Livingston is the seat of Sumter County and home to a university
Livingston is a city of roughly 3,400 on the western edge of Alabama. The seat of Sumter County, the city is best known as the home of the University of West Alabama. “It has a small college-town feel,” says Ashley Welborn, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Tuscaloosa who has lived in the area for nearly 40 years. The school and its athletic events are major draws for residents, who also enjoy the town's charming downtown and interstate access.
Victorian-era builds through late 1900s ranch-style homes
Many homes near downtown were built in the first half of the 20th century, while houses around the outskirts were built in the second half. Older homes include bungalows and Victorians, and newer properties are more commonly bilevel or ranch style. Prices range from $115,000 to $265,000, though areas near campus are popular with student renters.
Education at Sumter County Schools or University Charter School
Sumter County Schools serve Livingston and receive an overall C-minus grade from Niche. Students attend kindergarten through eighth grade at one of two schools in the district before reuniting at Sumter Central High, which receives a C-minus. The school system has been under state intervention since 2023 due to low test scores and budgetary concerns. Students can also enroll at University Charter School within the community, which receives a B-minus grade for kindergarten through 12th grade. Roughly 2,500 students attend the University of West Alabama.
Restaurants and shops around the Sumter County Courthouse
Downtown Livingston centers on the Sumter County Courthouse, with several restaurants and shops in the walkable district. Dog Street Cafe and Outfitters serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, including burgers and sandwiches. Around the corner is the Brass Monkey, a traditional watering hole frequented by students and locals. Fast-food spots sit along Highway 11. Several dollar stores are scattered throughout town, but residents can head to Livingston Foodland for groceries.
Community gathers for Tigers football and New Year's Eve parade
The Livingston community rallies behind the West Alabama Tigers football team. Gamedays are a big deal: Football attendance often reaches 5,000, and businesses in town frequently have special deals on food and drinks. Otherwise, the city puts on annual parades, including a Mardi Gras celebration. But the community’s most unique event is the D.U.D. Parade — short for “Damned Ugly Devils.” Every New Year’s Eve since 1857, city residents dress up in masks and costumes, then march through the streets in a tradition believed to be imported from Great Britain. “I worked the parade for 25 years, and I never really figured out what it was about. That’s how unique it is,” Welborn says with a laugh. “Some folks get really into it.”
Recreation on Lake LU or at city parks
Lake LU — its name a vestige of the school’s former name, Livingston University — is on the campus of the University of West Alabama. Students and community members can hike along the shore and fish for largemouth bass. Across the street from campus, Jaycee Park has several ballfields and tennis courts, plus a community pool. The private Livingston Country Club is nearby, featuring a nine-hole golf course. Hunting is popular in the forest outside town, with several camps and lodges catering to the adventure.
Major cities accessible via Interstate 20
Interstate 20 passes through Livingston and is the main route through West Alabama. Tuscaloosa is about 60 miles away, while Birmingham is roughly 120 miles away. Meridian, Mississippi, is 40 miles the other way and has the closest commercial flights at Meridian Regional Airport. West Alabama Public Transportation services the county with pick-ups and drop-offs for seniors or others without a car. The nearest emergency room is at Hill Hospital of Sumter County, 10 miles away.
