McKenzie's blend of college energy and small-town life
In 1842, Bethel University was founded in McLemoresville, Tennessee. Thirty years later, the school moved to McKenzie, where it still operates today. The Christian college teaches roughly 4,000 undergrads and offers jobs and cultural events for community members. But McKenzie retains its quiet, slower-paced feel compared to larger college towns. “Yes, it is a big part of our town, but no, it doesn’t feel like Martin, northwest of us, which is a real college town,” says Logan Drewry, a Realtor with Casey Drewry Realty, referencing the nearby University of Tennessee at Martin. Drewry was born and raised in McKenzie. “It’s not your typical college party town, per se, but it’s still a big part. If we were to lose Bethel, there wouldn’t be a ton here anymore.” Residents enjoy the town’s blend of small-town life and college energy.
Ranch-style homes in suburban neighborhoods, plus larger properties
Neighborhoods encircle the downtown area of McKenzie. Some feature suburban-style living, as homes with carports and well-maintained yards line the roads. Farther from the town center, properties are often larger and more spaced out. While fixer-uppers can sell from $50,000 to $100,000, cottages and ranch-style homes more often go between $100,000 and $230,000. Newer builds and houses on acreage range from $230,000 to $500,000. Most students at Bethel reside on campus, though some small apartment buildings and student rentals are nearby.
Most students can attend the McKenzie Special School District
McKenzie is split between three counties, with the bulk of the community in Carroll County. The Carroll County portion of the area is part of the McKenzie Special School District. The system receives a B-plus overall grade from Niche. Students can start at B-rated McKenzie Elementary School for kindergarten through fourth grade, while McKenzie Middle serves fifth through eighth and gets a B-plus. McKenzie High, which receives an A-minus, offers career-focused courses like Health Science and Manufacturing Technology at the Carroll County Technical Center. Bethel University is a Presbyterian institution and offers both undergraduate and graduate programs.
Recent commercial investment in the town square
McKenzie’s town square outlines Downtown Veterans Memorial Park. While the area has ebbed and flowed, recent investment has seen an influx of businesses, like West TN Brewing. “It’s kind of off the main strip of town here, and I think people forget about it, in a way,” Drewry says. “But they are trying to get downtown going. I think more and more people are investing in downtown, trying to get it back to being a nice downtown.” Eateries like McDonald’s and El Vallarta flank Highland Drive, which has more of the area’s businesses. “If you want Mexican or fast food, you’re covered,” Drewry jokes. The EW James and Sons Supermarket is also just off Highland Drive.
City holiday celebrations include the July 4th and Christmas
The city’s festivals often revolve around holidays, as the McKenzie community comes together to celebrate. The Freedom Festival marks Independence Day and features live entertainment and a fireworks display, while the three-day Hometown Christmas event has a market with local artisans and crafters, a parade and an appearance by Santa himself. Over the warm months, the city hosts a farmers market twice per week. Events at Bethel are also popular, including the school’s NAIA-sanctioned sports teams.
City parks and a nearby lake for recreation
Just north of Bethel’s campus, City Park is McKenzie's main recreation spot. The area features several baseball fields, a playground and a pond with a fishing pier. A disc golf course and pickleball courts sit on the park’s edges. At the center of the city, Downtown Veterans Memorial Park honors the armed forces with a small monument, plus benches and a gazebo. A railroad-themed splash pad is a block away. Outside town, residents often head 3 miles to Carroll Lake to take a boat out on the water or go fishing.
Some work in town while others commute to Jackson or Paris
Paris, Tennessee, is roughly 18 miles from McKenzie, and the larger city of Jackson is closer to 45 miles away. Residents are split between commuting and working at employers within the community. “There’s a little bit here,” Drewry says. “There are a few factories here, too. But I would say half of folks probably leave town for work, whether it be Paris or Jackson.” McKenzie Regional Hospital closed in 2018, and today, the closest hospital is Baptist Memorial Hospital in Huntingdon, 10 miles away. Jackson Regional Airport offers commercial flights to hubs including Atlanta and Chicago, about 50 miles from McKenzie.
