Lauderdale County, Tennessee
Lauderdale County stretches along the Mississippi River in West Tennessee, about an hour north of Memphis. Ripley serves as the county seat and largest community, although it still has that quiet, small-town feel.
Agriculture is a major part of life here, with fields of soybeans, cotton, corn, and other crops covering much of the countryside. History buffs can visit Fort Pillow State Historic Park, an important Civil War site with plenty of stories from the past.
The Chickasaw Bluffs offer some beautiful views over the Mississippi River, while the annual Lauderdale County Tomato Festival brings plenty of fun during the summer. Locals take their tomatoes seriously, but they’re also pretty proud of the county’s catfish. If you’re visiting, you’ll definitely want to try some.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Lauderdale County |
| County Seat | Ripley |
| Population | Approximately 25,000 |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Ripley, Halls, Henning |
| Interstates and Highways | U.S. Highway 51, State Highway 19 |
| FIPS Code | 47-097 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 508 square miles (472 sq mi land, 36 sq mi water) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Dyer County (North), Crockett County (East), Haywood County (Southeast), Tipton County (South), Mississippi County, Arkansas (West) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CST) |
| State | Tennessee |
| Coordinates | 35°48’N, 89°35’W |
| Etymology | Named after James Lauderdale, a Tennessean who died at the Battle of New Orleans |
| Major Landmarks | Fort Pillow State Park, Alex Haley House and Museum, Lauderdale County Courthouse |
