Is Perkerson safe?
Atlanta, Georgia · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Perkerson as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Perkerson
“Go with care. Perkerson is a quiet, tree-lined residential neighborhood anchored by a large, well-regarded public park, but property crime and sporadic violent crime in the surrounding Southwest Atlanta corridors require heightened awareness. Daytime visits to the park and disc golf course are generally pleasant, but exploring the commercial fringes after dark is not advised.”
City initiatives and park upgrades have improved recreation spaces in Perkerson, though police continue targeted patrols along nearby Metropolitan Parkway due to recurring property and commercial crime.
About the area
Perkerson is a classic Southwest Atlanta neighborhood characterized by mid-century brick ranch homes, sprawling green spaces, and mature tree canopy. The focal point of the community is Perkerson Park, a 50-acre regional park popular for outdoor recreation and disc golf.
- Residential
- Wooded / Leafy
- Park-Centric
- Working-Class
Walking and biking in Perkerson
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 48/100
The interior of Perkerson Park features paved multi-use paths, but dedicated on-street bike lanes are sparse on surrounding streets; the area is about 2 miles south of the Atlanta BeltLine Southside Trail corridor.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Perkerson Park offers 50 acres of well-maintained recreational space, including an acclaimed 18-hole disc golf course
- Strong neighborhood community association advocating for infrastructure and safety improvements
- Affordable, established single-family housing stock with mature tree-lined streets
Cons
- Above-average rates of property crime, vehicular break-ins, and local larceny compared to national figures
- Commercial corridors along Metropolitan Parkway experience occasional violent crime and loitering
- Higher poverty rate and lower median household income relative to metro Atlanta averages
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is low within the interior residential streets of Perkerson, though occasional individuals experiencing homelessness and panhandling are observed along the commercial stretches of Metropolitan Parkway.
What Perkerson is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with dog walkers, joggers, and early-morning disc golfers utilizing Perkerson Park.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Generally calm throughout the residential streets and bustling with families and park visitors in good weather.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet in the interior residential blocks, but vigilance is recommended near transit stops and major thoroughfares.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets become deserted with limited lighting, and walking alone is not recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
MARTA provides public transit access via Bus Route 95 along Metropolitan Parkway and Route 79 along Sylvan Road, connecting north to the Lakewood/Fort McPherson and Oakland City rail stations about 1.5 miles away.
Free and ample street parking is available along residential streets, and Perkerson Park offers a dedicated free paved parking lot for park visitors.
Things to do in Perkerson
- Play a round on the premier 18-hole Perkerson Park Disc Golf Course
- Walk along the park's paved multi-use trails and cross the pedestrian bridges over Utoy Creek
- Visit the Perkerson Park splash pad, sports fields, and public art installations
Local favorites
- Greens & Gravy Kitchen · Soul Food Restaurant · 4.4★ (820)Celebrated neighborhood-adjacent eatery serving elevated Southern comfort staples and scratch-made sides.
- Fishbone Seafood · Seafood Restaurant · 4.1★ (310)Casual nearby spot serving classic fried and grilled seafood platters, po' boys, and hush puppies.
- Community Grounds Cafe · Coffee Shop · 4.7★ (460)Nearby community-minded cafe serving specialty espresso, light breakfast fare, and baked goods.
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.