Is Fairburn Mays safe?
Atlanta, Georgia · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Fairburn Mays as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Fairburn Mays
“Go with care. Fairburn Mays is primarily a residential community in Southwest Atlanta that offers quiet residential pockets but faces elevated crime rates in nearby commercial strips and apartment corridors. Visitors passing through or visiting friends should stay alert, secure vehicles, and avoid wandering on foot after dark.”
Local police patrols in Southwest Atlanta's Zone 1 and Zone 4 have maintained focus on curb-side property crime, vehicle break-ins, and occasional gun-related disturbances along major connector roads.
About the area
Fairburn Mays is a sprawling residential neighborhood located in Southwest Atlanta, framed by Benjamin E. Mays Drive, Fairburn Road, and Interstate 20. It consists mostly of mid-century brick ranch homes, local parks, and several apartment communities with tree-lined residential streets.
- Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet Pockets
- Suburban Feel
Walking and biking in Fairburn Mays
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 32/100
Bike lanes are very sparse along major roads, but the neighborhood offers access to the Lionel Hampton Trail, a multi-use path connecting toward the Atlanta BeltLine Southwest corridor.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Established residential fabric with long-term homeowners maintaining quiet interior streets
- Close highway access to Interstate 20 for convenient commutes into Downtown Atlanta
- Access to public green spaces like Lionel Hampton Park and nearby trail networks
Cons
- Property crime and vehicle larceny rates significantly higher than state and national averages
- Poverty rates hover above the metro average alongside pockets of aging multi-family housing
- Commercial corridors along Fairburn Road can feel desolate and raise safety concerns after dark
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is relatively low compared to central Atlanta, though occasional unhoused individuals or panhandlers may be seen near highway underpasses and strip mall parking lots along I-20 and Fairburn Road.
What Fairburn Mays is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Quiet and calm as residents commute to work, with standard safety for neighborhood walks.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Generally peaceful along interior residential streets, though caution is warranted near commercial strip malls.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity winds down and street lighting can be sparse, making driving preferable to walking.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Not recommended for foot travel due to increased risk of opportunistic property crime and isolated incidents.
Transit, parking and getting around
MARTA operates local bus routes like Route 73 and Route 165 connecting the area to the Hamilton E. Holmes rail station (Blue Line), roughly 2 to 3 miles away.
Parking is generally easy and free on residential streets or dedicated business surface lots, with no metered parking or paid garages.
Things to do in Fairburn Mays
- Walk or bike the paved pathways at the Lionel Hampton-Beecher Hills Park trail connection
- Enjoy youth sports and recreation facilities at the nearby Anderson Park
- Explore local African American heritage landmarks and historic Southwest Atlanta architecture
Local favorites
- JJ Fish & Chicken · Seafood & Fast Food · 4.1★ (460)Popular local counter-serve joint serving seasoned fried fish, crispy chicken wings, and fries.
- Dat Fire Jerk Hut · Jamaican Restaurant · 4.5★ (1150)Nearby Southwest Atlanta favorite offering authentic jerk chicken, curry goat, and plantains.
- Chamberlain's Neighborhood Food Market · Grocery & Convenience · 4.2★ (85)Longstanding neighborhood convenience store providing daily household staples and snacks.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.