Is Piedmont Heights safe?
Atlanta, Georgia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Piedmont Heights as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Piedmont Heights
“Go. Piedmont Heights is one of Atlanta's safest and most charming residential enclaves, offering a peaceful, tree-lined setting just minutes from Midtown and Buckhead. Visitors will encounter minimal violent crime, though routine urban precautions against opportunistic vehicle break-ins along commercial perimeter roads are advised.”
Recent infrastructure developments have focused on paving and connecting the Atlanta BeltLine Northeast Trail segments bordering the neighborhood.
About the area
Piedmont Heights is a historic, affluent neighborhood characterized by mid-century brick homes, lush canopy streets, and immediate access to the Atlanta BeltLine's Northeast Trail. It bridges the gap between bustling Midtown corridors and residential tranquility, offering a quiet respite adjacent to diverse dining and shopping along Piedmont Avenue.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Family-Friendly
- Quiet Residential
- BeltLine Adjacent
Walking and biking in Piedmont Heights
Walk score: 62/100 · Bike score: 58/100
The neighborhood has convenient entry points to the Atlanta BeltLine Northeast Trail, though dedicated on-street bike lanes on surrounding major corridors are limited.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are exceptionally low and well below the broader Atlanta metropolitan average
- High median household income exceeding $120,000 paired with well-maintained single-family properties and high owner occupancy
- Direct neighborhood connection to the expanding Atlanta BeltLine Northeast Trail network
Cons
- Property crime, specifically vehicle break-ins, occasionally occurs around commercial borders and retail parking lots
- Hilly interior topography and intermittent sidewalk coverage can make some side streets difficult for pedestrians
- Bordered by heavy-traffic thoroughfares including Piedmont Avenue and interstate connectors that produce traffic noise
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is virtually nonexistent in the interior residential blocks, though individuals experiencing homelessness may occasionally be seen near major arterial intersections along Piedmont Avenue and freeway underpasses.
What Piedmont Heights is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and serene, with neighbors walking dogs and joggers navigating the hills with no safety concerns.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Vibrant and safe, with mild neighborhood foot traffic and steady activity around local cafes.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and comfortable for strolls or dining, though tree-shaded residential side streets can be dimly lit.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and sleepy with minimal pedestrian activity; the residential core remains secure, though caution is wise around commercial parking lots.
Transit, parking and getting around
MARTA serves the area via bus routes 27 and 809 along Piedmont Avenue, with the nearest rail station, Lindbergh Center (Red/Gold lines), located approximately 1.5 miles north.
Residential street parking is readily available and generally free, while local businesses along Piedmont Avenue typically provide dedicated free or customer-only surface parking.
Things to do in Piedmont Heights
- Walk, run, or cycle along the Atlanta BeltLine Northeast Trail
- Relax with family or pets at Gotham Way Park, a tucked-away neighborhood green space
- Sample local eats along the vibrant Piedmont Avenue and Cheshire Bridge dining corridors
Local favorites
- Grindhouse Killer Burgers · Burger Joint · 4.5★ (3250)A popular, retro-styled burger eatery featuring custom burgers, boozy milkshakes, and a spacious patio.
- Daily Chew · Cafe & Bakery · 4.7★ (680)A bright neighborhood gathering place serving artisan espresso, fresh pastries, and wholesome Middle Eastern-inspired bowls.
- Fat Matt's Rib Shack · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.4★ (4850)An iconic, laid-back venue famous for slow-smoked ribs, savory sides, and nightly live blues music.
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.