Paragould, the seat of Greene County, Arkansas, gets its name from the intersection of two railroad paths owned by 19th-century industry moguls, J.W. Paramore and Jay Gould. It is the only city in the country with its name. Today, over 30,000 people live on the edge of Crowley’s Ridge, in a city affectionately nicknamed the Friendly City. “Everybody knows everybody, it’s a small town,” says Realtor Angelic Davis with Prestige Real Estate.
The railroad still plays a crucial role in the city’s economy, with Greenbrier Rail being one of the major employers. Others include manufacturing organizations like Tenneco, Inc. and Anchor Industries and healthcare facilities like Arkansas Methodist Medical Center.
Paragould earned its name from the two railroad moguls whose tracks intersected in the 1870s.
Major employers, such as Greenbrier Rail, play an important roll in Paragould's economy.
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Median price significantly below national average
Many of the single-family homes in Paragould are ranch-style houses from the mid-to-late-20th century that have been renovated in the past few years. Older cottages and new construction are also available. The median price is $185,000, significantly less than the national figures from the National Association of Realtors. “It’s going to be cheaper than what Northwest Arkansas or central Arkansas will be,” Davis says. Undeveloped lots can start at about $7,000 but can exceed $450,000.
In Paragould, the majority of recently built homes have attached garages.
Ranch-style homes are a popular choice in Paragould.
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School district hosts events for entire city
Paragould School District receives a B from Niche and hosts an annual pep rally that is open to the whole community. Private schools in the area include Crowley’s Ridge Academy, rated B-plus, and St. Mary’s Catholic School. Crowley’s Ridge College is a private, religious institution with four schools: arts and sciences, biblical studies, business and technology and teacher education.
St. Mary's Catholic School in Paragould maintains a student-teacher ratio of 10:1.
Crowley’s Ridge College in Paragould is a private, religious institution.
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New bike lanes in car-dependent community
In late 2024, Paragould added a bike lane and expanded sidewalks to Court Street, one of the major thoroughfares in town. Otherwise, residents rely on their cars to get around. Highways include Business Route 412 and U.S. Route 49. Memphis, Tennessee is about 80 miles away and is home to the nearest airport: Memphis International Airport. About 94 miles away, it offers over 30 nonstop destinations. Jonesboro is the closest major city, about 22 miles away.
Chain restaurants, big-box retailers, and supermarkets can be found along Business Route 412 in Paragould.
One of the main thoroughfares in Paragould is U.S. Route 49, which travels roughly 22 miles to Jonesboro.
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Downtown area home to museum and shops
Paragould’s Main Street adds to its small-town charm. “Downtown is home to some locally owned, unique little boutiques and shops,” Davis says. There are also museums, like the Greene County Museum, where the Paragould Meteorite is on display. In 1930, this meteor landed just outside the city and fractured into three pieces, the largest reportedly weighing over 800 pounds. The Collins Theater is another popular venue downtown, hosting concerts, plays and dances. “It used to be a movie theater,” Davis says. Fresh produce can be found at the Paragould Farmers Market on most Saturday mornings from May to October. Chain establishments and big-box stores like Walmart are along major roads like Business Route 412.
Many of the city’s local restaurants and shops can be found in Paragould's historic downtown district.
The history of the region is preserved at the Greene County Museum in Paragould.
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Re-introducing Paragould tradition in 2025
Paragould's Loose Caboose Festival is a celebration of community themed around the railroads for which the city is named. Many other city events are put on by Downtown Paragould, which plans events like Downtown After Hours, a free concert series, and the Downtown Paragould Christmas Parade. The Greene County Fair has been running for over 130 years and is every Labor Day weekend.
Developing trail will lead to Crowley’s Ridge
There are several parks across town. Reynold Park is known for its 33-acre fishing lake, which is stocked with catfish, trout and largemouth bass. An ongoing project in the city is the 8 Mile Creek Trail. Almost half of the path is paved; the goal for the final is to lead to Crowley’s Ridge State Park. The ridge is a geological formation considered a former island along the Mississippi River. Today, its ecosystem encourages hardwood trees like sugar maple, which are rare in the region. At the Paragould Community Center, indoor recreation includes basketball, racquetball and pickleball. Outside are an inclusive playground, softball and soccer fields. It neighbors the city's aquatic center, which has indoor and outdoor swimming.
Enjoy the stunning views of Reynolds Park's 33-acre lake in Paragould.
Eventually, 8 Mile Creek Trail will be connected to Crowley's Ridge State Park in Paragould.
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High humidity in Paragould
At the peak of summer, Paragould’s climate is hot and muggy. According to City Data, humidity levels are about 10% higher than the national average. The winters tend to be cold and dry. The city borders Arkansas's "tornado alley," making it prone to tornadoes.
Crime statistics for Paragould are not readily available.
Written By
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Paragould, AR sell after 56 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Paragould, AR over the last 12 months is $180,000, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to the market 1502 S. 30th Street! If you are looking for a beautiful home with all the extras, look no further! This stunning all brick, 4 bedroom, 3 bath home in the highly desirable neighborhood of Silo Ridge Estates features a very spacious, open concept, split floor plan that is not only beautiful, but very functional too! The family room features a lovely gas fireplace that is
Welcome to 2601 Hatcher Drive! Nestled on a spacious half-acre lot, this stunning property is the perfect blend of modern comfort and charm. Boasting 4, could be 5, bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, the home offers a versatile layout ideal for family living and entertaining. The interior has been beautifully remodeled, creating a fresh and inviting atmosphere that complements the generous space between
Spacious and elegant 5-bedroom, 3-bath home situated on a desirable corner lot in a quiet, walkable neighborhood close to the golf course! The main level features beautiful wood floors in the living and dining rooms, along with a gas log fireplace that adds warmth and charm to the generous living space. The kitchen offers granite countertops, a pantry, and a cozy breakfast nook. The main bedroom
Spacious 4-bedroom, 3-bath home with over 2,600 sq ft of living space, nestled on a large, tree-filled lot at the end of a quiet dead-end road. The main level features a cozy living room with a wood-burning fireplace, a generous kitchen and dining area, and access to a large covered deck—perfect for relaxing or entertaining. The walkout basement offers a second kitchen, a comfortable den, two
Welcome to Market 11.43 +/- acres of timberland on US Highway 412 off of Pine Knot Road in Paragould, Arkansas within Greene County. Opportunity knocks! The possibilities are plenty with this prime piece of Paragould property located just outside of city limits with 1,400 +/- linear feet of highway frontage and utilities available nearby. This tract offers the best of both worlds with the
Welcome to Silverwood Apartments in Paragould, Arkansas! Living in this beautifully developed apartment community provides everything you want right at home, in your own neighborhood. We are located convenient to Hwy 412 and Hwy 49 and just minutes to local restaurants, shopping and entertainment. Whether your preference is upstairs with added views or downstairs for convenience, your spacious
Choose from 3 spacious and well-designed living options, all fully equipped with fine amenities including all electric, washer and dryer, central heat and air and more! Carriage House is conveniently located close to Hwy 49 and we are a short walk to the new community center, restaurants and Wal-Mart. We serve both school districts of Greene County Tech and Paragould with buses picking up school
Property Id: 1995193Great family home in quiet, friendly neighborhood. Home is near Tech's Middles School and Elementary School as well as Crowley's Ridge Academy. Call for availability and access to see the home. Home is just off Old Walcott Road and Highway 412West
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