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Tupelo

Tupelo

Located in Lee County

$202,739 Average Value
$136 Average Price per Sq Ft
48 Homes For Sale

Home of the King

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.
Tupelo is incredibly proud of its legacy as Elvis' hometown.
Historic Downtown Tupelo is the heart of the city.
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.
Historic Downtown Tupelo is a beautiful place to walk at night.
Park Hill is home to The Mall at Barnes Crossing.
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.
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.
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 is home to craftsman homes.
Historic Downtown Tupelo features several Greek revival 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.
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.
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.

Adrienne Ryan
Written By
Adrienne Ryan
Aaron Bloodworth
Photography Contributed By
Aaron Bloodworth
Chris Norton
Video By
Chris Norton

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Tupelo Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$265,000
Median Sale Price
$130,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$259,900
Median Change From 1st List Price
5%
Last 12 months Home Sales
5
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-80%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$136

Area Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,178
Number of Homes for Sale
48
Median Year Built
1965
Months of Supply
115.20
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,022
On par with the national average
1,925
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,131
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
21,780

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Neighborhoods in Tupelo

Property Mix - Square Feet

Tupelo Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
37,966
Median Age
37
Population Density
142 ppl/acre
Population under 18
27.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.4%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$57,918
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$82,313

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
87.9%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
34%
Advanced Degrees
14%
% Population in Labor Force
66.6%
On par with the national average
65.1%

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®®

33 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®®

24 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Tupelo