Community Growth, Southern Heart
Olive Branch, Mississippi
Olive Branch, Mississippi is the sixth largest city in the state and one of the fastest-growing communities in the entire midsouth, with a population that has increased by more than 125 percent since 2000 and continues to climb. Situated in DeSoto County along U.S. Route 78 and the Goodman Road corridor, Olive Branch sits approximately 20 miles southeast of Memphis and draws residents who want Mississippi's lower cost of living — a cost of living index of 89.6, well below the national average — alongside practical access to a major metro. Major employers including FedEx, Nike, and Amazon have logistics and distribution operations in the area, which means a significant share of Olive Branch's workforce does not commute to Memphis at all. DeSoto County Schools, one of Mississippi's largest and highest-performing districts, serves Olive Branch's growing residential population. The median household income in Olive Branch runs close to $100,000, which reflects the demographic that has chosen this community consistently over the past two decades. Nikki and Michael Mosteller at Acres and Avenues Living know this market from the inside.
Life in Olive Branch
Life in Olive Branch is suburban in scale but genuinely community-driven in character, which is a combination that is harder to find than it sounds. Olive Branch City Park is the recreational anchor of the city, with walking trails, ball fields, playgrounds, and a layout that draws families out on weekday afternoons as reliably as weekends. The Goodman Road corridor gives residents access to a full range of retail, dining, and services without leaving the city, and the Cherokee Valley Golf Club adds a destination-level amenity that reflects the community's quality of life investment. Old Towne Main Street preserves the historic commercial character of Olive Branch's original center, with locally owned shops and restaurants that give the city an identity beyond its newer subdivisions. The Annual Olive Branch Festival brings the community together each year in a celebration that has grown with the city. Youth sports leagues, school based programs, and the city's parks and recreation programming give families a full calendar without needing to go to Memphis for it. For remote workers — approximately 7.7 percent of Olive Branch's workforce works from home — the city's infrastructure, internet access, and residential quality make it one of the stronger work from home communities in the midsouth.
Homes & Neighborhoods
Olive Branch real estate is defined by consistent value in a market that has appreciated steadily without the volatility that affects more speculative growth markets. The median home price runs around $345,000, with annual appreciation tracking above 8 percent as of late 2025 — strong enough to build equity, stable enough to plan around. Single family detached homes make up nearly 90 percent of the city's housing stock, which means buyers find genuine neighborhood character rather than a mix of apartment complexes and townhomes diluting the residential feel. Established neighborhoods in older Olive Branch along Goodman Road and Highway 78 offer tree lined streets and lot sizes that newer development cannot replicate, typically in the $250,000 to $380,000 range. Newer subdivisions in the city's eastern and southern growth corridors offer modern floor plans on larger lots, generally in the $320,000 to $500,000 range, with proximity to the Lewisburg School District in select areas. Buyers relocating from the Memphis metro consistently find that comparable homes in Olive Branch cost meaningfully less than in Germantown or Collierville while sitting inside a comparable school district and tax structure that actually favors Mississippi.
Local Favorites
Eat: SideStreet Burgers has built a following in Olive Branch that extends well past the neighborhood — it is the kind of place that regulars defend in conversations about where to eat in DeSoto County. Osaka Japanese Cuisine has earned its place as the city's go-to for sushi and hibachi, with a local following that stays consistent year over year. The Enclave brings Southern cooking with a more refined touch to a city that is increasingly capable of supporting that kind of dining.
Explore: Olive Branch City Park is the most used public space in the city, with a layout and programming that draws residents out regularly rather than just on event days. Cherokee Valley Golf Club is a destination level course that adds recreational and social infrastructure well above what most Mississippi cities of comparable size can offer. Old Towne Main Street is the historic commercial heart of Olive Branch, with locally owned businesses that give the city a character that Goodman Road's national retailers cannot replicate.
Culture: The Annual Olive Branch Festival is the city's signature community event, drawing attendance from across DeSoto County each year in a celebration that has grown with the city itself. Youth sports leagues are among the most active in the county, supported by Olive Branch City Park's facilities and the community's investment in organized recreation. Holiday parades and seasonal events on Old Towne Main Street give the city a civic calendar that runs year-round.
Why People Choose Olive Branch
DeSoto County Schools, one of Mississippi's largest and highest performing districts, serving Olive Branch's full residential population with strong academic results
A median home price of approximately $345,000 with consistent appreciation, a cost of living index below the national average, and Mississippi's lower property tax structure compared to Tennessee
Major employers including FedEx, Nike, and Amazon in the immediate area, reducing or eliminating the Memphis commute for a significant share of the workforce
A city of nearly 50,000 with full retail, dining, healthcare, and recreational infrastructure — the amenities of a developed suburb without the price tag of Germantown or Collierville
Old Towne Main Street, Olive Branch City Park, and a community event calendar that give the city a genuine local character alongside its growth
Thinking of Moving to Olive Branch?
If you’re searching for a place with strong schools, affordable homes,
and a welcoming spirit, Olive Branch
may be the perfect choice.
With its family focus, vibrant community life, and convenient location, Olive Branch offers a lifestyle where neighbors quickly
become friends.
Nikki Easton Mosteller, REALTOR®
TN Lic #325297 | MS Lic #S-58063
Michael Mosteller, Broker/REALTOR®
TN Lic #318659 | MS Lic #22724
RE/MAX Experts | Office Lic #262452
901-685-6000
1930 Exeter Road Germantown TN 38138
Each office independently owned and operated