Arlington, Tennessee, was initially called Haysville but got its current name from the famous military cemetery located near Washington D.C. This locality on the far eastern end of the Memphis metro initially developed as a railroad town, a role it still honors through the preservation and redevelopment of its Depot Square district. In addition to the train depot replica, the square stands out with its red brick sidewalks and historic buildings like the Blacksmith Shop — a reconstructed barn made to look like the original building — the Harrell Farm Log Cabin and the cottage that housed the city’s first post office.
Since 2000, Arlington has transformed from a sleepy community into one of Memphis’ fastest-growing suburbs due to its housing, expanding commercial sector and strong schools. “Arlington has that small town vibe that’s blossoming. People are coming here in droves, and the schools are phenomenal,” says Troy Olson, a long-time Memphis area resident who moved to Arlington with his wife around 2020.
Arlington's growth is due in part to several industries moving into the area like Helen of Troy.
Arlington's growth has brought in several new restaurants in recent years.
Arlington's long history is on display in Depot Square.
Arlington High School is one of the top rated high schools in the Memphis area.
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Modern subdivisions with contemporary Traditionals and Craftsmen
“Arlington is a newer suburb, with primarily newer construction,” says Paige Arnold, vice president for Crye-Leike Realtors Inc.’s East Memphis office. “It used to just be more of a rural farm area, and as they have continued to build east of the city of Memphis, that’s where all your new construction is.” South Arlington remains mostly rural with its swaths of open land, woods and acreage. Subdivisions appear toward the middle of town, where contemporary Traditionals and Craftsmen pack neighborhood streets. Farther north, styles remain mostly the same, but home and lot sizes increase, though the town still has pockets with older builds like Queen Annes, Craftsman bungalows and ranch-style homes.
Most Arlington homes run between $350,000 and $650,000. The town’s median list price of $472,750 exceeds Memphis’ median of $200,000. The town’s median list price also stands slightly above the national median.
Arlington is home to an ever expanding number of new construction developments.
Modern traditional homes are popular in Arlington.
The heart of Arlington features several large historic homes.
Custom construction can be found throughout Arlington.
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Downhome cooking and shopping for camping accessories in the Depot Square
Depot Square’s vintage and newer buildings house anything from local restaurants to hair-styling salons and boutiques. The S.Y. Wilson & Company building, built in the 1890s, carries apparel, kayaks and outdoors accessories. Dining options include Southern cooking at the Kitchen Table. Rizzi’s Pizza Cafe serves warm pies and occasionally hosts live music. The Brendalay Grill serves gourmet comfort foods in a more upscale space.
The town also has some growing commercial centers, particularly along Airline Road, where a new Kroger store opened in the fall of 2024.
Kroger just opened a new location to keep up with Arlington's growth.
Rizzi's Pizza has been a popular Arlington hangout for 20 years.
The Brendalay Grill serves gourmet comfort foods in Arlington.
Arlington's Depot Square features shops, restaurants, and history.
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Local hubs in Arlington Sports Complex and Playground of Dreams
The town’s open spaces provide a canvas for several park and recreational escapes. Spots like Mary Alice and Doctor Logan parks include playgrounds, basketball courts and walking trails.
The 45-acre Arlington Sports Complex is a local hub with baseball diamonds, soccer fields and a disc golf course. The new Playground of Dreams replaced one built in 2006 and remains a community anchor. “It’s a good place for kids to play. When you go out there, the parking lot’s always packed,” Olson says.
Doctor Logan Park is a small neighborhood park in Arlington.
Mary Alice Park in Arlington features a large outdoor fitness facility.
Arlington is home to the popular Playground of Dreams.
Arlington Sports Complex hosts community sports leagues throughout the year.
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Live music and farmers market at Forrest Street Park
The Music on the Square is a seasonal, free concert series at Forrest Street Park between May and October. On the third Saturday of each month, many come out to the park with blankets and folding chairs to head bands play from the Crossing Amphitheater. Forrest Street Park is a scenic spot boasting lush open fields, rustic fencing and a few ponds. Youth soccer teams use parts of the fields for practice.
The Arlington Crossing Market runs from May to October. Many flock to the farm-style pavilion near the amphitheater to look for fresh produce, baked goods and crafts. Other major town celebrations include the Arlington Christmas Parade.
The Crossing Amitheater in Arlington hosts a free summer concert series.
The Arlington Crossing Farmers Market runs from May to October
Arlington's Forrest park features soccer fields, an ampitheater, and more.
Forrest Street Park is located next door to Arlington's Depot Square.
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Among the 10 best districts in Tennessee
Jeanna Groome, who owns Groome & Co. Realtors with her husband, calls the local school system “a big, big draw.” The Arlington Community Schools district serves the town and receives an overall A from ratings site Niche. The ratings site also ranks the district among the top 10 in the state and sixth for best teachers. The district oversees four schools, two of which are elementary schools. Notable district programs include STEAM education and music instruction.
Arlington High School is a public high school in Arlington, TN.
Arlington Elementary School is a part of Arlington Community Schools.
Arlington Middle School is a high rated middle school in Arlington, TN.
Donelson Elementary students enjoy a 15-1 student-teacher ratio.
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BlueOval City expected to employ many in this fast-growing town
Arlington anticipates the arrival of BlueOval City, a Ford complex under construction in the Stanton area about 20 miles to the east. BlueOval will build electric pickup trucks and batteries, creating about 6,000 jobs. Arlington will be one of the closest Memphis metro localities to the plant, which some expect to continue changing the housing landscape. “That’s what we’re all expecting,” Groome says. “When your permanent workers are coming, they’re looking for a good reasonable commute.”
Other major employers near Arlington include housewares maker Helen of Troy, which operates a large facility just outside of town. Arlington has also grown its health care sector, as seen through the Baptist Arlington Medical Campus. The campus houses several Baptist Memorial Health Care facilities, including a freestanding emergency room and imaging center.
The latest U.S. census estimates show Arlington's population is about 15,300. However, the town saw its largest population surge in 2010, when the number of residents increased by 348%.
Interstate 40 cuts through Arlington and is one of the region’s main commuter routes. The interstate connects the town to downtown Memphis about 31 miles west. Interstate 269 also goes through Arlington, connecting the town to other Shelby County suburbs. Many here go to the Memphis International Airport, about 31 miles west, for commercial flights.
Important to know
Arlington doesn’t have its own police department but receives coverage from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, which keeps a field office in town. Although the FBI doesn’t track specific crime data in Arlington, the town is considered safer than Memphis, where the violent crime rate is more than triple that of Tennessee and above the national average. Arlington officials say the town’s overall crime rate is below state and national averages.
As part of the Memphis area, the town enjoys four true seasons. Like the rest of the state and much of the South, the Memphis area has warm, humid summers and mild winters that occasionally bring some snow or ice. However, the region can get severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.
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