The 10 Most Dangerous And Worst Neighborhoods In Atlanta, GA

The most dangerous and worst Atlanta neighborhoods are Adamsville and Grove Park for 2026 based on Saturday Night Science.

Atlanta’s neighborhoods conjure up too many stereotypes to count. You’ve got hipster areas, preppy places, neighborhoods where college kids thrive, and of course, ghettos.

It seems as if there’s a neighborhood for everyone in Atlanta.

And while the city consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in Georgia thanks in part to tons of entertainment and jobs, it’s not all rainbows and sunshine in Atlanta. Some neighborhoods aren’t as safe as others.

So the question arises, which Atlanta neighborhoods are the most dangerous and which are the safest?

Today, we’ll use Saturday Night Science to determine which Atlanta hoods need a little tender loving care. We examined 30 of Atlanta’s neighborhoods to find out the most dangerous places to live.

1

No. 1 worst neighborhood in Atlanta

Adamsville, GA

4,144 people
$30,664 median income
Located in Fulton County, Georgia
Median home value -73% vs GA
$91,225
GA $332k
Median income -60% vs GA
$30,664
GA $77k

Nestled into the intersection of I-20 and I-285 in the western section of the city, Adamsville provides a home to 4,144 residents. It’s difficult for these folks to find good-paying jobs, as a feeble economy leaves the area as the number 1 worst part of Atlanta.

The area’s unemployment rate comes in at a lofty 12.5%. Even those people who can land work have trouble paying the bills. The median income hovers at only $30,664.

There are bright spots to life in Adamsville. For some family-friendly fun, residents can head over to Cascade Family Skating or cross over I-285 to reach the nearby CT Martin Natatorium and Recreation Center.

2

No. 2 worst neighborhood in Atlanta

Grove Park, GA

3,620 people
$35,433 median income
Located in Fulton County, Georgia
Median home value -60% vs GA
$133,243
GA $332k
Median income -54% vs GA
$35,433
GA $77k

Originally developed in the 1920s by a successful local businessman named Dr. Edwin Wiley Grove, Grove Park sits in the eastern part of the city. Despite the entrepreneurial spirit that created the neighborhood, a feeble economy has let it down in the 21st century. As a result, it counts as the number 2 least alluring area of Atlanta.

Jobs are hard to come by for the 3,620 locals. The unemployment stands at 8.1%, while the median income reaches just $35,433.

Otherwise, life in the area has its charms. Homes are affordable at a median price of $133,243. There are also plenty of amenities, including the area’s namesake park.

3

No. 3 worst neighborhood in Atlanta

Center Hill, GA

2,827 people
$36,764 median income
Located in Fulton County, Georgia
Median home value -64% vs GA
$120,200
GA $332k
Median income -52% vs GA
$36,764
GA $77k

Located in the western part of Atlanta, Center Hill stretches from Frederick Douglass High School and Lincoln Cemetery on the southern end to Center Hill Park at the northern end. Jobs are the major issue for this neighborhood, making this one of the least attractive spots in the city.

The unemployment rate sits at 10.2% and the median income hovers at $36,764. Concerns about schools also hold the area back. Despite the financial troubles, you can find affordable housing in Center Hill. The median home value comes to $120,200.

Meanwhile, you can find lots of amenities in the area. Center Hill features a number of churches, plus a thriving commercial stretch along Highway 78.

3

No. 3 worst neighborhood in Atlanta

Lakewood Heights-Southeastern Atlanta, GA

23,547 people
$27,867 median income
Located in Fulton County, Georgia
Median home value -84% vs GA
$53,753
GA $332k
Median income -64% vs GA
$27,867
GA $77k

As you might guess, Lakewood Heights-Southeastern Atlanta is located in the southeast section of the city. High unemployment and substandard schools contribute to the neighborhood’s reputation as the number 4 least inviting part of the city.

A sluggish economy leaves the unemployment rate at a lofty 10.3%. What jobs that exist are low-paying as well. The median income stands at $27,867.

Not everything in Lakewood Heights is dreary. Residents can head over to South Bend Park for a nice day outdoors. Meanwhile, the cost of living is relatively low, with a median home value of $53,753.

5

No. 5 worst neighborhood in Atlanta

Adair Park, GA

1,157 people
$48,235 median income
Located in Fulton County, Georgia
Median home value -43% vs GA
$190,600
GA $332k
Median income -38% vs GA
$48,235
GA $77k

There really is an Adair Park. In fact, there are two of them in this centrally located section of the city, known as Adair Park I and Adair Park II. Unfortunately, access to pleasant outdoors activities doesn’t pay the bills. With a scarcity of jobs in the region, Adair Park stands as one of the worst places in the city to put down roots.

The 1,157 residents of this neighborhood have to make due with a median income of $48,235. That is, if they can find a job at all. The unemployment rate stands at an imposing 11.1%.

Located near downtown Atlanta, Adair Park was originally a planned community in the 19th century. This location allows locals an easy trip to any amenities the city can offer.

5

No. 5 worst neighborhood in Atlanta

Mechanicsville, GA

4,221 people
$32,768 median income
Located in Fulton County, Georgia
Median home value -66% vs GA
$113,900
GA $332k
Median income -58% vs GA
$32,768
GA $77k

Though its bounded to the north by downtown Atlanta, with easy access to both I-20 and I-85, Mechanicsville doesn’t exist as a commuter’s paradise. In fact, the 4,221 residents of the neighborhood have trouble taking advantage of the city’s opportunities. This economic stagnation creates the number 6 most unappealing sector of the city.

Despite the proximity of the downtown area, good jobs are hard to come by. The median income sits at $32,768 and the unemployment rate comes in at 5.2%. Housing is at least affordable, with a median home value of $113,900.

Given its location near the center of the action, Mechanicsville does grant its residents plenty of amenities. This includes its share of green spaces, like the Rosa L. Burney Park.

7

No. 7 worst neighborhood in Atlanta

Five Points, GA

3,362 people
$38,626 median income
Located in Fulton County, Georgia
Median home value -55% vs GA
$149,350
GA $332k
Median income -50% vs GA
$38,626
GA $77k
8

No. 8 worst neighborhood in Atlanta

Adams Park, GA

2,398 people
$55,906 median income
Located in Fulton County, Georgia
Median home value -51% vs GA
$161,600
GA $332k
Median income -28% vs GA
$55,906
GA $77k

You’ll have trouble finding a job in Adams Park. The unemployment rate in the neighborhood runs a scary 6.2%. This weak job market makes the area one of the least inviting places in all of Atlanta.

Unemployment isn’t the only economic pressure in the area. Low-wage jobs also hurt the neighborhood’s 2,398 residents, with a median income of just $55,906. Locals also struggle with a below-average school system.

Located in the southeast part of the city, Adams Park does provide its namesake recreation area. In the park, locals can find a swimming pool and a golf course.

9

No. 9 worst neighborhood in Atlanta

Oakland City, GA

3,881 people
$32,702 median income
Located in Fulton County, Georgia
Median home value -29% vs GA
$234,980
GA $332k
Median income -58% vs GA
$32,702
GA $77k

As the name suggests, Oakland City was once its own municipality. It became part of Atlanta in 1910. Unfortunately, these days, it exists as a particularly unappealing part of the metropolis, ranking as the number 9 worst spot to live in the city.

A lack of jobs weighs on the 3,881 residents. They suffer with an unemployment rate of 6.0%. On top of that, local jobs leave a lot to be desired in the wage department, with a median income of $32,702.

Oakland City works hard to foster a connection to its historic roots. Check out the neighborhood’s Historic District for a glimpse into the past.

10

No. 10 worst neighborhood in Atlanta

Vine City, GA

4,408 people
$29,685 median income
Located in Fulton County, Georgia
Median home value -66% vs GA
$112,733
GA $332k
Median income -62% vs GA
$29,685
GA $77k

The receipts

Compare the top ten

Pick a metric. The bars rescale. The red line is Georgia’s statewide median.

City Median home value vs GA
1 Adamsville $91,225 -73%
2 Grove Park $133,243 -60%
3 Center Hill $120,200 -64%
5 Adair Park $190,600 -43%
5 Mechanicsville $113,900 -66%
7 Five Points $149,350 -55%
8 Adams Park $161,600 -51%
9 Oakland City $234,980 -29%
10 Vine City $112,733 -66%

Georgia statewide median: $332,063

City Median income vs GA
1 Adamsville $30,664 -60%
2 Grove Park $35,433 -54%
3 Center Hill $36,764 -52%
5 Adair Park $48,235 -38%
5 Mechanicsville $32,768 -58%
7 Five Points $38,626 -50%
8 Adams Park $55,906 -28%
9 Oakland City $32,702 -58%
10 Vine City $29,685 -62%

Georgia statewide median: $77,353

City Population vs GA
1 Adamsville 4,144
2 Grove Park 3,620
3 Center Hill 2,827
5 Adair Park 1,157
5 Mechanicsville 4,221
7 Five Points 3,362
8 Adams Park 2,398
9 Oakland City 3,881
10 Vine City 4,408

Saturday Night Science

Methodology: How we determined the most dangerous Atlanta neighborhoods in 2026

To figure out how bad a place is to live in, we only needed to know what kinds of things people like and then decide what places have the least amount of those things. We plugged the following criteria into Saturday Night Science to get the worst neighborhoods in Atlanta:

  • High crime (Estimated)
  • High unemployment (Less jobs)
  • Low median income (Less pay)
  • Low population density (No things to do)
  • Low home values (No one’s willing to pay to live here)

Then, we ranked each neighborhood in Atlanta, Georgia for each of these criteria from worst to best.

Next, we averaged the individual rankings for each criterion into a “Worst Score.”

The neighborhood with the lowest “Worst Score” ranks as the most dangerous neighborhood of Atlanta.

The article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. We updated this article for 2026. Skip to the end to see the list of all 30 neighborhoods ranked from worst to best.

The full plate

Most dangerous neighborhoods to live in Atlanta for 2026

Click any column to sort. Search by neighborhood name.

RankNeighborhoodPopulationHome ValueMedian Income
1Adamsville4,144$91,225$30,664
2Grove Park3,620$133,243$35,433
3Center Hill2,827$120,200$36,764
3Lakewood Heights-Southeastern Atlanta23,547$53,753$27,867
5Adair Park1,157$190,600$48,235
5Mechanicsville4,221$113,900$32,768
7Five Points3,362$149,350$38,626
8Adams Park2,398$161,600$55,906
9Oakland City3,881$234,980$32,702
10Vine City4,408$112,733$29,685
11Thomasville10,964$114,838$39,069
11Cascade Heights1,815$161,125$67,674
13Sweet Auburn3,540$250,100$43,888
14Downtown14,492$199,911$52,199
15West End5,572$274,240$50,784
16Rockdale861$384,300$51,580
17Edgewood-Kirkwood16,229$218,460$59,141
17Home Park8,680$291,625$67,006
19Atlanta-Inman Park4,329$325,533$72,215
20Ormewood Park-East Atlanta11,918$229,270$73,545
21Cabbage Town4,789$244,040$62,341
22Morningside-Lenox Park9,822$463,688$110,670
23Oakdale10,957$480,364$106,373
24Grant Park8,785$365,775$76,930
25Midtown21,945$378,430$96,712
26Old Fourth Ward14,138$350,842$71,108
27Buckhead78,972$491,544$113,902
28Virginia-Highland13,359$486,675$103,493
29Poncey-Highland3,025$510,100$90,270
30Candler Park4,060$518,533$133,238

Source: U.S. Census ACS 2020-2024. All 30 Atlanta neighborhoods.

Summary

Summary: The worst neighborhoods around Atlanta

Well, there you have it — the worst of the neighborhoods in Atlanta with Adamsville landing at the bottom of the pack.

The worst neighborhoods in Atlanta are Adamsville, Grove Park, Center Hill, Lakewood Heights-Southeastern Atlanta, Adair Park, Mechanicsville, Five Points, Adams Park, Oakland City, and Vine City.

As mentioned earlier, the neighborhoods in Atlanta aren’t all bad. Candler Park takes the cake as the best place to live in Atlanta.

We ranked the neighborhoods from worst to best in the chart below. Not sold on Georgia? Take the two-minute Find Your Place quiz and see which state actually fits you.

Questions and answers

Worst Neighborhoods In Atlanta FAQs

What is the most dangerous neighborhood in Atlanta?

Adamsville ranks as the worst neighborhood in Atlanta for 2026, according to Saturday Night Science. Grove Park and Center Hill are next on the list.

What are the worst neighborhoods in Atlanta?

The worst-ranked neighborhoods in Atlanta are Adamsville, Grove Park, Center Hill, Lakewood Heights-Southeastern Atlanta, Adair Park, Mechanicsville, Five Points, Adams Park, Oakland City, and Vine City. We scored all 30 neighborhoods in the city.

Why does Adamsville rank as the worst?

Adamsville posts the roughest combined numbers in Atlanta: a median household income of $30,664 and a median home value of $91,225, with crime, unemployment, and density folded into the score.

Are these neighborhoods dangerous everywhere?

No. The scores are neighborhood-wide averages, and conditions change block by block and hour by hour. Plenty of people live in these neighborhoods without incident; the numbers just say the odds run tougher.

How do you rank the worst neighborhoods?

Each neighborhood is scored on crime, unemployment, income, density, and home values, using Census tract and FBI data. The worst combined score tops the list.

Nick Johnson
About the author

Nick Johnson earned his masters in Business Administration from the Drucker School At Claremont Graduate University. He has written for 39 publications across the country and ran the media relations department at Movoto, a real estate portal based in San Francisco. He has been featured in over 500 publications as an expert in real estate and as an authority on real estate trends.

Nick's the creator of the HomeSnacks YouTube channel that now has over 900,000 subscribers and is an excellent source to learn about different parts of the country.

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