Culturally rich rural community on the Mississippi
The Mississippi River and the Delta blues are integral to Greenville’s history. Home to the largest river port in the state, the city was long an important manufacturing and agriculture hub. It’s also the home of what’s considered the world’s oldest blues festival, the Mississippi Delta Blues & Heritage Festival, held in September.
Though Greenville has held on to its cultural roots, the city has lost thousands of residents since the 1990s, as manufacturing and other industries declined. The population that peaked at about 45,000 in 1990 has dwindled to roughly 27,000, according to 2023 census estimates. But community leaders say they are seeing signs of a shift. “We’re seeing now more millennials and younger generations that aren’t wanting to raise their families in the big city environment that may have been really popular 10, 15, 20 years ago,” says Mary Catherine Brooks, director of the Washington County Economic Alliance’s Chamber of Commerce. “They're all starting to move back into these rural areas and come back to their roots and help mom and dad with the family farm or the family business.”
Today, major employers include the Delta Regional Medical Center, Harlow’s Casino and TROP Casino.
Trop Casino Greenville is a Las Vegas-style casino located in historic downtown Greenville, Mississippi.
Delta Regional Medical Center, now known as Delta Health System – The Medical Center, is a 215-bed not-for-profit hospital located in Greenville, Mississippi.
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Renovating downtown and restoring murals
City leaders have been working to revitalize Greenville, from renovating vacant downtown buildings to focusing on the arts. A $9.1 million renovation of a 1940s Sears building saw it transformed into a mixed-use property, featuring a restaurant, grocer, loft apartments and a boutique hotel that opened in 2017. Brooks says the chamber is working to secure a grant that will allow the restoration of historic murals as well as the painting of new ones.
This mural in downtown Greenville showcases vintage automobiles, adding a touch of history and creativity to the city’s streetscape.
Hotel 27 in Greenville is a tucked-away boutique hotel operated by a nonprofit organization dedicated to local revitalization.
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Affordable homes draw first-time buyers to Greenville
Nearly all homes in Greenville are older single-family homes with a median price of about $115,000. Homes in historic neighborhoods can sell for more. However, listings show many properties priced at under $100,000, noting that they are being sold in “as-is” condition. But Brooks says even renovated and updated homes are affordable, making them attractive to young families and other first-time buyers — many of whom qualify for grants that do not require down payments.
Older single-family homes in Greenville often showcase historic architecture and classic craftsmanship.
Gamwyn Park is a historic residential neighborhood in Greenville, Mississippi, known for its park-like setting and distinctive architecture.
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Public and private school options
Greenville Public Schools has a C rating on Niche and serves about 3,500 students across 11 schools. All the district’s schools — except the pre-kindergarten center — are designated as Title I schools, meaning they serve a high percentage of low-income students. A portion of the city is served by Western Line School District, which has a C+ on Niche. The city also has multiple private schools, including Washington School, which has an A rating on Niche.
Washington School is a private institution dedicated to educating students in Greenville.
Greenville High School has an enrollment of approximately 811 students.
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Hot tamales and crawfish abound
The city’s melting pot of cultures is apparent in its dining options. Doe’s Eat Place is a popular, award-winning steakhouse that has been featured on the Food Network. The city also features Chinese, Lebanese and Italian-influenced cuisines.
But there is also a unique Delta stamp on everything. “On Fridays, everybody cooks fried catfish and spaghetti, and you’ve got some form of a hot tamale or a crawfish in every restaurant,” she says. The popular regional dish is the center of the Delta Hot Tamale Festival, a three-day celebration in October that draws about 30,000 people annually.
A few big-box retailers like Walmart and Belk can be found in the southern part of town.
Greenville’s Kay’s Kute Fruit serves fresh, vibrant fruit treats and smoothies.
Doe’s Eat Place in Greenville is a James Beard Award-winning restaurant that serves legendary steaks and tamales.
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Local parks and the nature-filled Cypress Preserve
Greenville has several small community parks, as well as the 80-acre Warfield Point Park right on the river for picnicking. The park is also the site of multiple festivals. The Cypress Preserve in the middle of town is a wetlands nature preserve full of trees, wildlife and walking paths. The Bobby Henry Memorial Pool at the city’s recreation center offers swimming lessons, water aerobics and summer fun each year.
Greenville Cypress Preserve is a 16-acre natural area located at the corner of Highway 82 West and Cypress Lane in Greenville, Mississippi.
Warfield Point Park features a 38-foot observation tower that provides panoramic views of the Mississippi River.
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Main highways and hospitals in Greenville
Highways 82 and 61 run through the city. The nearest major airport is in Memphis, about 150 miles north along U.S. Highway 61. Jackson is about 120 miles southeast. The Greenville Bridge just south of the city takes drivers over the river and into Arkansas.
Weather and crime in Greenville
Summers in Greenville are hot and humid. Temperatures soar into the 90s and above from June through August. The area usually gets more than 50 inches of rain a year. Greenville has a moderate risk of flooding, according to First Street, a climate modeling website.
Crime data for Greenville is not readily available. But city officials have publicly acknowledged a recent increase in violent crimes in the area and are collaborating with the community and federal authorities to find ways to address the issue.
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