Mayfield, Kentucky, is an agricultural community of about 10,000 people, halfway between Nashville and St. Louis. “It’s just a rural community with a lot of farming and churchgoing,” says lifelong resident Barry McDonald. “We’re far enough into the south that it has a good Southern feel. The good and the bad is you know everybody, and everybody knows you.”
In 2021, the most destructive December tornado on record struck Mayfield, killing 57 people and destroying hundreds of homes. “It was devastating, to say the least,” McDonald says. “It came into town and hit public works buildings, the water treatment plant, city hall, the courthouse, the fire station, the police station… a lot of businesses and several downtown churches. We’re trying to put it back together. As the governor’s said…it’ll be the newest city in Kentucky.”
Mayfield Kentucky is the county seat of Graves County.
Mayfield is a scenic small town south of Paducah Kentucky.
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Rebuilding Mayfield’s housing
Mayfield started by replacing lower-income housing when rebuilding the city. “Right now, construction is a very booming industry since the tornado,” McDonald says. “We’ve had a lot of people come in and donate time. Samaritan’s Purse built a whole subdivision with 16 homes. There’s been a lot of community effort to help people who couldn’t afford to build back.” Mayfield’s available housing includes ranch-style and new traditional homes, as well as empty lots to build on, with a median price of $170,500, about $235,000 below the national median. “Mayfield has kind of one area that still has some historic housing that’s been well kept, but one of the oldest neighborhoods that had some unique architecture in it was destroyed,” McDonald says.
Traditional homes can be found in Mayfield.
Ranch style houses dot the landscape of Mayfield.
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Locals visit Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
Mayfield has seven city parks, a dog park and a ballpark. Thirty-two miles east, Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area is a 17,000-acre outdoor space between the Kentucky and Barkley lakes where residents enjoy activities like hiking, camping and boating. “People like to go 30 miles away to the lakes to spend time there fishing and boating,” McDonald says. “A lot of people have cabins or camp and so forth. Hunting and fishing activities in the region are all very popular.”
Kentucky Lake is a beautiful place to spend time near Mayfield.
Kentucky Lake offers a large recreational area to enjoy the outdoors near Mayfield.
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Two school districts and a private school for Mayfield’s students
Two school districts serve Mayfield: B-plus-rated Graves County Public Schools and A-minus-rated Mayfield Independent Schools. Mayfield also ranks in the top 20 school districts in Kentucky on Niche. “Friday nights are a big thing with the football games because there’s a lot of tradition in the football program in Mayfield and in Graves County High School,” McDonald says. “That’s the big thing for our community.” Northside Baptist Christian School is Mayfield’s only private school. It enrolls preschool through high school students and gets a B-minus from Niche. West Kentucky Community & Technical College’s Purchase Training Center is in Mayfield. It hosts a diesel technology program that trains students to work in truck, farm equipment and construction equipment repair.
Graves County High School is the home of the Eagles.
As of 2024 Mayfield High School had a student population of 537.
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Downtown rebuilds after the 2021 tornado
The 2021 tornado's devastation of downtown affected Mayfield's dining options, including the loss of several longstanding family-owned restaurants. "We're not without," McDonald says. “We have a couple of restaurants that have been built back on a smaller scale - The Barn, Majestic Family Restaurant, some pizza places and several good Mexican restaurants.” Government buildings, including the courthouse, city hall and fire station, are also being rebuilt.
The Majestic is a place for fresh made pizzas and delicious steak in Mayfield, Kentucky.
The Barn has been serving up BBQ for 70 years in Mayfield, Kentucky.
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Mayfield’s Festival of Lights
Mayfield's annual Festival of Lights is held every night all December at the Mayfield-Graves County Fairgrounds. Visitors drive through the park to enjoy light displays from local businesses, families, churches and other community organizations.
Mayfield-Graves County Fairgrounds hosts a variety of year round events for locals to enjoy.
Mayfield-Graves County Fairgrounds has a 1/2 mile horse track.
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Important to know about weather and crime
According to the National Weather Service, extreme weather, including tornadoes, flooding, extreme humidity, arctic cold, oppressive heat and drought has been reported in the area since 2020.
FBI data shows that the Mayfield Police Department has seen a steady decline in property crime since 2017, while its violent crime rate has remained about the same.
Interstate 69, Fulton County Transit Authority and Barkley Regional Airport
Interstate 69 and U.S. Route 45 pass through Mayfield. Fulton County Transit Authority provides transportation services in Graves County, including monthly ride-to-work passes and transportation between cities in Fulton, Hickman, Graves and Carlisle counties. Twenty-seven miles north, Barkley Regional Airport (PAH) offers daily passenger services to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLH).
Written By
Ellen Daly
Photography Contributed By
Andrew Nelson
Video By
Matt Pangman
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Mayfield, KY sell after 56 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Mayfield, KY over the last 12 months is $179,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Beautiful home located in the Camelot subdivision in Mayfield, next to the Mayfield Country Club. The home offers 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths, 2 living areas, and a custom kitchen, also a bonus room above the 2nd living area that could be a 5th bedroom. Great storage and closet space. There is a laundry hookup on both floors. The property also includes a fenced in side and back yard. There are
Great opportunity to own this unique lot with lots of traffic & High visibility !! Commercial lot located at the intersection of W Broadway and N Sutton Ln, directly next to the purchase parkway exit ramp, beside Wagner Wine & Spirits. . Has Over 15,000 vehicles-per-day on Purchase Parkway and over 5,000 VPD on W Broadway. ___Lot has an easement to use the entrance and use of their parking lot
___429 S. 2nd St Mayfield _______Move-in Ready _____Immediate possession_______Fenced backyard_____Fresh Paint Throughout____ Highlights of this property include a tile walk-in shower, formal dining, 2 bedrooms upstairs have hardwood floors, kitchen with double oven & pantry, brand new 4-ton HVAC and the rear roof shingles were replaced this month. Priced at $194k, this property is eligible for
High visibility commercial location !! Avoid City Taxes !! This is the lot where Dinner Bell Restaurant was for many years. Just under 1 acre of land, Located directly across from Kubota dealership, near the intersection of Hwy 45 N and Hwy 1276. Possibilities are endless. ____!!!! Bring offers !!!____
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