Tupelo is a town filled with color and character, where
the sweet smell of tupelo gum trees accents life. An easygoing attitude
complements a burgeoning medical industry.
Fans from around the globe pay homage to Elvis' roots at the two-room
frame house where the King was born. At the hardware store where he
bought his first guitar. Even at the elementary school where he sang
"Old Shep."
TupeloThe Elvis Presley Museum houses one of the most unique private
collections in the world, including rare articles from his youth, personal
mementos - and a dazzling jumpsuit from his Las Vegas act.
But Tupelo's rich history reaches back much further than the birth of
rock 'n' roll. The Chickasaw Village, an 18th-century Chickasaw settlement
preserved on the Natchez Trace, opens a window to a forgotten time and
way of life.
During the summer of 1864, the Tupelo area saw two of the Civil War's
bloodiest battles. Brice's Cross Roads National Battlefield and Tupelo
National Battlefield peacefully commemorate the brave souls who fell
under the raging Mississippi sun.

The future flourishes with state-of-the-art medical technology. Tupelo's
North Mississippi Medical Center is the largest non-metropolitan hospital
in the United States, achieving excellence in many different fields.
As a result, Tupelo residents benefit from the finest medical services,
educational programs and an innovative wellness center.
Two college campuses answer the demand for continuing education. A myriad
of classes and cultural opportunities are available at Itawamba Community
College and the University of Mississippi, Tupelo Branch.
Theatre. Ballet. The symphony. The arts thrive in Tupelo. Between command
performances, residents satisfy their cultural needs with exhibitions
at the Tupelo City Museum and Tupelo Art Gallery.
For those who look to nature for inspiration, whitetail deer, wild turkey,
dove and quail fill the surrounding woodlands. The Natchez Trace provides
many scenic nature trails, and five nearby golf courses make for easy
escapes to the fairway.
Art, sweat and cheers aptly describe the annual Gumtree Festival. This
spring celebration features an arts festival, theatre production, musical
entertainment and the state's largest 10K footrace.
Everybody gets together to cut loose during the Elvis Presley Festival.
Music stages, a street dance and lots of activities provide a great
event honoring Tupelo's native son.
Read what people like yourself have to say about Tupelo:
The small-town charm of Tupelo drew Fred and Beverly Stroup from Orlando,
Florida.
Mississippi Living: How did Tupelo first catch your eye?
The Stroups: Our son married a Tupelo girl, and we came here for the
wedding. Everybody we met was just as sweet as she. After that, we visited
them every chance we got.
Mississippi Living: What made you decide to finally pack it up and move
there?
The Stroups: Well, we wanted to play with our grandchildren more, and
to tell you the truth, we preferred the climate and quality of life
here to Florida's. Then, when we learned retiree benefits are not subject
to state income tax in Mississippi, that was it.
Mississippi Living: Now that you live in Tupelo, what do you enjoy most?
The Stroups: The city just feels alive. Everybody's so friendly, and
there's always something going on with the symphony or theater. The
low cost of living makes it much easier to enjoy everything we want
to do.
| Facts and Figures
|
| Population: |
34,211
|
| Hospital Beds: |
650
|
| Physcians: |
250+
|
| Average cost of Home: |
$99,500
|
| Average Cost of a New 2,000 sq. ft. Brick Home on a half-acre
lot: |
$130,000
|
| Tax on $100,000 Home with Homestead Exemption: |
(under age
65): $680
(65 and older): $320 |
| Places of Worship: |
150+
|
| Denominations Represented: |
34 |
| Commercial passenger
air service available locally. |