Is Fort Stewart Safe, Pros and cons of living in Fort Stewart

Fort Stewart, Georgia, is a significant U.S. Army installation located in Liberty County, near Hinesville and approximately 40 miles southwest of Savannah. It serves as the largest Army installation east of the Mississippi River, covering a vast area across six counties and acting as a crucial training and deployment hub. The community surrounding Fort Stewart is deeply intertwined with its military presence, offering a unique living environment for service members and their families.

This area boasts a humid subtropical climate, characterized by long, warm summers and mild winters. The region experiences considerable rainfall, particularly during the summer months, with frequent thunderstorms and occasional hurricanes. The proximity to Savannah provides access to coastal amenities and a historic urban setting, while Hinesville offers a more local, community-focused atmosphere.

Is it Safe to Live in Fort Stewart?

Fort Stewart is generally considered a safe community, with crime rates lower than the national average. The overall crime rate is 14.27 per 1,000 residents (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Your chance of being a victim of crime in Fort Stewart varies by neighborhood, with the northeast part of the city considered the safest (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The property crime rate is 7.351 per 1,000 residents, which is also below the national average (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

The U.S. Army post itself has strict security protocols, contributing to a sense of safety for residents and visitors. While no area is entirely crime-free, Fort Stewart’s crime rates are relatively low compared to larger urban centers (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The cost of crime per resident is approximately $228 annually, which is less than the national and state averages (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Demographics and Population

As of the most recent data, Fort Stewart has a population of approximately 9,285 to 11,142 people, with projections indicating continued growth (as reported by Data Commons and Fort Stewart, GA Population 2026). The median age is around 21.8 years, reflecting a young demographic largely due to its military status (as reported by Data Commons and Fort Stewart, GA Population 2026). The population is predominantly male, with a ratio of approximately 128 males for every 100 females (as reported by Fort Stewart, GA Population 2026).

The racial composition of Fort Stewart is diverse, with White residents making up the largest percentage, followed by African American and Hispanic or Latino individuals (as reported by Fort Stewart, GA Population 2026 and Fort Stewart – Wikipedia). A significant majority of residents are U.S. citizens, with a foreign-born population that aligns with the national average (as reported by Data Commons). These demographic statistics are consistent with the community’s military nature.

Housing Costs and Availability

The housing market in Fort Stewart shows varied trends. The median home price in Fort Stewart was approximately $307,000 in June 2024, showing an increase from the previous year (as reported by Redfin). For renters, the median rent for all bedroom counts and property types was around $1,800 as of May 2026, which is lower than the national average (as reported by Zumper).

Rental prices for apartments in Fort Stewart average around $1,200 per month, with a one-bedroom typically costing about $1,225 and a two-bedroom around $1,075 (as reported by Zumper). Houses for rent are more expensive, averaging about $1,950 per month (as reported by Zumper). The cost of living in Fort Stewart is generally lower than the U.S. national average, with housing costs being a significant factor in this affordability (as reported by Salary.com).

Job Market and Employment

The job market in Fort Stewart is heavily influenced by its military presence. The U.S. Army is a major employer, with an average annual salary for an Army member around $35,014 (as reported by ZipRecruiter). Civilian employment also exists, with an average annual pay for civilians in Fort Stewart around $130,956 as of May 2026 (as reported by ZipRecruiter).

Key employment sectors include healthcare and social assistance, accommodation and food services, and public administration (as reported by Data Commons). Major employers also include companies in the aerospace and defense sector, such as Lockheed Martin, and retail giants like AutoZone (as reported by Indeed.com and Indeed.com). The unemployment rate in Fort Stewart stands at approximately 11.2%, which is higher than the national average (as reported by Point2Homes).

Climate and Weather Patterns

Fort Stewart experiences a humid subtropical climate with distinct seasons. Summers are hot and oppressive, with average high temperatures in July reaching around 91°F and lows around 72°F (as reported by WeatherSpark.com). The hot season typically lasts from late May to mid-September (as reported by WeatherSpark.com).

Winters are short and milder, with average low temperatures in January around 40°F and highs around 62°F (as reported by WeatherSpark.com). The area receives an annual precipitation of about 50-51 inches, with August being the wettest month, averaging around 5-7 inches of rain (as reported by Livability.com and myPerfectWeather). Snowfall is minimal, with only about 0.1 inches annually (as reported by Western Regional Climate Center).

Education and School Information

Fort Stewart has several on-post educational facilities, including Charles P. Murray Elementary School, which serves grades PK-6. Reviews for Charles P. Murray Elementary School vary, with some parents expressing dissatisfaction with academic offerings and staff conduct (as reported by Trulia). However, other sources indicate a high rating for the school (as reported by Niche).

For older students in grades 7-12, children typically attend local community schools in Hinesville. Liberty County has multiple middle and high schools to accommodate these students. Information on the overall quality and ratings of these specific Hinesville schools is available through resources like Niche and NeighborhoodScout, which provide data on test scores and educational environments (as reported by Niche and NeighborhoodScout).

Major Employers and Economic Drivers

The U.S. Army is the primary economic driver for Fort Stewart and the surrounding Hinesville-Fort Stewart area. The installation supports a substantial population, including active-duty military, family members, civilian employees, and retirees, contributing significantly to the local economy (as reported by Fort Stewart, GA).

Beyond the military, other significant employers in the region include companies in the retail, healthcare, and defense sectors. Major companies like Lockheed Martin, AutoZone, and Starbucks have a presence in the area, providing diverse employment opportunities (as reported by Indeed.com). The combined economic impact of Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield is substantial, generating billions in economic output and supporting tens of thousands of jobs in Coastal Georgia (as reported by Development Authority of Long County).