Buckhead is one of Atlanta’s most coveted neighborhoods due to its multimillion-dollar mansions and low crime rate. The Buckhead crime rate is among the lowest in Atlanta and considerably lower than the rest of the country. Zone 2, the police district that covers Buckhead, has the lowest rate of violent crime in the entire city, and the majority of crime that does occur is auto theft and other property crime. So, if you are considering a move to this peaceful north Atlanta neighborhood, here is a look at the crime rate in Buckhead.
Understanding the Buckhead Crime Rate – How Crime Rates Are Calculated
Before unpacking Buckhead crime statistics, it’s crucial to understand how crime rates are calculated. Crime rates are based on data obtained from local law enforcement agencies and compiled by the FBI. When a crime is reported, the local precinct will collect data on the offense, then send all that information to the FBI, which will analyze it and publish it in an annual report.
Crime rates are divided into two categories, violent crime, and property crime. Violent crime refers to offenses where the victim is threatened or harmed by violence, including assault, battery, robbery, rape and sexual assault, murder, and manslaughter. Property crime refers to offenses where a victim’s property is stolen or destroyed, including theft, motor vehicle theft, robbery, shoplifting, arson, and vandalism.
Although crime rates can be a good tool for understanding the general amount of illegal activity in an area, they are not a perfect metric. Even the FBI discourages anyone from using crime stats to compare one area to another because there are many reasons why statistics may differ from place to place, and they do not tell the full story of the crime in an area.
Crime rates reflect the crime that’s reported or discovered by police, which only accounts for a portion of the overall criminal activity. Plus, police departments may have different methods for categorizing crimes or may be tougher on certain offenses and laxer on others. Crime stats also do not include all offenses, and shootings and other attempted crimes often aren’t counted. Therefore, context is needed to make sense of crime stats because they may need to be more accurate when analyzed with the full story.
For instance, violent crime in Atlanta has increased slightly since 2018. But before 2018, it was down by almost 50% since 2009 and has only increased by a small margin. So, if you only looked at the chart from 2018 onward, you may think crime is skyrocketing, when in reality, it’s increased slightly after years of substantial decline.
Therefore, simply reading crime stats is insufficient to determine whether Buckhead is safe. But exploring the crime stats and providing more context to the numbers can be useful for understanding the crime in an area.
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What Is the Buckhead Crime Rate?
The Buchead crime rate is 1,773 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is very low for a major city. The national average is 2,346 per 100,000 residents, which is 70% higher. The violent crime rate in Buckhead is 295 per 100,000 residents, and the rate of property crime is 1,478 per 100,000 residents. Both these stats are also 70% lower than the national average. The Georgia crime rate is 2408 per 100,000 residents, which is also considerably higher than in Buckhead.
Buckhead Crime Map & Crime Reports
Crime maps can be a valuable tool for understanding the context of Buckhead crime reports. The Atlanta police department has a live crime map on its website that shows all the crimes that have been reported in the city on an interactive map.
When someone reports a crime in the city, police upload the details to their system, and it will appear on the crime map in the location where it occurred. You can set the map to show crimes that occurred today, this past month, or year. You can also sort by the type of crime, filter out different neighborhoods and select different police beats. At the bottom, you can also find more details about the crime, such as when it occurred, the official charge, and the report number. This Buckhead crime map is great for understanding where and what types of crimes occur in the neighborhood while they happen in real-time.
Violent Crime in Buckhead
The Buckhead violent crime rate is very low, with only 295 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is 70% lower than the national average. Violent crimes are the lowest in the city in Atlanta’s Zone 2, which covers Buckhead, West Midleton, Lennox Park, and Piedmont Heights. In 2021, there were 11 murders in Buckhead, 29 reported rapes, 223 aggravated assaults, and 98 robberies. According to Atlanta’s 11AliveNews, these numbers decreased across the board in 2022, with murders down by 9%, rape down by 24%, aggravated assault down by 5%, and robbery down by 9%. So not only is Buckhead a very safe area, crime continues to decrease.
The Lenox Mall in Buckhead also tends to attract a fair amount of crime because residents come from all over the city to shop there. From 2020 to 2021, there was an increase in the number of shootings at Lenox Mall, prompting police to take increased security measures to curb the violence, including more surveillance cameras and K9 units on site. Since then, the shootings have stopped, and the crime rate is down in the area.
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Property Crime in Buckhead
The main issue in Buckhead is property crime. However, even that is low compared to the citywide and national average. The property crime rate is 1,478 instances per 100,000 people, which is also 70% lower than the national average and about 70.7% lower than the Georgia property crime rate. According to the Zone 2 section commander, Major Aileen Mitchel, about 40% of crime in Buckhead is vehicle break-ins, and another 10% is vehicle theft.
However, 11Alive News also reported a decrease in property crime. Breaking and entering cases went from 252 in 2021 to 238 in 2022, a 6% decrease, while theft from vehicles went from 1631 to 1375, a 16% decrease. Motor vehicle theft also dropped off from about 572 to 438, a 23% decrease. So, as long as you make sure to lock your doors and keep your vehicles in a safe area, Buckhead is not dangerous.
Safest Neighborhoods in Buckhead
Buckhead is known for its affluent communities and million-dollar mansions, in plenty of safe, quiet neighborhoods. Here are a few of the safest neighborhoods in Buckhead.
Brookhaven
- Population: 2,335
- Crime: There are 1,643 crimes for every 100,000 residents.
Brookhaven is a historic neighborhood within the Buckhead community that features one of the lowest crime rates in the city. The Capital City Club country club anchors the neighborhood and is surrounded by beautiful homes designed by famous Atlanta-based architects.
North Buckhead
- Population: 8,340
- Crime: North Buckhead’s annual crime rate is 4,025 incidents per 1,000 people.
North Buckhead is a community at the northern edge of the Atlanta metro area and one of the wealthiest in the city. Despite being the fourth largest neighborhood in Atlanta, it also has some of the least crime and is well known for its upscale shopping and entertainment venues.
Chastain Park
- Population: 2,458
- Crime: This area’s crime rate is 26% lower than Atlanta’s average.
Chastain Park is another wealthy enclave within the Buckhead neighborhood, known for its expensive homes and low crime. It’s famous for its eponymous park in the heart of the community, which features a golf course, amphitheater, playground, walking trails, and more.
Buckhead Safety Tips – How to Avoid Crime in Buckhead
- Lock your doors and make sure to park vehicles in a safe, well-lit area
- Avoid city parks after dark
- Be on alert for pickpockets and thieves when visiting Lenox Mall
- Exercise caution when visiting other parts of the city, as Atlanta has rougher areas that are not as safe as Buckhead
- Install an alarm system to prevent break-ins
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Buckhead Police Department
Buckhead is located within Zone 2 of the Atlanta Police Department, which is led by Commander Aileen Mitchell. The APD has more than 2000 sworn officers, making it the largest law enforcement agency in Georgia. The department also employs over 200 civilian employees. The history of the APD dates back to 1837 when a railroad surveyor marked the future site of Atlanta. The first night police were elected in 1853, and there were a total of 20 officers on the force by 1858. Today, the APD is one of the largest and most respected police forces in the South, and in 2017 they were awarded National CALEA Accreditation for the fifth consecutive year.
The Zone 2 Police station is located in the heart of Buckhead at 3120 Maple Dr. N.E. Atlanta, Georgia. You can also call them at (404) 848-7231 and find police reports and crime data on their website.
Buckhead Crime Rate FAQ
Is Buckhead safe?
Yes, Buckhead is a very safe neighborhood and has one of the lowest crime rates in the city of Atlanta, which already has a relatively low crime rate for a major metro area.
What are the bad areas of Buckhead?
Buckhead is an affluent neighborhood, and most places you go will be safe. However, crime tends to concentrate around the public parks and Lenox Mall, so be aware when in those areas.
Is Buckhead safer than Sandy Springs?
The Sandy Springs crime rate is 1,657 per 100,000 residents, which means it’s slightly safer than Buckhead but not by a significant margin.
Ready to move to this upscale suburb of Atlanta? Trust Wirks Moving and Storage to help make your journey easy and stress free. Call 404-635-6683 or fill out the form on our website to request a free quote.
