Horn Lake MS is a medium-sized city located in the northwest corner of the state. Ranked as the tenth largest community in the state, the population of 26,766 is comprised of seven constituent neighborhoods. One of the most salient demographics of the city is its phenomenal growth rate. From the 2000 census total of 14,099, the city grew an astonishing 88.9% in less than a decade and a half, to its present size. Such rapid growth strained the housing market; keep up with available inventory, trends, and changes on Movoto.
Most of the growth Horn Lake has experienced was in the two minorities of African-Americans and Hispanics. Today, Horn Lake is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the state. The city is one of the youngest in the state also, with a median age of 32.8, compared to that of Mississippi, at 36.6.
With a median family income of $46,765, Horn Lake is squarely between the state average of $38,882 and the national average of $53,046. You will find some of the most expensive homes in Mississippi here, although the median home value is still 46% lower than the national average.
No single occupation dominates the local economy. The workforce is a mix of both white-collar and blue-collar workers. Horn Lake itself is a city of sales and office workers, service providers and professionals. Many residents commute the 12 miles to Memphis daily, with an average commute time of just under 25 minutes each way. Census data reveal that more than one-fourth of the workforce commute outside the city daily.
Horn Lake schools are a part of the DeSoto County, MS school system, the largest in the state. The DeSoto system is considered the state’s premier school district. Education has become a top priority for Horn Lake as the city grows to accommodate an increasing population seeking a rural lifestyle in close proximity to a large city. The sole high school, Horn Lake High, has shown an increase in test scores and graduation rate over the past few years, and is one of the best performers in a state where most fall far below the national average. The high school graduation rate has improved to 75%, above the state average but still below the national average of 82.4%. With 72% of students rated proficient in math, and 54% in reading, the school has a ways to go, but is on a steady improvement course. Recognizing that continued improvement is a long-term task, the requested and received a quarter million dollar grant for Writing to Read, a kindergarten and pre-school program.
For those students who plan to continue their education past high school, there are five colleges and universities within an hour’s drive from Horn Lake. The average test scores for these students have risen to 1580 for the SAT, and to 23 for the ACT, either of which will qualify for admission to almost all colleges in the nation.
Horn Lake bills itself as an outdoor lover’s paradise. The Arbor Day Foundation has awarded the city for its reforestation efforts numerous time, and the city has earned the title “Greenest City in Mississippi.” Favorable year-round weather, a very active Parks and Recreation Department, and rich and abundant natural resources combine to attract outdoor enthusiasts to visit, return, and in some cases to relocate to Horn Lake.
The city has been able to maintain the look, feel, and ambiance of its Mississippi Delta roots. Farmers still bring their produce and value-added products to town, parking on street corners or in parking lots to wait for customers. Summer days will still feature picnics, whether family, business, church, or neighborhood. Everyone turns out for sporting events, and many stick around to help clean up the field, court or park.
Churches are literally on every corner, and congregations gather regularly. Life is no slower in Horn Lake, but the city’s atmosphere makes it seem so.
The overall quality of life in Horn Lake is very good. While wages are not as high as in many places, the cost of living here is much lower. Unemployment is roughly half the national level and, for the most part those who seek work can find it. As with any city or state, all social strata exist here, but as a major indicator, the crime rate in Horn Lake is lower in every measured category than those of the state or of the nation.
Opportunities are abundant for those wishing to carve out a better lot, also. Within an hour’s drive there are five colleges and universities, and one of the largest technical schools in the state. Scholarships, grants and work-study programs are available, and private citizens volunteer their time for tutoring those who need help to qualify.
The old saying that the three most important things in real estate are location, location, location applies to Horn Lake. The city is situated with ready access to interstate highways, airports, river ports, and railways. The Horn Lake Chamber of Commerce stresses that you are “never far from anywhere” if you live in Horn Lake. Few cities are so ideally situated for travel, tourism, or commerce, and the city strives to make the most of it. Combined with their mild climate and low cost of living, Horn Lake’s location and access continue to contribute to its growth and attractiveness as a place to live.
