Your Guide to Buying a Home in Marion, AR

Buying a Home in Marion, Arkansas

(Crittenden County Courthouse is in the background of a BNSF engine)

Marion is located in Crittenden County

The town of Marion is the seat of Crittenden County and is located about 15 miles west of Memphis, Tennessee. Marion is strategically situated just 5 miles north of the intersection of I-55 and I-40. The town was founded in 1836, which is the same year Arkansas officially became a state. Historically, Marion has been an agricultural town, although the arrival of the Union Pacific's Intermodal RailPort in 1998 has sparked a new shift towards manufacturing and distribution. This RailPort is the third-largest such facility on the continent.

Marion Public Schools tend to rank among the best in the state of Arkansas. Various programs, such as the Arkansas Scholars Program, which are sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and other city organizations, seek to create a talented workforce for Marion and the surrounding Memphis metropolitan area. There are approximately 3,200 students enrolled in K-12 in the school district. Standardized test scores consistently rank above the national median, and the district is applauded for its increased emphasis on advanced placement. Marion places further importance on its youth by offering a variety of sports programs, ranging from softball to soccer, all of which seek to instill discipline and fitness in Marion's future leaders.

Marion's close proximity to Memphis greatly influences the way of life in the small town. The first weekend in May brings on the annual "Esperanza Bonanza" Festival, where you feel that hometown Southern hospitality, smell the aroma of barbecuing cuisine, and enjoy the company in the genuine hometown atmosphere of Marion. This event is marked as a preparatory event for the Memphis in May barbecue contest. Carnival rides, contests, games, and live music highlight the Bonanza.

Marion is poised to grow rapidly in the next several years as the Memphis metropolitan area expands. Marion offers a quiet alternative to the big city, but is close enough to partake of Memphis' rich resources.