From a farming community to a growing Montgomery suburb
Prattville started as an idea in the mind of industrialist and architect Daniel Pratt. In 1839, he planned a community dedicated to industry. The area's artesian wells and fertile farmland made it an ideal spot for growing cotton. What began as a marshy 1,000 acres of heavily wooded land is now a home for over 39,000 residents, according to the U.S. Census 2023 estimate. That is a 15 percent increase since 2010. "It is popular for people who work in Downtown Montgomery," says Keith Roll, a Realtor with Capital Realty Group River Region. "It is an easy commute straight up Interstate 65.” While many make the 13-mile commute into the city, Prattville’s largest employers include the Autauga County Board of Education, International Paper and the Prattville Baptist Hospital. The city’s plethora of shopping and dining, relatively affordable new construction homes and an array of outdoor spaces add to its appeal.
New construction homes on spacious lots
Homes in Prattville range from properties built between 1960 and 1980 to new construction. Smaller, ranch-style homes are common closer to the center of the city, while spacious new-traditional properties on generous lots are on the outskirts. With Prattville’s population growth, new construction will continue to ramp up. The median home price in Prattville is $285,000, significantly lower than the national median home price of $405,000, according to the National Association of Realtors. “The housing market is strong and consistent,” Roll says. The median home sales price in Prattville rose six percent last year.
Athletics at Newtown Park
Miller Park offers visitors an open green space for anything from picnics, tossing a frisbee or casual games of soccer. The park also has a winding gravel path, good for an evening stroll. Overlook Memorial Park is another pretty community park. It has a playground for children, along with a short trail close enough to the playground that kids can ride bikes around without being out of sight. There’s a sensory garden full of flowers and herbs that perfume the air. Local athletes head to Newton Park for its various sporting facilities, like tennis courts, volleyball courts, softball fields and multipurpose fields. Golfers can get a round in at the Prattville Country Club.
Local restaurants in Downtown Prattville
Downtown Prattville offers local restaurants along Autauga Creek. High Point Town Center, Premiere Place Shopping Center and Prattville Town Center all include chain restaurants and big box stores. Those interested in the history of Prattville and Autauga County can stop by the free Prattaugan Museum & Archives. The Prattville Pickers is a 100,000 square-foot antique mall that has over 300 dealers.
Downtown decorated for seasonal events
The City of Prattville has a selection of events it puts on annually to bring the community together. "Downtown has quaint and historic buildings that are well decorated for Halloween and Christmas,” Roll says. In October, downtown is lined with pumpkins for the annual Parade of Pumpkins, which also includes other activities for attendees. In December, the Christmas Parade rolls through downtown, featuring lighted floats.
The Autauga County School’s Technology Center
Students here attend Autauga County Schools, which earns a B-plus on Niche. The district serves over 9,000 students across 15 schools. The district’s Autauga County Technology Center offers 16 career clusters of courses to prepare students for entry into the workforce.
Interstate 65 leads to Montgomery
Interstate 65 runs just east of the city, leading to Montgomery about 13 miles away. The Montgomery Regional Airport is about 17 miles away and offers flights through American and Delta.
Prattville crime and weather
According to the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, violent crime and property were down in Prattville year over year in 2023. The city is prone to tornados and hurricanes and experiences extreme heat in the summer and mild winters.
Photography Contributed By
Isaiah Buchanan
