Memphis is located in the south-west of state of the Tennessee, United States. It is the second largest metropolitan area in the state of Tennessee.
Location Map of Memphis City, Tennessee
Where is Memphis City Located?
Memphis is a city along the Mississippi River in southwestern Shelby County, Tennessee, United States. Memphi is the 2nd-most populous city in Tennessee and 25th-largest city in United States, with a population of 651,073 according to the 2019 United States Census Bureau data. It covers an area of 304.62 sq mi (788.97 km2)./
Memphis City was established in the year 1819 by John Overton, Andrew Jackson, and James Winchester. Even before its establishment, the Bluffs of Memphis lived there in a succession of Native Americans. It is located on the Mississippi River's widest point. The term ‘Memphis’ means Established and Beautiful. Memphis is the only city in the country to have won the title of cleanest city five times.
Memphis City is renowned as the "Home of the Blues & Birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll" worldwide. Graceland is the most popular attraction in the city. Graceland alone is enough to entice many visitors to visit Memphis City. One of only four zoos in the country featuring giant pandas, the Memphis Zoo is quite popular. The 70-acre zoo, which boasts more than 3,500 animals representing 500 species, has been around for more than a century.
Memphis City`s International Airport, the busiest cargo airport in the world, has overtaken Hong Kong International Airport in 2021. FedEx Express' main shipping center is located in Memphis city. Memphis in May is one of the biggest festivals and a month-long festival held in Memphis City, Tennessee. The celebration, which will commemorate Ghana in 2022, recognizes a different foreign nation each year and includes a variety of activities. The Beale Street Music Festival, International Week, World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, and Great River Run are the four primary activities that attract many people to Memphis City. Some of the best places to visit in Memphis City are Graceland, Shelby Farms Park, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Memphis Pyramid, Crosstown Concourse, Levitt Shell, Sun Studio and Overton Park.
Memphis, Tennessee Quick Facts
| City | Memphis |
| County | Shelby County |
| State | Tennessee |
| State Capital | Nashville |
| US Region | South |
| Latitude | 35.1495° N |
| Longitude | 90.0490° W |
| Elevation | 337 ft (103 m) |
| Land Area (sq mi) | 317.40 |
| Water Area (sq mi) | 9.60 |
| Total Area (sq mi) | 327.00 |
| Population (2020 Census) | 633,104 |
| Population Density (per sq mi) | 1,995 |
| ZIP Codes | 37501, 38103, 38104, 38105, 38106, 38107, 38108, 38109, 38111, 38112, 38114, 38115, 38116, 38117, 38118, 38119, 38120, 38122, 38125, 38126, 38127, 38128, 38133, 38134, 38135, 38138, 38139, 38141 |
| Area Code | 901 |
| Time Zone Standard | Central Standard Time (UTC-6) |
| Time Zone Daylight | Central Daylight Time (UTC-5) |
| Currency | United States Dollar (USD) |
| FIPS Code | 47-48000 |
| Congressional District | Tennessee's 9th Congressional District |
Nearby Cities to Memphis, Tennessee
- West Memphis, Arkansas - 8 mi West
- Bartlett, Tennessee - 12 mi Northeast
- Germantown, Tennessee - 16 mi East
- Collierville, Tennessee - 24 mi East
- Southaven, Mississippi - 13 mi South
- Olive Branch, Mississippi - 18 mi Southeast
- Horn Lake, Mississippi - 14 mi South
- Marion, Arkansas - 12 mi West
- Millington, Tennessee - 15 mi North
- Lakeland, Tennessee - 18 mi East
Memphis, Tennessee Climate and Weather Overview
| Month | Avg High (°F) | Avg Low (°F) | Avg Rainfall (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 50 | 32 | 4.8 |
| April | 73 | 52 | 5.4 |
| July | 91 | 73 | 4.3 |
| October | 76 | 54 | 3.3 |
| Annual | 73 | 53 | 54.0 |
| Climate Classification (Köppen) | Humid Subtropical (Cfa) |
| Annual Rainfall | 54.0 in |
| Annual Sunshine Days | 218 |
| Hurricane/Tornado Risk | Moderate Tornado Risk |
| Snowfall | 3.0 in |
Driving Distances from Memphis, Tennessee
| City | State | Distance (mi) | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | Tennessee | 86 | 1 hr 20 min |
| Little Rock | Arkansas | 137 | 2 hr 15 min |
| Tupelo | Mississippi | 109 | 1 hr 45 min |
| Oxford | Mississippi | 82 | 1 hr 20 min |
| Nashville | Tennessee | 212 | 3 hr 15 min |
| Jonesboro | Arkansas | 70 | 1 hr 15 min |
| Paducah | Kentucky | 176 | 2 hr 50 min |
| Birmingham | Alabama | 239 | 3 hr 45 min |
| St. Louis | Missouri | 284 | 4 hr 20 min |
| New Orleans | Louisiana | 395 | 6 hr |
Transportation and Connectivity in Memphis, Tennessee
| Airport Name | Memphis International Airport |
| IATA Code | MEM |
| Port | Port of Memphis |
| Major Highways | I-40, I-55, I-69, I-240, US 78 |
| Train/Amtrak Service | Available via Memphis Central Station |
| Local Bus/Transit Service | Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) |
- Interstate 40 - Major east-west corridor connecting Memphis with Nashville and Arkansas.
- Interstate 55 - Connects Memphis with St. Louis, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
- Interstate 69 - Expanding national corridor serving the Mid-South region.
- Interstate 240 - Beltway route serving central Memphis and surrounding districts.
- U.S. Route 78 - Connects Memphis with northern Mississippi and Alabama.
Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Memphis, Tennessee
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Graceland | Historic Site |
| National Civil Rights Museum | Museum |
| Beale Street | Entertainment District |
| Memphis Zoo | Zoo |
| Sun Studio | Historic Music Site |
| Stax Museum of American Soul Music | Museum |
| Shelby Farms Park | Urban Park |
| Mississippi River Park | Riverfront Park |
| Memphis Pyramid (Bass Pro Shops) | Landmark Attraction |
| Pink Palace Museum | Museum |
Economy and Major Employers in Memphis, Tennessee
| Sector | Major Employer or Industry | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Logistics | FedEx | Global headquarters and major employer. |
| Healthcare | Regional One Health | Major healthcare provider in the region. |
| Healthcare | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | Internationally recognized medical institution. |
| Transportation | Air Cargo and Distribution | Memphis is a major logistics hub. |
| Manufacturing | Advanced Manufacturing | Supports regional employment and exports. |
| Education | University of Memphis | Leading public university and employer. |
| Tourism | Music and Heritage Tourism | Driven by famous cultural attractions. |
| Retail | Consumer and Business Services | Supports metropolitan commerce. |
Colleges and Universities in Memphis, Tennessee
| Institution Name | Type (Public/Private) | Level | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Memphis | Public | University | Research, business, and engineering programs |
| Rhodes College | Private | College | Liberal arts education |
| Christian Brothers University | Private | University | Engineering and business programs |
| LeMoyne-Owen College | Private | College | Historically Black liberal arts institution |
| Southwest Tennessee Community College | Public | Community College | Career and transfer education |
| Baptist Health Sciences University | Private | University | Healthcare and nursing education |
| University of Tennessee Health Science Center | Public | University | Medical and health sciences programs |
| Visible Music College | Private | College | Music and entertainment education |
Waterbodies in Memphis, Tennessee
Mississippi River, Wolf River, Nonconnah Creek, Loosahatchie River, McKellar Lake, Herb Parsons Lake, Wapanocca Lake, Coldwater River, Beaver Lake, Horseshoe Lake
Golf Courses in Memphis, Tennessee
TPC Southwind, Memphis Country Club, Colonial Country Club, Mirimichi Golf Course, Galloway Golf Course, Pine Hill Golf Course, Windyke Country Club, The Links at Audubon, Cherokee Valley Golf Club, Riverside Golf Course
Memphis, Tennessee - Key Historical Facts
- Memphis was founded in 1819 on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River and quickly became an important trading center.
- The city's river location helped establish it as a major transportation and cotton market during the 19th century.
- Memphis played a significant role in the development of blues, soul, and rock and roll music.
- Elvis Presley made Memphis internationally famous through Graceland and his musical career.
- The National Civil Rights Museum stands at the former Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968.
- Today Memphis is a leading center for logistics, healthcare, transportation, and music heritage tourism.
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Written and fact-checked by Whereig.com Web Team | Last Updated: January 11, 2025, 11:50 PM ET