Florence, AL

Florence, Alabama

Introduction to Florence, Alabama

Florence, Alabama, in Lauderdale county, is 41 miles W of Decatur, Alabama (center to center) and 107 miles SW of Nashville, Tennessee. There are 36,264 residents in the city.

Florence History

Florence was surveyed in 1818 by Ferdinand Sannoner, the Italian surveyor. He surveyed the land for the Cypress Land Company. Sannoner named the city after the capital of Tuscany in Italy. Florence was officially incorporated in 1826. The city is the hometown of several renowned personalities including W.C. Handy, Father of the Blues, and Sam Phillips, record producer who discovered the American cultural icon Elvis Presley.

Florence and nearby Attractions

• Indian Mound Museum
• Pope's Tavern Museum
• W.C. Handy Home
• Stanley and Mildred Rosenbaum House
• Funland Water Park
• Joe Wheeler State Park

Things To Do In Florence

Florence is home to many parks and open spaces including North Florence Park, Cox Creek Park, Wildwood Park, North Alabama State Fair Park, and McFarland Park. The Walnut Street Historic District and Sannoner Historic District are also worth visiting. The Florence Golf and Country Club is an ideal destination for golf lovers. Some of the local shopping centers are the Florence Plaza Shopping Center, Northwood Plaza Shopping Center, English Village Shopping Center, Regency Square Mall Shopping Center, Four Lane Shopping Center, and Northgate Shopping Center.

Florence Transportation

Northwest Alabama Regional Airport is nearby.

Florence Higher Education

University of North Alabama, Rays University of Beauty, and International Bible College are located in the city.

High Points

Florence strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Alabama):

Category	Trophy
Affordability of Property Taxes (vs. Peers)	Top 1%
Affordability of Rents (vs. Peers)	Top 4%
Short Commute Times (vs. State)	Top 4%
College Educated Adults (vs. State)	Top 9%
Walking and Biking to Work (vs. State)	Top 15%
Well-Paid Single Women (vs. State)	Top 16%

Comparative Profile of Florence, AL

Comparing Florence to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Alabama (State):

Ratings range from (lowest) to (highest).

The People

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Female Share of the Population
Senior Citizens
Age of the Population
Racial Diversity
Well-Paid Single Women
Children Under 5 Years Old
Well-Paid Single Men
Male Share of the Population

Families

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Portion of People Married
Average Household Size

Wealth

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
College Educated Adults
Median Family Income
People in Middle Class or Better
People Above Poverty

Commute & Sprawl

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Short Commute Times
Working at Home
Walking and Biking to Work
Public Transportation Use

Housing

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Affordability of Property Taxes
Affordability of Rents
People Living Alone
Seasonal and Vacation Housing
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals
Housing Recently Built

Crime

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Low Violent Crime
Low Property Crime

Florence Almanac

Florence Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

• Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
• Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

Florence Population (2000)

(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)

Neighborhood and Nearby Area Names

According to the US Postal Service, Florence, its neighborhoods, and/or surrounding areas are also referred to as:

Note that not all alternate names are acceptable for use in US Post Office addresses.

Nearby Cities and Towns

Florence Public Libraries

More Information for Librarians

Florence Hospitals

ELIZA COFFEE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
(Government - Hospital District or Authority)
205 MARENGO STREET
(256) 468-9191
Emergency Service: Yes

Florence High Schools (2004)

WILSON HIGH SCHOOL
7601 HIGHWAY 17
256-764-8470
Title I eligible, not participating.
Serves 1,400 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 18.2

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
3000 COUNTY ROAD 200
256-764-2903
Title I eligible, not participating.
Serves 1,319 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 16.5

ROGERS HIGH SCHOOL
300 ROGERS LN
256-757-3106
Serves 1,290 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 16.6

BRADSHAW HIGH SCHOOL
1201 BRADSHAW DR
256-768-2200
Serves 895 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 17.4

COFFEE HIGH SCHOOL
648 N CHERRY ST
256-768-2400
Title I eligible, not participating.
Serves 549 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 14.3

Florence Colleges

Click school name for a detailed profile.

Heritage Christian University

University of North Alabama

(List of All Alabama Colleges)

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