In Marianna, affordability and friendliness go hand in hand
In Marianna, everyone knows everyone. “We like to joke that there are no secrets in our small town,” says Grayson Gorman, a Realtor with Miles Real Estate who sells throughout the area. “But everyone looks out for one another. When someone offers to help someone, they mean it.” Gorman says newcomers from out of state or those returning home for retirement come to this rural Lee County town of about 3,500 looking for a slower paced, more affordable life. “The cost of living is lower here than in a lot of Arkansas. And there’s tons of wildlife and outdoors to enjoy here,” he says.
Churches, services and industry anchor the town
Several local government buildings are in town, like the Marianna Housing Authority and the Human Services Department. Multiple churches are located throughout the town, some within walking distance from homes. Marianna is also home to the McClendon Mann & Felton cotton gin, recently honored for the highest output of any cotton gin in the country in 2024.
Minimal Traditional, ranch-style and bungalows are most common
Homes in Marianna are mostly Minimal Traditional, ranch-style and bungalows, often close together on grass lawns flanked by mature trees. Residential streets are lined with sidewalks. Most homes have driveways or carports. Houses rarely go on the market, but when they do the median price is about $147,000. Land, when available, can run from about $20,000 for three and a half acres to $180,000 for 40.
Families can choose between public and private schools
The Lee County School District serves the town and earns a D-plus on Niche. Kids attend A.L. Whitten Elementary, a school not rated on Niche; Anna Strong Learning Academy, which earns a C-minus, and C-rated Lee High School. The state offers a form of school choice, allowing students to attend a public school in a non-resident district. Lee Academy is the closest private school. It has a B-minus on Niche and serves prekindergarten through 12th grade.
Parks and the L’Anguille River offer outdoor fun
The L’Anguille River runs near the town’s east side and is a go-to for fishing and hunting. Miller Park and Atkins Park feature ball fields; Atkins Park also has a playground. Court Square has a small pavilion with benches and a small playground nearby. Marianna Country Club is on the town’s north side and offers a private nine-hole course.
Local dining, shopping, and essentials in town
Residents pick up groceries and essentials at Edwards Food Giant, Family Dollar and Dollar General. Among the restaurants in town, Jones Bar-B-Q Diner is beloved for its pulled pork sandwiches and coleslaw. It has served Marianna for about 100 years and is a 2012 James Beard Award winner. “They usually sell out by 10 in the morning, and [the food] is just fantastic,” Gorman says. Off the Square is another favorite for its mix of classic Italian and Southern dishes.
Marianna Medical Clinic is available for basic health care. The closest hospital is Delta Memorial, about 133 miles away in Dumas.
Annual fall festival brings food, crafts and live music downtown
Residents gather each September at Court Square for Autumn on the Square, a festival with food, crafts, kids’ activities and live entertainment.
Transportation and weather considerations
Marianna doesn’t have a fixed bus route, so residents get around by car. Arkansas Highway 1 and U.S. Highway 79 run through the town and connect to nearby communities.
Summer temperatures are usually in the 80s and 90s with high humidity. Winter temperatures are often in the 50s. Tornadoes are not common but are possible.
