Are you moving to the Memphis area? If you’re looking for a safe, family-friendly community with a great quality of life and low cost of living, you’ll find it in Olive Branch, Mississippi. This affluent community is one of the country’s fastest growing cities yet offers affordable living, the best schools in Mississippi, and plentiful opportunities for work and play.
Established in the 1840s, Olive Branch’s name is a reference to the biblical story of a dove bringing Noah an olive branch. The population grew slowly from an initial 73 in 1880 to 600 in 1960 before growth accelerating rapidly, growing 135% at the 1970 census and 490% at the 2000 census. Living in Olive Branch has only become more desirable thanks to growing employment opportunities, new developments, and great schools.
Here’s everything you want to know about moving to Olive Branch, MS to decide if it’s right for you!
Olive Branch, MS Population & Demographics
The population of Olive Branch is 39,711 according to the 2020 census, up from 33,500 in 2010. The population has nearly doubled since 2000 and it was one of America’s fastest growing cities between 1990 and 2020. The city is part of the Memphis metro area which has a population of 1.3 million.
Where is Olive Branch, MS? In DeSoto County, Mississippi right on the border with Tennessee. It’s just 22 miles from Olive Branch MS to Memphis TN downtown, but part of the northern border of Olive Branch touches the Memphis city limits. The city is bordered by unincorporated areas to the south and east and Southaven, MS to the west.
Olive Branch demographics:
- Median household income: $74,680
- Educational attainment: 27% bachelor’s degree or higher
- Racial and ethnic composition: 622% white, 30.4% Black or African American, 5.3% Hispanic, and 1.7% Asian
- Foreign-born population: 4.1%
Is Olive Branch, MS safe? Absolutely! The city has 42% less violent crime than the national average. Olive Branch was recently ranked among the safest cities thanks to its low cost of crime per capita of $1,197. Residents living in Olive Branch are served by the Olive Branch Police Department.
A few famous people are from Olive Branch including Ricky Stenhouse, Jr, a professional stock car driver.
Cost of Living in Olive Branch
Olive Branch is an affluent city in Mississippi with a median household income of $75,000 compared to the state median of $45,000 and 46% higher than nearby Memphis. While the cost of living in Olive Branch is much higher than the Mississippi cost of living, it’s still an affordable place to live.
The Olive Branch, MS cost of living index is 95 which makes it 5% more affordable than the national average. By comparison, Mississippi has a cost of living index of 81.
If you’re planning to rent, you’ll pay average rent of $1,140 according to RentCafe. That’s far below the national average rent of $1,572 and cheaper than neighboring Southaven at $1,242.
There are tons of great apartments in Olive Branch, MS to choose from. The Plantation Apartment Homes offers 1-3 bedroom units starting at $990 with a playground, clubhouse, fitness center, stocked fishing lake, and pool. The Vineyard of Olive Branch Apartment Homes is the top-rated luxury apartment building in the city with amenities that include two resort-style pools, 24-hour fitness center, tanning salon, car wash station, and upscale clubhouse.
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The median home price is $290,000 which is up 11% year-over-year. Homes sell in just 5 median days on the market. You can see homes for sale in Olive Branch, MS to get an idea of how far your budget can stretch when moving to Olive Branch!
If you buy a home, be aware of how DeSoto County, MS property taxes work. Your primary residence is assessed at 10% of its market value. DeSoto County has a millage rate of $97.98 per $1,000 in assessed value. The Olive Branch millage rate is $38.50 per $1,000, one of the lowest city tax rates in the county.
Olive Branch Neighborhoods
Ready to explore the best places to live in Olive Branch? Here are some of the top neighborhoods for families, retirees, and more!
Belmor Lakes – Desirable Family-Friendly Neighborhood in Olive Branch with Lakes and Community Events
Belmor Lakes is a popular subdivision of more than 200 homes known for its large ¾ acre lots and mature landscaping with rolling hills and trees. The family-friendly and close-knit community hosts frequent community events like the Youth Fishing Rodeo and Back-to-School Ice Cream Social with three lakes and lighted trails.
Wedgewood – Beautiful Golf Course Community with Large, Single-Family Homes
Wedgewood is one of the best neighborhoods in the city for retirees and families. Surrounding Wedgewood Golf Club, this community offers lakes and great amenities with home prices ranging from the low $200s to the high $500s. HOA fees are around $180 per year and include grounds maintenance.
River Grove Estates – Upscale Community with New Executive Homes
River Grove Estates is one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in Olive Branch. With a central location that’s minutes from schools and highways, the community offers a number of new executive homes built by Grant. Prices range from $550,000 to $600,000 for 4- to 5-bedroom homes with 3-car garages and half-acre lots.
Olive Branch MS Weather
The Olive Branch climate is humid subtropical which means long, hot, and muggy summers with short, rainy winters. The mild, brief winters and average annual temperature of 62 degrees means you can enjoy patio dining and backyard barbecues nine months out of the year! The average summer temperature is a high of 81 degrees, but it’s frequently over 90 and even 100 degrees.
Before moving to Olive Branch, Mississippi, make sure you’re prepared for significant annual rainfall of almost 54”, well above the national average.
Things to Do in Olive Branch MS
Ready to explore the fun things to do in Olive Branch and nearby areas of DeSoto County, Mississippi? The charming town offers plenty of shopping including Village Shops, Target, Frontier Western Store, T.J. Maxx, Academy Sports + Outdoors, and Five Below. The city’s charming and historic Old Towne district is known for its antique shops.
You’ll find plenty to do in surrounding areas too. It’s only 20 minutes from Olive Branch to Graceland and the DeSoto County area boasts excellent fishing, hunting, lake recreation, and Mississippi state parks. Here are some of the top attractions in Olive Branch, Mississippi you can look forward to!
Olive Branch City Park
One of the best parks in Olive Branch, this 135-acre central community park offers three lakes, an amphitheater, game fields, a playground, and tennis.
Olive Branch City Park, 8267 Goodman Rd, Olive Branch, MS 38654 (662) 893-5219
Mid-South Ice House
The best ice rink in the region with an NHL-regulation rink and pro shop plus lessons.
Mid-South Ice House, 10705 Ridgeway Industrial Dr, Olive Branch, MS 38654 (901) 881-8544
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Cherokee Valley Golf Club
Olive Branch’s premier golf club is open to the public with an 18 hole par 72 course, eleven lakes, and 52 bunkers plus a modern practice facility and pro shop.
Cherokee Valley Golf Club, 6635 Crumpler Blvd, Olive Branch, MS 38654 (662) 893-4444
Additional Olive Branch attractions:
- Malco Olive Branch Cinema Grill
- Brussel’s Bonsai, largest Bonsai nursery in US
- Wedgewood Golf Club
- Skate Odyssey of Olive Branch
Olive Branch, MS Restaurants
Here are the best places to eat in Olive Branch that are sure to become favorites with the whole family.
- Corky’s Ribs & BBQ. Corky’s is a local favorite barbecue chain with Memphis-style BBQ and a large beer selection. Corky’s Ribs & BBQ, 6434 Goodman Rd, Olive Branch, MS 38654 (662) 893-3663
- SideStreet Burgers. Opened as a one-man show by Chef Jon, SideStreet Burgers is now one of the top restaurants in Olive Branch with its famous Korean-inspired Fat Panda sandwich. SideStreet Burgers, 9199 MS-178, Olive Branch, MS 38654 (901) 596-4749
- PYRO’S Fire Fresh Pizza. Pyro’s is one of the best pizza joints in the Memphis area with beer on tap and pizzas made to order with all the fresh ingredients you want. PYRO’S Fire Fresh Pizza, 5338 Goodman Rd, Olive Branch, MS 38654 (662) 874-5370
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Jobs in Olive Branch MS
Want to explore employment opportunities before moving to Olive Branch, Mississippi? The city’s economy is diverse and centered around education, warehousing, distribution, logistics, and small business. The average salary is $16.19/hour or $61,000 per year according to Payscale.
You’ll find many job options in the city and surrounding areas of metro Memphis including the neighboring city of Southaven. Major employers in DeSoto County include:
- DeSoto County Schools (careers)
- William-Sonoma distribution center in Olive Branch
- Baptist Memorial Hospital – DeSoto (careers)
- Fedex Ground in Olive Branch, MS with a major distribution center (careers)
- Methodist Olive Branch Hospital
- Synnex (IT distributor)
- Milwaukee Electric Tool
Olive Branch Schools
While living in Olive Branch, you will be served by the DeSoto County School District, widely considered the best public schools in Mississippi. The city’s Lewisburg High School was ranked the best high school in Mississippi and Center Hill High School, also in Olive Branch, ranked #6 overall in the state.
There are several private schools in the city including Desoto County Academy, Park Academy School, and Northpoint Christian School.
Olive Branch Statistics & Information
- County: DeSoto
- Area: 36.70 square miles
- Zip code: 38654
- Area code: 662
- Elevation: 387 feet
- Time zone: UTC-6 (CST)
Olive Branch, MS Map
Tips for Living in Olive Branch
- Enjoy a short commute from Olive Branch to Memphis with many job opportunities in the city too
- Be prepared for hot, muggy, and long summers and a lot of rain
- Choose from many established subdivisions and new home communities with affordable home prices
- Enjoy excellent outdoor recreation with dozens of lakes and parks to explore
Does living in Olive Branch sound perfect? Big League Movers is ready to help with a stress-free, seamless moving day. Give us a call today for a free estimate so you can start looking forward to everything this Memphis suburb has to offer!
