Thinking of moving to a laidback city full of natural beauty and Southern hospitality? Then you should consider moving to Stonecrest, GA. A city just outside Atlanta, Stonecrest is known for its breathtaking mountain ranges and famous shopping mall. Previously an unincorporated area of Dekalb County, residents voted to officially incorporate Stonecrest in 2016, making it the county’s youngest city. The name Stonecrest was chosen by the first mayor Jason Lary, due to the area’s history with granite. Overall, Stonecrest, GA, is a good place to live, as it offers natural beauty and easy access to Atlanta.
Where is Stonecrest?
Stonecrest, GA, is in the far southeastern corner of Dekalb County, with a small portion located north of Interstate 20. Nearby towns include Lithonia, Redan, and Snapfinger. Gorgeous mountain ranges and nature preserves surround the area, including the Panola Mountain State Park and Arabia Mountain National.
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Stonecrest is located 16.8 miles or about an 18-minute drive from downtown Atlanta.
Stonecrest, GA Population and Demographics
Stonecrest has a population of 59,148, according to the 2020 census. There is no official population estimate for 2010 because the city had yet to be incorporated, but it’s growing at an estimated rate of 1.2% per year. The population density is 1,582 residents per square mile. Stonecrest is the 15th largest city in Georgia and the largest city that is entirely within Dekalb County.
Other Stonecrest, GA Demographics
- Stonecrest is majority female, as 55% of the population are women, and 45% are men
- The ethnic and racial composition of Stonecrest is 91% black, 3% Hispanic, 2% white, and 4% biracial
- The median age is 34.7 years old
- The median household income is $57,226, which is about 10% lower than the statewide average of $65,030
- About 92% of Stonecrest residents have a high school diploma, while 29% have a bachelor’s degree or higher
- The foreign-born population is 10.8%
The crime rate in Stonecrest/Lithonia is lower than the national average. The total crime rate is 1,378 per 100,000 residents, 41% lower than in the rest of the US. The violent crime rate is 229 per 100,000 residents, and the property crime rate is 1149 per 100,000 residents, which is also 41% lower than the country overall.
Stonecrest is served by the Dekalb County Police Department, which employs 860 officers and 232 support staff.
Cost of Living in Stonecrest
If you’re thinking of moving to Stonecrest, you will likely want to consider the cost of living. The cost of living index is a metric used to compare the affordability of one area to the rest of the US, which is represented by 100. The COLI for the Atlanta metro area is 105, which is about 5% higher than the national average. But because it’s outside the city limits, living in Stonecrest is generally more affordable as housing prices are lower.
According to the Family Budget Calculator created by the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four, including two adults and two children, would need an income of $86,398 to afford to live in Dekalb County.
Typical Stonecrest Living Expenses
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $15
- Cappuccino: $4.67
- Bottle of coke: $2.06
- 1 gallon of milk: $3.56
- Loaf of bread: $2.64
- 12 eggs: $4.64
- 1 pound of chicken: $5.31
- 1 pound of beef: $6.47
- 1 pound of apples: $2.41
- 1 pound of white rice: $2.16
- Average Stonecrest utilities per month: $277
Source: Numbeo
*Numbers reflect the Atlanta metro area but will be similar in Stonecrest.
The Stonecrest real estate market is also very affordable for a medium-sized city. According to Redfin, the median listing price of homes for sale in Stonecrest is only $260,000, close to 50% lower than the national average. The price per square foot of Stonecrest, GA, real estate is $152 per square foot, which is a 5.6% increase since last year.Stonecrest also has plenty to offer renters, and about 48% of residents are tenants, while 52% own a home. RentCafe states that the average Stonecrest rent is $1623 per month and starts at around $1100 for a studio and goes up to $2445 for a four-bedroom.
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Stonecrest Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Stonecrest
If you’re considering moving to Stonecrest, you’re probably curious about where to find the best neighborhoods. Because Stonecrest is such a new city, it’s still growing and developing an identity, but you will find a few established neighborhoods, including:
Chestnut Lake – A family-friendly Stonecrest neighborhood
Chestnut Lake is a peaceful residential neighborhood near Brown Mills Lake and Crooked Creek, offering affordable, mid-sized homes and a good school district.
The Shoals at Klondike – Spacious, reasonably priced homes
The Shoals at Klondike is a community of single-family homes in Stonecrest, available in various architectural styles. Although homes in the neighborhood tend to be pricier than in other areas, they also offer plenty of space (5000+ square feet).
Eagles Ridge – A master-planned community in a convenient location
Eagles Ridge is a master-planned community offering proximity to the Arabia Mountain Range and Stonecrest Mall. The neighborhood has 157 unique homesites and community amenities like a swimming pool and tennis court.
Stonecrest Weather and Climate
According to the Koppen climate classification system, Stonecrest has a humid subtropical climate, which means hot summers and mild winters. The average Stonecrest temperature typically ranges from about 36°F to 89°F, although it rarely gets below 23°F and rarely goes above 95°F.
The average rainfall in Stonecrest is 49 inches per year. Although snow is rare, the city does average about 1.6 inches of snowfall per year. So if you plan on living in Stonecrest, pack rain boots and consider keeping a snow shovel in the closet! The best time to visit Stonecrest for warm-weather activities is either late April through early June or late August to mid-October.
Things to Do in Stonecrest
Although primarily a small, residential community, locals will still find plenty of exciting things to do in Stonecrest, GA, from shopping to outdoor recreation. The Mall at Stonecrest is the main attraction in the town and features over 120 retail outlets, restaurants, and entertainment venues. However, residents can also find more shopping at Stonecrest Marketplace, the Shops at Turner Hill, or the New Black Wall Street Market. Here are a few other notable Stonecrest attractions.
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Seaquest Stonecrest
Sequest Stonecrest is an aquarium near the mall that features unique animal exhibits and hands-on activities like feeding live sharks, stingrays, birds, and tropical animals.
8020 Mall Pkwy Suite #1000, Stonecrest, GA 30038 (404) 793-2930
Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area
The Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area is a 2550-acre nature preserve around the eponymous mountain featuring hiking trails, fishing lakes, and ranger-led tours.
3350 Klondike Rd, Stonecrest, GA 30038 (404) 998-8384
Stonecrest Mall AMC Theatre
The AMC Theater is a 16-screen IMA moving theater within Stonecrest Mall that shows popular releases and serves concessions.
2929 Turner Hill Rd, Stonecrest, GA 30038 (678) 526-8955
Other attractions near Stonecrest
Stonecrest is also home to several public parks managed by the City of Stonecrest Department of Parks and Recreation.
Stonecrest Restaurants
You’ll also find many great restaurants in Stonecrest, ranging from seafood to barbecue. Here are the top Stonecrest, GA restaurants.
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The Juicy Crab Stonecrest
If you’re in the mood for seafood, the Juicy Crab is one of the best restaurants in Stonecrest, GA, with mouthwatering dishes like king crab leg and fried catfish.
3010 Panola Rd, Stonecrest, GA 30038, (678) 615-7193
Smokey Bones Lithonia
Located near the Mall at Stonecrest, Smokey Bones is a popular BBQ chain with a location in Stonecrest/Lithonia, offering a casual atmosphere and delicious barbecue dishes.
2930 Stonecrest Cir, Lithonia, GA 30038 (770) 484-0020
Mamie’s Kitchen Biscuits
Mamie’s Chicken and Biscuits is a laidback breakfast and lunch spot serving southern comfort food like chicken and biscuits, smoked sausage, and pork chops.
2821 Evans Mill Rd #7441, Lithonia, GA 30058 (770) 482-4364
Jobs in Stonecrest
Stonecrest has a strong economy that employs over 27,000 people. Most Stonecrest GA jobs are in office and administrative support, sales, production, or education. The main industries in the city are healthcare, retail, education, transportation, and warehousing. One of the main reasons residents voted to officially incorporate the city of Stonecrest was to create an economic development department and attract employers. As a result, the city’s economic outlook has continued to expand, and the median household income has grown by 3.16% since 2019.
The top employers in Dekalb County include:
- Emory Healthcare
- Delta Airlines
- UPS
- AT&T Mobility
- Dekalb Medical Center
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
According to Payscale, the average hourly worker in Lithonia/Stonecrest is $17.04 per hour. Residents will find plenty of great Stonecrest jobs ranging from FBI agents to preschool teachers. You will also find plenty of stable jobs in Stonecrest, GA working with the local government.
Stonecrest Schools
Students in the community attend schools in the Dekalb County School District. Schools in Dekalb County rank among the top in the entire state of Georgia according to top publications like US News and World Report.
Stonecrest has five elementary schools: Murphy Candler, Fairington, Flat Rock, Panola Way, and Stoneview. However, some areas are zoned for Redan, Princeton, and Rock Chapel schools. Lithonia High School and Miller Grove High School are also both in Stonecrest, while some students will attend Martin Luther King High School, which is directly across from the community. There is also a magnet school called Arabia Mountain High School in Stonecrest, which ranks within the top 100 high schools in the state.
Residents will also find several private schools in Stonecrest, including Miller Springs Academy, Sparks Christian Academy, and Lithonia Adventist Academy. You can also stop by the Stonecrest Branch of the Dekalb Public Library to check out books and other media.
Stonecrest Statistics and Information
- Stonecrest County: Dekalb County
- Stonecrest Area: 37.97 square miles
- Stonecrest Zip Codes: 30035, 30038, 30058, and 30094.
- Stonecrest Area Codes: 470, 678, 770 and 943
- Stonecrest Elevation: 883 ft
- Stonecrest Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- Closest Airport: The closest airport is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), which is about 22 miles away.
Stonecrest Map
Explore more fun things to do in the Stonecrest area with this map!
Ready to make the move to this beautiful city in Dekalb County? Trust our team of experienced Stonecrest movers to help make your transition smooth and stress-free. Call 404-635-6683 to request a free, personalized moving quote.
