Is Stockbridge Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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

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?

Useful Information

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

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

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

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

Stockbridge Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Georgia - Safety by City