Latest Crime Statistics in Georgia

Crime statistics in Georgia paint an interesting picture. While violent crime rates are below the national average, property crime remains an issue in many parts of the state. Let’s take a closer look at the numbers.

Violent Crime Rate

Georgia’s violent crime rate of 394 incidents per 100,000 residents is slightly lower then the national rate of 400 per 100,000 (Source: Vivint). The most common violent crimes in Georgia are:

• Aggravated assault – 242 per 100,000
• Robbery – 38 per 100,000
• Rape – 29 per 100,000
• Murder – 7 per 100,000

While concerning, these numbers are well below other states like New Mexico (1,069 per 100,000) and Alaska (885 per 100,000) (Source: USA Today). Georgia seems to be doing better then many states when it comes to violent crime.

Property Crime Rate

However, property crime is a different story. Georgia has a property crime rate of 1,742 per 100,000, compared to the national average of 1,958 per 100,000 (Source: Vivint). The most common property crimes are:

• Larceny – 1,066 per 100,000
• Burglary – 179 per 100,000
• Motor vehicle theft – 173 per 100,000

While lower then the national rate, property crime remains a persistent issue in Georgia. Certain cities like Atlanta, Columbus, Augusta and Savannah have particularly high property crime rates (Source: Neighborhood Scout).

Crime by County

Crime rates can vary significantly by county in Georgia. According to crime data, some of the counties with the highest crime rates per 100,000 residents are (Source: ArcGIS):

• Peach County – 215.56
• Dekalb County – 80.85
• Pierce County – 70.3
• Crisp County – 43.28
• Clay County – 39.47

Meanwhile, some of the lowest crime rates are found in counties like (Source: ArcGIS):

• Long County – 4.59
• Baker County – 5.04
• Atkinson County – 6.38
• Echols County – 8.26
• Chattahoochee County – 8.26

As you can see, crime rates can vary drastically depending on which part of Georgia your in. It’s important to look at county-level data when evaluating crime rates.

Recent Crime Trends

Georgia has experienced an overall decline in crime rates over the past few decades. Between 1990 and 2019, the crime rate declined from 5.72 to 2.04 per 100,000 residents (Source: MacroTrends).

However, in recent years crime has started to tick back up in Georgia and nationally. From 2016 to 2017, Georgia’s crime rate jumped 133% (Source: MacroTrends). Experts cite the pandemic, civil unrest, and loss of confidence in police as potential factors in this trend.

It remains to be seen if crime rates will return to pre-2016 levels or if this represents a new normal. Police departments around Georgia will need to closely monitor crime patterns and adjust their strategies accordingly.

Crime in Major Cities

Georgia’s major cities tend to have higher crime rates then suburban and rural areas. Here’s a look at recent crime trends in Georgia’s 5 biggest cities:

Atlanta

Atlanta has struggled with high crime rates for decades. The city has a violent crime rate of 1,415 per 100,000 and property crime rate of 5,809 per 100,000 (Source: Neighborhood Scout). However, Atlanta has seen declines in violent crime, robberies and burglaries since 2019.

Columbus

Columbus has a violent crime rate of 648 per 100,000 and property crime rate of 5,904 per 100,000 (Source: Neighborhood Scout). While still high, 2021 saw a 5% drop in overall crime from 2020 levels.

Augusta

Augusta has a violent crime rate of 602 per 100,000 and property crime rate of 3,589 per 100,000 (Source: Neighborhood Scout). Violent crime has risen in Augusta the past few years, while property crime has declined.

Savannah

Savannah has a violent crime rate of 602 per 100,000 and property crime rate of 3,589 per 100,000 (Source: Neighborhood Scout). After a spike in 2020, violent crime dropped 11% in 2021. But property crime rose slightly.

Macon

Macon has a violent crime rate of 1,113 per 100,000 and property crime rate of 6,612 per 100,000 (Source: Neighborhood Scout). Macon has struggled with gun violence and gang activity. But 2021 saw reductions in rape, robbery and assault.

The Path Forward

While Georgia has made progress reducing crime, rates are still too high in many communities. Continued investments in education, job training and youth programs can help address root causes.

Police departments need to focus resources on high-crime areas and property crimes like burglary and theft that affect so many. Improved community relations and smarter policing strategies are also key.

Citizens can help by reporting crimes, testifying in court and demanding action from local leaders. Neighborhood watch groups and community cleanups also make a difference. It will take a comprehensive effort to create a Georgia where all citizens feel safe.