Historic homes and river life define Demopolis
Historical homes and community events draw residents to Demopolis. Founded in the 19th century, Demopolis still features a variety of ornate home styles with budget-friendly price tags. "Demopolis is a sweet town that still looks very historical; many of the buildings have been restored downtown, and there are a lot of old Victorian and Tudor Revival homes," says Realtor and broker Julia Brooks, owner of Village Properties. "If someone wants an older home they can renovate, they could easily buy it and make their renovations." The community is at the junction of the Tombigbee and Black Warrior Rivers, and water activities are a big deal here, according to Brooks. "There's a lot of boating and fishing here; oftentimes, people making their way down to the Gulf may stop at the marina and fill up and get dinner before heading south." While it's a rural area, Brooks notes Demopolis' proximity to other major cities. "You can get down to the Gulf or New Orleans within a couple of hours. We're kind of in the middle of everything," Brooks says.
Buyers favor older homes with space for restoration projects
Demopolis has all the features of a classic Southern community, with its original areas featuring homes built between the early to mid-20th century. It's a verdant community, with oak, pine, magnolia and myrtle trees lining residences. Along Demopolis's oldest streets, like Main Avenue, are the historical homes Brooks mentions. Tudor Revival, Victorian, Neoclassical Revival, Colonial Revival and Craftsman-style homes are available. Moving outward, there are ranch-style homes, cottages and brick bungalows. The western edges of the town feature New Traditional subdivisions, and the eastern side has many manufactured homes. Homes often have good-sized lots shaded with trees, though more recently built residences usually feature backyards big enough for pools and patios. The median sale price for homes in Demopolis is $214,000, less than half the national median sale price of $440,000. While the prices accommodate most budgets, homes aren't always for sale despite a higher demand. "It's a buyer's market right now, especially because there isn't much new construction. But most people would rather have an older home that they could restore," Brooks says.
A-minus-rated district offers K–12 education and CTE tracks
Demopolis City School serves families and earns an A-minus rating from Niche. Students can attend B-plus-rated Jones Elementary or A-rated Westside Elementary. They can then attend B-plus-rated Demopolis Middle and B-plus-rated Demopolis High. The high school offers career and technical education pathways, including computer science, marketing and health science options.
Riverfront parks offer boating, fishing and family fun
Demopolis sits at the confluence of the Tombigbee and Black Warrior Rivers. Several parks dot the rivers, including Spillway Falls, which has a boat launch and picnic area overlooking the water. Foscue Creek Park has a fishing pier and an area where visitors can launch boats, kayaks or paddleboards. The park also features a playground, large, open fields, several tree-shaded picnic areas and relaxing benches overlooking the water. Just north of town, Demopolis City Landing offers another boat launch with a dock, a playground and a paved riverwalk. The landing is adjacent to Kingfisher Bay Marina and RV Park, where residents can moor their boats on wet slips or dry storage. The marina has a small clubhouse with a private pool, dining area, restrooms with showers and a laundry room. In town, there's a public pool at the Jones Recreation Center. Outside the community, Demopolis Sportsplex has athletic fields, sports courts, an archery park and a recreation with summer youth activities. The Sportsplex also has the Ravine Golf Course, where visitors may book public tee times. The Demopolis Country Club is another option in town for those desiring to join a private golf course.
Local shops and restaurants anchor this Main Street town
Demopolis is a designated Alabama Main Street community with a thriving downtown area. The area has a library, antique shops, salons and supply stores. Boutiques like The Mustard Seed offer home decor, and thrift stores like The Bargain Box are go-to's for consignment clothes. There are also many restaurants here, such as SVH Bistro, a deli-style restaurant with burgers and fried green tomatoes. And The Red Barn offers steaks and Gulf seafood. The Warhouse Performing Arts Center is the local movie theater, and they also operate the Warhouse Drive-In Theater on Mauvilla Drive. Demopolis also hosts events like Christmas on the River, a holiday parade, and the seasonal Demopolis Farmers Market. Another favorite is Rumble on the River. "It's a really popular boat race that takes place in Demopolis, and we come down every year so my husband can compete," Brooks notes.
Along Highway 80 are grocery stores like Walmart and Vowell's Market Place. This area of Demopolis also has more supply shops, local businesses, chain restaurants and small strip malls. For more dining, retail and entertainment options, residents may travel to nearby Tuscaloosa, 60 miles from Demopolis. Tuscaloosa offers a shopping mall and more big box stores like Target and Sam's Club.
Demopolis has average crime and access to major highways
The area's two major thoroughfares are Highways 43 and 80, intersecting in the center of Demopolis. The area is primarily car-dependent. Interstate 20, the nearest major highway, is 30 miles from Demopolis. Several major Alabama cities are within a two-to-three-hour drive, including Montgomery, 110 miles away; Birmingham, 120 miles away; and Mobile, 150 miles away. Whitefield Regional Hospital is the community's medical center. The closest airports are Meridian Regional, 52 miles from Demopolis, and Tuscaloosa National, 60 miles away. Demopolis has a CAP Index Crime Score of four out of 10, the same as the nation's score.
