Is Stockbridge Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Updated On May 5, 2022
Stockbridge, United States
Safety Index:
78
* Based on Research & Crime Data
User Sentiment:
100
* Rated 100 / 100 based on 4 user reviews.

Stockbridge, Georgia, sits just south of the Atlanta perimeter in more suburban (if not rural) Henry County.

This is a very diverse community that was the childhood home of Martin Luther King, Senior, and you can see the church where he preached his first sermon.

Any city that brought us Martin Luther King, Jr. is worth exploring in depth.

It’s a place that’s rooted in its Southern heritage while keeping up the lifestyles demanded in the modern world.

The city sits just south of where I-75 and I-675 merge/split, giving easy access into Atlanta.

That split is where you’ll find the groupings of hotels near the city of 29,000 people.

In mid-2022, the city got a new police force.

What was once assigned to Henry County Police is now a local police force serving just within the rather jagged city limits of this suburban community.

There is more to do outdoors than indoors in Stockbridge, and nothing is going to knock your socks off as being very impressive, but it’s a great safe place to stay if you’re visiting Atlanta and don’t want to be in the city’s chaos.

Warnings & Dangers in Stockbridge

Overall Risk

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low overall risk here. Trying to get crime statistics countywide to apply to a city isn't going to allow me to be as specific as I normally am, but overall their violent and property crime rates are lower than average.

Transport & Taxis Risk

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

You can use Henry County Transit to get around the county, but that bus service stops around 5:00 pm. Taxis and rideshares are available. It's going to help to have a car here if you can swing it.

Pickpockets Risk

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

There's a low risk. As a rather spread-out suburban area, you won't find a lot of packed places where someone could sneak a wallet out of a pocket.

Natural Disasters Risk

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

You face the risk of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, but that's going to be common anywhere in Georgia and the closer you get to the coast the more you can add "Hurricane" to that list. There is no severe weather here that can catch you off guard if you have the right weather notifications coming in.

Mugging Risk

MUGGING RISK: LOW

There is a low risk of being mugged in Stockbridge. Especially with a new focused police force in town, there will be a stronger presence even if there is a higher crime area.

Terrorism Risk

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

There's a low risk, but take that with a kernel of caution because the Atlanta area is always going to be a hard target since it's so populated with so many commerce-rich areas to attack.

Scams Risk

SCAMS RISK: LOW

There are some insurance fraud reports and email scams, but nothing that would directly impact a tourist. You can feel safe against scammers, but don't let your guard down if someone approaches you with a get-rich-quick scheme or asks you to buy gift cards in exchange for something.

Women Travelers Risk

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women will have a low risk in Stockbridge, and honestly might be a little bored. Anything here called a shopping center is really a strip mall. You have all the basic amenities of shopping, but not a big mall or cool spas to see. Outdoor lovers have many opportunities here, but always let someone know where you are going and when you'll be back.

Tap Water Risk

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The city manages its own water supply here and you have a low risk when using it. The 2020 Annual Water Quality Report shows it meets or exceeds all expectations.

Safest Places to Visit in Stockbridge

Floyd Chapel Baptist Church is a historical building that marks one of the only safe places African Americans had to worship in the early 1800s.

Reverend Martin Luther King Senior attended this church in his childhood and, at age 15, became a minister and his first sermon ever given was within these walls.

His influence no doubt led to the fierce yet peaceful spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior, a civil rights icon in America.

Panola Mountain State Park is a great place to explore in Stockbridge.

It’s hard to imagine when hiking here that you are only 20 minutes away from downtown Atlanta.

There are really cool, elaborate tree climbing mechanisms for older children and adults.

You can do archery or just enjoy some birdwatching.

This park is similar to Stone Mountain Park further north but without as many crowds of people.

Don’t miss the Instagram moment at Vaughters Farm, a once blossoming farmland now a historic site.

Check out our article on McDonough, which is just south of Stockbridge, for more activities to do in Henry County.

Places to Avoid in Stockbridge

As with most cities, the highest crime rates are along the interstate, I-75, on the east side of the exits.

There isn’t really a place to avoid or that is too dangerous to drive through here.

It’s really a simple city with basic amenities for people who want to be in the Atlanta area but don’t want to be city slickers.

There’s an express lane on I-75 if you pay a little extra, but avoid trying to find it if you are staying in Stockbridge.

It’s just perfectly positioned to have no access to that feature.

If you are looking for a place that has great nightlife, this isn’t the place for you.

Nightlife here means a ballgame for the kids at a local park or walking the dog through the historic downtown.

You can dine late into the evening, but it’s just not going to be a party atmosphere at all.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Stockbridge

  1. The new police department officially launches on July 1, 2022. Since this might not be as easy to look up as it’s a new website, you can call the non-emergency line at (770)957-9121 to ask any questions.
  2. Look on the city website or social media pages to find events happening during your visit. There will be more fun in the street carnival or food truck gathering than you might find in a tourist guide. This is a great way to get the inside scoop on safety and restaurant ideas during your visit.
  3. Since this is the south, it’s proper etiquette for men to take their hats off when indoors. Women wearing a stylish hat aren’t held to the same requirements, but if it’s just a ballcap it would be polite to remove it.
  4. The downtown area is a work in progress, so there might be construction happening during your visit. Don’t let that stop you from visiting. There are a lot of great locally owned and operated stores here. I’m looking at Funnel Cake Heaven right now and I can almost smell the cakes through the computer monitor.
  5. Wear good, sturdy shoes when visiting Stockbridge. Since most of the activities are outdoors, you don’t want to get blisters from your favorite sandals or flip-flops. This will also help if you transition from the city area to one of the trails without having to change shoes.
  6. Mapnimbus is a platform where you can search Stockbridge for recent crimes. You do need to have an account to do a thorough search, so you’ll have to give up a little personal information to get that data.
  7. If you want to fish while you’re in Georgia, the state requires a fishing license for everyone over 16. You can get that online at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources website or purchase one in most cities across the state. Even if you are licensed in your home state or country, you still need to get one in Georgia.
  8. If you’re visiting Panola Mountain State Park, it’s worth reserving a guided hike to the Monadnock (that’s essentially a random rock hill jutting out of the ground). You can’t take this tour by yourself, and since this outcropping of rock is so unique, the guided tour will give you all kinds of random facts and information about geology and wildlife.
  9. It’s not uncommon to see coyotes in these neighborhoods outside of the Atlanta area. If you haven’t been around coyote areas before, it’s important to note they are not aggressive toward humans and most likely are more annoyed that you are around because then they have to move. The main risk with coyotes is when they snatch up small pets left unattended in backyards or the wild. If you’re traveling with kids and they hear coyotes howling at night, you can tell them that’s just the way they talk to each other from far away.
  10. Bring bug spray and re-apply it often. Mosquitos and ticks can easily find you and you don’t notice until you’ve been bitten. Make sure your bug spray has DEET in it for the best coverage. Don’t worry about the smell, everyone is going to be sweaty and covered in bug spray.

So... How Safe Is Stockbridge Really?

The best data available, and I apologize it isn’t more specific, is that Stockbridge has almost half the violent crime rate of Georgia and property crime is slightly lower than the state average.

You still need to lock the cars and roll up the windows.

Yes, even on the hottest days.

One of the biggest lures for car thieves is when people leave a car running to warm up in the winter.

People here will do this even when the temperatures are in the 50s.

In most communities I’ve researched in Georgia, the violent crimes that do happen are at least 50% happening in homes or in domestic situations.

Property crimes tend to be more about car break-ins than pickpockets, but don’t bring your best bag and leave it under the table at a restaurant.

You’ll feel safe in Stockbridge, but unless you are there for a family gathering or friends’ reunion, you might find it hard to spend more than a few days there.

It’s a good thing Atlanta is just 20 minutes away!

How Does Stockbridge Compare?

CitySafety Index
Stockbridge78
New Orleans57
Baltimore56
Boston67
Washington DC56
New York City67
Detroit56
Niagara Falls (Canada)87
Calgary (Canada)82
Buenos Aires (Argentina)60
Vancouver (Canada)82
Cordoba (Argentina)61
Toronto (Canada)81

Useful Information

Visas

Visas

You don't need a Visa except when you leave the airport to officially enter the United States. You'll need a Visa and a passport. Don't wait too long to get that Visa, there's an interview and lots of paperwork processing to get the right document approved.

Currency

Currency

You can only use the U.S. Dollar here and paying for everything on a credit card is a really smart way to travel. Credit cards offer better fraud protection than debit cards.

Weather

Weather

Winter is going to be a mix of temperatures and you might get winter and spring in one day. Layers are ideal, so you can peel them off as the temperatures warm up and then add the sweater back on when it gets cooler at night. Summers are just hot and muggy. There's a reason people sit on porches and sip tea while fanning themselves here. Bring clothing that is comfortable and can absorb sweat. Plastic or smooth flip-flops might make your feet hurt after sliding around in them, so a solid pair of tennis shoes would be a great idea.

Airports

Airports

The international airport in Atlanta is about 30 minutes away at most and is the only option worth considering in this area. It is huge and has flights just about anywhere you need to go. Be ready for long security lines since the airport is so busy.

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is a great way to keep the unpredictable from ruining your trip or your finances along the way to a visit to Stockbridge, Georgia.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Stockbridge Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 7° C
Feb 8° C
Mar 13° C
Apr 17° C
May 21° C
Jun 25° C
Jul 27° C
Aug 27° C
Sep 24° C
Oct 17° C
Nov 12° C
Dec 8° C
Choose Temperature Unit

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High
°C
121419232731333229231813
Low
°C
1261015192121181152
High
°F
545766738188919084736455
Low
°F
343643505966707064524136

Georgia - Safety by City

CitySafety Index
Acworth86
Alpharetta86
Athens58
Atlanta58
Augusta86
Brookhaven71
Brunswick51
Cartersville78
Chamblee71
Dalton91
Dunwoody74
East Columbus87
East Point54
Johns Creek91
Kennesaw84
Lawrenceville85
Mableton76
Macon61
Marietta78
McDonough72
Milton87
Newnan75
Peachtree City89
Peachtree Corners72
Perry86
Pooler86
Roswell73
Sandy Springs82
Savannah70
Smyrna74
Snellville51
South Fulton48
Statesboro88
Stockbridge78
Stonecrest53
Suwanee86
Tucker74
Tybee Island82
Valdosta74
Warner Robins68
Woodstock88

Where to Next?

4 Reviews on Stockbridge

  1. L
    Louie Harrington says:

    As a parent, safety is my top priority, and I did extensive research before moving to Stockbridge. I was pleased to find that the city has lower violent crime rates compared to many other cities in Georgia. Property crimes do occur, but the local police are very proactive in preventing and addressing these issues. The city also offers various community safety programs and resources, which help residents stay informed and engaged. Living in Stockbridge, I’ve found that the community is very tight-knit, and neighbors look out for each other, which adds an extra layer of security. It’s a wonderful place to raise a family.

  2. D
    Dexter Stevens says:

    I’ve lived in Stockbridge for a few years now, and I’m quite satisfied with the level of safety in the city. While it’s true that some areas may have higher crime rates, the overall statistics show that Stockbridge is safer than many other cities of its size. The police department is very efficient and responsive, and they work closely with the community to address any safety concerns. The presence of neighborhood watch programs and regular community meetings helps keep residents informed and vigilant. Moreover, Stockbridge’s commitment to improving infrastructure, such as better lighting and more surveillance cameras in public areas, has made a noticeable difference. I feel confident in the safety of my family and property here.

  3. A
    Andrew Dunn says:

    I recently moved to Stockbridge, and one of my main concerns was the safety of the area. After doing some research and living here for a few months, I can say that Stockbridge is generally a safe city. The crime rates, especially for violent crimes, are lower than in many nearby cities. The local law enforcement is very visible and engages actively with the community, which helps deter crime. There are also numerous community programs aimed at keeping neighborhoods safe and fostering a sense of togetherness among residents. While there are occasional incidents, as there are anywhere, I feel secure here and appreciate the efforts made to maintain safety.

  4. G
    George Lang says:

    This post on Stockbridge’s safety and crime rates is very informative. As someone who works in the area but lives nearby, I’ve always found Stockbridge to be a pleasant and safe place to spend time. The city has made significant efforts to enhance public safety, including increasing police patrols and investing in community policing initiatives. These efforts have paid off, as crime rates, particularly violent crime, remain relatively low. It’s also worth noting that Stockbridge has a lot of family-friendly amenities and well-maintained public spaces, which contribute to the overall sense of safety. Whether you’re visiting or considering moving here, Stockbridge offers a secure environment with a strong community vibe.

Stockbridge Rated 5 / 5 based on 4 user reviews.

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