Georgia’s 20 Safest Cities of 2023

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The SafeWise Team is pleased to release the ninth annual Safest Cities report.

Here are the 10 Safest Cities in Georgia for 2023

See if your city made the full list.

Violent crime and property crime rates decreased in Georgia year over year and fall close to the national averages. With that said, Georgians reported some of the highest levels of concern and first-hand experiences with crime across the board. 


In this report

2023 Georgia crime rates

With a violent crime rate of 3.9 and a property crime rate of 17.5, Georgia’s crime rates aren’t too far from national averages of 4.0 and 19.3, respectively. Compared to the previous reporting year, violent crime in The Peach State fell by around 3% and property crime decreased by nearly 13%. 

Property and violent crime rates in Georgia

Image: SafeWise

Level of concern and experience with crime in Georgia

According to our latest State of Safety survey, Georgians have the second-highest level of concern about overall crime with 66% of respondents indicating their concern (50% US).

About 73% of Georgia residents feel concerned about property crime—the highest percentage in the nation—and 71% feel concerned about violent crime—the second-highest percentage in the nation. Georgians are also reported the third-highest levels of concern about package theft (65%) and were the fifth-most worried about gun violence (63%). 

Georgians reported the highest percentages of first-hand experiences with violent crime (26%) and gun violence (25%) in the nation. They also reported the fourth-highest percentage of property crime experiences (38%) and the tenth-highest percentage of package theft experiences (38%).

Around 42% of Georgians feel safe in their state, lower than the national average of 50%.

Level of concern and experience with natural disasters in Georgia

For our 2023 State of Safety Survey, we asked participants about their natural disaster concerns, preparations, and experiences. Most Georgians were worried about strong or high winds (68%), fire or smoke (62%), and extreme heat or cold (60%). 

Compared to the average American, Georgians were more likely to have some kind of disaster protection in place. The most popular options were emergency kits (47% GA, 44% US) and a family emergency plan (42% GA, 40% US).

About 13% of Georgians reported having to evacuate due to a natural disaster in the 12 months prior to the survey, which is the eighth-highest response in the nation and above the national average of 11%. 

Crime concerns in Georgia

We asked Georgia residents which crimes they worry may happen to them. See if Georgians are concerned about the same crime issues as the rest of the country.

Image: SafeWise

View the complete 2023 State of Safety report.

Violent crime in Georgia: Fear vs. reality

 Violent crime in Georgia occurs at a rate of 3.9 crimes per 1,000 people, which is lower than the national average of 4.0. Although this represents a decrease of nearly 3% year over year, our State of Safety respondents reported an 86% increase in violent crime experiences.

  • Georgia reported 892 murders in the last year, which is the fourth-highest in the US.
  • Georgia ranks fifth in the nation for most robberies and aggravated assaults. 
  • Violent crime represents 18% of all crime in Georgia, which is higher than the national average of 17%.
  • 50% of Georgians use some form of personal protection (US 39%) with a concealed firearm leading the way at 46%. 
  • 57% of Georgia residents say their personal safety has been affected by the pandemic, which is the highest percentage in the nation (US 44%).

Attitudes about gun violence in Georgia

  • 63% of Georgians worry about gun violence, which is the fifth-highest percentage nationwide (47% US).
  • 25% experienced gun violence in the 12 months prior to the survey, which is the highest percentage in the nation (12% US).
  • Georgians' gun violence experiences increased 92% year over year. 
  • 29 mass shooting events occurred in Georgia during the reporting year, which is a 32% increase compared to the previous year and the fifth-highest number in the nation.

Property crime in Georgia: Fear vs. reality

Georgia experienced the a nearly 13% decrease in property crime during the 2023 reporting year. Our State of Safety survey results reflect the opposite trend, with respondents reporting a 138% increase in property crime experiences. 

  • 38% of Georgians said they had experienced property crime in the 12 months prior to the survey, compared to 16% the previous year. 
  • Georgia’s property crime rate of 17.5 sits below the national average of 19.3 and the South Atlantic average of 19.5. 
  • Larceny-theft represents 76% of property crime in Georgia, which is 4 percentage points higher than the national average.
  • Of the Georgia residents who use property protection, most prefer security cameras (50%) or security systems (47%).
  • Of the Georgians who use some form of package theft prevention, most prefer doorbell cameras (40%).
  • 44% of Georgians say the security of their property has been affected by the pandemic, which is the highest percentage in the nation (US 37%).

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A closer look at the safest cities in Georgia

For the purposes of this report, the terms “dangerous” and “safest” refer explicitly to crime rates as calculated from FBI crime data—no other characterization of any community is implied or intended.

  • 98 Georgia cities met the criteria to be considered for ranking.
  • Holly Springs is 1 of 7 new cities in the top 20, displacing Johns Creek from the top spot.
  • Georgia's 20 safest cities have an average violent crime rate of 0.7 and an average property crime rate of 6.6. 
  • Of the safest cities in Georgia that were repeats from last year, 5 experienced declines in both violent crime and property crime: Hampton, Johns Creek, Palmetto, Grovetown, and Dallas
  • 6 of the 20 safest cities reported 5 or fewer violent crimes: Holly Springs (0), Kingsland (4), Hampton (5), Barnesville (5), Palmetto (4), and Folkston (3).
  • Barnesville reported 0 burglaries.
  • Douglas, Folkston, and Flowery Branch reported 0 motor vehicle thefts.
  • Johns Creek also appears on our list of the safest cities for raising a family.

Image: SafeWise

The 20 safest cities in Georgia

Holly Springs, Georgia
#1
Holly Springs
(
New
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    17,484
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $98,651
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.0, N/A, N/A
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    2.7, N/A, N/A
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Kingsland, Georgia
#2
Kingsland
(
New
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    18,556
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $60,787
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.2, N/A, N/A
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    2.3, N/A, N/A
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Hampton, Georgia
#3
Hampton
(
+1
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    8,313
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $59,946
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.6, 0.9, 1.0
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    2.8, 6.0, 8.0
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Johns Creek, Georgia
#4
Johns Creek
(
-3
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    85,974
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $133,948
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.2, 0.4, N/A
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    4.2, 4.5, N/A
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#5
Barnesville
(
New
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    6,660
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $37,688
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.8, N/A, 2.7
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    3.3, N/A, 20.6
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#6
Milton
(
-4
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    40,781
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $136,020
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.8, 0.4, 0.4
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    5.0, 5.1, 7.3
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#7
Douglas
(
-0-
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    11,606
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $36,436
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.9, 0.9, N/A
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    6.2, 9.5, N/A
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Tyrone, Georgia
#8
Tyrone
(
-5
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    7,803
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $94,189
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.9, 0.5, 0.7
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    6.2, 5.5, 8.9
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
McRae-Helena, Georgia
#9
McRae-Helena
(
-3
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    8,250
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $45,729
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    1.3, 1.3, N/A
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    5.2, 7.2, N/A
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Palmetto, Georgia
#10
Palmetto
(
New
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    5,010
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $48,266
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.8, 2.0, 2.7
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    7.0, 13.3, 23.0
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Braselton, Georgia
#11
Braselton
(
-3
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    14,568
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $110,253
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    1.0, 0.9, 0.7
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    7.2, 11.3, 10.4
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Peachtree City, Georgia
#12
Peachtree City
(
-7
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    36,994
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $103,374
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.4, 0.4, N/A
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    9.6, 10.7, N/A
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Grovetown, Georgia
#13
Grovetown
(
-2
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    17,293
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $63,860
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    1.4, 2.4, 1.5
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    6.9, 7.0, 11.3
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Canton, Georgia
#14
Canton
(
New
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    33,386
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $67,355
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    1.1, N/A, N/A
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    8.2, N/A, N/A
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Folkston, Georgia
#15
Folkston
(
New
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    5,074
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $23,151
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.6, 1.4, 6.6
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    10.8, 10.6, 18.7
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Loganville, Georgia
#16
Loganville
(
New
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    13,633
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $72,820
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    1.4, N/A, N/A
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    8.6, N/A, N/A
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Flowery Branch, Georgia
#17
Flowery Branch
(
-3
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    9,155
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $83,100
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.7, 1.7, N/A
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    11.6, 11.6, N/A
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Jefferson, Georgia
#18
Jefferson
(
-9
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    12,833
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $82,692
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.9, 0.7, N/A
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    11.0, 12.4, N/A
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Dallas, Georgia
#19
Dallas
(
+1
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    14,704
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $50,245
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    1.4, 2.6, N/A
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    9.6, 13.6, N/A
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Woodstock, Georgia
#20
Woodstock
(
-8
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    34,798
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $92,648
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    1.3, 1.8, 1.2
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    9.9, 9.7, 13.1
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime

How we determined the safest cities

Learn how we identified the safest cities on our methodology page.

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Didn't find your city?

We calculated crime rates for every city in the state that met our population threshold, based on the state’s median population as calculated using FBI data. To request a report of the remaining cities in your state email info@safewise.com with the subject line: Safest Cities Full Report.

NOTE: If your city is missing from our full report, it means that it was below the population threshold or didn’t submit a complete crime report to the FBI in 2021.

Find the safest cities in each state

Click on the state image or dropdown menu below to check out the safest cities for each state.

Related articles on SafeWise


Endnotes and sources

FBI Crime Data Explorer, "Documents & Downloads." Accessed February 6, 2023.

  • 2021 and 2020 Crime in the United States Annual Reports
    • Offenses Known to Law Enforcement
  • 2021 NIBRS Estimation Tables

FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program, "Offenses Known to Law Enforcement [2019]." Accessed February 6, 2023.

Bureau of Justice Statistics, "National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)." Accessed February 6, 2023.

US Census Bureau, "2021: ACS 5-Year Estimates Subject Tables." Accessed February 6, 2023.

US Census Bureau, "2021: ACS 5-Year Estimates Detailed Tables." Accessed February 6, 2023.

SafeWise, "2022 State of Safety survey." Accessed February 6, 2023.

Gun Violence Archive, "General Methodology." Accessed February 6, 2023.

Gun Violence Archive, "Past Summary Ledgers." Accessed January 3, 2023.

Gun Violence Archive, "Congress."

  • 2022 totals: Accessed January 3, 2023.
  • 2021 and 2020 totals: Accessed December 19, 2022.
Cathy Habas
Written by
Cathy Habas
With over eight years of experience as a content writer, Cathy has a knack for untangling complex information. Her natural curiosity and ability to empathize help Cathy offer insightful, friendly advice. She believes in empowering readers who may not feel confident about a purchase, project, or topic. Cathy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Indiana University Southeast and began her professional writing career immediately after graduation. She is a certified Safe Sleep Ambassador and has contributed to sites like Safety.com, Reviews.com, Hunker, and Thumbtack. Cathy’s pride and joy is her Appaloosa “Chacos.” She also likes to crochet while watching stand-up comedy specials on Netflix.

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