Locust Grove is a small town 36 miles south of Atlanta, named for the lush locust trees growing in the area. The town’s history goes back to 1893, rooted in peach and cotton distribution, and the Norfolk Southern Railway still passes through daily. This railroad heritage is highlighted at the Locust Grove Train Watching Platform, where locals come to watch over 40 trains that travel the route each day.
With a population of just over 11,000, Locust Grove maintains a rural atmosphere. However, it is experiencing growth as new residential developments and plots of land for sale continue to pop up around the area.
The town’s location along Interstate 75, between Atlanta and Macon, makes it convenient for commuters. Major employers include the Henry County School District and various manufacturing companies. Henry County is also investing $420 million into Anderson Windows, a manufacturing facility in Locust Grove, with plans to create hundreds of jobs.
Many homes in Locust Grove feature two car garages.
Located on Interstate 75, Locust Grove has a convenient route to downtown Atlanta.
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Renovated Chase Maddox Park and Locust Grove Day
The $1 million Chase Maddox Park is the city’s newest and largest park. It features a quarter-mile running track that passes two grassy dog areas. Warren Holder Park covers over 40 acres of baseball, football and tennis fields. The Locust Grove Recreation Center organizes programs such as line dancing and art classes. Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary, a nonprofit organization, is home to over 1,000 animal species and is popular among families for tours and educational courses.
Locust Grove Day is Henry County’s oldest festival and largest festival and has been a tradition since 1956. Spring begins with the annual Easter Egg Hunt at Claude Gray Park, while the holiday season concludes with the Christmas tree lighting and Christmas in the Grove downtown.
Chase Maddox Park in Locust Grove is a great place to take an afternoon walk on the paved trail.
Bring the kids for an afternoon on the playground at Chase Maddox Park.
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Small-town shopping and big-box stores at Tanger Outlets
Locust Grove’s small and walkable historic downtown features antique shops, quaint cafes and locally owned restaurants. However, the city’s most visited shopping destination is the 1.5-million-square-foot Tanger Outlets, which has over 60 retailers and restaurants. About 3 miles from Tanger Outlets, The Shops at Indian Creek is an up-and-coming development along State Route 42 and Tanger Boulevard that's slated for completion by the end of 2025.
Spend the afternoon shopping at Tanger Outlets in Locust Grove.
Downtown Locust Grove has free parking and is very walkable.
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Subdivisions near Tanger Outlets and new construction
U.S. Highway 23 and the busy Norfolk Southern Railway run through Locust Grove’s rural yet suburban core. Tree-lined pockets of renovated midcentury subdivisions cluster near Tanger Outlets. The town also has plots of land, from four to 40 acres, priced from $80,000 to over $1 million. Prominent communities here include the amenity-rich Heron Bay and the newly constructed River Oaks. The city announced plans for a mixed-use residential development near McDonough Road in 2024, aiming to build over 1,400 housing units. The median home price in Locust Grove is around $370,000. Neighborhoods near the railroad tracks experience noise throughout the day.
Traditional homes in newer subdivisions are found in Locust Grove.
Neighborhoods in Locust Grove typically have sidewalks where you can have a morning walk.
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B-graded Henry County School System
The Henry County School System has a B-grade on Niche and includes over 52 schools with 43,000 students enrolled. The Locust Grove cluster consists of Locust Grove Elementary, Unity Grove Elementary, Locust Grove Middle and Locust Grove High School.
Higher education options include Southern Crescent Technical College, Gordon State College McDonough and Mercer University Henry County.
Locust Grove Middle School is located at 3315 S Ola Rd in Locust Grove.
Unity Grove Elementary School teaches over 760 students.
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36 miles to Atlanta and I-75 road expansions
Locust Grove has convenient access to U.S. Route 23 and Interstate 75. Downtown Atlanta is about 36 miles north, and traffic can be heavy during peak drive times. Projects to ease traffic congestion and expand lanes include a new lane on Georgia 42. In 2024, the city announced that a $548 million project to add two express lanes to I-75 would be underway, making it one of the county’s most expensive road projects.
While the city has small medical centers, Piedmont Henry is nearest emergency room, about 15 miles away. For flights, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a 34-mile drive from Locust Grove.
Locust Grove's weather and low crime rates
The area experiences hot summers and mild winters, with a general risk of flooding and tropical storms. The city's crime rates are significantly lower than state and national averages, according to data from the Locust Grove Police Department.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
