Updated September 10, 2026
How much housing does Atlanta have?
The Census counts 259,122 housing units in Atlanta for a population of about 499,287 — roughly 1.9 people for every housing unit.
That is the largest of the four Georgia cities with a page here; the next, Columbus, counts 91,288.
Who arranges chimney work on an Atlanta home?
About 46.3% of occupied Atlanta homes are owner-occupied, which leaves about 53.7% rented.
With 53.7% of occupied Atlanta homes rented, the person who notices the smell, the stain or the smoke is more often than not a tenant, and the person who authorizes a repair is someone else. Say which you are when you send a request, so the findings reach whoever has to act on them.
Tenure also decides who keeps the paperwork. An Atlanta chimney's earlier reports follow the property, not the occupant, so ask for them whichever side of that 46.3% you are on.
Which cities near Atlanta have their own page here?
Macon, about 78 miles away, Columbus, about 90 miles away, and Augusta, about 138 miles away — measured from Atlanta.
Those are great-circle distances between the Census 2023 Gazetteer interior points of each place, so the drive is longer than the figure.
Macon's median build year is 1976 against Atlanta's 1987, an 11-year difference in the housing the two chimneys belong to.
What you can observe safely
- Keep the fireplace closed if it can remain closed without touching wildlife.
- Record when sounds occur from a safe distance.
What to avoid
- Do not climb onto the roof or enter the chimney.
- Do not alter gas components, venting, or safety controls.
- Do not use a test fire to diagnose the problem.
Possible causes to assess
- Wildlife entry
- Nesting or other obstruction
- Missing or damaged termination
A symptom cannot establish the cause remotely. An assessment of the complete system helps determine the appropriate repair.
Animal and nest removal in AtlantaA few common questions
Can this be diagnosed from a photo?
A photo can document a symptom and help prepare a visit. It cannot confirm concealed conditions or establish that a chimney or fuel-burning appliance is safe.