Medina's rapid growth since the turn of the century
At the beginning of the 21st century, Medina was a sleepy town in rural Tennessee with fewer than 1,000 residents. Today, the city has more than quintupled in size, with a growing population above 5,000. One of the main reasons for Medina’s explosion is its well-regarded school district, which has attracted families from around West Tennessee. “It has a good school system,” says Realtor Betty Brown, the owner of Vantage Real Estate Services, who is a lifelong resident of the area. “Everybody wants to go to Medina schools. It’s the best around. A lot of the teachers actually grew up in the area and came back to teach.” Homebuyers are also drawn to Medina by its spacious subdivisions and neighborhood parks, all about 15 miles from the larger city of Jackson.
Established homes downtown and new, spacious subdivisions
Narrow residential streets run near downtown, with established homes shaded by mature trees. Dating from as far back as the early 20th century, the cottages and ranch-style homes often sell between $90,000 and $250,000. However, the housing demand that enabled Medina’s rapid growth meant that several new subdivisions popped up outside downtown. These neighborhoods have a typical suburban character, with wide streets, well-maintained yards and attached garages. Brick new traditional builds, generally put up since 2000, tend to sell between $225,000 and $425,000, with larger upscale homes between $425,000 and $700,000. The overall CAP Index Crime Score for Medina is 2 out of 10, lower than the national figure of 4. “It’s a good place to live,” Brown says. “There are some nice homes in Medina. There’s a lot of good stuff that you could find.”
Highly rated Gibson County schools, all located in Medina
The Gibson County Special School District serves Medina and receives an A-minus overall grade from Niche. Students attend South Gibson County Elementary and South Gibson County Middle, each of which is graded an A. South Gibson County High, which receives a B-plus grade, offers a handful of Advanced Placement courses and dual enrollment opportunities. All three schools are located in Medina.
Recreation centered on Medina Community Park and the sports complex
Medina Community Park bumps up against the community’s school campuses, which are clustered together alongside the newer subdivisions. Kids enjoy the playground and splash pad, while a walking path includes workout equipment. The park is also home to the Medina Sports Complex, which includes baseball, softball and soccer fields for youth leagues. Lions Park and Lions Field, each located closer to downtown Medina, have baseball fields and playgrounds.
Shopping and dining on Main Street and along Jackson Highway
Locally owned shops and restaurants line Main Street in downtown Medina. A Third Place Coffee and Books serves espresso and fantasy-themed drinks in an interior that resembles a luxurious library, while Rhodes Family Diner features greasy spoon favorites for all three meals a few doors down. The Medina Village shopping center, alongside Jackson Highway, has restaurants like La Carreta Grill’s Mexican cuisine, while Food Giant is across the street for groceries. More big box stores and retail spots are located in Jackson.
City-hosted holiday celebrations include Christmas and July 4th
The city of Medina hosts holiday events and celebrations for its residents. Each winter, the annual Christmas parade runs down Main Street. After the parade, residents can attend a tree lighting and meet Santa at City Hall. The yearly Independence Day festival happens each July at Medina Community Park, with food vendors and live music. The day is capped off by a fireworks display.
Commutes to Jackson, 15 miles south of Medina
Medina’s proximity to Jackson helped spur its growth over the first two decades of the 21st century. Residents often commute 15 miles south to the larger city for work. While the Northwest Tennessee Human Resource Agency serves Medina with on-demand rides, most residents drive themselves to their destinations. Interstate 40 cuts through Jackson, heading roughly 90 miles to Memphis and 130 miles to Nashville. The nearest commercial flights are at Jackson Regional Airport, which offers service to Atlanta and Chicago. Milan General Hospital is 8 miles north and has the closest emergency room.
