Located just 36.5 miles southeast of Atlanta sits the gorgeous unincorporated community of Heron Bay. Heron Bay is situated just outside of Locust Grove and is perhaps best known for the Heron Bay Locust Grove gated community, which is well known for its wonderful outdoor amenities. With a population of just under 5,000, Heron Bay is a tight-knit community where residents look out for each other. Because Heron Bay is so close to Downtown Atlanta, many people are curious about how safe the community is. Luckily, the Heron Bay crime rate is at an all-time low, making it incredibly safe, especially compared to other cities nearby.
But just how safe is Heron Bay? If you are asking yourself this question, then we have the answers for you. Let's dive into the crime rate in Heron Bay, analyzing data to get a better idea of how safe this CDP is for your family.
View this post on Instagram
Is Heron Bay safe? Before we take a look at the Heron Bay GA crime rate, let's take a look at how crime rates are calculated in the first place. Crime rates are reported by the FBI and are based on data collected from local law enforcement. To find the crime rate, the FBI takes the total number of crimes in an area and divides it by the total population of that area. It is then multiplied by 100,000 and reported as "X number of crimes per 100,000 people."
Although crime rates are useful for law enforcement agencies as well as citizens looking for a general idea of crime in a city, they should be used at your own risk. Crime rates can be very misleading, as they encompass an entire city and do not differentiate between the different neighborhoods within the city. Because of this, one small area with higher crime can raise the crime rate for the entire city.
Additionally, crime data lacks context. According to data from CNN, the murder rate in 2020 was 6.2 per 100,000 people. This number was seen as a rise from the previous year; however, it is still over 40% below what it was in the 1980s and 1990s.
Also, data reporting is completely voluntary. This means that one area can appear safer than another when, in reality, they have just not reported any or all of their crime data for the year.
Now that you know how crime rates are calculated, let's take a look at the Heron Bay crime statistics. This is the Heron Bay GA crime rate compared to the national and state crime rates.
National crime rate:
Georgia crime rate:
As you can see, the crime rate in Georgia is less than the national average. So, how does the Heron Bay crime rate stack up?
Heron Bay Georgia crime rate:
The Heron Bay crime rate is 50% lower than the Georgia average and 55% lower than the national average. Additionally, the crime rate in Heron Bay GA is 126% lower than the Atlanta average. As such, Heron Bay, GA is a safe place to live. In fact, Locust Grove, which is often lumped in with Heron Bay, was recently named the 12th-safest place to live in Georgia by Patch.
One of the best ways to get an idea of your risk of being exposed to crime is to take a look at Heron Bay crime reports. Because Heron Bay is so small and generally safe, the CDP does not have any interactive maps or reports that are updated in real time. However, Heron Bay police reports are public information, and you may request them at any time from the Locust Grove Police Department's Administrative Office.
Additionally, you can listen to the Henry County police scanner on Broadcastify to take a look at crime happening in real-time as reported by officers in the area.
Violent crime includes offenses such as shootings, homicide, rape, assault, sexual assault, and kidnapping. Let's take a look at the Heron Bay violent crime statistics.
Violent crime rate in Heron Bay:
The violent crime rate in Heron Bay, Georgia is 49.6% lower than the state average and 50% lower than the national average.
Property crime includes offenses such as burglary, larceny, theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. Here's the detailed data for Heron Bay property crime offenses.
Property crime rate in Heron Bay:
The property crime rate in Heron Bay is 49.6% lower than the state average and 56.6% lower than the national average.
Fortunately, there are no dangerous areas of Heron Bay. The crime map below gives a better picture of crime in the area. The darker areas represent a higher level of crime, while the lighter areas represent areas where there are little to no incidents at all. Heron Bay is located in the southwest corner and is highlighted in the lightest color.
There is a higher level of crime to the north and the east of the CDP. This is where Locust Grove West and the Locust Grove City Center are located. Although these neighborhoods are still safe, they see a higher level of crime than Heron Bay. The Locust Grove crime rate is higher than both the Georgia average as well as the national average, so you can expect more crime as you enter the Locust Grove area. Most residents living in Heron Bay GA will not need to travel north or east to these areas, as the CDP has everything they need.
However, there are many wonderful restaurants and bars in Locust Grove that are worth checking out, and the town is typically safe during the day. Most of the crime in these areas comes in the form of property crime, so as long as you lock up your valuables when visiting, you should not need to worry too much.
There are several safe Heron Bay neighborhoods for you to choose from. One of the most well-known neighborhoods is the Heron Bay Locust Grove gated community. Although this neighborhood is in Heron Bay, it is considered to be a Locust Grove subdivision, and it is about 6.2 miles from Locust Grove to Heron Bay. This community consists of 39 different homesites and is best known for being home to the Heron Bay Golf & Country Club. The Heron Bay Golf & Country Club provides residents living in the area with a swimming pool, a golf course, a tennis court, and access to walking trails. Homes in this community range from three to four bedrooms. One of the best benefits you receive when living in this neighborhood is the safety of the site. The neighborhood is gated, making it a safe place for families to reside.
View this post on Instagram
Another one of the safest places to live in Heron Bay is The Pointe at Heron Bay by Ashton Woods. This is a master-planned community in Spalding County, located on the freshwater Towaliga River. This community offers a clubhouse lodge, a resort pool, lighted tennis courts, a lakefront park, a fitness center, playgrounds, and over four miles of walking trails. Each house is customizable and built to suit your needs. Homes in this community start at $410,000 and feature three to six bedrooms. The commute from The Pointe to Atlanta is about 38 miles (44-minute drive).
View this post on Instagram
Although the Heron Bay crime rates are low, it is still important to be cautious. Here are a few tips for avoiding Heron Bay crime.
Residents of Heron Bay, Georgia are protected by the Locust Grove Police Department. The LGPD has 28 officers on the force and is led by Police Chief Derrick B. Austin. The Locust Grove Police Department is widely recognized for its programs, and it received state accreditation for its department in 2021. According to Henry Herald, this certification, "means the police department receives the state police officer standards and training that it needs — and the city will receive up to 20% reductions in liability related to policing."
The LGPD is dedicated to serving the community, and a portion of their mission statement reads, "It is the mission of the Locust Grove Police Department to enhance the quality of life in the City of Locust Grove, by working cooperatively with this community as we enforce the laws and preserve the peace."
Locust Grove Police Department information:
Additionally, you can always contact the Henry County Police Department for additional assistance.
Heron Bay Georgia is a safe place to live, especially as an alternative to Atlanta, GA, which has a crime rate that is five times higher.
The crime rate in Heron Bay, Georgia is 1,039 crimes per 100,000 people. This is lower than the national average, Georgia average, and Atlanta average.
The Heron Bay murder rate is only 1 per 100,000 people. Which is fewer murders per capita than several other nearby cities.
As you can tell from the Heron Bay crime statistics, the CDP is one of the safest places to live in Georgia. When living in this beautiful community, residents can enjoy safe streets, friendly neighbors, and close proximity to the big city of Atlanta. If you are ready to make your move to Heron Bay, get in touch with the experts at Wirks Moving. Our top-rated Heron Bay movers will get you settled into your new home in no time. Give us a call today at 404-635-6683 to discuss your move and get started with a free quote.
"*" indicates required fields