$640,673Average Value$175Average Price per Sq Ft42Homes For Sale
Signature East Memphis neighborhood
River Oaks stands among the signature neighborhoods in the vast and diverse community of East Memphis. This neighborhood — which many Memphians also call the Shady Grove area due to two crossing roads — counts FedEx founder and chairman Fred Smith among its homeowners, as well as several other industry figures and top corporate executives. The neighborhood sits between Walnut Grove Road and Poplar Avenue, two of the city’s busiest and most recognizable thoroughfares. Here, affluent subdivisions lie between a sprawling hospital campus, highly-rated private schools, a bustling commercial corridor and one of the largest city parks in the country. “It’s an older, established area with some fine homes in it,” says Harry Samuels, a Realtor with Pinnacle Realty. “It’s near the intersection of 240 and Ridgeway, which has a big shopping center, some really nice restaurants and prime office buildings. It’s convenient to those office buildings, and people who have homes there can be at work in two minutes.”
Affluent subdivisions with luxury amenities
Despite being within the city, this neighborhood exudes unmistakable suburban traits. Homes include Traditionals, contemporaries, ranch-style houses and Colonial Revivals, while others show custom designs and distinct touches like stone and copper accents. Million-dollar properties are common, and some homeowners enjoy backyard pools and ornate courtyards. The Gardens of River Oaks subdivision is gated and employs a guard, while other individual homes here quietly sit behind gates and brick walls. River Oaks’ smaller homes mainly go between $350,000 and $500,000, while the larger and more luxurious ones can run from $600,000 to $1.5 million. The neighborhood also has condos and townhouses that run between $100,000 and $400,000.
Close to Tennessee’s top public and private schools
Students may start at White Station Elementary School, which gets a B-plus from Niche. They may then go to White Station middle and high schools, which respectively get A-minus and A grades from Niche. Niche further ranks White Station High among Tennessee's 10 best college prep public high schools and best public high schools. White Station High’s foreign language offerings include AP courses Japanese and Mandarin Chinese. In 2022, the school also had the distinction of being among 60 in the country to pilot an AP offering in African American studies. Private options include the Lausanne Collegiate School and Memphis University School, which both get A-plus grades from Niche.
Exploring Shelby Farms and its many outdoor attractions
Spanning 4,500 acres, Shelby Farms has more than 40 miles of trails that draw anyone from nature lovers to avid bikers and even horseback riders. The park also has more than 20 lakes and ponds, some of which are popular fishing holes. Sitting in the heart of Shelby Farms, Patriot Lake attracts kayakers and walkers and joggers who use the trail around the water. The Coastal Fish Company, an upscale seafood restaurant, offers patrons views of the lake as they dine and mingle. Children enjoy stopping by the Woodland Discovery Playground, which features slides and jungle gyms. The playground neighbors a zip line park. River Oaks also provides easy access to the Wolf River Greenway, a more than 20-mile trail that goes to downtown Memphis and the suburb of Germantown.
Barbecue, Latin cuisine and whiskey tastings along Poplar
Poplar Avenue anchors a district with small shops, chains, local eateries and offices for major Memphis companies like FedEx and International Paper. Sweet LaLa’s Bakery serves various coffees and an assortment of treats. Other city institutions include Central BBQ, which has restaurants in three states. BABALU serves a mix of Latin and Southern cuisines, while the Bog & Barley Irish Pub is popular for its fish and chips, cocktails and whiskey flights. The bar, made with Irish mahogany, was designed and built in Ireland by the owner’s carpenter friends. “We get all walks of life here. We get Fred Smith, who comes in here a lot. We get your neighbors from next door. We get every type of person who comes here,” says Jeremy Shane McCrea, Bog & Barley’s assistant general manager. Chains include a Target store.
The Delta Fair’s carnival rides and exhibits
Many in River Oaks are only minutes from East Memphis’ festivals. Among them is May’s annual Memphis Greek Festival. Many flock to the grounds of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church to enjoy a variety of foods and pastries and performances like showcases of traditional Greek dancing. Shelby Farms also puts the neighborhood close to some events, with Delta Fair & Music Festival one of its more prominent ones. The multi-day event occurs around Labor Day weekend and brings thousands to the park’s Agricenter International campus to enjoy carnival rides, farm-themed exhibits and festival fare.
Poplar and Walnut Grove commute
Although Memphis Area Transit Authority — or MATA — buses serve River Oaks, most Memphians commute by car. Poplar and Walnut Grove — which turns to Union Avenue — go to downtown Memphis, about 12 miles west of River Oaks. This East Memphis neighborhood sits right off Interstate 240, which combines with interstates 40 and 69 to form an inner beltway in Memphis. Drivers can get on the interstates to go downtown, but they only provide a slightly faster route than Walnut Grove. Covering an 80-acre campus, the Baptist Memorial Hospital is one of the city’s most renowned medical institutions. Saint Francis Hospital is also in the area. Travelers going out of state are 13 miles from the Memphis International Airport.
Important to know
River Oaks' overall CAP Index crime score is 3 out of 10, putting it slightly below the national average.
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Lisa Nelson,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Transit
Airport
Memphis International
24 min drive
Bus
Eshady Grove Rd & River View
Bus
Humphreys & Humphreys Center
Bus
Poplar & Internationalpl
Bus
Humphreys & E Shady Grove
Bus
Humphreys Center
Bus
Eshadygrove & Ripplebrook
Bus
Eshady Grove Rd & Sweetbrier Rd
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
River Oaks
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in River Oaks, Memphis sell after 70 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in River Oaks, Memphis over the last 12 months is $658,261, up 12% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to this exquisite River Oaks residence, a timeless masterpiece by renowned architect Doug Enoch. Perfectly positioned near Lausanne School and within walking distance of premier dining and shopping, this home offers both luxury and convenience. Nestled on a rare double lot, it was designed for effortless entertaining, featuring multiple French doors that open to three distinct
Welcome to Whitmar Manor. This stunning 5-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom home located in the highly sought-after Whitmar Place neighborhood is perfectly situated near Lausanne Collegiate School in the prestigious River Oaks area of East Memphis. Spanning over 5,500 sq. ft., this transitional home offers a move-in-ready lifestyle with a modern touch. The open entertainer's floor plan flows effortlessly,
Very livable and inviting home in the safe, secure Gardens of River Oaks with 24 hour security. 4 BR, 3.5 Ba. The large primary bedroom is down and has a fireplace and sitting area. The primary bath has a beautiful tile floor, a Jacuzzi, separate shower, and over 24 drawers and cabinets. Dining room with silver leaf ceiling. Hardwood floors, 10 ft. ceilings, Pella windows, and custom built-ins
Zero Lot Line home in gated River Oaks community. Large primary suite down, 2nd bedroom/study down with full bath and walk-in closet. 2 bedrooms up with a shared bath. Smooth ceilings with elegant crown molding throughout the home. 12-foot ceilings in the living and dining rooms. Living room with fireplace and custom-built, stately bookcase by Kerns-Wilcheck. Kitchen has granite tops, electric
Welcome to 6683 Whispering Oak – a cozy second-floor condo tucked away in a quiet, tree-lined community in the heart of East Memphis. This well-maintained unit features 2 bedrooms and 1 bath, perfect for anyone seeking comfort and convenience. The primary bedroom offers ample space and natural light, while the second bedroom is ideal for a home office or nursery due to its tiny size. Enjoy
This property is managed by Beztak, 2024 recipient of the US Best Managed Companies for the fifth year in a row, sponsored by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal. Call and let us tell you why! Poplar Place Townhomes in Memphis, Tennessee exclusively offers two and three bedroom floor plans to suit your specific needs. Our residents enjoy spacious homes each with a private entrance, first
Perfect for small businesses or professionals seeking a private, standalone office! This charming space offers convenience and privacy with its own entrance and parking. Ideal for an attorney, consultant, or creative workspace, it provides a functional layout with room for desks, meetings, or storage. Conveniently located in East Memphis, this office ensures easy access for both clients and
Arbors River Oaks is a beautiful, newly renovated retreat dedicated to providing superior customer service to our residents. Arbors River Oaks is located in the heart of Germantown, near an abundance of local shopping and entertainment venues. Come explore all our floorplans, ranging from cozy one-bedroom apartments to spacious two and three-bedroom townhomes. While you are here, check out our
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Lisa Nelson,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
6,348
Median Age
48
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
18.4%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
30.3%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$123,553
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$157,978
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98%
College Graduates
71.1%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
38.1%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
67.6%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
55''
Average Winter Low Temperature
34°F
Average Summer High Temperature
92°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
25/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
4/ 100
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
16/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
