$107,081Average Value$223Average Price per Sq Ft0Homes For Sale
Former company town on Jackson’s south side
The Bemis Historic District forms the heart of this south Jackson neighborhood, that started out as a company town in 1900. The neighborhood gets its name from the old Bemis Brothers Bag Company, which brought in a cotton mill that was active until 1991. “That was the original ‘live, work, play," says Jackson Mayor Scott Conger, who also attended the Bemis United Methodist Church growing up. "The people worked at the mill, they had a skating rink there, a movie theater. Everything was right in the mill town." Today, the complex’s remaining buildings sit silently watching over Bemis Mills Memorial Park. During the summer, children enjoy playing in the park’s splash pad as their parents watch from nearby benches. Numerous cottages that once housed the mill’s workers populate this neighborhood and prospective buyers are drawn to their distinct architectural physiques. On what makes Bemis attractive, Jane Betts, a Realtor with Town and Country Realtors, recalls what one client told her: “He put it this way: ‘I really want to be in the country, and Bemis is kind of a compromise. I’m not in the full-blown city, but I’m kind of in the country.’”
Historic Downtown Bemis is centered around the old Bemis Bros Bag Company.
Historic Downtown Bemis residents take pride in their neighborhood.
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Century-old bungalows in conservation district
A few miles away from downtown Jackson, Bemis lies on the edge of both woodlands and farmland, and century-old Craftsman bungalows make up much of the neighborhood. Bemis also sits within a special conservation district that requires the city to approve any changes to any/all homes’ exteriors. Despite this, many buyers undergo renovation projects to bring out their houses’ original character. “The house I’m helping this young man buy actually has a slate roof. It’s that old, and you can’t get anybody that we know of to work on them anymore,” Betts says about unique design features found here. “But it’s amazing in that respect. It’s an old style of things.” Depending on size, price points for many homes here run between $140,000 and $225,000. There are also some investment opportunities here, in need of larger renovations, which will sell for under $100,000.
There are several beautiful historic homes in Historic Downtown Bemis.
Duplex's in Historic Downtown Bemis point to the area's history as a company town.
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A peaceful place at the Bemis Mill Memorial Park
Paved trails run along Bemis Mill Memorial Park’s field, and at its center, there's a pavilion that provides folks with shade and a spot for picnics or other gatherings. One of the historic buildings bordering the park is adorned with a mural depicting the mill itself. The mural features images of the old auditorium across the street, a cotton plant and a cat resting in a Bemis Brothers Bag Company sack. Crystal Gray lives a few miles from Bemis, but frequently goes to the park with her child. “There’s not a lot of foot traffic, so you don’t have to worry about anything crazy happening,” she says. “It’s a safe place. It’s a sweet little community, very close-knit and very quiet.” Down the street is Stella Duncan Park, a smaller green space with a picnic pavilion and playground. The parks are also close to the Beaux Arts-style building that once housed the community’s movie theater. This prominent pink landmark is today the home of the Bemis Mill Village Museum, which maintains artifacts that document the neighborhood’s history.
Stella Duncan Park is a small park in Hitoric Downtown Bemis.
Historic Downtown Bemis is home to the Bemis Mill Memorial Park.
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Mexican fare options and downhome cooking at the Catfish Cabin
In the morning, commuters can grab a hearty breakfast at the Green Frog Coffee & Grill, while along South Highland Avenue there are also several eateries serving both authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine. The options at Leslie’s Bakery include street-style tacos and pastries like cream- and pineapple-filled empanadas. Los Portales is another lunch destination for many in south Jackson, where patrons can enjoy snacking on crisp tortilla chips with warm cheese dip while they wait for their plates of enchiladas and tacos. For dinner, there’s seafood and down-home cooking at the Catfish Cabin. The restaurant is set in a farmhouse-style log cabin, and guests can relax on the rocking chairs set up on the porch before heading inside for a dinner of fried catfish, collard greens and baskets of hush puppies. A Food Giant provides a grocery store option.
Green Frog is Historic Downtown Bemis' local coffee shop.
Restaurants like Los Portales line highway 45 in Historic Downtown Bemis.
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Bemis Heritage Day at the museum
In May, many flock to the Bemis Mill Village Museum grounds to celebrate Bemis Heritage Day. Festival goers enjoy barbecued foods, sodas and live music. They can also browse some artwork, including miniature models of businesses and restaurants that previously existed in the neighborhood. Other activities include appearances by local community leaders who will tell stories about the neighborhood’s past.
Memorial Park in Historic Downtown Bemis features an historic photo gallery of the Bemis Bros Bag Company.
Historic Downtown Bemis is home to the Bemis Mills Village Museum.
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Home to the new West Bemis Middle School
Bemis is zoned for Denmark Elementary School, which receives a C-plus from ratings site Niche and also features an English as a Second Language program. The neighborhood is also home to the new West Bemis Middle School, which receives a C grade from Niche. The middle school’s extracurricular activities include basketball, football and tennis. Students can then finish their secondary education at South Side High School, which receives a B from Niche. The high school’s notable extracurriculars include a video production program called HawkTV, which chronicles school life and also delivers a weekly news show. South Side High also has some strong athletic teams and recent accolades include both a runner-up finish and state title win by the Lady Hawks’ basketball team.
U.S. Highway 45 connection to downtown Jackson
Several Jackson Transit Authority bus stops are located just outside of the neighborhood for a public transportation option. South Highland — or U.S. Highway 45 — connects Bemis to downtown Jackson, which is about 3 miles north of the neighborhood. Those going on out-of-state flights will head to the Memphis International Airport about 88 miles west of Jackson. Bemis drivers take U.S. Highway 70, and then later Interstate 40, to reach both Memphis and its airport. The Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, about 6 miles north of the neighborhood, provides major medical care.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Brad Greer,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Bemis Mills Memorial Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Bemis Historic District
US
Homicide
6
4
Sexual Assault
7
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
8
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
6
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Bemis Historic District Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Bemis Historic District, Jackson sell after 88 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Bemis Historic District, Jackson over the last 12 months is $200,000, down 53% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Brad Greer,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has Equal Renters and Owners
Demographics
Total Population
916
Median Age
38
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
25.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.4%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$35,714
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$40,369
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
75.2%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
4.7%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
0.8%
% Population in Labor Force
63.2%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
31/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
21/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
