So, you’re looking into who is Atlanta Georgia’s mayor right now? Honestly, the answer is a lot more interesting than just a name on a ballot. As of early 2026, Andre Dickens is the man in the big chair at City Hall. He’s currently serving his second term, having just been sworn in again on January 5, 2026, following a pretty decisive victory in the November 2025 election.
If you live in the ATL or you're just passing through, you’ve probably seen his face on the news or noticed the "Moving Atlanta Forward" signs scattered around construction sites. Dickens isn’t just some career politician who appeared out of nowhere. He’s a native son. He grew up in the Adamsville neighborhood and graduated from Mays High School before heading off to Georgia Tech. That "local boy" energy is basically his entire brand.
The 61st Mayor: Who Is Andre Dickens?
Before he became the mayor of Atlanta Georgia, Dickens spent eight years on the City Council. He was that guy who was always pushing for things like the Department of Transportation and the $15 minimum wage for city workers.
He’s a chemical engineer by trade. That’s kinda rare in politics, right? Usually, it's all lawyers. But Dickens often talks about solving city problems like an engineering project. He calls Atlanta a "group project," which sounds a bit like something a middle school teacher would say, but he actually means it. He’s spent the last few years trying to get the business community, the nonprofits, and the neighborhood activists to stop shouting at each other and start working together.
- Background: Georgia Tech Alum (Chemical Engineering).
- Previous Gig: Chief Development Officer at TechBridge.
- Political Path: Atlanta City Council (Post 3 At-Large) from 2014 to 2021.
- Current Status: Started his second term in January 2026.
Why People Are Talking About Him Right Now
You can't talk about who is Atlanta Georgia’s mayor without mentioning the drama. It hasn't been all ribbons and gold shovels. The biggest headache for his administration has definitely been the Public Safety Training Center—or what protesters call "Cop City."
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It’s been a massive flashpoint. On one hand, Dickens argues that the police and fire departments desperately need a modern facility to keep the city safe. On the other hand, activists have been furious about the environmental impact on the Weelaunee Forest and what they see as the over-militarization of police. It got intense. There were protests, arrests, and a whole lot of national media attention. Dickens stuck to his guns on it, though, which gained him some fans in the business world and some serious enemies on the far left.
The "One Safe City" Plan
Crime is usually the #1 thing people care about when they ask about the mayor. Dickens launched this "One Safe City" initiative that basically tries to tackle crime from two angles.
- The Hard Stuff: More cameras (the Connect Atlanta system), a new "Nightlife Division" to crack down on clubs where shootings keep happening, and better pay for cops.
- The Soft Stuff: This is where his "Year of the Youth" comes in. He’s obsessed with getting kids off the streets and into jobs. He literally expanded the "Midnight Basketball" league because, hey, if you’re on the court, you’re probably not getting into trouble elsewhere.
Surprisingly, it seems to be moving the needle. Homicide rates in Atlanta saw a significant dip—about 21% in 2023—and that downward trend has mostly continued into 2026.
The Buckhead Breakup That Never Happened
A couple of years ago, there was this massive movement for Buckhead (the wealthy northern part of the city) to secede and form its own city. It was a huge deal. If Buckhead had left, Atlanta would have lost a giant chunk of its tax base.
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Dickens basically spent his first year in office on a "charm offensive." He spent a ton of time in Buckhead, opened a police precinct there, and worked the halls of the State Capitol to kill the de-annexation bill. He won. For now, the city is still whole, and he’s credited with being the "unifier" who kept the divorce from happening.
Housing and the $3 Billion Budget
If you’ve tried to rent or buy a house in Atlanta lately, you know it’s a nightmare. It’s expensive. Dickens set a goal to build or preserve 20,000 units of affordable housing by 2030.
He’s been doing some pretty creative stuff to get there. Have you seen "The Melody"? It’s a housing project made out of repurposed shipping containers for people experiencing homelessness. It was built in like four months. It's named after Melody Bloodworth, a woman who died on the streets, and it’s become a bit of a national model for how to move fast on the housing crisis.
For the 2026 fiscal year, the city is working with a massive budget—we're talking over $3 billion for the operating plan. Because the city has a AAA bond rating (the best you can get), they’ve been able to pour money into:
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- Infrastructure: Fixing those infamous Atlanta potholes through the "Pothole Posse."
- Public Transit: Trying to make MARTA and the BeltLine actually connect to where people live.
- Energy: Moving toward the goal of 100% clean energy.
What to Expect Next
Now that Dickens has secured his second term, he’s looking at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Atlanta is a host city, and it’s going to be a logistical circus. The mayor is basically the face of the city for the world stage during that time.
Expect him to double down on the BeltLine expansion and try to finish more of the "Moving Atlanta Forward" infrastructure projects before the world arrives. He’s also likely to face continued pressure on "Cop City" as the facility actually opens up and starts operating.
Actionable Takeaways for Residents
If you want to actually engage with the Mayor’s office instead of just knowing who he is, here’s how things work in Atlanta:
- Use ATL311: If there’s a pothole or a streetlight out, don’t just tweet about it. The 311 system is actually tracked by the Mayor’s "Pothole Posse" and is the fastest way to get things fixed.
- Join your NPU: Atlanta is divided into Neighborhood Planning Units (NPUs). This is where the real power is. If a developer wants to put a giant building next to your house, the NPU is where you go to fight it (or support it).
- Watch the Council: The City Council meets on Mondays. If you want to see how Dickens’ agenda is being challenged or supported, the Council meetings are where the real "sausage-making" happens.
Andre Dickens has a lot on his plate for 2026. Between hosting the World Cup, managing the housing crisis, and keeping the peace between different factions of the city, he’s going to be busy. Whether you like his policies or not, he's the guy steering the ship through one of the most transformative decades in Atlanta's history.
To stay updated on his latest executive orders or to see the progress of the housing projects in your specific neighborhood, you can check the official City of Atlanta website or follow the Mayor's office on social media for real-time announcements on town halls and community "Clean Up" days.