Wilson Dam was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Nov 13, 1966, and named a National Historic Landmark the same day. It is significant for its industry, commerce and transportation at the national level.

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35 on the National Register · 1 National Historic Landmark · #6 in ALHistoric places →

Know Florence

The town at a glance, and the guide to how things work

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About Florence

City in and county seat of Lauderdale County, Alabama

1826Established

40,184Population

26.3 sq miArea

548 ftElevation

Florence is a city located in and the county seat of Lauderdale County, Alabama, United States, in the state's northwestern corner. It has a population of 40,184 in the 2020 census. Florence is located along the Tennessee River and is home to the University of North Alabama, the oldest public college in the state. Florence is located about 70 miles (110 km) west of Huntsville, Alabama, via US-72, and about 115 miles (185 km) northwest of Birmingham, Alabama. Florence is the largest and principal city of the "Quad Cities," more commonly known as "The Shoals," which also includes the cities of Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia in Colbert County and which collectively had a population of…

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From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

How Florence ranks

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#1Highest graduation rate in AL #9Shortest commute in AL #10Most walkable in AL All AL rankings →

Town numbers

ZIP code35630, 35631, 35632

Area code256

Living in Florence

Housing in Florence

$217K▲ 2.6% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Florence home is worth about $217,000, up 2.6% in a year, 10% below the Alabama typical home.

A seller's market

Buyer’sBalancedSeller’s

Days on market20

Sale-to-list97.1%

Sold in May53

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Florence

Safety Grade D

Florence reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 86% report less.

Violent crime per 1,000

Florence 5.4

Alabama 3.5

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Florence 20

Alabama 15

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Florence

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41% of Florence’s working residents work right in town. The top destinations are Muscle Shoals (11%), Huntsville (6%) and Sheffield (4%). Half commute less than 6 miles.

Muscle Shoals

11%

Huntsville

Sheffield

Decatur

41%Work in townlive and work in Florence 6 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 22,642Jobs based herea job hub

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Florence →

Health in Florence

Health Grade C

Healthier than 26% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates, and 54% of towns with similar incomes.

Compared with Alabama

3worse than AL

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 29 are too close to call.

Conditions 1▼ 11 close Habits all close Care 1▼ 6 close Mind all close Everyday needs 1▼ 3 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

19.1%More older adults who have lost all their teethAL 15.4% · worse 11.4%More adults without reliable transportationAL 9.8% · worse 82.8%Fewer adults getting cholesterol checkedAL 85.8% · worse

Care nearby

North Alabama Medical CenterFlorence · 1.9 mi · ER

Family Health Care Clinic, Inc. --FlorenceFlorence · 2.8 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Florence · CMS · HRSAHealth in Florence →

Natural hazards in Florence

Moderate

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 45% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🏚️ Earthquakes🥶 Cold waves

26Does Florence flood?paid flood claims since 1981 6Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Florence

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Florence →

Climate in Florence

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Florence has mild winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 91°, a January night drops to 30°, and snow is almost unheard of.

54° / 32°Winter

73° / 48°Spring

89° / 66°Summer

74° / 48°Fall

How much snow does Florence get?Almost none.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Nov 3, with the last in spring around Mar 30.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+0.7° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Florence →

Schools in Florence

All Florence schools →

A⁻

School Grade A-

The public schools Florence’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 80% of Alabama’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.

#58Best public schoolsof 180 in AL

DistrictFlorence CitySchools13

Forest Hills School AElementary · Grades K–5 · 906 students Hibbett Elementary School B+Elementary · Grades K–6 · 489 students Weeden Elementary School B-Elementary · Grades K–5 · 477 students Harlan Elementary School CElementary · Grades K–5 · 426 students Kilby Laboratory School A+Elementary · Grades PK–6 · 187 students Riverhill SchoolElementary · Grades PK–6 · 200 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within AL. Ratings are from neighbors.