Naming mystery

On May 6, 1992, Mayor Segio received a letter from John Stockbridge of South Carolina requesting a letter of "Greeting" from the City of Stockbridge to the attendees of the first reunion of the Stockbridge family. In his letter, he mentioned that he grew up in Georgia and had been told as a child that the city of Stockbridge was named after his great-great-grandfather Levi Stockbridge, who had traveled back and forth from the North to his property in Florida and stopped here on his journey.

Levi Stockbridge was born on March 13, 1820, and fits the time frame just prior to the Civil War. Levi would have been 27 years of age when Stockbridge was assigned a post office in 1847.

Until May 6, 1992, there had never been a name other than Professor Stockbridge. At that time, Levi Stockbridge was mentioned as the person for whom the city may have been named.

It is not certain that Levi Stockbridge was the individual for whom the citizens of the community named their post office and village. However, through John Stockbridge's letters and many conversations with him, it is believed that this is the rightful Professor Stockbridge who had been unknown for 146 years.

Recent history

Eminent domain controversy

In late 2005 the City of Stockbridge engaged in a controversial preemptive use of eminent domain to buy over 16 acres (65,000 m²) of land near the current city hall running along East Atlanta Road. The city reportedly wanted to build a new city hall, park/square, and a small tract of land for new and more desirable business to incorporate a new image for the city. Stockbridge became the focus of national news and was also one of the largest issues in the 2006 Georgia General Assembly and their efforts to prevent abuse of eminent domain.

Many of the citizens of Stockbridge and Henry County were surprised by the apparent abuse of eminent domain by the city. Early in 2006, a protest was organized by the NAACP and supported by the Republican and Libertarian parties from the county. Syndicated Atlanta talk show host Neal Boortz said during his show, "Private property rights are dead in Stockbridge, Georgia," and called members of the Stockbridge City Council "sorry bastards".

Stockbridge City Hall blocking view of opposing candidates' signs (30 October 2009)

The Henry County Board of Commissioners took a stance on the issue by unanimously approving a non-binding resolution that the county would not take land for economic development purposes. However, the county legally has no say in what the City of Stockbridge can do with its land and its use of eminent domain. Many have said this was just a political strategy, as Henry County has been shown in recent voting history to be one of the most conservative counties in the Atlanta metro area, consistently voting Republican in early 21st century presidential elections. (However, as the population grew, the county voted Democratic in the 2016 and 2020 elections.)

The conflict between the city and the property owners came to an end on February 2, 2007, as the Georgia Court of Appeals threw out the condemnation. Only one store, a local florist, beat the eminent domain and was allowed to keep its store and property.^[6] A brick fence was erected around the florist shop to separate it from the new City Hall.

New city hall

The fountain across from City Hall (01 May 2010)

After February 2007, the city had plans drawn up to build the new city hall. The plans called for the new city hall, park, and green space to be built around the florist's shop that started the now famous eminent domain lawsuit.

The city said that the new development would strengthen the old and worn-down downtown business district. Stockbridge City Manager Ted Strickland said that the new city hall was absolutely necessary, because some current city employees were working out of closets and supply rooms.^[7]

Secession movement

A group of residents in Stockbridge attempted to secede to form their own community called Eagle's Landing in the 2018 general election.^[8] The referendum was defeated.^[9][10]

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 9,853 people in 3,749 households, including 2,654 families, in the city. The population density was 900.0 inhabitants per square mile (347.5/km²). There were 3,991 housing units at an average density of 364.6 per square mile (140.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.63% White, 20.51% African American, 0.27% Native American, 4.55% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 1.44% from other races, and 1.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 4.21%.^[2]

Of the 3,749 households 39.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.7% were married couples living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.2% were non-families. 22.3% of households were one person and 4.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.06.

The age distribution was 28.3% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 38.1% from 25 to 44, 18.1% from 45 to 64, and 6.7% 65 or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.

The median household income was $48,296 and the median family income was $51,341. Males had a median income of $38,457 versus $28,938 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,380. 6.8% of the population and 6.0% of families were below the poverty line. 5.9% of those under the age of 18 and 17.1% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 25,636 people, 9,499 households, and 6,536 families in the city.^[13] The population density was 1,927.5 inhabitants per square mile (744.2/km²). There were 10,312 housing units at an average density of 775.4 per square mile (299.4/km²).^[14] The racial makeup of the city was 28.8% white, 55.7% black or African American, 7.6% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 3.8% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 9.5% of the population.^[13]

Of the 9,499 households, 41.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.6% were married couples living together, 22.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.2% were non-families, and 26.6% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.29. The median age was 33.8 years.^[13]

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 28,973 people, 10,244 households, and 7,549 families residing in the city.

Public schools

Stockbridge is served by the Henry County School District. Schools serving the Stockbridge area include:

• Cotton Indian Elementary School
• Dutchtown Elementary, Middle, and High Schools
• Eagles Landing Middle, and High Schools
• Flippen Elementary School
• Pate's Creek Elementary School
• Pleasant Grove Elementary School
• Red Oak Elementary School
• Smith Barnes Elementary School
• Stockbridge Elementary, Middle, and High Schools
• Woodland Elementary, Middle, and High Schools

Private schools

• Community Christian School
• Mount Vernon Christian Academy
• Sunbrook Academy at Stockbridge^[18]

Transportation

• Xpress GA provides local bus service.
• Berry Hill Airport is a private airport located east of town and has no scheduled air service.

Stockbridge is served by the following highways:

• Interstate 75
• Interstate 675
• U.S. Highway 23
• Georgia State Route 42
• Georgia State Route 138
• Georgia State Route 401
• Georgia State Route 413