Hokes Bluff offers quiet living near Gadsden and the Coosa River
Hokes Bluff, a small suburb of Gadsden, balances a scenic setting along the Coosa River with easy access to shopping, dining and employers such as Koch Foods. "It's close enough to Gadsden to get there quickly but far enough away that it's very quiet," says Theresa Benefield, a lifelong Hokes Bluff resident and associate broker with Davis Realty and Auction. She says it's the type of town where neighbors are familiar and likely to lend a hand. "For instance, the mayor is in my phone. If you called him, he would answer," she says.
Hokes Bluff homes sit on large lots but are hard to find
"People love to get in here, but it's hard because there is such limited land available," says Benefield, who is also a builder in the area. There are older ranch-style homes and more recent New Traditional homes, which have been built sporadically as builders find the occasional lot. These tend to be one-story homes with two-car garages, front porches and modern interiors, according to Benefield. Homes generally enjoy some elbow room, with a median lot size of around half an acre. "Many people out here have chickens," Benefield says. The median sale price is about $260,000, higher than in Gadsden.
Hokes Bluff schools offer AP classes and team sports
Hokes Bluff Elementary School, Middle School and High School are available to area students. The schools earn B, B-minus, and C-plus grades from Niche. High schoolers can take a few college-level courses, such as Advanced Placement calculus and biology, and participate in athletic teams such as varsity football and volleyball.
Ferry Park and town complex provide outdoor fun for all ages
Hokes Bluff's town park has various amenities attached to the municipal complex. The ball fields host youth boys and girls leagues. Other features include walking paths, a public pool and play equipment shaded by mature pine trees. Eight acres along the riverfront are dedicated to Ferry Park, named for the ferry that used to carry cars and wagons across the river. Several amenities have been added or updated since 2016, including a boat launch, picnic pavilion, nature trails and splash pad. Locals can venture north to DeSoto State Park for hiking, kayaking and waterfall views in the mountains.
Barbecue in Hokes Bluff and a larger selection in Gadsden
A handful of local restaurants line Old U.S. Highway 278. Pig 'N' Out BBQ serves combo platters with slow-cooked meats and sides. Maraella Vineyards and Winery hosts private wine tastings and special events like paint-and-sip and football Saturdays. Piggly Wiggly is the go-to option for groceries. Gadsden has a larger shopping and dining scene with boutiques, antique stores, local restaurants and big-box options such as Walmart Supercenter and T.J. Maxx.
CityFest and Crawfish Festival bring the town together
CityFest is a signature Hokes Bluff event featuring country bands, carnival rides and kids' activities at the town park. "You can park your golf cart in the grass and watch country music all day for free," Benefield says. Hokes Bluff started a new fall tradition in 2024 with the Crawfish Festival at Ferry Park, where chefs compete for the title of best crawfish boil. Attendees can vote on their favorite in the people's choice category. Gadsden participates in the World's Largest Yard Sale in August, which stretches about 690 miles from Michigan to Alabama.
Golf carts, highways and rural transit connect Hokes Bluff
Benefield says locals are as likely to get around town in golf carts as in cars. "It's a big thing right now; golf carts are the talk of the town," she says. Leaving town, U.S. Route 278 connects to Gadsden, about 10 miles west. It also offers an eastern route into Georgia. Hokes Bluff is about two hours from Atlanta and about an hour from Birmingham. Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is the closest commercial airport, with around 20 nonstop domestic flight routes. Etowah County Rural Transportation provides low-cost, on-demand rides for personal needs. Gadsden Regional Medical Center offers a full range of medical services, including emergency care.
Tornado shelters are widely available
This area is susceptible to tornadoes. Peak season is in the spring with a secondary peak in the fall. "People here are very alert, so everyone usually has a safe place to go," Benefield says. "If not your own home, a church or a community shelter."
