Editing Florence, Alabama

{{Short description|City in and county seat of Lauderdale County, Alabama}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}{{Use American English|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Florence, Alabama
|settlement_type          = City
|nickname                 = "Alabama's Renaissance City"
|motto                    = 
<!-- Images --------------->
|image_skyline            = Downtown Florence Historic District cropped.jpg
|imagesize                = 275px
|image_caption            = Downtown Florence Historic District
|image_flag               = Flag of Florence, Alabama.png
|image_seal               = Seal of Florence, Alabama.png
<!-- Maps ----------------->
|image_map                = Lauderdale County Alabama Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Florence Highlighted 0126896.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Florence, Alabama
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             = 
<!-- Location ------------->
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Alabama]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Alabama|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Lauderdale County, Alabama|Lauderdale]]
<!-- Government ----------->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–Council]] (Since 1984)
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Andrew Betterton
|leader_title1            = [[Councillor|Councilmembers]]
|leader_name1             = District 1: Kaytrina P. Simmons<br>District 2: William (Dick) Jordan<br>District 3: Bill Griffin<br>District 4: Michelle Rupe Eubanks<br>District 5: Blake Edwards<br>District 6: Jimmy Oliver
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = March 12, 1818
|established_title1       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date1        = January 7, 1826<ref>{{cite web|title=Act 95 : "AN ACT to incorporate the town of Florence in the state of Alabama." : Acts Passed at the Seventh Annual Session of the General Assembly of the State of Alabama in 1825 |url=https://www.legislature.state.al.us/aliswww/history/acts_and_journals/Acts_1825/Acts_91-101.html |website=www.legislature.state.al.us |publisher=[[Alabama Legislature]] |pages=70–73 |date=May 5, 2021 |access-date=December 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505230341/http://www.legislature.state.al.us/aliswww/history/acts_and_journals/Acts_1825/Acts_91-101.html |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Municipalities of Alabama Incorporation Dates |url=https://almonline.org/Assets/Files/AboutUs/Alabama_Municipalities_Incorporation_Dates.pdf |publisher=Alabama League of Municipalities |access-date=December 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225202142/https://almonline.org/Assets/Files/AboutUs/Alabama_Municipalities_Incorporation_Dates.pdf |archive-date=February 25, 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|named_for                = [[Florence]], [[Tuscany]], [[Italy]]
<!-- Area ----------------->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2024">{{cite web|title=2024 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2024_Gazetteer/2024_gaz_place_01.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=December 21, 2024}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 70.689
|area_land_km2            = 70.147
|area_water_km2           = 0.541
|area_total_sq_mi         = 27.293
|area_land_sq_mi          = 27.084
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.209
<!-- Population ----------->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 42437
|pop_est_as_of            = 2023
|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="USCensusEst2023"/>
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
|population_total         = 40184
|population_density_km2   = 616.61
|population_density_sq_mi = 1596.99
|population_rank          = US: 954th<br>AL: [[List of municipalities in Alabama|11th]]
|population_urban         = 78925 (US: [[List of United States urban areas|360th]])
|population_metro         = 155175 (US: [[Metropolitan statistical areas|280th]])
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = −6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = −5
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_m              = 184
|elevation_ft             = 604
|coordinates              = {{coord|34|49|49.26|N|87|39|55.51|W|region:US-AL_type:city|display=inline}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]s
|postal_code              = 35630, 35631, 35632, 35633, 35634
|area_code                = [[Area codes 256 and 938|256 and 938]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 01-26896
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2403619<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2403619}}</ref>
|blank2_name              = [[Sales tax]]
|blank2_info              = 9.5%<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avalara.com/taxrates/en/state-rates/alabama/cities/florence.html|title=Florence (AL) sales tax rate|access-date=December 21, 2024}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://florenceal.org/|florenceal.org}}
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Florence''' is a city in, and the county seat of, [[Lauderdale County, Alabama|Lauderdale County]], Alabama, United States, in the state's northwestern corner, and had a population of 40,184 in the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Florence_city,_Alabama?g=160XX00US0126896 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=December 21, 2024}}</ref> 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 west of [[Huntsville, Alabama]], via [[U.S. Route 72|US-72]], and about 115 miles northwest of [[Birmingham, Alabama]].

Florence is the largest and principal city of the "Quad Cities," more commonly known as "[[Florence–Muscle Shoals metropolitan area|The Shoals]]," which also includes the cities of [[Muscle Shoals, Alabama|Muscle Shoals]], [[Sheffield, Alabama|Sheffield]], and [[Tuscumbia, Alabama|Tuscumbia]] in [[Colbert County, Alabama|Colbert County]] and had a population of 148,779 as of the 2020 census. Florence is considered northwestern Alabama's primary economic hub.

Annual tourism events include the [[W. C. Handy Music Festival]] in the summer and the [[Renaissance Faire]] in the fall. Landmarks in Florence include the 20th-century [[Rosenbaum House]], the only [[Frank Lloyd Wright]]-designed home located in Alabama. The Florence Indian Mound, listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]], was constructed by indigenous people between 400 BCE and 100 BCE in the [[Woodland period]] and is the largest surviving earthen mound in the state.<ref name="enc">{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-3686|title=Indian Mound and Museum|last=Barske |first=Carolyn M.|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Alabama|date=October 7, 2015|access-date=June 20, 2022}}</ref>

==Geography==
Florence is located at {{coord|34|49|49.26|N|87|39|55.51|W|type:city}} (34.8303495, -87.6654194).<ref name=gnis/>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|27.293|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which, {{convert|27.084|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.209|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (0.40%) is water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2024"/>

Florence is located on [[Wilson Lake (Alabama)|Wilson Lake]] and [[Pickwick Lake]], bodies of water on the [[Tennessee River]] dammed by [[Pickwick Dam]] and [[Wilson Dam]]s. [[Pickwick Lake]] was created by the [[Tennessee Valley Authority]] (TVA), an agency established under [[Franklin D. Roosevelt|President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's]] [[New Deal]]. It was a public works program intended to build dams and hydroelectric power and related infrastructure to generate electricity for the rural region to stimulate economic development, provide flood control, and recreational opportunities. Wilson Dam (now operated by the TVA) was authorized by [[Woodrow Wilson|President Woodrow Wilson]] in 1918 and was the first dam constructed on the Tennessee River.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

===Climate===
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Florence has a [[humid subtropical climate]], abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref name="weatherbase.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=723233&cityname=Florence,+Alabama,+United+States+of+America&units= |title=Florence, Alabama Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase) |website=Weatherbase.com |access-date=July 30, 2018}}</ref>

The average temperature of Florence is {{convert|59|F}}. The average yearly precipitation in Florence is {{convert|57.06|in|cm}}.<ref name="weatherbase.com"/> On average, Florence gets {{convert|2.25|in|cm}} of snow per year, which is above the average for Alabama of {{convert|0.57|in|cm}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usa.com/florence-al-weather.htm#HistoricalSnow |title=Florence, AL Weather |website=Usa.com |access-date=July 30, 2018}}</ref>

While Florence is almost {{convert|300|mi}} from the [[Gulf of Mexico]], strong hurricanes have brought severe weather to the area. For example, in 2005, the path of [[Hurricane Katrina]] came very close to the city, causing nearly {{convert|70|mph}} winds and some storm damage.

{{Weather box
|location = Florence, 1991–2020 simulated normals (558 ft elevation)
|collapsed = y
|single line = y
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 134.60
|Feb precipitation mm = 134.01
|Mar precipitation mm = 138.15
|Apr precipitation mm = 132.00
|May precipitation mm = 124.98
|Jun precipitation mm = 122.88
|Jul precipitation mm = 125.97
|Aug precipitation mm = 107.26
|Sep precipitation mm = 103.70
|Oct precipitation mm = 92.17
|Nov precipitation mm = 104.57
|Dec precipitation mm = 154.24
|Jan high C = 10.3
|Feb high C = 12.8
|Mar high C = 17.6
|Apr high C = 22.6
|May high C = 26.7
|Jun high C = 30.6
|Jul high C = 32.1
|Aug high C = 31.9
|Sep high C = 29.2
|Oct high C = 23.5
|Nov high C = 16.9
|Dec high C = 11.9
|Jan mean C = 4.8
|Feb mean C = 6.8
|Mar mean C = 11.2
|Apr mean C = 15.9
|May mean C = 20.6
|Jun mean C = 24.7
|Jul mean C = 26.4
|Aug mean C = 25.9
|Sep mean C = 22.8
|Oct mean C = 16.6
|Nov mean C = 10.3
|Dec mean C = 6.4
|Jan low C = -0.7
|Feb low C = 0.9
|Mar low C = 4.7
|Apr low C = 9.3
|May low C = 14.5
|Jun low C = 18.8
|Jul low C = 20.7
|Aug low C = 20.0
|Sep low C = 16.3
|Oct low C = 9.6
|Nov low C = 3.7
|Dec low C = 0.8
|Jan dew point C = 0.1
|Feb dew point C = 1.5
|Mar dew point C = 4.7
|Apr dew point C = 9.3
|May dew point C = 14.7
|Jun dew point C = 19.1
|Jul dew point C = 21.1
|Aug dew point C = 20.4
|Sep dew point C = 17.1
|Oct dew point C = 11.0
|Nov dew point C = 5.0
|Dec dew point C = 2.1
|source 1 = PRISM Climate Group<ref>{{cite web|title=PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University |url=https://prism.oregonstate.edu/explorer/ |publisher=Northwest Alliance for Computational Science & Engineering (NACSE), based at Oregon State University |date=March 16, 2023 |access-date=March 16, 2023}}</ref>
}}

==History==
===Beginnings===
Evidence for human habitation in the Florence area goes back to at least 500 BCE, when the Florence Indian Mound, the largest of its type in the Tennessee Valley, was constructed as an earthwork during the Woodland period.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Pretes|first=Michael|date=2020|title=Florence, AL and the Muscle Shoals Region|url=|journal=Southeastern Geographer|volume=60|pages=193–196|doi=10.1353/sgo.2020.0023|s2cid=226604262}}</ref> Successive cultures arose after this. In the historic period, the area of present-day Florence was occupied by the [[Chickasaw Nation]]. They first encountered white traders and settlers beginning in the late 1700s, and were forced to cede their land to the Federal government through a series of treaties in early 1800s, as part of the [[Indian Removal Act|Indian Removal policy]] to extinguish tribal land claims east of the Mississippi River. The land on which Florence stands was ceded under the [[Treaty of Turkeytown]] in 1816.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parts of Tennessee and Alabama (showing Chickasaw treaty cessions) |url=https://teva.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15138coll23/id/9053/ |access-date=2025-04-24 |website=teva.contentdm.oclc.org |language=en}}</ref> The Chickasaw were removed to west of the river in [[Indian Territory]] (now Oklahoma).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Florence|url=http://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-2121|access-date=January 17, 2021|website=Encyclopedia of Alabama|language=en}}</ref>

General [[John Coffee]], [[John McKinley]], a future [[U.S. Supreme Court Justices|U.S. Supreme Court Justice]], businessman [[James Jackson (Alabama politician)|James Jackson]], and four other trustees established the Cypress Land Company to found a town on a hill overlooking the Tennessee River.<ref name=":1" /> The company bought the land, believing that Florence's location along [[Jackson's Military Road]] and at the end of the treacherous Muscle Shoals rapids on the Tennessee River would enable it to develop as a major commercial center.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Allen|first=Sherhonda|title=Founding fathers-Seven men formed the company that spearheaded the birth of a city|url=https://www.timesdaily.com/archives/founding-fathers-seven-men-formed-the-company-that-spearheaded-the-birth-of-a-city/article_b5d5e066-f451-5530-a334-b06883480273.html|access-date=January 18, 2021|website=Timesdaily.com|date=February 4, 2003 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last=Johnson|first=Kenneth R.|date=1981|title=Slavery and Racism in Florence, AL, 1841-1862|url=|journal=Civil War History|volume=27|pages=155–171|doi=10.1353/cwh.1981.0040|s2cid=144767237 }}</ref> In 1819, Coffee commissioned Ferdinand Sannoner, a young Italian engineer, to survey and plan the town.<ref name=":0" /> Situating the town on the plateau overlooking the Tennessee River provided protection from flooding as well as the disease of the swampier lowlands by the riverbank. The investors were so pleased with Sannoner's work that he was allowed to choose the name of the new settlement; he named it after [[Florence]], the capital of the [[Tuscany]] region of Italy.<ref name=":1">{{cite news|title=A look at early Florence, Sheffield |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4CAsAAAAIBAJ&pg=1605%2C3612485 |work=Times Daily |date=November 19, 1975 |access-date=May 26, 2015 |author=Knight, Ben |pages=4}}</ref>

===Antebellum Florence (1826–1860)===
The first river steamboat visited the town in 1821.<ref>Thomas Perkins Abernethy. (1922). ''The formative period in Alabama, 1815-1828.'' Montgomery, Ala.: The Brown printing Company. p. 78. [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015024886106&view=1up&seq=80 HathiTrust website] Retrieved September 17, 2021.</ref> Speculators and settlers, including General [[Andrew Jackson]] and President [[James Monroe]], bought up plots of land as they were sold by the Cypress Land Co.<ref name=":1" /> Florence quickly became an important commercial hub on the Tennessee River, but it did not reach the level its founders had hoped.<ref name=":2" /> However, Florence did grow quickly enough to be incorporated by the State Legislature in 1826.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ThUsAAAAIBAJ&pg=926%2C1513777 |title=Early history |work=Times Daily |date=April 30, 1948 |access-date=May 29, 2015 |pages=4}}</ref> By 1831, the increased cotton cultivation in the area to the east of Florence necessitated the expansion and improvement of transport facilities in the area, including the digging of a canal around the Muscle Shoals.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History of Florence, Lauderdale County Alabama |url=https://genealogytrails.com/ala/lauderdale/florencehistory.html |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=Genealogytrails.com}}</ref> Congress appropriated land for that purpose and construction began in 1831, with the Muscle Shoals Canal opening in 1837, however, the locks could not support steamships and the state had difficulty maintaining the construction, so it was abandoned shortly thereafter.<ref>{{Cite web|title=First Muscle Shoals Canal / Second Muscle Shoals Canal Historical Marker |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=125572 |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=Hmdb.org |language=en}}</ref> Equally important was the construction of a railroad bridge across the Tennessee River, with the first bridge being completed in the 1830s, but would be washed away by a flood soon after completion.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Old Railroad Bridge Company |url=https://oldrailroadbridge.com/old-railroad-bridge-landmark/|website=Oldrailroadbridge.com |access-date=August 27, 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref> Another bridge would be completed in 1840 and would last until the mid-1850s, when it was damaged by tornadoes in 1850 and 1854, resulting in its decommissioning. The rock piers of the 1840 bridge survived the damage and form the foundation of the present structure.<ref name=":3" /> As a part of Florence's development as a commercial hub, a variety of manufacturing enterprises sprung up around the city, including an iron foundry, lumber, cotton, and wool mills, as well as a complex of cotton, flour, and corn mills along Cypress Creek known as the Globe Factory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ante-Bellum Cotton Mills 1840 Historical Marker |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=83938 |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=Hmdb.org |language=en}}</ref>

[[Plantation]]s, too, sprung up around Florence, driven by cheap fertile land and high cotton prices. Two of these plantation homes are of note: [[Sweetwater Mansion]] and the [[The Forks of Cypress|Forks of Cypress]]. Sweetwater Mansion is notable for being the residence of [[Robert M. Patton]], the first [[governor of Alabama]] after the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] and for the various paranormal sightings that have occurred there.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sweetwater Historical Marker |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=28404 |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=www.hmdb.org |language=en}}</ref> The Forks of Cypress, on the other hand, was the plantation home of James Jackson, one of the original Cypress Land Co. trustees, and was acclaimed for its architectural style and the quality of its racing horses.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Florence, Alabama Historical Marker |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=83975 |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=www.hmdb.org |language=en}}</ref> With the plantation economy, so too came slavery. While slavery in northwest Alabama did not reach the magnitude that it did in the Black Belt, a significant percentage of the population (about 14% in 1818) was enslaved and by 1860, there were twenty three plantations in Lauderdale County that had over fifty slaves.<ref>{{Cite web |year=2018 |title=African American History in the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area |url=https://msnha.una.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Heritage-Area-African-American.pdf |access-date=August 26, 2023 |website=Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area}}</ref> Not all slaves worked on the plantation, however, many worked in construction or in other contexts. [[Dred Scott]] was brought to Florence in the 1820s and served as a hosteler in the local inn, before his participation in the [[Dred Scott v. Sandford|landmark Supreme Court case]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dred Scott Historical Marker |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=35183 |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=Hmdb.org |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Florence Alabama female college, June 1862 LCCN2017646931.jpg|thumb|[[Adolph Metzner]] drawing of the "female college" in Florence]]
As a sign of progress and ambition, townspeople established the Florence Female Academy here in 1847, for paying female students. By the 1850s, the school was converted into the [[Florence Synodical Female College]], affiliated with the [[Presbyterian Church]]. It closed in 1893. A historical marker commemorates the site.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-3950 | title=Florence Synodical Female College|website=Encyclopediaofalabama.org }}</ref> LaGrange College, Alabama's first chartered college, was established near [[Leighton, Alabama|Leighton]] in 1830 before being moved across the river to Florence in 1855. The move to Florence was controversial, however, and the Florence site was denied the use of the LaGrange name and was thus chartered as Florence Wesleyan University in 1856, with its main building being [[Wesleyan Hall]]. One hundred and 60 students enrolled in the first year of operation (1855) of Florence Wesleyan University and quickly attracted students from five states and two foreign countries.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 16, 2007 |url=http://www2.una.edu/universityrelations/facts.htm |access-date=August 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070616133051/http://www2.una.edu/universityrelations/facts.htm |archive-date=June 16, 2007 |title=<HTML> }}</ref> The university also chartered a grammar school, which still serves today as Kilby Laboratory School, the only university-operated elementary school in Alabama. After becoming publicly owned during the Postbellum period, the university went through a variety of name changes, including: Florence Normal School, Florence State Teachers College, and Florence State University, before changing its name to the [[University of North Alabama]] in 1972.

===Civil War through the turn of the century (1861–1900)===

===The 20th-century===
The [[Burrell Normal School]] was open from 1903 until 1969, and served as a private segregated school for African American students in Florence, serving grades 1-12 and a [[normal school]].<ref name=":02">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uT4LPyzvEWUC |title=An Era of Progress and Promise: 1863–1910 |publisher=Priscilla Pub. Co. |year=1910 |editor-last=Hartshorn |editor-first=W. N. |location=Boston, MA |pages=151 |language=en |oclc=5343815 |editor-last2=Penniman |editor-first2=George W.}}</ref><ref name=":32">{{Cite web |title=Historic Resource Study of African American Schools in the South, 1865–1900: Burrell Academy and Clark School |url=http://npshistory.com/publications/hrs-aa-s-schools.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928062401/http://npshistory.com/publications/hrs-aa-s-schools.pdf |archive-date=September 28, 2023 |publisher=National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior |pages=202–212}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1850= 802
|1860= 1395
|1870= 2003
|1880= 1359
|1890= 6012
|1900= 6478
|1910= 6689
|1920= 10529
|1930= 11729
|1940= 15043
|1950= 23879
|1960= 31649
|1970= 34031
|1980= 37029
|1990= 36426
|2000= 36264
|2010= 39319
|2020= 40184
|estyear=2023
|estimate=42437
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html|date=December 21, 2024|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020–2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=December 21, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

As of the 2023 [[American Community Survey]], there are 17,203 estimated households in Florence with an average of 2.25 persons per household. The city has a median household income of $50,396. Approximately 19.3% of the city's population lives at or below the [[Poverty in the United States|poverty line]]. Florence has an estimated 56.5% employment rate, with 31.1% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 90.8% holding a high school diploma.<ref>{{Cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Florence city, Alabama|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/florencecityalabama/PST045223|access-date=December 21, 2024|website=www.census.gov|language=en}}</ref>

The top five reported ancestries (people were allowed to report up to two ancestries, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (92.8%), Spanish (5.4%), Indo-European (0.8%), Asian and Pacific Islander (1.0%), and Other (0.2%).

The median age in the city was 35.1 years.

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Florence, Alabama – racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
! Race / ethnicity <small>(''NH = non-Hispanic'')</small>
! Pop. 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Florence city, Alabama|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALSF12000.P004?g=160XX00US0126896|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=December 21, 2024}}</ref>
! Pop. 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Florence city, Alabama|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0126896&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=December 21, 2024}}</ref>
! {{partial|Pop. 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Florence city, Alabama|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0126896&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=December 21, 2024}}</ref>
! % 2000
! % 2010
! {{partial|% 2020}}
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic whites|White]] alone (NH)
| 28,184
| 28,986
| style='background: #ffffe6; |28,006
| 77.72%
| 73.72%
| style='background: #ffffe6; |69.69%
|-
| [[African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
| 6,932
| 7,573
| style='background: #ffffe6; |7,503
| 19.12%
| 19.26%
| style='background: #ffffe6; |18.67%
|-
| [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
| 84
| 146
| style='background: #ffffe6; |122
| 0.23%
| 0.37%
| style='background: #ffffe6; |0.30%
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
| 224
| 537
| style='background: #ffffe6; |519
| 0.62%
| 1.37%
| style='background: #ffffe6; |1.29%
|-
| [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
| 8
| 16
| style='background: #ffffe6; |22
| 0.02%
| 0.04%
| style='background: #ffffe6; |0.05%
|-
| [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
| 32
| 22
| style='background: #ffffe6; |92
| 0.09%
| 0.06%
| style='background: #ffffe6; |0.23%
|-
| [[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or multiracial]] (NH)
| 313
| 632
| style='background: #ffffe6; |1,824
| 0.86%
| 1.61%
| style='background: #ffffe6; |4.54%
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
| 487
| 1,407
| style='background: #ffffe6; |2,096
| 1.34%
| 3.58%
| style='background: #ffffe6; |5.22%
|-
| '''Total'''
| '''36,264'''
| '''39,319'''
| style='background: #ffffe6; |'''40,184'''
| '''100.00%'''
| '''100.00%'''
| style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 40,184 people, 17,516 households, and 9,348 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Florence%20city,%20Alabama%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=December 21, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The [[population density]] was {{convert|1515.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 19,710 housing units at an average density of {{convert|743.3|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 70.71% [[White (U.S. census)|White]], 18.86% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.44% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.33% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.05% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.74% from some other races and 5.86% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] people of any race were 5.22% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How many people live in Florence city, Alabama |url=https://data.usatoday.com/census/total-population/total-population-change/florence-city-alabama/160-0126896/ |access-date=December 21, 2024 |publisher=USA Today}}</ref> 19.1% of residents were under the age of 18, 5.0% were under 5 years of age, and 17.2% were 65 and older. The gender makeup of the city was 45.2% male and 54.8% female.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 39,319 people, 17,267 households, and _ families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1512.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 19,299 housing units at an average density of {{convert|742.3|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 75.04% [[White (U.S. census)|White]], 19.41% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.40% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.39% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.07% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.79% from some other races and 1.90% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] people of any race were 3.58% of the population.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 36,264 people, 15,820 households, and 9,555 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1454.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 17,707 housing units at an average density of {{convert|710.2|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 78.39% [[White (U.S. census)|White]], 19.20% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.24% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.62% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.54% from some other races and 0.97% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] people of any race were 1.34% of the population.

There were 15,820 households, out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them: 43.6% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.6% were non-families. Nearly 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20, and the average family size was 2.82.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.4% under the age of 18, 13.7% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,330, and the median income for a family was $40,577. Males had a median income of $34,398 versus $21,385 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,464. About 14.4% of families and 20.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.9% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
[[Image:UNA HarrisonPlaza.jpg|thumb|left|Harrison Plaza, University of North Alabama]]
Situated in Florence, and founded in 1830 as LaGrange College, and later operating as a normal school, the [[University of North Alabama]], a public, co-educational, higher education institution, is Alabama's oldest state-certified university.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Florence, AL|url=https://www.forbes.com/places/al/florence/|access-date=October 11, 2021|website=Forbes.com|language=en}}</ref>

[[Florence City Schools]] is the organization of the K–12 public school system. Florence High School (grades 10–12) is the main high school, with an enrollment of approximately 1,000 students. It was created by a merger between the previous two city high schools, Bradshaw High School and Coffee High School. Florence High is located at the former Bradshaw site in the eastern part of the city. The merger also led to the creation of Florence Middle School (grades 7–8) and the Florence Freshman Center (grade 9). The middle school is located at the former Coffee High campus, east of downtown, and the Florence Freshman Center is located at the Florence High School campus.

There are five private schools in Florence: Riverhill School for K-6, St. Joseph Regional Catholic School for grades K–8, and [[Mars Hill Bible School]], [[Shoals Christian School]], and [[Florence Christian Academy]]. Each of the latter are multi-denominational, K–12 schools.

==Government==
The city has a mayor-council form of government. Each of the council members is elected from one of six [[single-member district]]s. The mayor is elected [[at-large]].

'''Mayor'''
* Andrew Betterton

Andrew Betterton was elected as the mayor of Florence on October 6, 2020. He defeated incumbent Mayor Steve Holt by 11 votes.

'''City Council'''
* District 1: Kaytrina P. Simmons
* District 2: Jackie Hendrix
* District 3: Bill Griffin
* District 4: Michelle Rupe Eubanks
* District 5: Blake Edwards
* District 6: Jimmy Oliver

==Culture and events==
{{unreferencedsection|date=March 2025}}
The City of Florence is home to several museums, historical sites and numerous parks that serve the cultural and recreational needs of citizens and tourists. A variety of festivals are held throughout the year.

===Museums===
* [[Kennedy Douglass Center]] for the Arts is the center for numerous cultural activities, exhibits and events. The center showcases artists from around the Southeast United States. It also offers classes and workshops to people of all ages. It is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]], and provides administrative offices for Florence's six museums. The museums are open Tuesday – Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Sunday 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm and are closed Monday.
* The [[Indian Mound and Museum|Indian Mound]] is the largest of its type in the Tennessee Valley Region. The earthwork mound, which measures 310Hx230Wx42D (feet) and is named ''Wawmanona,'' was built circa 500 A.D. in the [[Woodland period]]. It is thought to be a locale for tribal ceremony and ritual. Formerly two smaller mounds and an earthen wall were associated with the complex. The Indian Mound Museum displays Native American artifacts from the Mound and the surrounding area, which represent different indigenous cultures dating back 1,000 years. In 2017 a new, expanded museum was built to replace one built in 1968 and display artifacts and interpret the ancient and historic cultures of the indigenous peoples of the area.
* [[Pope's Tavern]] is a renowned historical site. It served as a hospital for Civil War soldiers from both the Union and Confederate armies. It also served as a stagecoach stop, a tavern and an inn. The museum houses Civil War artifacts, as well as antiques from the 18th and 19th centuries. It is one of Florence's oldest standing structures, with the current structure dating from the 1830s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pope's Tavern Museum |url=https://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/popes-tavern-museum/ |access-date=2024-11-15 |website=Encyclopedia of Alabama |language=en-US}}</ref>
* The [[W. C. Handy]] Home and Museum is dedicated to the noted musician, known as the "father of the blues". Handy was born in a log cabin at this site in 1873. The museum contains a collection of Handy's personal papers, artifacts and other items he donated before his death in 1958.
* The [[Rosenbaum House]], at 601 Riverview Drive, is the only building in the state designed by famed American architect [[Frank Lloyd Wright]]. It was built in 1939. The house was the first in the city to have such novelties as a carport and under-floor heating. It is open for tours six days of the week.
* The [[Children's Museum of the Shoals]] contains exhibits displaying the history, people and events that make up the Shoals' history. The museum is designed to promote learning in a hands-on environment. The museum offers educational workshops year-round for children of all ages.
* The [[Forks of Cypress]] was a large cotton plantation located in Florence. Its remains can be seen in the form of 24 Greek columns, as well as the Jackson Family cemetery. Both are on private property and are not usually open to the public. The local historical society hosts tours sporadically. A scale replica of the plantation home is located in downtown Florence and is currently used as a [[Regions Financial Corporation|Regions]] bank.

===Festivals===
The festivals are listed chronologically.

* The Sam Phillips Music Celebration is a week-long event held the first week of January. It celebrates the life of Sam Phillips with events that include the Sam Phillips Birthday Party, "Conversations on Sam," Sam Jam Concert, Muscle Shoals to Music Row Live, and a finale concert. Although Phillips is credited for the birth of rock n' roll and the discovery of many acclaimed artists, such as [[Elvis Presley's Sun recordings|Elvis Presley]], he also recorded gospel, rhythm & blues, country and rockabilly artists. This festival started in 2005.
* The [[George Lindsey/UNA Film Festival]] started in 1997 and is named in honor of [[George Lindsey]]. This actor is best known for portraying the character of "Goober Pyle" on the television series ''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]''. Lindsey was a UNA (then known as Florence State College) graduate. The event takes place in April.
* Arts Alive, in May, was started in 1986. Artists from around the Southeast gather in Wilson Park for two days to show and sell their work.
* The Spirit of Freedom Celebration is an annual Fourth of July tradition, presented by the Shoals Radio Group ([[WLAY-FM]], [[WVNA-FM]], [[WMSR-FM]], [[WMXV]], [[WVNA (AM)|WVNA]], and [[WLAY (AM)|WLAY]]). Thousands of people gather at McFarland Park, starting in the morning, for a day listening to a variety of musical acts. The celebration concludes around 10:00 p.m. with a fireworks display over the Tennessee River.
* The [[W. C. Handy Music Festival]]. Every year for a week in late July or early August, musicians from around the country descend upon the Shoals. Area restaurants offer live music, and artists often perform in Wilson Park or along streets downtown. Though the focus was originally on blues and jazz, the musical genres now include rock, country, gospel and others. The festival, the largest in the Shoals area, also includes educational events, art shows, and athletic competitions.
* [[Billy Reid (fashion designer)|Billy Reid]] Shindig. Every summer since 2009, local fashion designer Billy Reid hosts Shindig, one of the biggest festivals in Florence and the Shoals. The Billy Reid Shindig brings musicians, artists, chefs, and other creatives to the Shoals. The festival includes art shows, live music, concerts, food, and a fashion show from Billy Reid.
* Every September, Florence is the termination point for riders in the annual Trail of Tears Remembrance Motorcycle Ride across the state, which ends in nearby [[Waterloo, Alabama]]. The ride commemorates the forced removal of Southeastern tribes by the federal government to west of the Mississippi River to [[Indian Territory]] (now [[Oklahoma]]) by the [[Indian Removal Act of 1830]].
* Shoals Fest is held at McFarland Park during the first weekend in October. The festival began in 2019, created by [[Jason Isbell]] of Green Hill.
* The [[Alabama Renaissance Faire]] is held in Wilson Park during the fourth weekend in October. The festival celebrates Florence's heritage as the "Renaissance City" by recreating the feel of a medieval fair. Activities include arts and crafts, magicians, reenactments and musical performances. Festivalgoers are invited to dress in period clothing.
* First Fridays in Florence is an arts and music event occurring every first Friday from April to December in downtown Florence. The nine months of art and music nights began in 2005. The city's downtown development efforts, including First Fridays events, were featured as a "wise" community in the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]] Smart Growth publication ''This is Smart Growth''.

===Other attractions===
* [[Braly Municipal Stadium]], on the campus of Florence Middle School, is the home to both the University of North Alabama and Florence High School football teams.

{{See also|List of Registered Historic Places in Lauderdale County, Alabama}}

==Recreation==
===Parks===
[[File:FlorenceAlabamaFrom9kFeet.jpg|thumb|right|Aerial view of Florence]]
* Cox Creek Park is home to a children's playground, horseshoe pits, an indoor archery range, and twelve tennis courts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fpard.com/Parks/Cox_Creek/index.html |title=Cox Creek Complex |publisher=City of Florence, Alabama |access-date=July 23, 2014 |archive-date=March 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323041820/http://www.fpard.com/Parks/Cox_Creek/index.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> Recent additions have included the new Florence Skate Park, the only skateboard park in the area, and a new stadium for the University of North Alabama softball team. The Florence/Lauderdale Farmer's Market is also located at the park.
* Deibert Park was a former horse farm belonging to the Deibert family, the park now includes a playground, picnic shelters, and three ponds. The network of walking trails is enjoyed by walkers, joggers, and bikers. The Children's Museum of the Shoals is also on the park property.
* Florence Sportsplex has baseball, softball, and soccer fields. It is located at the corner of Alabama Highway 20 and Gunwaleford Road.
* Martin Park is the location for the city swimming facility, at the Royal Avenue Recreation Center. The park is also home to a playground, tennis courts, picnic shelters, and a {{convert|0.75|mi}} [[fitness trail]].
* McFarland Park is also the location of the Florence Harbor and Marina.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.florenceharbor.com/|title=Florence Harbor – Where the skies are so blue!|website=Florenceharbor.com|access-date=July 30, 2018}}</ref> While serving as host to several events throughout the year, the park is also equipped with a playground, numerous picnic shelters, campgrounds, soccer fields, baseball fields, a [[disc golf]] course, a golf driving range, and lighted walking trails. Situated along Pickwick Lake, the park is also used by fishermen, boaters, and swimmers.
* [http://www.flightoftheeducator.com/road-trip-florence-alabama/ River Heritage Park] is located at the base of the Renaissance Tower and adjacent to the Renaissance Shoals Resort & Spa and Conference Center. The park contains scenic overlooks of the Tennessee River and Wilson Dam. Also included are picnic shelters, a playground, and an interactive fountain called the Splash Pad.
* Veterans Memorial Park contains a memorial to the war veterans of Florence and Lauderdale county. Twenty-two campsites, six lighted tennis courts, baseball and softball fields, playgrounds, and picnic shelters are also found at the park. Veterans Park is also home to one of the oldest [[disc golf]] courses in the state, established in 1983.<ref name="pdga-veterans">[http://www.pdga.com/course_directory/course/veterans-memorial-park Veterans Memorial Park Course]. Professional Disc Golf Association., ''Pdga.com'', Retrieved March 12, 2012.</ref>
* Wildwood Park is located adjacent to the University of North Alabama along Cypress Creek. It is the most secluded and serene of the city parks. The park has a pavilion, picnic tables, nature trails, and bicycle trails. Swimming, fishing and canoeing are some of the park's recreational activities.
* Wilson Park is located in the heart of downtown, across from the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library. Its grounds are used for numerous festivals and events. The original Plan of Florence in 1818 showed the area as a Public Walk. In 1924, the park was renamed in honor of former U.S. President [[Woodrow Wilson]], shortly after his death.<ref name="hmdb">{{cite web|title=Woodrow Wilson Park 1818 |publisher=The Historical Marker Database |url=http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=35665 |access-date=March 28, 2012}}</ref>

===Other recreation===
* Blackberry Trail Golf Course – a municipal golf course
* Broadway Recreation Center
* Florence Harbor – a full-service marina on Tennessee River (Pickwick Lake) mile marker 256<ref>{{cite web |title=Florence Harbor Marina |url=http://florenceharbor.com|website=Florenceharbor.com |access-date=April 1, 2012}}</ref>
* Handy Recreation Center 
* Royal Avenue Recreation Center

==Transportation==
[[File:Florence, Alabama O'Neal Bridge by Noah McDonald.jpg|alt=|thumb|O'Neal Bridge over the Tennessee River]]
Florence is the merger point for two major [[United States Numbered Highways|U.S. Highways]], as well as several [[List of state highways in Alabama|Alabama Highways]]. Both [[U.S. Route 43|U.S. Highway 43]] and [[U.S. Route 72|U.S. Highway 72]] merge just east of the city limits in [[Killen, Alabama|Killen]], and are co-signed their entire length through the city. Highway 43, running north and south, helps connect the city to [[Lawrenceburg, Tennessee|Lawrenceburg]] and [[Columbia, Tennessee|Columbia]] to the north in [[Tennessee]], as well as [[Tuscaloosa, Alabama|Tuscaloosa]] and [[Mobile, Alabama|Mobile]] to the south. Highway 72 helps connect the city to [[Huntsville, Alabama|Huntsville]] and [[Chattanooga, Tennessee]] to the east and [[Memphis, Tennessee]] to the west. [[Interstate 65]] is accessible about forty-five minutes east on Highway 72. Both of these roads cross the Tennessee River on O'Neal Bridge, connecting Florence to Sheffield.

Alabama state highways that serve the city include [[Alabama State Route 13|State Route 13]], [[Alabama State Route 17|State Route 17]], [[Alabama State Route 20|State Route 20]], [[Alabama State Route 133|State Route 133]], and [[Alabama State Route 157|State Route 157]]. Alabama 133 connected Florence and Muscle Shoals via Wilson Dam until 2002, when the new six-lane "Patton Island Bridge" finished construction. The bridge is part of a new corridor that eventually saw the widening of Wilson Dam Road in Muscle Shoals to Alabama 20 (Phase 1 widening to six lanes to Avalon Avenue, Phase 2 widening to 4 lanes to Alabama 157/72 alt), and the construction of a new road from the bridge to Florence Blvd, eventually becoming part of Helton, Dr. in Florence. State Route 157, a road to Florence and the Shoals area, serves as a four-lane link to [[Interstate 65 in Alabama|Interstate 65]] in [[Cullman, Alabama|Cullman]]. The project was completed in the summer of 2007. The road is known as the "University of North Alabama Highway".

Florence and the Shoals area does not have a direct link to an Interstate highway. One solution discussed has been the Memphis to Atlanta Highway, proposed to connect the two cities via a freeway through north Alabama. However, in recent years Mississippi has concentrated its funding on U.S. 78 ([[Interstate 22]]), also known as "Corridor X". Though U.S. 72 through Mississippi is four lanes, there are no plans to upgrade it to freeway status. The state of Georgia has also not committed to the necessary work to connect the freeway from the Alabama state line to Atlanta. The highway remains in the planning stages with the Alabama Department of Transportation.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

Another plan recently discussed is extending [[Interstate 565]] west from its current terminus just outside [[Decatur, Alabama|Decatur]], along Alabama 20/Alternate U.S. 72. The plan has received support from Decatur officials. {{Citation needed|date=July 2020}}

There is no fixed-route transit service in Florence. However, the Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments operates a [[dial-a-ride]] transit service known as NACOLG Transit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nacolg.org/public-transit|title=NACOLG Transit|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref>

Florence is served by the [[Northwest Alabama Regional Airport]] in Muscle Shoals. The airport is used for commercial and general aviation, It is served commercially by [[Contour Airlines]] which provides several daily flights to [[Charlotte Douglas International Airport]], an [[American Airlines]] hub, giving the city access to hundreds of domestic and international destinations. [[Huntsville International Airport]], another option for Florence residents, offers service to eleven domestic destinations, and is an hour's drive from Florence.

Local industry is served by the [[Tennessee Southern Railroad]] (TSRR), which runs from Florence to Columbia, Tennessee, and the Port of Florence on Pickwick Lake.

==Media==
* ''[[TimesDaily]]'', a daily newspaper
* ''Courier Journal'', a direct-mail, weekly newspaper; founded in 1884 as the ''Florence Herald'' and renamed in 1982<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.courierjournal.net/site/about.html |title=About Us |website=Courierjournal.net |access-date= July 22, 2020}}</ref>

Numerous radio, television and low-power FM radio stations and translators serve Florence and the greater area, all of which are in the greater Florence MSA. Among them are:

===AM radio===
* [[WSBM]] (1340 AM; 1 kW; Florence, AL; owner: Big River Broadcasting Corporation)

===FM radio===
* [[W280DA]] (103.9 FM; Florence, AL; owner: Bible Broadcasting Network, Inc.)
* [[WQLT-FM]] (107.3 FM; Florence, AL; owner: Big River Broadcasting Corporation)
* [[W258AE]] (99.5 FM; Florence, AL; owner: WAY-FM Media Group, Inc.)
* [[WWFA|WWFA-FM]] (102.7 FM; Florence, AL; owner: Flinn Broadcasting)
* [[WFIX]] (91.3 FM; Florence, AL; owner: Tri-State Inspirational B/C Corp.)
* [[WXFL]] (96.1 FM; Florence, AL; owner: Big River Broadcasting Corporation)
* [[W253AH]] (98.5 FM; Florence, AL; owner: Big River Broadcasting Corporation)
* [[W276AM]] (103.1 FM; Florence, ETC., AL; owner: J AND J Broadcasting)
* [[W225AB]] (92.9 FM; Florence, AL; owner: William P. Rogers)

===Television===
* [[WHDF]] (Channel 15; Florence, AL; owner: Valley Television, LLC)
* [[WFIQ (TV)|WFIQ]] (Channel 36; Florence, AL; owner: Alabama Educational Television Commission)
* [[WAFF (TV)|WAFF-TV]] ([[NBC]])
* [[WHNT-TV]] ([[CBS]])
* [[WAAY-TV]] ([[ABC Studios|ABC]])
* [[WZDX|WZDX-TV]] ([[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]])
* [[WHDF|WHDF-TV]] ([[The CW]])

;Past television stations
* [[WYLE (TV)|WYLE]] (Channel 26; Florence, AL; owner: ETC Communications Inc.)
* [[WOWL]] (Channel 15; Florence, AL)
* [[W57BV]] (Channel 57; Florence, AL; owner: Trinity Broadcasting Network)

;Cable providers : Florence is served by [[Comcast Cable|Comcast]] and [[AT&T]]. Their services include television, internet, home phone, and home security services. Comcast has been a provider of television and other services in the Florence area since the early 1960s. AT&T has provided services to Florence since the early 2000s, when they acquired [[BellSouth|Bell South]]. Florence is also served by major satellite television providers, including [[DirecTV]] and [[Dish Network]].

==Notable people==
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦---> 
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦---> 
* [[Walt Aldridge]], songwriter and record producer
* [[Malcolm Armstead]], professional basketball player
* [[Ron Billingsley]], former professional football player
* [[Whitney Boddie]], professional basketball player in the [[Women's National Basketball Association]] (WNBA)
* [[Sterling Bose]], jazz trumpeter
* [[Jeff Brantley]], former [[Major League Baseball]] pitcher
* [[Jeff Briggs]], video game developer and CEO of [[Firaxis Games]]
* [[Roger Briggs]], composer
* [[Greg Burdine]], member of the [[Alabama House of Representatives]]
* [[Thomas Burrows]], professional baseball player
* [[The Butler Twins]], [[Detroit blues]] musicians
* [[Jerry Carrigan]], drummer and record producer
* [[Stewart Cink]], PGA golfer, [[2009 British Open]] Champion
* [[John Coffee]], General during the [[War of 1812]]
* [[Dennis Condrey]], [[professional wrestling|professional wrestler]] and member of [[The Midnight Express (professional wrestling)|The Midnight Express]]
* [[Oscar De Priest]], the first African American to be elected to Congress from outside the southern states and the first in the 20th century
* [[Bud Dunn]], horse trainer who won the [[Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration#World Grand Championship|Tennessee Walking Horse World Grand Championship]] twice
* [[Ronnie Flippo]], U.S. Representative from 1977 to 1991
* [[Byron Franklin]], former [[National Football League]] (NFL) wide receiver
* [[Donnie Fritts]], musician and songwriter
* [[Braxton Garrett]], professional baseball player for the [[Miami Marlins]]
* [[Eric "Red Mouth" Gebhardt]], singer-songwriter
* [[Donna Jean Godchaux]], singer, [[The Grateful Dead]]
* [[Brett Guthrie]], U.S. Representative from [[Kentucky]]
* [[Elbert Bertram Haltom, Jr.]], former [[United States federal judge]]
* [[William Christopher Handy|W. C. Handy]], [[blues]] musician, known as "father of the blues"
* [[Dorrit Hoffleit]], astronomer
* [[Kelvin Holly]], musician, guitarist for Little Richard, The Amazing Rhythm Aces
* [[John Hood (naval officer)|John Hood]], [[rear admiral (United States)|Rear admiral]] in the [[United States Navy]] during [[World War I]]
* [[Patterson Hood]], guitarist, singer and songwriter for [[Drive-By Truckers]]
* [[Autry Inman]], [[rockabilly]] musician
* [[Tammy Irons]], member of the [[Alabama State Senate]]
* [[Jason Isbell]], musician
* [[Thomas Jeter (fencer)|Thomas Jeter]], [[fencing|fencer]]
* [[Jim Jones (American football, born 1920)|Jim Jones]], [[American football|football]] player
* [[Buddy Killen]], former owner of [[Killen Music Group]]
* [[Julianne Kirchner]], swimmer
* [[Hank Klibanoff]], professor at [[Emory University]] 
* [[Adam Lazzara]], musician and lead singer of Taking Back Sunday
* [[Lenny LeBlanc]], songwriter
* [[Jesse Marsh]], comic book artist and animator
* [[Dewey Martin (actor)|Dewey Martin]], actor
* [[Floyd Matthews]], former member of the United States Navy
* [[Alison McCreary]], [[Miss Alabama]] 1996
* [[Fran McKee]], first female Rear Admiral in the United States Navy
* [[John McKinley]], U.S. congressman, senator, and associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
* [[Don Leslie Michael]], recipient of the [[Medal of Honor]] during the [[Vietnam War]]
* [[Tom Monroe (disc golfer)|Tom Monroe]], [[disc golf]]er
* [[Melba Montgomery]], [[country music]] singer
* [[Charles Moore (photographer)|Charles Moore]], [[civil rights]] photographer
* [[John Mortvedt]], soil scientist at the [[Tennessee Valley Authority]] in Muscle Shoals
* [[Harryette Mullen]], professor at the [[University of California, Los Angeles]]
* [[Emmet O'Neal]], 34th [[Governor of Alabama]]
* [[Mary Phagan]], 13-year-old girl murdered in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 26, 1913
* [[Sam Phillips]], record producer, discovered [[Elvis Presley]]
* [[Norbert Putnam]], record producer
* [[James T. Rapier]], [[U.S. Representative]] from 1873 to 1875
* [[Billy Reid (fashion designer)|Billy Reid]], fashion designer
* [[Milton P. Rice]], former [[Attorney General of Tennessee]] and former [[Secretary of State of Tennessee]]
* [[Freddie Roach (American football)|Freddie Roach]], American football player and coach
* [[Al Romine]], former professional football player
* [[Jonathan Rosenbaum]], film critic
* [[Wimp Sanderson]], former college basketball coach
* [[Dred Scott]], of the ''Dred Scott vs. Sanford'' case
* [[Oscar Streit]], former professional baseball pitcher
* [[T. S. Stribling]], 20th-century novelist
* [[Randy Tate (baseball)|Randy Tate]], former Major League Baseball pitcher
* [[Mark Thompson (radio)|Mark Thompson]], radio personality and member of ''[[The Mark & Brian Show]]''
* [[Chris Tompkins]], musician and Grammy-winning songwriter
* [[Lamonte Turner]], University of Tennessee Basketball player 
* [[Frank R. Walker]], rear admiral in the United States Navy during [[World War II]]
* [[Gary Weaver]], former professional football [[linebacker]]
* [[Jessica Wesson]], retired actress.
* [[White Dawg]], [[crunk]] rapper
* [[John Paul White]], guitarist, singer and songwriter for Grammy Award-winning duo [[The Civil Wars]]
* [[Josh Willingham]], former [[Major League Baseball]] player, member of 2014 [[American League]] champion [[Kansas City Royals]]
* [[S. A. M. Wood]], [[Confederate States Army]] general
* [[Larry Woods]], former professional football player
* [[Tom York (television personality)|Tom York]], television and radio personality

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|https://florenceal.org/}}
* {{wikivoyage inline|Florence (Alabama)|Florence, Alabama}}
* [https://www.visitflorenceal.com/ Florence - Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau]
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Florence (Alabama)|display=Florence, the county-seat of Lauderdale County, Alabama, U.S.A. |short=x}}
* [https://www.florencek12.org/ Florence City Schools]

{{Florence-Muscle Shoals Radio}}
{{Lauderdale County, Alabama}}
{{Alabama county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Florence, Alabama| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Alabama]]
[[Category:Cities in Lauderdale County, Alabama]]
[[Category:Florence–Muscle Shoals metropolitan area]]
[[Category:County seats in Alabama]]
[[Category:1818 establishments in Alabama Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1818]]
[[Category:Alabama populated places on the Tennessee River]]