Smiths Station has always been a commuter town
As its name suggests, Smiths Station, a small town in eastern Alabama, developed around a train depot in the 19th century. Selected for its easy access to larger regional hubs, it still carries a reputation for convenience, even as highways have replaced rail lines. Today, Smiths Station is known as a bedroom community of Columbus, Georgia, just across the Chattahoochee River, and Phenix City, Alabama, to the south, though residents also brag about its quick commutes to Auburn, Opelika and even Atlanta. Over time, a highly rated school district, new housing developments and a lower cost of living than nearby cities have helped transform the former whistle-stop into a growing suburban community.
What housing looks like and costs in Smiths Station
Smiths Station is still mostly rural, but areas farther south toward Phenix City are becoming more suburban. “Smiths Station is having more and more tract housing developments,” says associate broker of Champions Realty, LLC, Danny Amberson, who’s sold many homes in the community. “Other than those new subdivisions, Smiths Station is known to be a rural community where you can typically get a house with at least an acre.” Here’s a look at home prices in the area:
- Modular homes can cost from the low $100,000s to the high $200,000s.
- Single-story houses, including ranch-style and New Traditional homes, can range from the low $100,000s to the upper $600,000s.
- Two-story builds typically start in the upper $200,000s and can reach nearly $1 million.
- Most homes fall in the $300,000 to $500,000 price range.
“Prices vary depending on the age of the home,” Amberson explains. “But, overall, it tends to be more affordable for what you get. For example, you can find a new tract house that’s anywhere from 3,000 to 3,500 square feet for under $400,000.”
Nearby employment centers and how to get there
U.S. Highway 280 is Smiths Station’s main throughway, leading towards Phenix City and Columbus, both about 8 miles away, where most residents work. Here are some major employers in the region:
- Fort Moore, in Columbus, one of the largest employers in the Southeast, offering military, civilian, contracting and service jobs
- Health care systems in Phenix City and Columbus, including Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital, Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital and St. Francis-Emory Healthcare
- Auburn University in Auburn, employing professors, administrators and other staff
- Pratt & Whitney in Columbus for aerospace manufacturing positions
“There’s good access to other areas, too,” Amberson says. “This area is only about an hour and a half from Atlanta, three and a half hours from the beaches in Northwest Florida, and Northern Georgia’s mountains are about 3 or 4 hours away.”
Lee County Schools offer strong academics and athletics
Smiths Station is zoned for the highly rated Lee County Schools district, which draws families. The district offers school choice through magnet and specialty programs, open enrollment and limited out-of-district enrollment. Placement depends on capacity, and, when applications exceed available seats, lotteries are used. Smiths Station High School is highly rated, offering strong academics and athletics, including a girls’ flag football team. The boys’ football team is a cornerstone of the community, with residents who pack the stands on Fridays in the fall to cheer for the Panthers.
Things to do in and around Smiths Station
Smiths Station is on the Alabama side of the Chattahoochee River, which plays a major role in local recreation, especially in the spring and summer, when people flock to the waterfront for live music and community events. “Friday night concerts with local bands are always fun,” Amberson says. “People bring lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy food from restaurants in downtown Columbus.” Smiths Station also offers easy access to Lake Oliver, a reservoir on the Chattahoochee, and Goat Rock Recreation Area, with a public boat launch and fishing pier.
The Smiths Station Parks and Recreation Department offers youth sports, with Smiths Station Sports Complex hosting leagues and tournaments from throughout the region. You’ll also find several ballfields at Smiths Station Junior High. The city organizes events, the biggest being the Holiday Bazaar, held at City Hall, with local vendors selling everything from arts and crafts to food and drinks.
Youth sports and tournaments at Smiths Station Sports Complex
“Smiths Station doesn’t have much of a shopping community,” Amberson explains. “It’s primarily dependent upon Columbus and Phenix City, but it’s also convenient to Auburn, which, because of the university, has the best selection of shopping and restaurants, as well as Opelika.” Smiths Station’s limited commercial offerings sit mostly around the intersection of Panther Parkway and Jackson Avenue. Smiths Station Plaza features a Renfroe’s Market for groceries, a pharmacy and Cluck It Bucket, a restaurant serving chicken tenders. Driving along Highway 280, you’ll find more big-box stores, like Walmart and The Home Depot, and well-known chain restaurants, including Waffle House and Outback Steakhouse, the closer you get to Columbus.
