Georgia is a southern state on the Atlantic coast and is bordered by Florida, Tennessee, and the Carolinas.
With a population of 10.8 million, the Peach state is a diverse mixture of beaches, farmland, cities, and rural areas.
The state is one of the original 13 colonial colonies and joined the Confederacy in 1861.
Soon after, it became a major theater in the Civil War, which ended with large portions of Atlanta and Savannah being burned to the ground.
Several celebrities hail from Georgia, including President Jimmy Carter, Little Richard, Ray Charles, and Ryan Seacrest.
Many companies are headquartered in the state, including Coca-Cola, Home Depot, and UPS.
Georgia is a major producer of agricultural products like peanuts, soybeans, and corn.
Clay and stone mining are also profitable in the area.
Over the past several years, Georgia has become known as the “Hollywood of the South”, as many production companies choose to work there because it’s cheaper.
Tyler Perry bought a former military fort outside of Atlanta and built a $500 million studio.
He films all of his productions on this site.
Over the course of a year, Georgia’s violent crime rate rose an alarming 17.4%.
There were 400 violent crimes reported for every 100,000 residents.
This landed Georgia in the number 22 spot for most dangerous states in the country.
Statewide, there were a total of 43,539 violent crimes and 188,906 property crimes.
The chances of being a victim of crime in Georgia are 1 in 57.
In some parts of Georgia, this rate is much higher.
There are some very dangerous cities in the Peach state.
Read on for 10 of them.
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10 Most Dangerous Cities In Georgia
10. Waynesboro, Georgia
With a population of 5,566, Waynesboro has a poverty rate of 42%.
It’s the site of a civil war battle and is a great place for birdwatching, fishing, hunting, and hiking.
The town is safer than 5% of other cities its size.
Last year there were 28 violent crimes (4 per 1,000 people) and 200 property crimes (35 per 1,000 people.)
9. Clarkston, Georgia
With its population of 12,335, Time magazine once called Clarkston the “most diverse square mile in America.”
Starting as a whistle-stop on the railroad line, the town has turned into a mix of business, industry, and healthcare.
It is known for welcoming refugees from all over the world.
Statically, Clarkston is safer than 18% of other cities its size.
Last year there were 83 violent crimes and 461 property crimes.
The chances of being a victim of prompt time are 1 in 53.
8. Warner Robins, Georgia
With a population of 74,419, Warner Robins is the county seat of Houston County, Georgia.
It started as a small farming community and has grown into a center of business and commerce for the county.
According to statistics, it’s safer than 4% of cities its size.
Last year, there were 506 violent crimes (6.2 per 1,000 residents) and 4,111 property crimes (38.5 per 1,000 residents).
This included 6 murders, 31 sexual assaults, 314 aggravated assaults, and 143 robberies.
The chances of being a victim of violent crime in Warner Robins is 1 in 161 and property crime is 1 in 26.
7. Bainbridge, Georgia
With a population of 12,473, Bainbridge is called the “Bass capital of Georgia.”
It has a large number of outdoor activities, like camping, hiking, and fishing.
The town lies along the Flint River near the Florida border.
Bainbridge manufactures fabrics, yarn, and carpets.
They have the largest inland port in the state that ships chemicals and minerals.
Bainbridge is safer than only 3% of cities its size.
The rate of crime is 45 per 1,000 residents.
The chance of being a victim of a crime is 1 in 22.
Last year, there were 90 violent crimes and 558 property crimes.
6. Douglasville, Georgia
Located 20 miles west of Atlanta, Douglasville is the county seat of Douglas county and has a population of 33,287.
The town has a historic downtown with many shops and eateries.
It’s often used as a backdrop for the film industry with shows like Stranger Things filming there.
The top employers in the town are Walmart, Kroger, and The American Red Cross.
Douglasville is rated as being safer than 2% of cities its size.
Last year, there were a total of 2,326 crimes.
Property crimes constituted 2,092 of them, while violent crimes totaled 234.
The chances of being a victim of violent crime are 1 in 22.
5. Forest Park, Georgia
Once just a “wood and water” stop on the western railroad, Douglasville now has a nice population of 19,570.
Located just 9 miles from Atlanta, it has 30% of its residents living below the poverty level.
Crime in the town occurs at the rate of 59 per 1,000 residents.
The chances of being the victim of a crime are 1 in 17.
Forest Park is only 1% safer than other cities its size.
Last year, there were 4 murders, 20 sexual assaults, 72 robberies, and 1,066 property crimes.
4. Americus, Georgia
Located in central Georgia, Americus is the county seat for Sumter county and has a population of 15,838.
It’s the International headquarters for Habitat for Humanity, The Rosalyn Carter Institute for Caregivers, and the iconic Windsor hotel.
It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its many antebellum and Victorian structures.
According to statistics, Americus is only 2% safer than other cities its size.
Last year, there were a total of 1,289 crimes, including 6 murders, 45 robberies, and 120 aggravated assaults.
The chances of being a victim of crime in Americus are 1 in 26.
3. Morrow, Georgia
Morrow has a population of 7,500 and is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area.
It’s home to Clayton State University, Reynold’s nature preserve, and Spivey Hall (a state-of-the-art performing arts facility).
There are 80 crimes per 1,000 residents in town.
Last year, there were 60 violent crimes and 709 property crimes.
The chances of becoming a victim of violent crime in Albany are 1 in 46 and 1 in 14 for property crime.
2. Albany, Georgia
Albany has a population of 74,330 and has one of the lowest cost of living rates in the state.
The city also has an abysmal poverty rate of 40%.
Miller Brewing Company and Proctor and Gamble are headquartered here.
Based on its size and the amount of crime, Albany is listed as the 34th most violent city in the country.
60 crimes occur for every 1,000 people in the town.
Last year, there were a total of 4,493 crimes, including 16 murders, 28 sexual assaults, 204 robberies, and 625 aggravated assaults.
The chances of becoming a victim of crime in Albany are 1 in 17.
1. College Park, Georgia
A population of only 14,724, but almost 1,700 crimes last year is what makes College Park the most dangerous city in Georgia.
The poverty rate in College Park is an astounding 35.7%, which surely lends to the crime rate.
It does have good points, such as being listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, home to The Gateway National Arena, and Chick-Fil-A is headquartered there as well.
The prestigious college preparatory school, The Woodward Academy, is in College Park.
The town is also home to rappers 2 Chainz and Ludacris.
Sadly, when compared to other cities, its size, it’s the least safe of any of them.
There are 78 crimes per 1,000 people.
Last year, there were 278 violent crimes, including 6 murders,12 sexual assaults, and 130 robberies.
Property crimes totaled 1,405.
The chances of being a victim of crime in College Park is 1 in 18 for property crime.
5 Safety Tips For Traveling To Georgia
- Tourist areas and city centers are usually very safe. But don’t go too far off the main paths. Criminals often wait in out-of-the-way areas for people who are lost and confused.
- Park carefully. Keep the car in a well-lit, busy area. Make sure the car is locked and leave nothing inside.
- Do not wear expensive jewelry. Keep any you may be wearing, hidden from view.
- Avoid the dark. Do not go out after dark in high-crime areas if you don’t have to. If you must, go with a group and stay alert.
- Trust your instincts. If you feel a situation is not right, it’s probably not. Better safe than sorry!
Georgia Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Georgia Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
How safe is Georgia, really?
For the most part, Georgia is a very safe place. Most people are friendly and happy to help.
As with any other place, there are places that are best avoided at night, or just altogether.
But if you use common sense and an ounce of precaution, you’ll be safe in Georgia.
How hot does Georgia get?
Georgia can be extremely hot for a good portion of the year.
Be sure to take plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat wherever you go.
What should I do if I breakdown on the road?
If it’s a country road, stay in your car and call for help.
Do not leave the vehicle or flag down strangers.
I saw an article of 10 most dangerous cities in United States. Columbus Georgia was one of them. How can it then not be top ten most dangerous cities in Georgia?
Cover up, because of all the big business there. It’s unquestionably one of the most dangerous cities in Georgia. I ought to know I lived there 28 years and watched it skyrocket. Only Macon and Albany are worse.
And where is douglas ga at in all this
Not sure how other school systems do it, but the violent crime to me seems like it stems from a 0 toleration policy at all high school to send each kid 17 or over to jail for fights, hardly mattered the size of the fight or causes.
College Park is not dangerous been here all my life, you have People Not from College Park coming here, Airport Ruin our town, then they start tearing other apartments down then they start coming to College Park, You can Write Story about College Park But have you been here talk to Older People they will tell you our History… I Can’t tell you Much about Old National Hwy.
Albany Georgia has become a dangerous place to live. Before I moved 10 years ago it was already getting bad. Now from family and friends still there it’s no better. People just vanishing with no trace, people dying from overdoses daily. I remember when we could walk downtown with no problem before I moved we couldn’t and fear if something would happen
Well i am not from Atlanta Or College Park ,How ever i have lived there From 1998 to 20022 and i have seen a drastic change for the worst.
Seeing the list of the most dangerous cities in Georgia is eye-opening. It’s a reminder that safety should be a priority, and it’s essential to stay informed before planning any visit.
This post highlights the challenges some cities in Georgia face. It’s a sobering reminder to be aware of your surroundings and make well-informed decisions while traveling.
Acknowledging the safety issues in some Georgia cities is important for travelers. It reinforces the need to research destinations thoroughly and be mindful of potential risks.