforcement put more effort into lowering crime, this city might soon be off the list.
- Garden City
Despite its attractive name and desirable position on the outskirts of charming Savannah, Garden City is third of Georgia’s most dangerous city. Contrary to its calm exterior, this location has the third-highest rate of violent crime in the state.
- Albany
The fourth dangerous city in Georgia is Albany, the seventh-largest city in the state. Residents had a 1 in 58 risk of becoming a victim of a violent crime in 2020. Unsettlingly, this is Georgia’s second-highest rate of violent crime. Additionally, Albany has Georgia’s second-highest burglary rate, with about two break-ins taking place per day. Even while Chehaw Park & Zoo has some terrifying creatures, Albany’s streets have even scarier happenings.
- Waycross
Southeast Georgia’s Waycross serves as a major transportation hub. It got its name because it served as a major railroad junction throughout the 19th century. Although it has the fifth-highest crime rate in Georgia, despite its accessibility, you might find those transportation routes useful for a quick getaway.
- Griffin
Griffin is recognized for its involvement in the illustrious First Amendment case Lovell v. City of Griffin in 1938. But it currently has a bad image due to high rates of larcenies and burglaries, which place it among the top five Georgian cities for these crimes.
- Forest Park
Just south of Atlanta, Forest Park experienced a high rate of auto thefts and burglaries in 2020. The city also has one of Georgia’s top ten highest murder and rape rates. From not being on the list the prior year, it’s a significant improvement.
- Cordele
Every June, Cordele, which is dubbed the “Watermelon Capital of the World,” hosts a festival celebrating the fruit. Although it ranks fifth in the state for these offenses, it also has a high rate of larcenies and sexual assaults.
9. Eastman
Eastman, the city that is credited with creating Stuckey’s pecan log roll, also has a less-than-stellar reputation. With significant rates of robbery and burglary, it is Georgia’s ninth most dangerous city.
10. LaGrange
LaGrange offers history, culture, and recreational activities close to the Alabama border. But it also has a high percentage of property crime, particularly larcenies, making it Georgia’s tenth most dangerous city.
We used a special approach to identify Georgia’s most hazardous cities for 2023. We used the FBI’s 2020 Crime in The United States Report, which offers thorough crime data for communities across the nation. The report is a useful tool even though it is preliminary and only covers the biggest cities. We only took into account Georgian cities with a population of above 5,000 to guarantee a fair comparison. Our study was then limited to 76 cities in the state. Violent crime per capita and property crime per capita were our two main considerations.
READ ALSO: Missouri Lake Recognized as One of the Most Dangerous Lakes in the Country