Florence, Alabama Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools
Florence, Alabama is a small city of 40,000 people located in the northwest corner of the state. It is the county seat of Lauderdale County and is situated along the Tennessee River. Florence is known for its beautiful historic downtown area, which includes a number of buildings that date back to the 19th century. The city also has several parks and recreational areas, making it an ideal spot to visit and explore.
Florence was founded in 1818 and soon became an important port town on the Tennessee River. This led to rapid population growth and development through much of the 19th century. During this time, Florence was home to many wealthy cotton planters who built grand mansions throughout the area. These homes still exist today and are popular tourist attractions for those interested in learning about Florence’s past.
Florence has several notable attractions that draw visitors from around the region. One such attraction is W.C Handy Home & Museum, which celebrates the life and work of William Christopher Handy—the “Father of Blues”—who was born in Florence in 1873. The museum features artifacts from Handy’s life as well as exhibits on his music career.
The city also has several parks including McFarland Park and McFarland Park Nature Trail which offer hiking trails, playgrounds, picnic areas, fishing spots, and more for visitors to enjoy while exploring nature in Florence’s great outdoors. Additionally, there are a number of golf courses located nearby that are great for a round or two with friends or family members.
Florence also offers plenty of shopping opportunities with its historic downtown district boasting numerous antique shops as well as local boutiques offering unique items from clothing to home decor items to souvenirs commemorating your time spent here in this charming southern town.
Finally, Florence offers a variety of dining options ranging from casual eateries serving up traditional southern cuisine such as fried chicken or barbecue ribs to upscale restaurants offering fine dining experiences with locally sourced ingredients prepared by some of Alabama’s best chefs . No matter what your taste buds desire , you will find something delicious here in Florence .
In short , Florence , Alabama is a beautiful city steeped with history , scenic outdoor spaces , exciting cultural attractions , excellent shopping opportunities , delicious dining options , and so much more . Whether you are looking for an adventure or simply want to relax for a few days , you can find it all here in this wonderful Southern town.
Population: 36,264. Estimated population in July 2024: 36,480 (+0.6% change)
Males: 16,557 (45.7%), Females: 19,707 (54.3%)
Lauderdale County
Zip codes: 35630, 35633, 35634.
Demographics
Median resident age: 36.9 years
Median household income: $28,330
Median house value: $83,300
Population by Race
Races in Florence:
- White Non-Hispanic (77.7%)
- Black (19.2%)
- Hispanic (1.3%)
- Two or more races (1.0%)
- American Indian (0.6%)
- Other race (0.5%)
Ancestries: United States (20.6%), English (9.4%), Irish (8.3%), German (6.6%), Scotch-Irish (2.9%), Scottish (1.7%).
Elevation: 548 feet
Land area: 24.9 square miles
Population by Education
For population 25 years and over in Florence
- High school or higher: 78.3%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 25.0%
- Graduate or professional degree: 9.6%
- Unemployed: 7.6%
- Mean travel time to work: 17.4 minutes
For population 15 years and over in Florence city
- Never married: 26.8%
- Now married: 51.3%
- Separated: 1.6%
- Widowed: 9.6%
- Divorced: 10.8%
1.6% Foreign born
Population change in the 1990s: -443 (-1.2%).
Hospitals
Hospital/medical center in Florence:
- ELIZA COFFEE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (205 MARENGO STREET)
Other hospitals/medical centers near Florence:
- HELEN KELLER MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 5 miles; SHEFFIELD, AL)
- SHOALS HOSPITAL (about 5 miles; MUSCLE SHOALS, AL)
- RUSSELLVILLE HOSPITAL (about 23 miles; RUSSELLVILLE, AL)
Airports
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Florence:
- NORTHWEST ALABAMA RGNL (about 8 miles; MUSCLE SHOALS, AL; Abbreviation: MSL)
- HUNTSVILLE INTL-CARL T JONES FIELD (about 64 miles; HUNTSVILLE, AL; Abbreviation: HSV)
- TUPELO RGNL (about 86 miles; TUPELO, MS; Abbreviation: TUP)
Other public-use airports nearest to Florence:
- LAWRENCE COUNTY (about 26 miles; COURTLAND, AL; Abbreviation: 9A4)
- RUSSELLVILLE MUNI (about 27 miles; RUSSELLVILLE, AL; Abbreviation: M22)
- IUKA (about 34 miles; IUKA, MS; Abbreviation: 15M)
Colleges and Universities
Colleges/Universities in Florence:
- UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA (Full-time enrollment: 4,770; Location: UNA BOX 5121; Public; Website: www.una.edu; Offers Master’s degree)
- INTERNATIONAL BIBLE COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 77; Location: 3625 HELTON DR; Private, not-for-profit; Website: www.hcu.edu; Offers Master’s degree)
- RAYS UNIVERSITY OF BEAUTY (Location: 412 S COURT ST; Private, for-profit)
Other colleges/universities with over 2000 students near Florence:
- NORTHWEST SHOALS COMMUNITY COLLEGE-MUSCLE SHOALS (about 5 miles; MUSCLE SHOALS, AL; Full-time enrollment: 2,669)
- JOHN C CALHOUN STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 50 miles; DECATUR, AL; Full-time enrollment: 4,547)
- NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 62 miles; BOONEVILLE, MS; Full-time enrollment: 2,628)
- ITAWAMBA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 63 miles; FULTON, MS; Full-time enrollment: 2,673)
- COLUMBIA STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 70 miles; COLUMBIA, TN; Full-time enrollment: 2,784)
- UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE (about 71 miles; HUNTSVILLE, AL; Full-time enrollment: 4,795)
- ALABAMA A & M UNIVERSITY (about 80 miles; NORMAL, AL; Full-time enrollment: 4,886)
Schools
Public high schools in Florence:
- BRADSHAW HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 895; Location: 1201 BRADSHAW DR; Grades: 09 – 12)
- COFFEE HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 549; Location: 648 N CHERRY ST; Grades: 09 – 12)
Private high schools in Florence:
- MARS HILL BIBLE SCHOOL (Students: 845; Location: 698 COX CREEK PKWY; Grades: PK – 12)
- FLORENCE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (Students: 246; Location: 2701 FLORENCE BLVD; Grades: PK – 12)
Biggest public primary/middle schools in Florence:
- WILSON HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,400; Location: 7601 HIGHWAY 17; Grades: KG – 12)
- CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,319; Location: 3000 COUNTY ROAD 200; Grades: KG – 12)
- ROGERS HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,290; Location: 300 ROGERS LN; Grades: KG – 12)
- WEEDEN SCHOOL (Students: 667; Location: 400 BALDWIN ST; Grades: 07 – 08)
- FOREST HILLS SCHOOL (Students: 658; Location: 101 STOVALL DR; Grades: KG – 04)
- HIBBETT SCHOOL (Students: 549; Location: 1601 APPLEBY BLVD; Grades: 05 – 06)
- HARLAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 428; Location: 2233 MCBURNEY DR; Grades: KG – 04)
- POWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 389; Location: 1640 TUNE AVE; Grades: KG – 04)
- UNDERWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 287; Location: 4725 HIGHWAY 157; Grades: KG – 06)
- CLOVERDALE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 207; Location: 12101 HIGHWAY 157 N; Grades: KG – 09)
Private primary/middle schools in Florence:
- ST JOSEPH REGIONAL CATHOLIC SC (Students: 224; Location: 115 PLUM STREET; Grades: PK – 8)
- RIVERHILL SCHOOL (Students: 173; Location: 2826 COUNTY ROAD 30; Grades: PK – 8)
- PLAY WORLD CHILD CARE LEARNING (Students: 145; Location: 721 GRESHAM ROAD; Grades: PK – KG)
- VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (Students: 98; Location: 2302 HUGH ROAD; Grades: PK – 9)
Libraries
Library in Florence:
- FLORENCE-LAUDERDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $600,957; Location: 218 NORTH WOOD AVENUE; 81,867 books; 2,279 audio materials; 1,451 video materials; 127 serial subscriptions)