Newbern appeals with its schools and quiet setting
Newbern is among the many small towns and communities in West Tennessee’s rural region beyond Memphis. This town of over 3,000 people has long been considered a quieter and more affordable alternative to some regional neighbors. Newbern's conveniences include its schools, some of which have earned recognition for their STEM focus. Additionally, the community stays close through events like a holiday parade, a massive church yard sale and a Main Street festival celebrating the town’s rail history. “It’s a small town atmosphere. The people are friendly and very community minded. I think, in comparison to a lot of places, it’s a low cost of living. It’s not too crowded,” says Mike McCullough, the Newbern First Baptist Church’s associate pastor. “Newbern is also appealing in comparison to Dyersburg because I think a lot of people are drawn to its school system.”
Houses range from 1960s ranch-style homes to modern New Traditionals
Homes in Newbern line a mix of wide and narrow roads with no sidewalks. Tall and mature trees also surround some homes on spacious lots. The town has many ranch-style homes from the 1960s and 1970s and some Craftsman bungalows. There are also modern brick New Traditional homes with double garages and amenities like backyard pools. Costs depend on factors like house size, acreage and condition. Many homes under 2,000 square feet go from about $120,000 to $300,000. A few larger or newer homes run between $340,000 and $590,000. Newbern also has a median sale price of about $206,000, nearly $170,000 below nearby Dyersburg’s.
Students may attend Dyer County School District
Dyer County School District serves Newbern, which has three of the system’s schools. The district gets an A-minus from Niche. Students in town may start at Newbern Elementary School and Northview Middle School, which both receive A-minus grades. They may finish at Dyer County High School, which gets a B-plus. Northview earned a Tennessee STEM School Designation in 2022, making it just one of five middle schools to have received the honor at the time. Dyer County High has a STEM workshop and various coding and computer science courses. “The high school is top notch,” says Andrea Newman, a Realtor with Tennessee Realty. “They have nursing programs. They have welding programs, and you can graduate with a certificate. It’s pretty awesome.”
Dining options include barbecue and Mexican fare
The town has a few fast-food chains and locally-owned restaurants serving comfort foods and Mexican fare. With options like soft corn tortilla tacos and guacamole dip, El Vallarta is the local spot for Tex-Mex Fare. Bad Bob’s is a barbecue institution serving items like ribs, shredded meats and baked beans. Bad Bob’s is on a gravel lot, where there’s a wooden bigfoot sculpture beside the restaurant’s rustic building. Regional chain Food Rite has a store in town, but nearby Dyersburg offers more retail and grocery shopping options. Located about 10 miles southwest, Dyersburg has a Walmart and a Kroger.
Many come out for Depot Days and community yard sale
One of the town’s signature events is Newbern Depot Days in September. Vendors sell crafts on Main Street, while country music players entertain the crowds from the pavilion by the historic depot and present-day Amtrak stop. Other activities include a 5K run and walk. On the same weekend, the Newbern First Baptist Church hosts what McCullough calls “Dyer County’s biggest yard sale.” “We have a gym at our church, and it will be completely filled up,” he says, adding that items sold range from housewares and clothes to furniture. “You name it, we probably have it.”
Newbern’s parks offer playgrounds, golf and sports
The town has a couple of parks with some open green spaces and sports amenities. The town’s main spot for sports and casual recreation is Oakview Park, also home to the public nine-hole Oakview Links Golf Course and its gently rolling fairway. The park has playground equipment and tennis, basketball and sand volleyball courts. There are also some diamonds often used for youth baseball and softball leagues. Located within walking distance of several homes, Newbern City Park is a small neighborhood park with some open space and a playground.
U.S. 51 is a direct route to Memphis and Dyersburg
Newbern is one of Tennessee’s two stops for Amtrak’s City of New Orleans train. Otherwise, residents usually drive to get around the area. U.S. Highway 51 goes to Dyersburg, about 10 miles southwest. Dyersburg provides the nearest major medical facility with its 225-bed West Tennessee Healthcare Dyersburg Hospital. The highway also goes to Memphis, more than 90 miles south. The Bluff City has Memphis International Airport, where many West Tennessee residents go for commercial flights.
Tornadoes are an occurrence
Much of West Tennessee may receive tornadoes. A severe tornado notably passed by Newbern in 2006, while storms in 2025 caused evacuations in the Dyersburg area.
