Stone Mountain sits about 20 miles from downtown Atlanta between DeKalb and Gwinnett Counties. In the 1800s, granite quarrying was the backbone of the local economy, and the stone from these quarries was used in some of the earliest buildings still found downtown. Nowadays, tourism plays a significant role in the economy, largely thanks to Stone Mountain State Park, the state's most visited tourist attraction, drawing over 4 million visitors annually. Aside from outdoor recreation, Stone Mountain offers a steadily growing downtown, an A-rated school district and new construction.
Stone Mountain has a small-town feel with a population of less than 8,000. Residents enjoy the convenience of driving golf carts around town, making it easy to hop over to the park. About 42% of residents own their homes, while 58% rent, creating a mix of long-time locals and newcomers drawn to the area.
Locals enjoy shopping locally in downtown Stone Mountain.
A scenic lake surrounding most of the local park is just outside of Stone Mountain.
Beautiful landscaping encircles the original granite buildings throughout Stone Mountain.
Enjoy the breath taking views of Atlanta from the top of Stone Mountain.
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Hiking trails and annual festivals at Stone Mountain Park
The 3,200-acre Stone Mountain Park features a 600-foot-tall granite mountain just east of the city limits. On the north side, attractions include the Geyser Towers Water Park and a scenic train ride. The west side has Stone Mountain Golf Club beside Stone Mountain Lake, where visitors can enjoy duck boat rides. Hikers can explore 15 miles of trails through oak and hickory forests, and the one-mile Walk-up Trail leads to the summit. Within city limits, several parks experience less tourist traffic than Stone Mountain Park. Ralph Medlock Park has sports facilities, playgrounds, and picnic areas. The 19-mile Stone Mountain Trail runs through downtown, connecting west to Olympic Centennial Park and east to Stone Mountain Park. The city experiences hot and humid summers that hover over 100 degrees. Fall is one of the most popular times for outdoor recreation, while the leaves turn color, and winter is chilly and brisk.
Tunes by the Tracks in Stone Mountain Village draws locals with lawn chairs for a Friday night concert series featuring soul, blues, and country in May and June. Stone Mountain Park hosts events year-round, from New Year's Eve fireworks to Southern ghost tours and cultural festivals. In October, the Stone Mountain Highland Games celebrate Scottish heritage with traditional food and Celtic music. The Native American Festival and Pow Wow, a four-day event, attracted over 100,000 visitors in 2023 for handmade artisan wares and ceremonies.
Enjoy a hike along the paved walking trails found throughout the Stone Mountain area.
Regional pipe bands come to show off their skills at Stone Mountain Highland Games.
Geyser Towers Water Park is one of the top attractions in Stone Mountain.
Stone Mountain State Park brings millions of visitors on an annual basis.
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Local shopping in Stone Mountain Village
Small-town businesses feature original quarry-stone facades. Locally owned cafes, BBQ spots and long-standing bars thrive in the area. Local business owners benefit from grants through BOOST Stone Mountain, while the Façade Improvement Grant Program helps them update their storefronts. Stone Mountain Village offers local businesses and cultural experiences centered around a now-defunct stagecoach line. Established favorites like the Village Corner German Restaurant and Bakery have served the community for over 50 years, while newcomers like Gilly Brew and the Vibrary Wine and Book Bar bring fresh energy to the area. For groceries, Walmart and Kroger are just outside the city limits.
Gilly Brew Bar has a fun and funky interior in the Stone Mountain neighborhood.
The Village Corner German Restaurant has been in Stone Mountain for 50 years.
Local businesses in Stone Mountain feature original quarry-stone facades.
Several big box shopping options are availible in Stone Mountain.
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Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology is the top-ranked
Gwinnett County Schools ranks No. 9 in the Atlanta area on Niche, earning an A. It is the state's largest district, with over 183,000 students. The district offers gifted programs tailored to each grade level, starting with Focus in elementary school, Probe in middle school, which introduces STEM learning, and Quest in high school. Quest students can apply for The Quest Gifted Internship program, which provides mentorship in career fields of interest. Students can apply to the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology, the state's top-rated public high school. DeKalb County Schools has a B-minus grade and offers a Special Interest Magnet Program at select schools, including horticulture, engineering and culinary arts pathways.
Garden at Dekalb Academy of Technology and Environment in Stone Mountain, GA.
Main building at Stone Mountain High School in Atlanta.
Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science & Technology is a rich and diverse environment.
Goats and chickens are just a few of the animals residing on the Academe of the Oaks campus.
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Estate living in Smoke Rise
Stone Mountain's tree-filled pockets surround turn-of-the-century homes, condos and townhouses. South of Stone Mountain Village, neighborhoods feature homes from the 1970s to '90s, while sprawling suburbs in the southern half offer views of the 600-foot-tall Stone Mountain. To the north, in unincorporated Stone Mountain, Smoke Rise is a popular subdivision with custom estates over 6,000 square feet. Stone Mountain is significantly more affordable than neighboring cities in DeKalb County. As of June 2024, the median home price of $285,000 is lower than Decatur's $331,900 and Atlanta's median of $425,000.
Ranch homes are very popular in the Stone Mountain neighborhood.
Split-level homes with a large yards are found throughout the Stone Mountain neighborhood.
Large millennial homes line the streets of the Smoke Rise area.
Modern farmhouses are in demand in the Smoke Rise area.
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Stone Mountain's new developments
The Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) trail study for Stone Mountain aims to create a safer, more connected, and vibrant community. "We want residents to access downtown easily, the existing PATH network, and neighborhood parks without relying on cars," says Maggie Dimov, Director of Economic Development and DDA for the City of Stone Mountain. The Stone Mountain 2021 Comprehensive Plan outlines methods to improve community parks, including requiring new developments to include green spaces. In 2023, Leila Mason Park received a new playground, and residents voted on new equipment for McCurdy Park.
Locals utilize the PATH network to enjoy the main streets of Stone Mountain without cars.
Enjoy the scenic views of the historic downtown Stone Mountain.
MCCurdy Park is a small pocket park in the Stone Mountain community.
Leila Mason Park recently received a new playground in the Stone Mountain area.
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20 miles from Atlanta and I-25 access
Stone Mountain is 20 miles from downtown Atlanta via I-25, which connects to major interstates 5 miles west. Alternatively, locals can take a MARTA bus from Stone Mountain Park to the Indian Creek station. They can then continue to Atlanta on the Blue Line train. Without a local hospital, residents travel 7 miles to Emory Decatur Hospital for medical care. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is 27 miles away.
Stone Mountain’s crime rate is lower than Atlanta’s
According to Stone Mountain's 2024 Crime Statistics, the city reports a violent crime rate of 3.87 per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 25.64. This marks a 23% rise in overall crime and a 15% increase in property crimes from last year. Still, the rate remains lower than Atlanta's 47.91 per 1,000 residents.
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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.
