Living in Arlington, TN: Depot Square, Parks and Homes
Arlington Kelly Day October 1, 2026
Arlington Kelly Day October 1, 2026
Arlington, Tennessee sits in the northeast corner of Shelby County, where the suburbs start to give way to open fields and Fayette County farmland. In the 38002 zip code you'll find a town that has grown quickly over the last two decades while keeping a small, walkable historic center at its heart. If you're thinking about a move to Arlington, or just curious about what day-to-day life looks like here, this guide covers the places, services and housing patterns that tend to matter most once you've unpacked.
The story of Arlington starts with the railroad. The community was first known as Haysville, named for General Samuel J. Hays, who donated land for a depot on the line running out of Memphis. Cotton moved through that depot, and the town grew up around it. The name changed to Arlington in the 1880s, and the town was incorporated in 1900.
Today, Depot Square on Chester Street is the town's centerpiece. A replica depot stands on the site of the original station, which was torn down in 1971. Around it sits a small collection of preserved buildings that are worth a slow walk:
The rail line through the square is still active, so passing trains are part of the atmosphere. A historical marker beside the depot tells the town's story in more detail. In the warmer months, the square comes alive with community events, including the Music on the Square concert series organized through the Town and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce.
For a town of its size, Arlington has a generous network of green space. The Arlington Chamber lists these town parks and facilities:
The Town's economic development materials describe more than 68 acres of parks, along with walking trails and bike paths. The Sports Complex handles much of the organized recreation, while the smaller neighborhood parks are the kind of places you can reach on an evening stroll. The Playground of Dreams is a well-known local landmark in its own right.
Arlington is served by its own municipal school district, Arlington Community Schools, which was created in 2014 after several Shelby County towns formed their own districts. The district's central office is on Arlington Trail. It operates four schools:
Because school zoning can follow specific boundaries, it's always worth confirming which schools serve a particular address directly with the district before you make a decision.
Location is one of Arlington's practical strengths. Interstate 40 runs right through town, and the interchange with SR 385 and I-269 gives a direct route north toward Millington and south toward Collierville and the other eastern suburbs. Downtown Memphis is roughly half an hour west, depending on traffic and where you start. US-70 (which shares its route with US-79 here) runs through the area toward Memphis and Brownsville, and US-64 is a short drive south toward Lakeland. Neighbors like Lakeland, Bartlett and Gallaway are all close by, and the BlueOval City project in Haywood County is a straight shot east on I-40.
On the services side, a few things to know when setting up a household:
A quick call to Town Hall at 901-867-2620 is the simplest way to sort out exactly which accounts you'll need to open and what deposits apply.
Arlington's housing tells the story of its growth. The town's population climbed from a few thousand in 2000 to well over 14,000 by the 2020 Census, and most of that growth took shape as planned subdivisions. Neighborhood names you'll hear around town include Hunters Walk, Trails of Arlington, Chapel Ridge, Arlington Station, Windsor Place, Forrest Grove, Snyder Plantation and Summer Meadows. Homes in these areas tend to be traditional and Craftsman-inspired designs on suburban lots, with newer construction still being added in parts of town.
Closer to Depot Square, the feel changes. Scattered older homes, including Queen Anne and Craftsman bungalow styles, sit along the streets near the historic center, often on more established lots with mature trees. The southern part of Arlington remains more rural, with open land and acreage properties that offer more room between houses.
Each of these settings comes with its own considerations. Older homes near the center may need a closer look at things like roofing, electrical and foundations, while newer subdivisions often come with HOA covenants worth reading before you commit. Acreage properties can raise questions about septic, wells or easements.
Whether you're drawn to the historic streets around Depot Square, a newer subdivision near the Sports Complex, or a few acres on the quieter south side, Arlington offers a lot of variety in a compact area. If you have questions about a particular street, want help comparing neighborhoods, or simply want to talk through what a move might look like, I'm always happy to help, with no pressure at all.
Kelly Day, SRES, SRS, AHWD, PSA, RENE
Multi Million Dollar Club
Broker Lic # 365811
simpliHOM
901-289-9227
855-856-9466
[email protected]
https://memphishouselistings.com
Arlington
Midtown Memphis
Rossville
Collierville
Germantown
Bartlett
Piperton
East Memphis
Midtown Memphis
We'd love to hear from you! Whether you're buying, selling, or just exploring your options, we're here to provide answers, insights, and the support you need. Contact us and start planning your next move.
