Decatur, GA Crime Rate & Safety

Decatur, GA has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 20% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 297 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 51 chance for property crime. Decatur has lower crime than 49% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Decatur is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. Approximately 91% of the city's 22 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Columbia Theological Seminary is one of the safest areas, while Downtown Decatur has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Decatur is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Decatur are Columbia Theological Seminary, West Decatur, Winnona Park, Decatur Heights, and West Clairemont. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Decatur include Downtown Decatur, Clairmont Heights, Adair Park, Great Lake, and Oakhurst. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Decatur is 336.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 12% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 297 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.6 per 100K (27% below average); aggravated assault at 275.1 per 100K (3% above average); robbery at 37.6 per 100K (49% below average).

The estimated property crime rate in Decatur is 1,966.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 7% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 51 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 182.0 per 100K (33% below average); larceny/theft at 1,463.6 per 100K (4% above average); vehicle theft at 321.1 per 100K (1% above average).

Decatur's overall crime rate is 20% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (4% above average), while robbery is 49% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Decatur has lower crime than 49% of them.

Decatur is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 7% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Columbia Theological Seminary, West Decatur, Winnona Park.

Georgia as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. Decatur's crime rate is 20% below the national average, making it safer the typical Georgia city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Decatur, with an estimated rate of 1,463.6 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 4% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,967 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (336 per 100K) in Decatur, which is consistent with national trends.