Neighborly Arkansas suburb across from Tennessee's "Music City"
Just across the Mississippi River from Memphis, Tennessee, the quiet sounds of light industry, southern blues and small-town living have been the status quo in West Memphis for decades. Officially established as a lumber milling town in 1914, West Memphis has gone from being one of Arkansas' leading manufacturing and distribution hubs to being the former home of blues legends like Sonny Boy Williamson and B.B. King.
Nowadays, West Memphis has a population of 23,825 people, making it Arkansas' 20th largest city and the largest city in Crittenden County. "I've lived here my whole life. It's the kind of place where we check in on our neighbors and even their families, but it's still big enough to have great jobs," says Karen Carter, a local broker and owner of Carter Realty. West Memphis' largest employers include Southland Park Gaming & Racing, Schneider National Carriers and factories like Hino Motors and Bosch Power Tools.
Commuter-friendly housing market in Crittenden County
The median sales price of homes in West Memphis has risen to $169,000 in recent years. "Unlike some nearby areas that have dropped off recently, the market is still good here. It's a great opportunity for those looking to commute into Memphis to find something for under $200,000," Carter says. Most homes in West Memphis were constructed from the early 1900s through the 1960s. Single-family cottages and vintage traditional homes with wooden siding can be found selling for as low as $50,000. Brick ranch-styles from the midcentury and larger suburban homes with up to 2,000 square feet sell for $300,000. Downtown West Memphis and nearby Marion offer a gridded network of suburban neighborhoods, while outlying areas like Sunset are full of newly developed subdivisions.
Ranch Homes are common in central West Memphis.
New housing developments are steadily springing up around the outskirts of West Memphis.
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West Memphis School District and trade programs at Mid-South
With a C grade from Niche, West Memphis School District serves nearly 5,000 students across the city with 10 different schools. The Academies of West Memphis Charter School is the city's public high school, preparing students in grades ten through twelve for college by using the Smart Core curriculum.
For higher education, West Memphis is also home to Arkansas State University Mid-South. With an open-door admission policy, Mid-South is a public two-year school known for its programs in aviation maintenance, commercial driving and nursing.
The Academies of West Memphis' mascot is the Blue Devil.
West Memphis is home to Arkansas State Universtiy of the Mid-South.
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Shopping along Broadway Avenue and Southland Park Gaming
West Memphis' small-town charm is on display along Broadway Avenue, the city's main commercial thoroughfare. Three blocks of East Broadway make up the West Memphis Commercial Historic District, so many buildings and shops here appear the same as they did in the 1930s. Residents can explore a number of Mexican restaurants and other local institutions like Ally B's Cafe and Bakery. Kroger and Walmart Supercenter can be found north of downtown by Interstate 40.
Southland Park Gaming & Racing is also a major institution in West Memphis and has been in the same location since 1956. The 80,000-square-foot facility offers greyhound racing, simulcast dog and horse racing, as well as a suite of options for gaming. "They also have quite a few really good restaurants. Last night, I went to The Fry House and they have the best fried shrimp," Carter says.
Most West Memphis residents do their grocery shopping at Kroger and Walmart.
West Memphis is putting in the leg work to bring businesses to Broadway Avenue in Historic Dowtown.
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Downtown events along "Beale Street West"
One of West Memphis' most notable legacies is its involvement with blues music. Genre greats like B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf, Robert Lockwood and Sonny Boy Williamson all lived in the city at the same time in the '40s. Night spots along Broadway Street like the Willowdale Inn and the Cotton Club helped to form the West Memphis sound. "We also have live blues music every month in the town square, right in our historic district," Carter says.
Main Street West Memphis is a city-led program aimed at involving the community with West Memphis' downtown district. The program sets up business-related workshops and training to local business owners, keeps up the district's appearances and establishes partnerships to help bring in new resources and ideas for the city's future.
Main Street West Memphis serves to preserve historically significant pieces of West Memphis' story.
West Memphis boasts a proud history of blues music.
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Getting out along the Mississippi River
West Memphis Parks and Recreation oversees 11 parks throughout the city, from the 7-mile Big River Trail, which offers bikers and runners views of Downtown Memphis, to hiking trails at the 1,500-acre Ducks Unlimited Park. Meadowbrook Country Club and Brownstone Country Club and Resort are also in the city, offering full golf courses with no need for membership. "Brownstone is also fixin' to put in a golf simulator, which is a pretty big deal around here," Carter says. In colder weather, the Tilden Rodgers Sports Complex is popular for its ball fields, basketball courts and volleyball court.
West Memphis has a mild climate, with four distinct seasons and an average of 3 inches of snow in the winter. Flood damage from the Mississippi River is possible, but flood control projects like large water pumps and an earthen levee help to guard against it. West Memphis is also in Dixie Alley, meaning that the region is prone to tornadoes.
Tilden Rodgers Sports Complex hosts regional baseball games and tournaments.
Big River Crossing gives West Memphis Residents and visitors a way to reach Memphis by foot.
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Getting around Crittenden County with I-40
Along with the Mississippi River and rail lines like the Union Pacific, Interstates 55 and 40 contribute to West Memphis' status as a regional center for transportation and distribution. With both interstates connecting right in town, residents can easily travel around Arkansas or drive the 8 miles into Memphis in just 12 minutes. To travel elsewhere around the country, Memphis International Airport is located 17 miles from West Memphis with service from major airlines like American, Frontier and Spirit. In the case of medical emergencies, Regional One Health is also located in Downtown Memphis.
Important to know
According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, West Memphis' violent crime rates are currently rising and rates for property crime are going down. Since 2015, violent crime rates have increased by 37%, while property crime rates have decreased by 17%.
West Memphis is also part of the 2025 Public Safety and Crime Prevention Federal Advocacy Committee, an organization that aims to lower crime rates by targeting environmental and socioeconomic factors like food security, as well as developing a budget for investing in community projects.
Written By
Bayley Malo
Photography Contributed By
Aaron Bloodworth
Video By
Maurice Boone
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Sharon Howard,
an experienced agent in this area.
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