Relocation Info

• A Contemporary Community At The "Top of Mississippi"

  Because of its convenient location, affordability, excellent schools, quality health care, safe environment and progressive City government, Southaven has experienced strong residential and business growth since its incorporation in 1981. The current population is just over 42,000. More than 3,000 new jobs have been added since 1997, and there are currently more than 1,500 businesses. Our median income is the highest in the state. Nearly 100 churches representing dozens of different denominations and family activities provide plenty of opportunities to worship and play together. Civic and service organizations bring the arts and humanities into practice throughout the community. An average of 7.4 new families per day are finding that DeSoto County is a safe and friendly place that just feels like home.



• Recreation & Youth Sports

  The City of Southaven is known for their excellent parks system. Snowden Grove Park is the nation's largest youth baseball complex and hosts several major baseball tournaments from across the United States. Greenbrook Softball Complex is home for the girls' leagues and is equipped with restroom facilities and concessions. The Cherry Valley Complex includes three football fields, two soccer fields, a dirt bike track, restrooms, a concession stand, playground equipment, a picnic shelter and walking trails. Central Park is the City's newest park. Its 155 acres include a 20-acre lake for fishing and small watercraft, walking trails, and picnic areas. In the future, camping areas will be added. Stateline Road Park is home to five soccer fields. The City's 22 neighborhood parks offer playground equipment, picnic tables, grills and walking trails. Two new recreation facilities are  a multi-purpose facility, The Arena in Southaven, for equestrian events, dirt bike competitions and other events; and a skate park for roller hockey and skate boards. Snowden House, a renovated early 1900's home situated between trees and gardens at Snowden Grove Park, has been renovated and serves as the focal point for the city's retirement programs and services. It also offers a beautiful setting for receptions and other special events.
  
  Of course, sports play a huge role in the life of many Southaven residents. 
  Baseball and Softball  - Snowden Grove Park hosts the Dizzy Dean Baseball World Series, the USSSA Fall Nationals and the NABF World Classic. Snowden was named USSSA Complex of the Year for 2008. Summer youth baseball is also played there attracting more then 1,500 teams each summer. Greenbrook Park is also an award winning softball complex where girl's softball is played. Over the years, the Greenbrook Complex has played host to the World Series Fast Pitch Softball tournament and to the Gulf South Conference NCAA Division II, College Softball Championship tournament.

  The Field of Dreams was opened in 2004 allowing mentally and physically challenged children and adults the opportunity to participate in league softball. This program is not cost to the player's families for league participation. For more information, contact the Southaven Parks and Recreation Department at 662-890-PARK.

  High school football- Southaven's local high school football games are enjoyable to watch. One game that generates interest is the Mayor's Cup, which pits the Chargers of Southaven High School against the Jaguars of DeSoto Central.
  
  Tennis - In DeSoto County, 17 Tennis League teams are registered for fall play. Clinics are available at the Southaven Tennis Center located on Freeman Lane off of Malone. The DeSoto County Tennis Association has over 300 active participants. For more information, please visit their website at http://www.desototennis.com.

  Other Sports: BancorpSouth Sports Center located on the grounds of Snowden Grove Park has two 18 hole putt putt miniature golf courses. Indoor soccer, fast pitch softball and baseball indoor batting cages, batting tunnels for live pitching, and a family friendly arcade are also available at this facility. Located at the corner of Highway 51 & Main Street in the 51 & Main District, Cotton Bowl Lane offers 34 lanes and a full service snack bar.
  
  The City of Southaven has a 9-hole golf course located at State Line and Swinnea, and an 18-hole disc golf course located in Central Park. A skate park that includes a park for skateboards and an inline hockey rink is located at Hwy 51 and Rasco Road.
  
  Hunting, Fishing, & Sailing at Arkabutla Lake - Located 15 minutes away, ARKABUTLA LAKE is the nearest U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project. It is known throughout the region for its extra large crappie. A majority of the land surrounding Arkabutla Lake is open to all forms of hunting. Amenities include Class A campgrounds, four primitive camping areas, picnic facilities and shelters, nature trails, hiking trails, playgrounds, volleyball court, and acres of public land and water. Arkabutla Lake is also known for sailing and boasts the best sailing winds south of Chicago.




• Demographic Profile

  
  Population
  Memphis MSA 1,269,108
  Southaven 42,567
  Median Age (in years) 33.1
  Male 49% Female 51%
  Number of Households 15,900
  Average Household Size 2.65
  Average Family Size 3.12
  
  Household Income
  Households 15,900
  Median HH Income $52,933
  Under $15,000 11.7%
  $15,000 - $24,999 9.7%
  $25,000 - $49,999 28.5%
  $50,000 - $99,999 38.1%
  $100,000 - $149,999 9.1%
  $150,000 or more 2.8%
  
  Education
  Less than H.S. Graduate 13%
  H.S. Graduate 37%
  Some College-Assoc. Degree 32%
  College Grad or Higher 18%



• Seasonal Events

  Each year, Southaven enjoys many community events.
  
  

  • The Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Snowdon Grove Park attracts families from all over the county to enjoy food, games, and to search for their share of the 50,000 hidden, candy-filled eggs.
  • In April people come from all over to participate in Springfest and The Mississippi State Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, sanctioned by the Memphis Barbecue Network. This festival takes place in Snowdon Grove Park and features a carnival midway with fun rides, vendors, concessions, and live musical entertainment. Springfest is the city's premier event each year attracting over 50,000 visitors during its three day festival.
  • In May, "gear up" for Southaven's Annual Fishing Rodeo. Bring your fishing gear, bait, hats, and lawn chairs. This event is held in Saucier Park (next to Southaven City Hall), and children ages 4-12 can enjoy fishing for prizes and trophies. Admission is free!
  • The Annual Patriotic Parade kicks off the Fourth of July festivities at Jim Saucier Park.
  • The Fourth of July is a big celebration in Snowdon Grove Park. Every year there is live entertainment and an impressive fire-works display. This is a time of good, patriotic fun.
  • On Veteran's Day, Mayor Greg Davis hosts a special program and complimentary lunch honoring our veterans.
  • In December, Southaven's Central Park becomes the site of the Southern Lights, which showcases over 40 Christmas and holiday lighting displays. Adults and children alike are captivated by the synchronized music and lights.
  • Be sure to check out the festive, annual Southaven Christmas Parade as people from all over the city come together to make this event special.
  • Another Christmas tradition is the Mayor's Breakfast with Santa, which is enjoyed by over 1,250 residents and visitors alike. Admission to this event is free, and it is held at the City's Arena in Southaven. The Christmas setting, breakfast, and free photos with Santa make this popular with both adults and children.



• Theater

  Housed in the Lander's Center (mentioned above) is the DeSoto Family Theatre. It is a 400-seat theater and is known locally for its lively, well-performed shows. In addition to entertainment appropriate for the entire family DeSoto Family Theatre provides oportunites for participation and education through audition workshops, summer camps, and student matinees.
  
  The Snowden Grove Amphitheatre has hosted big acts such as Lynard Skynard, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Sugarland, Candlebox, BuckCherry, Blue October, Saliva, Jason Aldean, and Dierks Bentley. This outdoor amphitheatre has fixed floor seating for 4,000 with additional seating on the lawn for 6,000.
  
  Another venue for the performing arts is the Southaven Performing Arts Center located on Colonial Hills Drive.




• Entertainment

  Southaven is proud to be the home of the Lander's Center which is a 200,000 square foot facility that hosts more than 1,000 events each year. The Lander's Center is the home site of the Mississippi RiverKings (formerly the Memphis RiverKings), a professional hockey team. The RiverKings play in the Central Hockey League and are perennial playoff contenders. They host 32 home games a year from October through March (not including playoffs), with family-friendly activities each game, from Elvis impersonators to indoor fireworks displays. 
  
  The Lander's Center has also been the venue for the GulfSouth NCAA Division II, College Basketball Men's and Womens's Championship tournament, and numerous concerts, family shows and seasonal attractions.
  
  



• Area Attractions

  Being so close to the big city of Memphis, Southaven residents and visitors have even more entertainment possibilities just minutes away. Sports fans will enjoy the abundance of live games in Memphis, including the Redbirds baseball games at AutoZone Park, and the Grizzlies (our local NBA team) at the FedEx Forum.
  
  The Orpheum Theatre, known as the "South's Finest Theatre," recently celebrated its 80th anniversary. The Orpheum presents 10 - 12 large scale Broadway shows per year such as Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Wicked, and Jersey Boys while continuing to offer performances from great entertainers like Jerry Seinfeld, Robin Williams and many more.
  
  Graceland Mansion remains one of the Mid-South's most popular tourist attractions. Each year thousands of fans from around the world flock to the area to tour Elvis' majestic home and pay their respects to one of music's most iconic figures.
  
  Located minutes west of Southaven in the heart of the place where "The Blues" was born, Tunica is a fast growing entertainment destination. Many of the world's top performers are familiar faces at the multimillion dollar showrooms. Plush hotel accommodations ranging from spacious king rooms to luxurious suites are available. Here you will discover the dining experience you're looking for from elegant dinners to casual get-togethers. Championship golf, tennis and sporting clays are also available.
  
  Shake the dice, spin the reels and get ready to play! With two floors of slots and table games, Sam's Town's Hotel & Casino has everything you're looking for.
  



• Health Care

  Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto is a 339-bed hospital that offers diagnostic, surgical and rehabilitation services. In 2001 the hospital completed an expansion project that nearly doubled its size, expanded its labor and delivery services, and added open-heart surgery and radiation therapy. In December 2002 the hospital opened its Outpatient Diagnostic Center and Women's Center within the hospital, which houses diagnostic equipment such as DeSoto County's first open MRI, an advanced CT scanner and ultrasound equipment. In November 2006 Baptist officials completed a $175 million dollar expansion project. The expansion included a 400,000-square-foot, 11-story bed tower that added more than 100 acute and critical care beds to the facility. It also added a new and expanded emergency department, more operating suites and space for future additions.



• Taxes

  When it comes to taxes, Mississippi is tax-friendly to retirees. Qualified retirement income is exempted from state income tax and Social Security is not taxed, regardless of total income. Persons 65 years of age and older are exempt from ad valorem taxes up to $75,000 of the market value on their primary residence.



• Government

  The professionals and elected representatives in city government are the visionaries behind the growth and prosperity in the City of Southaven. Their people-friendly attitude, open door policy and willingness to help have created a positive environment for businesses and residents. This positive environment has brought steady growth in business development and new housing. Local government is a strong proponent for parks and recreation, and citizen safety is a primary concern. Visit the City of Southaven's website.



• Youth Center

  The Southaven Youth Center is housed in the building of the Southaven Performing Arts Center, and allows children K-6th grade to experience activities such as arts and crafts, sports and character leadership training. The center features a large game room with pool tables, air hockey and foosball tables. It is open from 2-6 p.m. during the school year.