Riverfront city known as "The Hit Recording Capital of the World"
Muscle Shoals earned its title as “The Hit Recording Capital of the World” starting in the 1960s. Iconic songs by legends like Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones and Percy Sledge were created in the city’s Fame Recording Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound. “I live across the river in Florence, but most of the time, I’ll just say I live in Muscle Shoals because everybody knows it for the music,” says Jeanne Lambert, a resident of the neighboring city of Florence.
While the music industry is still thriving — Lana Del Ray and Chris Stapleton recently recorded here — Muscle Shoals has also become a regional manufacturing hub. Manufacturers here produce steel buildings, aluminum parts, injection molds and automotive lighting fixtures, among other products. Other industries in this city of 17,000 are healthcare, including North Alabama Shoals Hospital, and education. Remote workers have been enticed to relocate to the town as part of the Remote Shoals program, which has been around since 2019. Some have decided to make Muscle Shoals their permanent home.
Beyond the city’s musical cachet, residents appreciate the many outdoor recreational opportunities, well-rated schools and easy access to large cities like Huntsville and Nashville.
The main thoroughfare through Muscle Shoals is Avalon Avenue.
FAME Studios have recorded many hits in Muscle Shoals including songs by Aretha Franklin and William Pickett.
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Mostly older single-family homes
The median home price in Muscle Shoals is around $270,000, similar to the median price in Florence but lower than the national median. Residences are almost entirely single-family houses, with a smattering of apartment complexes. Most homes were built between the 1960s and ’90s, but there are some cottages and ranchers from earlier decades on the city’s north side. New construction homes are popping up in subdivisions, mainly on the south side of town, with prices in the $375,000 to $475,000 range.
Muscle Shoals's elevated position on the bluffs of the Tennessee River makes flooding far less likely here than in Florence. Still, the area is prone to tornadoes so many homes have underground storm shelters.
Muscle Shoals homes vary in style from Cape Cod homes to colonial style.
Mid-century ranch homes are spread throughout the Muscle Shoals area.
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Fishing, boating and waterfall hikes at the Muscle Shoals Reservation
The Tennessee River is the centerpiece of outdoor recreation in Muscle Shoals. Along the river, more than 17 miles of hiking trails wind through the Muscle Shoals Reservation. Owned and operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority, this area links several historical sites along the bankside bluffs, including the pedestrian-only Old Railroad Bridge. Fishing coves and a public boat ramp are accessible from Rockpile Trail, which offers up-close views of the Wilson Dam waterfalls. Wilson Lake, a popular local fishing spot, stretches from here to Wheeler Dam Village. The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at The Shoals features two championship golf courses overlooking the lake. The city is also home to three sports complexes where local youth sports leagues play. And in May 2024, local officials announced plans to build a $65 million sports and entertainment complex between Muscle Shoals and Tuscumbia.
Fisherman can boat along the Tennessee River all year long in The Shoals.
Robert Trent Jones Golf Course is one of a few public courses residents in Muscle Shoals can play.
The Old Railroad Bridge mural highlights the history of railroads that once passed through The Shoals.
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"Music every night" during the W.C. Handy Music Festival
The city celebrates its heritage each fall at the W.C. Handy Music Festival. Throughout the weekend-long event, “most of the streets shut down for block parties and concerts,” Lambert says. “There’s music every night, everywhere. It’s like being in Downtown Nashville.”
Highly rated Muscle Shoals City Schools
The Muscle Shoals City School System earns an overall A on Niche and consistently ranks as one of Alabama’s top-performing districts. Muscle Shoals High offers a dual enrollment program through its partnership with Northwest Shoals Community College. There are more than 10 specialized programs offered at the Muscle Shoals Career Academy.
McBride Elementary enrolls over 600 students every year in Muscle Shoals.
Muscle Shoals Middle School enrolls over 600 students every year.
Muscle Shoals High School is home to the Trojans.
Muscle Shoals Career Academy enrolls around 500 students every year.
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Avalon Avenue is the main commercial corridor
Muscle Shoals doesn't have a downtown district, but Avalon Avenue is the city's main commercial corridor. Local barbeque joints and southern-style restaurants are scattered between big box stores and strip malls. Other local restaurants, national retailers and fast-food chains dot U.S. Highway 72. Many residents head to Florence for more dining options.
Locals come to Donna & Friends every Tuesday for live karaoke in Muscle Shoals.
Locals can grab a cocktail and dinner with friends at Southern Grocery in The Shoals.
Locals have been shopping at The Village Shoppe for over 50 years in Muscle Shoals.
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Singing River Bridge links to Florence
Singing River Bridge connects to Florence, on the other side of the Tennessee River. Huntsville is about 75 miles away via U.S. Route 72, and Nashville is about 135 miles north. On the far east end of Muscle Shoals, the Northwest Alabama Regional Airport offers daily direct flights to Charlotte.
Crime and weather in Muscle Shoals
Muscle Shoals has a year-round climate typical for the South, with hot, muggy summers and short, mild winters.
Recent crime data for Muscle Shoals is not readily available.
Having been raised in the world of real estate, Gina has always had a passion to someday be able to follow in her father's footsteps. Graduating from the University of Tennessee at Martin with a degree in Accounting, that was the original path she planned to take. In 2016, Gina decided the time was right to follow her dream and get her real estate license. For the next 2 years while working full time as an accountant, she started to build her career in real estate. At the end of 2018, she made a leap of faith to leave the accounting world to finally follow in those footsteps of her father. Believing with all her heart that this is exactly where she needs to be, she has a desire to help people. Whether it be first-time buyers or growing families, Gina is eager and honored to help everyone that crosses her path.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
