Named for a native tree that thrives in the swamp, Tupelo is a city proud of its roots. Over the past 150 years, it has evolved from a rural train town to a commercial and cultural hub in northern Mississippi. These days, the city of 38,000 is best known as the birthplace of Elvis, whose likeness pops up all over town in statues and memorials dedicated to the rock ’n’ roll legend. “It’s a small place, but Tupelo is an amazing town,” says Lucia Randle, executive director for Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association. “It’s a really vibrant downtown." Brick buildings emblazoned with vivid murals characterize the historic downtown, featuring several local businesses that have served the city for more than a century.
Tupelo is incredibly proud of its legacy as Elvis' hometown.
Historic Downtown Tupelo is the heart of the city.
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Shopping locally in Historic Downtown Tupelo
In the colorful downtown, broad sidewalks studded with young trees lead the way to department stores, coffee shops, hardware stores, bars and restaurants. The culinary scene focuses mainly on pub grub and simple fare, sprinkled with a few Italian and Mexican restaurants in the mix. Tupelo is also home to Queen’s Reward Meadery, which specializes in small-batch meads made from local honey. A recent development project brought new life to the downtown alleys, adding creative lighting and street games like corn hole and giant Jenga. “We are very into walkability,” Randle says. “They’re building a facility called The Depot at the corner of Jefferson and Front Streets, where we’ll have the farmers market and live music.” The Mall at Barnes Crossing is the place for retail therapy, with nearly 100 specialty shops and anchor stores like Gap and Old Navy.
Historic Downtown Tupelo is a beautiful place to walk at night.
Park Hill is home to The Mall at Barnes Crossing.
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Tupelo Public School District is one of the state’s best
The Tupelo Public School District earns an A from Niche, which ranks it as one of the top districts in the state. Schools offer STEM courses starting in pre-kindergarten, and the roster of extracurricular activities includes 24 varsity sports.
Rankin Elementary in Tupelo maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 11:1.
Tupelo High School is located at 4125 Golden Wave Dr in Tupelo.
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Homes dating to the early 20th century
Tupelo’s median home price is $223,000, well below the national median. Most well-maintained houses are priced from $200,000 to $350,000, but starter homes can cost $120,000 to $200,000. Some homes in Historic Downtown Tupelo date to the early 1900s and might cost $600,000 to $800,000. On the western outskirts of town, large modern builds are typically priced from $500,000 to $750,000.
Historic Downtown Tupelo is home to craftsman homes.
Historic Downtown Tupelo features several Greek revival homes.
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Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo
On weekends, school sports bring out the locals out in droves, attracting spectators from nearby towns as well. Ball fields, courts and exercise trails fill the city parks. The Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo is a popular family destination where visitors can spot American bison and interact with giraffes and pygmy goats.
Lee Acres offers convenient access to Tupelo's numerous outdoor recreation options.
The 210-acre Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo is home to over 260 animals.
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Tupelo Elvis Festival at Cadence Bank Arena
The city honors its most famous son at the Tupelo Elvis Festival, held every June at Cadence Bank Arena. Over four days, concerts and tributes rock the 10,000-seat venue, Mississippi’s biggest multipurpose indoor arena. May’s Gumtree Art & Wine Festival takes its name from the city’s early days, when it was known as Gum Pond (the local name for the tupelo tree is “blackgum”). On the first Friday in October, the Fall into Tupelo Fall Fest features a chili cookoff and live music.
On the path of the Natchez Trace Parkway
The Natchez Trace Parkway winds through Tupelo on its 444-mile journey throughout Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee. The scenic highway covers some of the most picturesque terrain in the region, making it a popular biking route. Other major highways include Interstate 22 and Route 45. Tupelo Transit’s on-demand service is available during the workweek. Tupelo Regional Airport offers direct flights to Nashville on Contour Aviation, but more options are available at Memphis International Airport, about 100 miles away. The ongoing Tapestry project aims to restructure the city’s landscape by 2040, with improvements to public transportation and the park system.
Environmental concerns and crime risk
Summers in Tupelo are hot, muggy and long, often lasting from April until October. Winters are short but rainy, and homes around Town Creek might be prone to flooding. One of the deadliest tornadoes in U.S. history devastated the city in 1936 — a rare event, but storm watches are still common.
According to data reported to the FBI, Tupelo crime rates for violent and property-related incidents can trend much higher than state and national rates. The Tupelo Police Department recently received a $191,000 grant for a mobile surveillance trailer and license plate readers to help reduce motor theft.
On average, homes in Tupelo, MS sell after 50 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Tupelo, MS over the last 12 months is $295,000, down 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
While in high school, Blake Trehern worked at a small business in his hometown of Kosciusko, Mississippi. Little did he know at the time this experience would fuel his desire to be a part of the business in which he is employed in today. Blake began his college career at Itawamba Community College in Fulton, Mississippi. As a college sophomore, he interned in the Tupelo District Office for the late Congressman Alan Nunnelee. Blake transferred to Mississippi State University at the beginning of his junior year of college and was both an active student and campus leader. He worked as a student assistant for the office of Dr. Mark Keenum, President of Mississippi State University. After graduating Magna Cum Laude from Mississippi State University School of Business with a concentration in Management, Blake was looking for a career that would allow him the flexibility to shape the course of his day with clients and intermix volunteer efforts in the community. He obtained his real estate license in 2016, and owns RE/MAX Elite, REALTORS in Tupelo. In, 2017 Blake enjoyed giving back to the Boys & Girls Club of North Mississippi by competing in Dancing Like the Stars. In his spare time, he enjoys renovating properties, traveling and spending time with Lewis, his French bulldog.
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