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C+

Is Decatur, Georgia Safe?

Population 25,276 · Safer than 43% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 25,276, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Decatur earns a C+ with violent crime below the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,385 per 100K.

Decatur Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricDecaturGeorgia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate263.5320.3363.8
Property Crime Rate1687.12019.41,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate190.0--268.2
Theft Rate1385.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate196.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyC+

195.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

264/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC+

1687/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Decatur

Violent crime in Decatur is below the national average. The rate of 263.5 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1687.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,385 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Decatur Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault190
071% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery60
095% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary212
079% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,385
099% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft196
062% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Decatur Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Decatur
263.5
State
320.3
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Decatur
1687.1
State
2019.4
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Decatur Safety

Is Decatur safe?
It depends on where in Decatur you are. The city gets a C+ overall, with violent crime below the national average and property crime close to the national average. Some areas are safer than others.
What is the crime rate in Decatur?
195.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 263.5 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1687.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Decatur safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Decatur has a C+ grade, so it's not the safest destination, but tourist areas generally see less violent crime than the citywide average suggests.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Decatur?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Decatur generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Decatur police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Decatur?
Crime rates have held steady in Decatur, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C+ grade.
How does Decatur compare to other cities in Georgia?
Middle of the pack for Georgia. Decatur isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 44th percentile among Georgia cities.
How safe is Decatur to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Decatur?
Mixed. Violent crime is below the national average, and property crime is close to the national average. It's not great, but it's not the worst either, landing at the 43th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Decatur?
263.5 per 100,000, which is 28% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (190), robbery (60), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

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View all Georgia city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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