Rebuilding a rural community in Northeast Arkansas
As a former railroad town with roots in manufacturing and agriculture, Wynne is the county seat of Cross County and is just 45 minutes away from the Memphis metropolitan area in Tennessee. But in 2023, tragedy struck when an EF3 tornado touched down with winds over 150 mph, destroying dozens of homes and buildings. "We lost our high school, we lost our big methodist church," says Brenda Smith, Cross Country Realty executive broker. "It's been traumatic."
Despite everything they've lost, this rural community of around 8,000 residents remained resilient. Not only has the city been awarded nearly $10 million in federal funds toward rebuilding initiatives, but the Wynne School District also broke ground on a new high school campus that will complete construction by 2027. "We have a really strong community," Brenda says. "That's what has kept us going."
The railroad played a large part in Wynne's development and history.
The path of the tornado that passed through Wynne in 2023 can be easily seen from the air.
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Traditional housing in the natural state
Nearly a third of Wynne's housing was affected by the 2023 tornado. The tornado's path created most of the open land for sale in the east, with an average sale price of $34,000 per acre. Most of Wynne's available real estate is traditional and country-style housing with a median sale price of $185,000, which is lower than the state and national median. There's also an RV park with water and sewer hookup sites on the northernmost end.
The hillsides of Crowley's ridge in Wynne feature expansive homes and large lots.
Newer homes can be found on the outskirts of Wynne while historic homes are prevalent in the city center.
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Centered around the schools
With four campuses and a B rating on Niche.com, the Wynne School District is among the most diverse in the state and was ranked in the top 30 school districts for athletes in Arkansas. "Our football field is full during football season," Brenda says. "A lot of community activities revolve around the school." While the new high school is undergoing construction, students continue their education at the temporary campus with 36 modular classrooms. The East Arkansas Community College also has a sister campus in the local technology center.
As of 2025, Wynne's high school students are attending classes in temporary classrooms as the school recovers from tornado damage.
Wynne High School was devastated by a tornado in March of 2023.
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Going deer and duck-hunting
Along with nine public parks, Wynne is also home to Village Creek State Park, which is the second-largest state park in Arkansas with over 7,000 acres of forest hills, lakes and campsites. Local youth sports leagues have eight baseball and six soccer fields to play at in the 100-acre sports complex, and outdoorsmen like to frequently hunt for wild game around the area. "You'll see deer heads in most of the houses," Brenda says. "Some of the farmers will dam up their land and rent it out to duck hunters."
Many Wynne residents spend their free time hunting and fishing.
Wynne Sports Complex provides residents with a place for community baseball, softball, soccer, and more.
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A local economy fueled by local retail
In addition to the school district employing around 420 people, the local economy is primarily driven by Wynne's retail selections. A cluster of boutique stores and thrift shops dot the city's northern end, while a variety of pizza, seafood and barbecue restaurants make up most of the local dining. The biggest grocery stores are Walmart and Hays Supermarket.
Wynne Residents do most of their grocery shopping at Hays or Walmart.
Wynne is home to several local diners and restaurants like Johnsons Fish House and Diner.
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Transportation in Cross County
Highway 1 was part of the original state highway system, connecting Wynne to Jonesboro and Forrest City. County-wide transportation is provided by the North East Arkansas Transit, which runs bus services from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Most of the city's health clinics are located alongside South Falls Boulevard, including 24-hour emergency care at St. Bernards CrossRidge Community Hospital. The closest commercial airport is an hour across state lines at the Memphis International Airport.
Historic places from the 20th century
Wynne is notable for having 10 sites included in the National Register of Historic Places, the oldest of which was the Isaac Block house built in 1885. History also comes alive in the Cross County Museum, which was retrofitted into the former New Hope schoolhouse originally established in 1903.
Wynne features a historic district with shops and restaurants.
Wynne's history is preserved and displayed by the Cross County Museum and Archive.
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Weather & Crime
The area experiences relatively mild weather patterns, with average summer high temps being 86 degrees and average winter low temps being 34 degrees. The school district is also adding storm shelters to every classroom of the new campus in case of future weather emergencies. "We're well below average on violent crimes and property crimes," Wynne Police Capt. Daniel Getchell says. "In the past three years, I can think of one violent crime."
Written By
David Dunn
Photography Contributed By
Aaron Bloodworth
Video By
Derek Fowler
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Connie Leonard,
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 Wynne, AR sell after 1 days on the market compared to the national average of 54 days. The median sale price for homes in Wynne, AR over the last 12 months is $315,000, up 29% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Charming home located near Wynne Schools. This home features original hardwood floors and a screened in back porch perfect for relaxing. The home is three bedroom one bath. The current owner used one bedroom as a craft room and opened part of the wall joining it with the kitchen. It could easily be put back if a third bedroom is needed. This home has lots of charm! Schedule your tour today!
Embrace elegance and comfort in this beautifully designed 2,048 sq. ft. single-story home in the heart of Wynne, Arkansas. Blending traditional charm with modern updates, this home offers two inviting living areas ideal for relaxing or entertaining. The spacious primary suite spans approximately 260 sq. ft. and includes an en-suite bath and generous closet space, creating a private retreat. The
Just Outside of Town – Spacious 4 Bedroom, 2 Bath Home on a Corner Lot! Enjoy peaceful living just minutes from town in this beautiful all-electric home featuring an open floor plan and plenty of updates! The split master suite is a true retreat with a wood-burning fireplace, walkout patio doors to the backyard, a huge walk-in closet, and a large bathroom with a walk-in shower. The kitchen was
Well-maintained 4BR/2BA, 2,226 sq ft home along Hwy 163 on Crowley’s Ridge in Wynne, outside city limits in the county, only 15 minutes to the city of Wynne. Absolutely turn-key and move-in ready, with a cozy fireplace, oversized 24x24 two-car garage, fresh paint, crown molding, and new baseboards, plus three wood decks, including a 35-ft covered deck overlooking the woods and one leading to a
Move-in ready and beautifully updated, this 3-bedroom, 2-bath home offers modern comfort and timeless charm. Situated on a large 0.81-acre lot, this updated home features high ceilings, spacious rooms, and abundant natural light. The fully renovated kitchen includes shaker cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and opens to a formal dining area—perfect for entertaining. The
Excellent Opportunity! This .45-acre lot sits in the heart of Wynne with city utilities already in place. Enjoy beautiful views from its elevated position in a desirable neighborhood. A previous home on the property had a footprint of approximately 1,700 sq. ft., making it an ideal site to build your new home. Zoned R-1 for single-family use with no HOA and only standard city codes to follow.
If you've been dreaming of wide-open spaces, a sparkling lake, and daily encounters with wildlife, 601 County Road 3540 in Wynne, Arkansas is your rare opportunity to make that dream a reality! This sprawling 60-acre property offers the perfect blend of tranquility, adventure, and natural beautyideal for anyone craving a private retreat, a recreational haven, or a unique investment in the heart
Welcome to this beautiful 3-bedroom, 2-bath home located in a quiet and desirable neighborhood in Wynne, Arkansas. This well-maintained property offers a spacious layout that combines comfort and functionality — perfect for families or first-time homebuyers. The inviting living room features vaulted ceilings and attractive wood trim, creating a warm and open feel. The large kitchen provides
If you’ve been dreaming of wide-open spaces, a sparkling lake, and daily encounters with wildlife, 601 County Road 3540 in Wynne, Arkansas is your rare opportunity to make that dream a reality! This sprawling 60-acre property offers the perfect blend of tranquility, adventure, and natural beauty—ideal for anyone craving a private retreat, a recreational haven, or a unique investment in the heart
Watch wildlife from your back porch or unwind beside your private in-ground pool at this beautiful property just outside Wynne city limits on Crowley’s Ridge. Situated on 3 acres and accessed by a paved road, the home welcomes you with a large circle drive and peaceful surroundings. This 3,100 sq ft home offers 5 bedrooms and 3 full baths. The main level features the primary suite plus two guest
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