RANK #605 / 996 · POP 94,329 · AL
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.4%
Lauderdale County, in the northwestern corner of Alabama, is defined by the Tennessee River, which forms its southern and western boundaries. Florence, the county seat and largest city, sits on the river's north bank. The county is part of "The Shoals" region, which also includes nearby Muscle Shoals. Commuting within the area is generally done by car, with an average commute time of around 26 minutes. For those without personal vehicles, a "Dial-a-Ride" program offers demand-response public transit in Florence and surrounding areas. The landscape offers abundant outdoor recreation, including Joe Wheeler State Park, the North Alabama Birding Trail, and opportunities for boating and fishing on Wilson and Pickwick Lakes.
Life in Lauderdale County offers a blend of small-town atmosphere and access to amenities. The public school system is highly rated, and the University of North Alabama is located in Florence. The economy is diverse, with manufacturing, retail trade, and healthcare being significant employment sectors. Recent economic developments include a focus on attracting remote workers through programs like Remote Shoals, and ongoing investment in infrastructure and industrial parks. The county has also seen recent legislative action to establish a local economic development authority.
Above national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 5.5x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
River Bend Solar Energy Center
River Bend Solar, LLC
|
$100M | Operating |
|
Lauderdale County Agricultural Event Center (Phase I & Future Phases)
Lauderdale County Agricultural Authority
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Shoals Economic Development Authority Speculative Buildings
Shoals Economic Development Authority (SEDA)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Lauderdale County Workforce Development Center
State of Alabama, Lauderdale County Commission, K-12 Systems, TVA
|
$26M | Under Construction |
|
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant License Extension & Upgrades
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
|
— | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Lauderdale County has a Boom Town Index score of 39/100, ranking #605 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.5% and a median household income of $56,081, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Lauderdale County is $174,800 with median rent at $773/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3208, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.5%. Home values changed -0.5% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.94% of Lauderdale County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.