Agricultural town with small-town charm in northwest Tennessee
In the northwestern reaches of Tennessee, Union City balances the charms of rural living with the convenience of a contemporary city. Home to about 11,000 people to the north of Memphis, the area's agricultural industry is the economic foundation for a community with growing retail options, a well-regarded school system and a mature home market. “It’s a great place to be and a great place to live,” says Matt Goodrich, an agent with Century 21 Golden who has sold homes in Union City for more than a decade.
Union City is home to 11,700 residents.
Tree-lined streets and older brick homes make up the core of Union City.
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Ranch-style homes and contemporary builds
Single-family homes are the most plentiful option for buyers in Union City. Ranch-style houses are common, alongside newer homes with brick exteriors from the 2000s, custom homes built in the 2020s and a select few early 20th-century homes with restored exteriors and interiors. Multi-family options, including a few duplexes and townhomes, are also available. Union City’s median home price is about half of the national median value.
Union City features historic southern homes.
Ranch homes make up a significant portion of Union City's housing options.
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Scholarship opportunities at Union City High
Students in Union City are generally zoned for the Union City School District, which earns a B-plus grade on Niche. Union City High School earns a B-plus, and students can apply for exclusive scholarships offered through the school for their college plans. Union City is also about 14 miles northwest of the University of Tennessee at Martin. According to Goodrich, the university is a popular choice for local students interested in having their own college experiences while still being close to home. The school holds a B-plus grade on Niche.
Union City Elementary School is home to around 700 students.
Union City High School is home to the Golden Tornadoes.
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Outdoor life at Realfoot Lake
Union City’s local park system includes eight facilities around town. Graham Park’s amenities include a skate park, playground and fields for soccer, baseball and model airplane flights, among others. The park also has a splash pad open during the summer months. On the north end of the city, Veteran’s Park has a fishing pier and picnic pavilion overlooking the pond at its center. In the downtown area, Kiwanis Park is the oldest park in Union City, offering a central green space in town for more than 200 years. Reelfoot Lake, 27 miles southwest of the city, is a prime destination for camping, fishing and hiking.
“We’re fortunate, or unfortunate depending on how you look at it, to get all four seasons, sometimes within the same day,” Goodrich says. According to National Weather Service data, the city generally reaches lows of around 26 degrees in the winter with about 7 inches of snow each year. Summertime highs reach about 90 degrees on average.
Reelfoot Lake is a popular natural lake about half an hour west of Union City.
Veteran's Park in Union City features an 11 acre lake with a fishing pier.
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Big box stores along U.S. Highway 51
Grocery stores in Union City include E.W. James & Sons on Reelfoot Avenue and Save a Lot on Nailing Drive. Mainstream shopping options like Walmart, Lowe’s and T.J. Maxx are available on the southwest side of town along U.S. Highway 51. Popular dining options include Don Sol Mexican Grill and casual sports bars like Hops & Barley and Bricks and Brews. Chain restaurants include McDonald’s and Applebee’s, with more major chains on the way. “It’s a smaller town, so in our little world, when we’re getting a Starbucks, it’s kind of a big deal,” Goodrich says; the coffee chain is expected to open locally in 2025.
Union City Residents can pick up their groceries from E.W. James & Sons.
Hops and Barley has been a popular Union City eatery for over a decade now.
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Learning outside the classroom at Discovery Park
Kids and families can step into a world of science, art and history at Discovery Park of America, a popular museum on the west side of town that draws families and large groups of kids on school field trips. The Masquerade Theatre at the Capitol produces about six stage shows a year. The group’s venue, the Capitol Theatre, first opened in downtown Union County in 1927. Each August, the Obion County Fair brings rodeos, carnival attractions and demolition derbies to the Obion County Fair Grounds.
Union CIty is home to Discovery Park of America, a world class museum and a cultural gem of northwest Tennessee.
Union City features a quaint downtown district with historic buildings, local businesses, and a historic theatre.
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Less than three hours from Memphis, Jackson and Nashville
Interstate 69 and U.S. Highway 51 are Union City’s key connections to the rest of West Tennessee. Jackson is about 65 miles south of the city, while Memphis is 117 miles southeast and Nashville is 155 miles east; all three can generally be reached within three hours by car. For immediate medical concerns, the nearest emergency room is at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union City on the south end of town. Residents traveling beyond the West Tennessee area can catch trains from the Amtrak station in Fulton, Kentucky, about 13 miles northeast of the city.
Food processing, healthcare and manufacturing are some of Obion County’s largest industries. Major local employers include Tyson Foods, Williams Sausage Company, Baptist Memorial Hospital, Titan Tire and Kohler.
Crime rates in Union City
According to FBI data, property crime rates have generally trended downward in Union City since 2017. Violent crime rates varied during that timeframe but decreased by 41% from 2022 to 2023, reaching a 10-year low.
Written By
Tre Lyerly
Photography Contributed By
Aaron Bloodworth
Video By
Amon Parson
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Koltin Winstead,
an experienced agent in this area.
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.
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On average, homes in Union City, TN sell after 75 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Union City, TN over the last 12 months is $189,000, up 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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