CRITTENDEN COUNTY, AR
County Offices
100 Court Square
Marion, AR 870-739-3200
Chamber of Commerce
13 Military Road
West Memphis, AR 870-739-6041
https://www.marionarchamber.org/
Located west of Shelby County, the rural expanse of Crittenden County lies across the state line in Arkansas. The two major communities that fall within the Metropolitan Memphis region are Marion, the Crittenden County seat of government, and the leading city of West Memphis. Residents of this area can easily reach Memphis via two major interstates with bridges across the Mississippi River: Interstate 55 and Interstate 40. Crittenden County is primarily rural, with the communities encompassed within the Memphis Metropolitan Area serving as quiet bedroom communities. However, development is on the rise in both cities, spurred in part by the exceptional regional transportation facilities. The largest air cargo airport in the world, one of the nation’s largest rail centers, and the fourth largest inland port in America are headliners on a long list of advantages.
West Memphis is the economic leader for this area just across the river from Memphis, home to modern industrial parks, convenient commercial development, private schools, Mid-South Community College, and a regional hospital. Marion’s economic focus has historically been agricultural, with residential neighborhoods serving as a bedroom community for Memphis. However, this small but growing city has been welcoming new manufacturing and distribution businesses since the 1998 opening of Union Pacific’s Intermodal RailPort—one of the largest facilities of its type in North America.
Services
Crittenden Regional Hospital ensures state-of-the-art healthcare services within the county, providing full surgical, radiological, rehabilitation, obstetrical, critical care, and cardiac care. The 152-bed hospital features a 24-hour emergency room and a dedicated staff of 80 physicians in more than 20 clinics who represent every major specialty and many subspecialties. Should the need arise for an exceptional level of advanced care, world-renowned research and treatment facilities are only minutes away from home in Memphis. Among them are St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHS). Closely aligned with the UTHS, the cornerstone Baptist Memorial Hospital is a tertiary-care teaching hospital on a campus that encompasses the new Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women.
Students of all ages enjoy access to quality educational institutions throughout Crittenden County, underlined by the West Memphis School District and the Marion School District. Award-winning schools offer favorable pupil-teacher ratios, abundant opportunities for extra-curricular activities, special programs for the gifted and challenged, and adult education programs. Opportunities also exist for a private education without traveling to Memphis. Founded in 1993, Mid-South Community College in West Memphis continues to grow and develop. In addition to degree and certification programs that include Associate of Applied Science, the college provides workforce development programs and continuing education. The college offers upper-level and graduate classes through a cooperative arrangement with Arkansas State University and University of Central Arkansas.
The Memphis Metropolitan area and the state of Arkansas greatly expand the options for public and private colleges. Crowley’s Ridge Technical Institute in Forrest City, Arkansas, is a leader in providing outstanding educational training opportunities. Arkansas State University in Jonesboro is approximately 60 miles from home. Christian Brothers University, the University of Memphis, and Rhodes College are easily accessible in nearby Memphis.
Lifestyle
Newcomers are discovering Crittenden County just across the river from Memphis as a livable, affordable, and appealing alternative to urban traffic and crowds. The close proximity of an exciting metropolis like Memphis only adds to the appeal of local communities where a small-town atmosphere prevails. Interesting shops, convenience services, and popular restaurants line Main Street in West Memphis, serving as the area’s commercial hub. Some of the attractions in Crittenden County draw visitors from across the metropolitan area, including Riverside International Speedway and Southland Greyhound Park—one of the largest greyhound tracks in America. Memphis Riverboats takes advantage of riverfront views along the Mississippi for relaxing sightseeing, evening music, and dinner cruises but also provide charters and special events.
Lush parks and recreational facilities dot the area, including golf courses and private clubs. Tilden Rodgers Sports Complex in West Memphis offers several ball fields, tennis courts, a walking track, pavilions, and a stocked fishing pond. Marion adds the Marion Golf & Athletic Club with an 18-hole golf course as well as swimming, tennis, and fitness facilities. Vast expanses of natural beauty are available within a short drive, including the Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge, Horseshoe Lake, and the Mississippi River. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping, boating, water sports, fishing, and hunting are all common pastimes.
Proudly displaying a rich historic legacy, the Crittenden County Museum is housed in a restored train depot with exhibits on cotton farming, broom-making, early churches, schools, and medicine. The museum also features impressive art displays that blend the works of nationally recognized artist Carroll Cloar with other paintings, sculpture, wood carvings, and pottery. The Lois Wallin Rich Center for the Arts, the Crittenden Arts Council, and an active artists’ society are the drivers of cultural enrichment for this area. Performance groups, community and youth theatre, and several outstanding arts education resources add to the quality of life. Colorful events and festivals dot the calendar, crowned by the Esperanza Bonanza Festival in Marion. Offering the best of all worlds, Crittenden County will be on the list of fast-growing areas for decades to come.
Marion
Municipal Offices
870-739-5410
https://www.marionar.org/
Chamber of Commerce
870-739-6041
https://www.marionarchamber.org/
Serving as the county seat of government, Marion is only 11 miles from downtown Memphis. This small, welcoming city serves as a bedroom community for Memphis but is also developing its own economy. The slogan “Marion on the Move” reflects the city’s progressive attitude. New-home construction is on the rise in this land-rich community, which is also welcoming new businesses. The 1998 opening of Union Pacific’s Intermodal Railport has driven an influx of manufacturing and distribution companies. Planners are committed to balancing the area’s exceptional quality of life and small-town charm with growth and development. Well-developed parks and sports facilities are complemented by the Marion Lakes Golf & Athletic Club with its semi-private golf course and other premier amenities.
West Memphis
Municipal Offices
870-732-7500
http://www.westmemphisutilities.com/
Chamber of Commerce
870-735-1134
http://www.westmemphischamber.com
“The mind of a metropolis and the heart of a small town” is an accurate description of West Memphis, a growing city with a diverse local economy and lovely residential neighborhoods. Situated on the Mississippi River just 15 minutes from Memphis, the city draws visitors to regional attractions that include a premier greyhound racing facility. Residents have the advantage of a local hospital, a community college, Main Street shopping, quality public and private schools, and easy access to freeways for quick commutes. The city is home to the Crittenden County Arts Council, supporting and promoting the visual and performing arts. The area surrounding West Memphis is dotted with old river lakes and bayous for excellent fishing, and duck hunting is popular during the fall and winter. Horseshoe Lake offers a full-service marina and recreational boating, while the Wappanocca National Wildlife Refuge features another lake and opportunities for outdoor enjoyment and nature study.
Chamber of Commerce
13 Military Road
West Memphis, AR 870-739-6041
http://www.marionarkansas.org
Located west of Shelby County, the rural expanse of Crittenden County lies across the state line in Arkansas. The two major communities that fall within the Metropolitan Memphis region are Marion, the Crittenden County seat of government, and the leading city of West Memphis. Residents of this area can easily reach Memphis via two major interstates with bridges across the Mississippi River: Interstate 55 and Interstate 40. Crittenden County is primarily rural, with the communities encompassed within the Memphis Metropolitan Area serving as quiet bedroom communities. However, development is on the rise in both cities, spurred in part by the exceptional regional transportation facilities. The largest air cargo airport in the world, one of the nation’s largest rail centers, and the fourth largest inland port in America are headliners on a long list of advantages.
West Memphis is the economic leader for this area just across the river from Memphis, home to modern industrial parks, convenient commercial development, private schools, Mid-South Community College, and a regional hospital. Marion’s economic focus has historically been agricultural, with residential neighborhoods serving as a bedroom community for Memphis. However, this small but growing city has been welcoming new manufacturing and distribution businesses since the 1998 opening of Union Pacific’s Intermodal RailPort—one of the largest facilities of its type in North America.
Services
Crittenden Regional Hospital ensures state-of-the-art healthcare services within the county, providing full surgical, radiological, rehabilitation, obstetrical, critical care, and cardiac care. The 152-bed hospital features a 24-hour emergency room and a dedicated staff of 80 physicians in more than 20 clinics who represent every major specialty and many subspecialties. Should the need arise for an exceptional level of advanced care, world-renowned research and treatment facilities are only minutes away from home in Memphis. Among them are St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHS). Closely aligned with the UTHS, the cornerstone Baptist Memorial Hospital is a tertiary-care teaching hospital on a campus that encompasses the new Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women.
Students of all ages enjoy access to quality educational institutions throughout Crittenden County, underlined by the West Memphis School District and the Marion School District. Award-winning schools offer favorable pupil-teacher ratios, abundant opportunities for extra-curricular activities, special programs for the gifted and challenged, and adult education programs. Opportunities also exist for a private education without traveling to Memphis. Founded in 1993, Mid-South Community College in West Memphis continues to grow and develop. In addition to degree and certification programs that include Associate of Applied Science, the college provides workforce development programs and continuing education. The college offers upper-level and graduate classes through a cooperative arrangement with Arkansas State University and University of Central Arkansas.
The Memphis Metropolitan area and the state of Arkansas greatly expand the options for public and private colleges. Crowley’s Ridge Technical Institute in Forrest City, Arkansas, is a leader in providing outstanding educational training opportunities. Arkansas State University in Jonesboro is approximately 60 miles from home. Christian Brothers University, the University of Memphis, and Rhodes College are easily accessible in nearby Memphis.
Lifestyle
Newcomers are discovering Crittenden County just across the river from Memphis as a livable, affordable, and appealing alternative to urban traffic and crowds. The close proximity of an exciting metropolis like Memphis only adds to the appeal of local communities where a small-town atmosphere prevails. Interesting shops, convenience services, and popular restaurants line Main Street in West Memphis, serving as the area’s commercial hub. Some of the attractions in Crittenden County draw visitors from across the metropolitan area, including Riverside International Speedway and Southland Greyhound Park—one of the largest greyhound tracks in America. Memphis Riverboats takes advantage of riverfront views along the Mississippi for relaxing sightseeing, evening music, and dinner cruises but also provide charters and special events.
Lush parks and recreational facilities dot the area, including golf courses and private clubs. Tilden Rodgers Sports Complex in West Memphis offers several ball fields, tennis courts, a walking track, pavilions, and a stocked fishing pond. Marion adds the Marion Golf & Athletic Club with an 18-hole golf course as well as swimming, tennis, and fitness facilities. Vast expanses of natural beauty are available within a short drive, including the Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge, Horseshoe Lake, and the Mississippi River. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping, boating, water sports, fishing, and hunting are all common pastimes.
Proudly displaying a rich historic legacy, the Crittenden County Museum is housed in a restored train depot with exhibits on cotton farming, broom-making, early churches, schools, and medicine. The museum also features impressive art displays that blend the works of nationally recognized artist Carroll Cloar with other paintings, sculpture, wood carvings, and pottery. The Lois Wallin Rich Center for the Arts, the Crittenden Arts Council, and an active artists’ society are the drivers of cultural enrichment for this area. Performance groups, community and youth theatre, and several outstanding arts education resources add to the quality of life. Colorful events and festivals dot the calendar, crowned by the Esperanza Bonanza Festival in Marion. Offering the best of all worlds, Crittenden County will be on the list of fast-growing areas for decades to come.
Marion
Municipal Offices
870-739-5410
www.marionarkansas.org
Chamber of Commerce
870-739-6041
www.marionarkansas.org
Serving as the county seat of government, Marion is only 11 miles from downtown Memphis. This small, welcoming city serves as a bedroom community for Memphis but is also developing its own economy. The slogan “Marion on the Move” reflects the city’s progressive attitude. New-home construction is on the rise in this land-rich community, which is also welcoming new businesses. The 1998 opening of Union Pacific’s Intermodal Railport has driven an influx of manufacturing and distribution companies. Planners are committed to balancing the area’s exceptional quality of life and small-town charm with growth and development. Well-developed parks and sports facilities are complemented by the Marion Lakes Golf & Athletic Club with its semi-private golf course and other premier amenities.
West Memphis
Municipal Offices
870-732-7598
http://westmemphis.org
Chamber of Commerce
870-735-1134
http://www.westmemphischamber.com
“The mind of a metropolis and the heart of a small town” is an accurate description of West Memphis, a growing city with a diverse local economy and lovely residential neighborhoods. Situated on the Mississippi River just 15 minutes from Memphis, the city draws visitors to regional attractions that include a premier greyhound racing facility. Residents have the advantage of a local hospital, a community college, Main Street shopping, quality public and private schools, and easy access to freeways for quick commutes. The city is home to the Crittenden County Arts Council, supporting and promoting the visual and performing arts. The area surrounding West Memphis is dotted with old river lakes and bayous for excellent fishing, and duck hunting is popular during the fall and winter. Horseshoe Lake offers a full-service marina and recreational boating, while the Wappanocca National Wildlife Refuge features another lake and opportunities for outdoor enjoyment and nature study.
