Crossroads of the Nation

The city of Memphis has long been considered one of the major crossroads of America. Musically, culturally, economically and geographically, many streams converge into one diverse river city situated on the western tip of Tennessee. The bluffs overlooking the great Mississippi River are our “front porch” and the bustling suburbs of Germantown, Collierville and Bartlett, among others, gather at our back door.

Since the inception of the FedEx World Headquarters, all roads both on the ground and in the air seem to pass through this Mid-South city. Where cotton was once king, industries based on transportation, distribution, and global logistics are now holding court. A national medical center as well, Memphis is home to the one-of-a-kind St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the University of Tennessee Medical School, and growing medical technology related industries.

With a population of 672,271, Memphis is the nation’s 18th largest city. Its cultural make-up is diverse, including 63.1% African American and a rapidly growing Hispanic population in excess of 100,000. The cost of living in Memphis is 10% below national averages and housing costs for existing homes are 15% below national averages.

Rich Musical Heritage

Commonly referred to as the birthplace of the blues, Memphis has a rich musical heritage. Beale Street, nationally known as home of the blues, and Sun Records, where Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Sam Cook gave birth to rock n’ roll, are “must sees” for music lovers and still generate tourism dollars. And, of course, Graceland, Elvis’ home, is the second most visited house in the country behind the White House.

Rich Cultural Heritage

Memphis was a pivotal city in the civil rights movement of the sixties. The Martin Luther King National Civil Rights Museum honors his work and the struggles of that movement. Athletics has been a focal point in Memphis since the arrival of the Memphis Grizzlies NBA basketball team and their state-of-the-art arena, the FedEx Forum, the establishment of a AAA baseball team, the Redbirds, and the building of their Autozone Park, and the prominence of the University of Memphis as an established basketball power. The International Barbecue Cook-off contest is the world’s largest and firmly establishes Memphis’ reputation as King of the ‘Cue. Memphis is also home to a first class zoo featuring a giant pandas exhibit.

Rich Spiritual Heritage

Memphis is known as the city of churches. Beautiful historic churches line the streets. Many are rising to meet the significant challenges of poverty, crime, low graduation rates and single parents that the city faces. Recently Memphis has been recognized as one of the few cities nationally that has taken the lead in concert with church and para-church ministries to address these urban problems.

Memphis Web Links

Memphis, Tennessee on Wikipedia

City of Memphis