TUSCUMBIA

For more information on retiring in Muscle Shoals please contact Steve Holt

COMMUNITY LINKS

Shoals United www.shoalsunited.com
Florence-Lauderdale Tourism www.flo-tour.org
City of Florence www.ci.florence.al.us

Are you looking for a good climate? Low crime rate? Affordable waterfront living? Access to cultural and educational events? The Shoals area of Northwest Alabama has all of this and a whole lot more!

The Shoals Area is Alabama’s seventh largest Metropolitan Statistical Area (Florence MSA). Comprised of Lauderdale and Colbert counties and the four major cities of Florence, Sheffield, Tuscumbia and Muscle Shoals, the Shoals is the economic center of northwest Alabama. Located less than 150 miles from Birmingham, Memphis and Nashville, the area is bordered by Mississippi to the west and Tennessee to the north.

The Shoals is situated on the beautiful Tennessee River and is the closest metropolitan area to the mouth of the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway. The market boasts a convenient port facility where imports can be cleared locally by the U.S. Customs Service. Located just 40 miles from Interstate 65, the Shoals is also home to Northwest Alabama Regional Airport, a full service facility with commercial air service. In addition, the Shoals is located on the Norfolk Southern Rail line and the switching yard for most major southern rail companies is located in the market.

Climate of the Shoals is temperate with an average temperature of 60.7 degrees, an average rainfall of 51.58 inches and average snowfall of 4.6 inches.

FBI statistics released in October of 2000, listed the Shoals metro area 5th among the safest areas in the nation in which to live.

We'd love to show you why more and more families and retirees are choosing the Shoals. Give us a call for more information or...better yet come visit!

    COMMUNITY PROFILE

Cities: Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, Tuscumbia

Population: 140,049 (metro area)

Counties: Lauderdale and Colbert

Other Shoals Facts:
Growth Rate: 6.6% From 1990 to 2000
ACCRA Cost of Living Index: 92.2 out of 100 for 2nd Qt in 2000
Comparisons: Decatur 94.2
                      Huntsville 95.9
                      Birmingham 94.7
Income: MSA Median income for 1999 - $40,200
MSA Per capita income for 1999: $19,800

LOCATION AND TRANSPORTATION

Commercial Airline : YES

Nearest Regional Airport: Northwest Alabama Regional Airport
Muscle Shoals

Distance to Other Commercial Airports:
    Huntsville - 69 miles
    Nashville - 117 miles
    Birmingham - 119 miles
    Atlanta - 232 miles

Interstate Highways : NO

If no, then distance to interstate highways: - 40 miles (I-65)

Four Lane Highways : US 72, US 43, AL 20, AL 157, AL 133

State Highways : 133, 157, 20, 43, 17, 184

Distance to...

Atlanta: 232 miles

Birmingham: 119 miles

Mobile: 323 miles

Nashville: 117 miles

Tallahassee: 422 miles

Nearest Coastal City (Name/Distance): Gulf Shoals, AL @ 408 miles

Public Transportation : NO

    LOCAL TAXES

** Please Note: The prices/figures below for taxes and city services vary within the two counties and the four cities. Therefore, what you will find listed here are approximate averages for the METRO area. Feel free to contact us if you would like to know specific figures for a particular city in the Shoals.

Property Taxes on $100,000 Home with Homestead Exemption:
    City limits: $428.75
    County: $298.25

Total Millage Rate:
    City limits: $48.75
    County: $32.00

Sales Tax (Total): range from 7% to 8.5%

Automobile Tax & Tag: from $83.00 (+/-) to $114.00 (+/-)

HOUSING COSTS

Approximate cost of 1,800 sq.ft. home with two car garage - 5 to 10 yrs old: $136,908

Approximate cost of 1,800 sq.ft. home with two car garage - new: $145,188

Florence metro. area MSA: 93.9    

    UTILITIES/SERVICES

Public Water : YES

Cost per 1000 gallons: $3.43

Public Sewer : YES

Cost of Sewage Service: There are different pricing structures for this service. If you would like to know the structure for any of the four cities in the Shoals area, please contact us and we would be glad to go over this information with you.

Electricity, Cost per 1000kwh: $64.06

Garbage Service Cost: $12.17

Number of Pick ups per Week: 1-2

Cost for Basic Cable TV Service: Approximately $34.00

Number of Channels: 58

Percent of community coverage: 100%

    HEALTH CARE

Number of Physicians:
    City/County: 246

Number of hospital Beds: 685

Nursing Home Facilities: 6

Assisted Living Facilities: 8

Regional Health Care Center : NO

Nearest Regional Health Care Facilities:
    Huntsville - 69 miles
    Nashville - 117 miles
    Birmingham - 119 miles
    Memphis - 150 miles

   MILITARY POSTS

Military Posts : NO

Name/Distance to Nearest Post: Redstone Arsenal (Huntsville, AL) @ 69 miles

Public Libraries : YES

    RELIGION

Places of Worship: 300+

Denominations: 41

    LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Post/Secondary Institutions : YES

Name/Distance: University of North Alabama - Florence
    Northwest Shoals Community College - Muscle Shoals