Paris is small town living with in northwest Tennessee
Paris is a small town in rural northwest Tennessee. Technically, it’s a city and the seat of Henry County, but it’s really a small town. “When you watch movies about iconic small towns with neighbors that take care of each other, that’s what we have,” says Realtor and resident Diane McCord of Cannon Realty Group. Named after the Revolutionary War hero the Marquis de Lafayette, the city pays homage to its European namesake with a 70-foot scale replica of the Eiffel Tower located in Paris’ aptly named Eiffel Tower Park. Incorporated in 1823 as a center of agricultural trade, and with several Century Farms that have been owned by the same families for more than 100 years, Paris’ agricultural roots remain strong today. Located two hours west of Nashville and a little over two hours northeast of Memphis, Paris is “a nice spot for someone who’s not looking for the hustle and bustle of the big city,” McCord says.
There is a 60 foot tall Eiffel Tower replica located in Eiffel Tower Park in Paris, Tennessee.
Farmland is plentiful near Paris, Tennessee.
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Paris boasts affordable housing below the national median
Paris has a variety of housing options, including many ramblers and Craftsman styles, as well as manufactured homes. Homes in the center of the city tend to be on smaller lots and have smaller footprints, with both getting bigger further out from the center. There’s also a mix of older homes, built in the 1930s, as well as modern homes from the ‘90s. Housing in Paris is very affordable compared to the national median. Here, buyers can get a three-bedroom, two-bathroom 1,500 square-foot home for around $200,000. Generally, homes range from the high $100,000s to the low $300,000s. There are some more expensive outliers, but McCord says the median price for a home remains around $200,000.
Modern farmhouses can be found in Paris, Tennessee.
Rambler style homes dot the landscape of Paris, Tennessee.
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Healthcare, manufacturing and farming industries employ Parisians
Henry County Hospital is one of the city’s biggest employers, with about 900 employees. Dana Inc., a manufacturing plant for vehicle sealing, hose and tubing products, employs about 600 people, and Tosh Farms also calls Paris home and is the largest pork producer in the state. Farming is a common occupation in Paris and Henry County at large, and McCord notes that remote workers have begun moving to Paris as well, seeking an affordable cost of living and a quiet community.
Tosh Farms is the 26th largest pork producer in the United States and the largest producer in Tennessee.
Henry County Hospital is one of the largest employers in Paris, TN.
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Catfish is king in Paris
Paris is home to the World’s Biggest Fish Fry – an unofficial record, but a long-honored Paris tradition. “Catfish is king here,” says Realtor and lifelong resident Belinda Bowers of Tennessee Home and Farm Real Estate. This more than 70-year-old festival takes place annually during the last week of April and draws thousands of people from throughout the country to Paris. There are southern fried catfish dinners served in the “Catfish Tent” every night, and about 12,000 pounds of catfish is consumed by the end of the festival. The city’s love of catfish is reiterated at the intersection of Tyson Avenue and Mineral Wells Avenue where a giant, 3D catfish on a pole, welcomes folks to Paris.
The annual Catfish Festival is hosted at the Henry County Fairgrounds.
Paris, Tennessee is home to the Worlds Largest Fish Fry.
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International fare in Paris plus more shopping to come
Paris has no shortage of open fields and rolling green hills, but there are also a few city parks worth visiting. In addition to its replica landmark, Eiffel Tower Park has a splash pad, a pool, a walking trail and a playground. Nearby, Mordecai Johnson Memorial Park – named for Henry Country-native and Howard University’s first Black president – features a basketball court, a baseball field and a walking trail. Another big draw for Paris locals is Kentucky Lake, which is less than 15 miles away. The biggest man-made lake east of the Mississippi River, Kentucky Lake offers fishing, boating, water sports and over 2,000 miles of shoreline.
Baseball fields can be enjoyed by locals at Mordecai Johnson Memorial Park.
Walking trails can be found at Eiffel Tower Park.
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Major interstates, airports require a drive
Because Paris is in such a rural area, it may feel a bit isolated. There isn’t any public transportation and it’s not close to any major interstates, although U.S. Route 79 cuts diagonally through town to connect residents to larger highways. Jackson Regional Airport is about 70 miles away and does fly to major airports like Minneapolis-St. Paul, Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, O’Hare in Chicago and Dallas Fort Worth. Barkley Regional Airport is about the same distance away in Kentucky, though flights from there only go to Charlotte. The closest international airport is the Nashville International Airport, which is 117 miles away.
Henry County School System has unique ninth grade-only school
Paris’ schools are part of the Henry County School System, which earns a B on Niche. There is one kindergarten through Grade 5 school, two prekindergarten through eighth grade schools, one middle school for grades six through eight, one school for just ninth grade, and one high school for grades 10 through 12. The district also has many extracurriculars, earning it an A-minus rating for clubs and activities.
E.W. Grove Junior High School offers education to students in 9th grade.
Paris Elementary School offers education to students in grades 3-5 in Paris, Tennessee.
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Important to know
Overall, crime has been on the decline in Paris, although in recent years there have been a notable number of drug-related offenses. McCord, who previously worked in law enforcement, confirms that the crime rate in the city is low. “I’ve seen a lot of what goes on here,” she says. “It’s very safe, very friendly.” Additionally, weather is not a major risk in Paris. While the city does see the occasional tornado, they don’t often go above F-2 or F-3. Paris also sees some very hot days in the summers, with most temps reaching into the high 80s and 90s.
Written By
Tanner Harding
Photography Contributed By
Andrew Nelson
Video By
David Fritzson
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