Where is cdc located

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, at 1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329. Established on July 1, 1946, as the Communicable Disease Center, it operates under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services with over 21,000 employees across more than 60 countries.

Key Facts

Headquartered at 1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329
Founded on July 1, 1946 as the Communicable Disease Center
Operates under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Employs over 21,000 people worldwide
Has offices in more than 60 countries

Overview

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the national public health agency of the United States, operating under the Department of Health and Human Services. Founded on July 1, 1946, as the Communicable Disease Center, its original mission focused on malaria control in the southeastern U.S. Over decades, it has evolved into a global health leader, addressing everything from infectious diseases to chronic conditions and environmental health threats.

The CDC's headquarters is located at 1600 Clifton Road NE in Atlanta, Georgia, a strategic location chosen for its proximity to malaria-endemic areas in the 1940s. Today, this campus spans 15 acres and houses the agency's main administrative offices, research laboratories, and emergency operations center. The Atlanta location serves as the nerve center for coordinating the CDC's extensive network of domestic and international activities.

How It Works

The CDC operates through a complex organizational structure designed to address diverse public health challenges through surveillance, research, and response capabilities.

Organizational Structure: The CDC is organized into multiple centers, institutes, and offices, including the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Each center focuses on specific health areas while coordinating through the Office of the Director.
Global Network: Beyond its Atlanta headquarters, the CDC maintains a presence in more than 60 countries through country offices, regional centers, and collaborative agreements. This includes major facilities like the Global Health Security Agenda implementation units and the Division of Global Health Protection, which work with international partners to prevent disease outbreaks worldwide.
Emergency Operations: The CDC's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Atlanta serves as the command center during public health emergencies. Activated over 60 times since 2001 for events ranging from hurricanes to pandemics, the EOC coordinates response efforts across multiple agencies and jurisdictions using real-time data and expert analysis.
Research Facilities: The CDC operates Biosafety Level 4 laboratories at its Atlanta campus, among the most secure in the world for studying dangerous pathogens. These facilities enable research on viruses like Ebola and smallpox, contributing to vaccine development and outbreak preparedness through controlled environments with multiple containment systems.

Key Comparisons

Feature	CDC Headquarters (Atlanta)	Other Major Public Health Agencies
Primary Location	1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329	WHO: Geneva, Switzerland; NIH: Bethesda, Maryland
Year Established	1946 (as Communicable Disease Center)	WHO: 1948; NIH: 1887 (as Laboratory of Hygiene)
Employee Count	Over 21,000 total (including international)	WHO: ~8,000; NIH: ~20,000
Budget (Approx.)	$12.7 billion (FY 2023)	WHO: $6.7 billion (2022-23); NIH: $47.5 billion (2023)
Primary Focus	Public health protection and disease prevention	WHO: Global health coordination; NIH: Biomedical research

Why It Matters

Disease Prevention Impact: The CDC's work has led to significant public health achievements, including the eradication of smallpox in 1977 and near-elimination of polio in the Americas by 1994. Through vaccination programs, the agency estimates it prevents 2-3 million deaths annually from vaccine-preventable diseases in the U.S. alone.
Emergency Response: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC's Atlanta headquarters coordinated the distribution of over 670 million vaccine doses across the U.S. while tracking variants through genomic surveillance. The agency's emergency operations activated for 893 consecutive days from January 2020 through May 2023, demonstrating its sustained crisis management capacity.
Global Health Security: Through its international offices in more than 60 countries, the CDC helps build capacity to detect and respond to outbreaks before they become pandemics. The agency's Global Disease Detection program has investigated over 2,000 outbreaks in 70+ countries since 2006, identifying new pathogens and improving local response systems.

The CDC's Atlanta headquarters represents more than just a physical location—it embodies America's commitment to public health protection through science, surveillance, and rapid response. As global health challenges evolve with climate change, antimicrobial resistance, and emerging pathogens, the agency's strategic positioning and extensive network will continue to be crucial for preventing disease and promoting health worldwide. Future developments may include expanded laboratory facilities and enhanced digital infrastructure to support real-time disease tracking across borders.