Some Parts of Atlanta are to be avoided. We travel through there a couple of times a year. We avoid staying there if possible.
I live in the north woods.
As with all cities certain parts are not safe
Gwinnett County is not part of Atlanta, but in the suburbs. Although I agree about avoiding staying in Atlanta itself. The nice hotels are egregiously expensive like all major metro area hotels and the cheaper lodgings in the city itself are usually in places that you wouldn't want to stay. Staying at models off the interstates outside the perimeter is usually safe enough.