Living in Covington, TN
Take an at-a-glance look at living in Covington, TN, including attractions, schools and community events.
Situated between the Mississippi River and Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge, the city of Covington, TN is known for its hospitality and heritage. Living in Covington puts residents within 45 minutes of big-city attractions in Memphis, TN and within close driving distance of the Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge. The city provides a small-town feel, but has recently acquired many amenities that have raised the quality of life for residents and begun to attract new businesses. Top employers in Covington include Tootsie Roll Industries, maker of Charms Blow Pops.
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In This Article
What's in Covington?
Covington has become a destination city in west Tennessee. The 18-hole course at Covington Country Club draws hundreds of golfers each year and hosts numerous tournaments. It's been called one of the best courses in the region. There are six parks in Covington, including Cobb-Parr Memorial Park, located in the heart of the city. Cobb-Parr is the largest park in Covington, with 80 acres that hold athletic fields, playgrounds and walking trails. The city owns 86 acres adjoining the park that have been set aside for future public use. The Tipton County Museum, Veterans Memorial and Nature Center are also a part of the city's park system.
Things to Do in Covington, TN
Cobb-Parr Memorial Park also hosts the World's Oldest BBQ Cooking Contest each June and the Tipton County B-B-Q Festival in the fall. The June event includes live music, tractor pulls, a demolition derby, mechanical bull rides and, of course, lots of good things to eat.
Court Square Park, located in the heart of the city, features an outdoor stage used for many spring and summer concerts. The Ruffin Theater is home to the Tipton Art League, which produces stage shows throughout the year. Shoppers will find great bargains in Covington's many boutique shops, antique stores and clothing outlets.
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What's Nearby?
Covington's close proximity to Memphis puts residents within an easy drive to major regional attractions and the city's legendary restaurant scene. Day trips from Covington include visits to Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley; Stax Museum of American Soul Music; Orpheum Theatre; FedExForum, home of the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies; Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, where the University of Memphis Tigers play home football games; Memphis Zoo; and The Peabody hotel.
Nearby, Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge provides a pristine setting for hunting, fishing, hiking and wildlife photography adventures. This 26,000-acre area near the Mississippi River contains bottomland hardwoods and wetlands. Other parks within a two-hour radius of Covington include: Discovery Park of America, Tennessee Safari Park, Reelfoot Lake and Fort Pillow State Park.
Homes in Covington
Covington has a wide and varied selection of high-end family neighborhoods, moderate starter homes and historic homes in the downtown area. Apartment complexes and rental homes provide even more flexibility when it comes to choosing a place to live. Small and large farms offer the opportunity to live in more secluded areas. Most neighborhoods in Covington blend together; however, there are defined areas in the city's historic district, which residents identify as Countrywood and The Links.
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Schools in Covington
Parents find Covington to be a perfect setting to raise children. Schools in Covington receive high praise for providing quality education. Covington High School has been a three-time winner of the SCORE Award, indicating it's one of the highest performing schools in the state. Covington Integrated Arts Academy is a current Tennessee Reward School. In addition to public schools, Covington has two private schools.
Both the Tennessee College of Applied Technology and the Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County, a branch of Dyersburg State Community College, are located in Covington. Not far away are the University of Tennessee at Martin's Ripley Center, Christian Brothers University, Rhodes College and the University of Memphis.
Health Care in Covington
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Tipton, which was established in 1964, is Covington's primary health care provider. The hospital's radiology department was expanded in 2001, and in 1999, the hospital opened a sleep disorders lab. The city is also located near other full-service medical facilities in Memphis such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital and Regional One Health.