Small town life on the fringes of the Memphis metro
Atoka is among numerous small-town communities on the fringes of the Memphis metro. The town owes its early development to the railroad, which it pays homage to via a silhouette of a locomotive on its water tower. The railroad maintains a noticeable presence, as heard by the daily rumble of the passing Amtrak train, en route to Chicago and New Orleans.
On the benefits of living in Atoka, Alderman Brett Giannini quickly points to its amenities. “We have a number of parks, and our parks and rec department has a lot of different activities for different ages,” he says. “Don’t be surprised if you drive down the street and everybody waves at you. It’s one of the cool things my wife and I liked about it when we moved here.”
Atoka is a small town located north of Memphis.
Atoka is located along Highway 51 inbetween Millington and Covington.
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Ranch-style houses and modern Traditionals with some room
Homes here exist in several subdivisions, where homeowners enjoy spacious lots easily exceeding a half-acre. Homes across Atoka include decades-old ramblers and modern Traditionals with brick and vinyl exteriors.
Most single-family homes sell for just under $300,000 to $550,000. The town’s median price hovers around $350,000, which is higher than Memphis’ but below those of several Bluff City suburbs. Giannini himself moved here from the Memphis suburbs in the early 2000s. “The property values were cheaper than in Bartlett or Germantown or Collierville. Then, of course, we came out here, and everybody was so friendly,” he says.
Atoka is popular with homeowners seeking a quiet community with larger homes and lots.
While there are some older homes in and around Atoka, much of the area has been developed since the year 2000.
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Warming up for Memphis’ signature barbecue competition
Atoka’s events range from the occasional Food Truck Fridays at town hall to annual holiday celebrations like December’s Tree Lighting ceremony. Hosted at Nancy Lane Park, the Atoka BBQ Fest in April serves as a warmup for local pit masters who plan to compete in Memphis’ famous World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.
Hosted in Walker Park, August’s Rock the Block is the town’s other major event. “There are so many small towns around here that have Fourth of July activities, and we decided to do something a little bit different,” Giannini says. “It’s more like a town fair with the fireworks display. There’s also vendors and dunk tanks.”
Nancy Lane Park and proximity to Glen Springs Lake
Atoka has several outdoor sites, with Nancy Lane and Walker parks among its destinations. Nancy Lane’s attractions include the town’s largest playground, a disc golf course and softball fields. A nature trail also allows for relaxing strolls through the woods. While Walker Park's splash pad draws many visitors during the summer months.
A fishing pond anchors Pioneer Park, or for additional fishing spots anglers look to Glen Springs Lake, 9 miles away. This 310-acre lake is home to many species of fish including largemouth bass and catfish. Atoka is also expanding its recreational network with projects like the Atoka Greenway Trail, which will be completed in phases throughout the coming years.
Walker Park is a community gathering place with ball fields, a splash pad, walking trails, and more.
Atoka residents visit Pioneer Park to fish in the pond.
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Mexican food, pizza and barbecue off U.S. Highway 51
Atoka and the neighboring community of Munford are home to a handful of chains and local staples within the shopping centers and strip malls along U.S. Highway 51. The area has cafes that sell cakes and doughnuts, several Mexican restaurants and a few pizza spots. For a sit-down mean, there's also the Sakura Japanese Restaurant, and downhome cooking at both Big Dave’s Round 2 BBQ and Outlaw Bar-B-Que. Kroger is the town’s main grocery store.
Most Atoka residents shop for their groceries at the local Kroger.
There are several dining options in Atoka such as Las Margaritas.
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Atoka Elementary and access to Brighton and Munford schools
The Tipton County Schools district serves Atoka and earns a B grade from Niche. Schools serving the area include Atoka Elementary, which receives an A-minus rating from Niche. Depending on where they live in town, middle and high school students may also attend schools in neighboring Brighton and Munford. Niche ranks the district among Tennessee’s top 30 systems for athletes and standout programs include Munford High’s band.
Atoka's schools are a part of Tipton County Schools.
Atoka Elementary School is the best rated Elementary School in Tipton county according to Niche.com.
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Fast-growing town in a region led by retail, health care and manufacturing
Atoka belongs to Tipton County, where some leading employers are involved in packaged goods, metal manufacturing, retail and health care. Covington’s Baptist Memorial Hospital-Tipton is one of the region’s medical institutions.
With a population of approximately 10,600, Atoka is Tipton County’s largest incorporated locality. The latest U.S. Census data indicates that the town’s population has grown by 26% since 2010, but that figure pales in comparison to the increases in 2010 and 2000.
Atoka is located about 12 miles from Covington, which residents can reach by traveling on U.S. Highway 51. The highway connects Atoka to several West Tennessee localities, including the Memphis exurb of Millington about 10 miles south. U.S. 51 also goes to downtown Memphis, about 27 miles south of Atoka. The Memphis International Airport serves as the region’s hub for commercial flights.
Important to know
The area experiences warm, humid summers and mild winters with little to no snowfall. Extreme weather events mostly involve severe thunderstorms and occasionally tornadoes. Just over two-dozen tornadoes have passed through Tipton County since 1950, according to the National Weather Service. The latest FBI stats show Atoka’s crime rates are several times lower than Tennessee’s. Crime in Atoka has fallen for several years, dropping by over 50% since 2015.
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