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About Southside, AL

About Southside, AL

A growing rural community along the Coosa River

Southside is a peninsula city along the Coosa River that’s recently become one of the fastest growing communities in Etowah County. Situated about 5 miles outside Gadsden, it offers easy access to city amenities and major employers like the Gadsden Regional Medical Center. Still, locals say convenience isn’t the only draw. “A lot of people like the school zone and it just feels more like a small rural town,” says Tiffany Clayton, a lifelong Southside resident and Realtor with Southern Homes Real Estate. “There’s only one grocery store and a couple of restaurants, so you pretty much know everybody anywhere you go.”

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Southside takes pride in being rich in hospitality and having genuine character.
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Gadsden Regional Medical Center proudly takes care of the population of Southside.
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New subdivisions built over the last 10 to 15 years

Most homes in Southside were built between the 1960s and ‘90s, but new construction is popping up all across the city. “There have been several new subdivisions developed over the last 10 to 15 years,” Clayton says. Many homes, whether old or new, sit on spacious lots far from their next-door neighbors. “We still have a lot of undeveloped farmlands here, but there aren’t many empty lots for sale because it’s all privately owned.” The median sale price in Southside is $290,000, about 25 percent greater than Alabama’s median price. More expensive waterfront homes increase the overall median sale price here.

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Access to the cities lake shore properties are in high demand in Southside.
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Newly built homes bring new life to Southside and make it an exciting place to live.
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Boating, dining and community events at Southsie Landing

A lot of the recent revitalization in Southside has revolved around the parks and recreation department. Southside Landing was the city’s first major project, officially opening in 2022. The waterfront park has kayak rentals, boat slips and a ramp leading straight into the Coosa River. Back on land, there’s an all-inclusive playground and a large green space, where the community hosts a movie night in the park series each summer. In the fall and spring, the local youth baseball and softball teams practice at the Southside Sports Complex. One of the most popular local fishing spots, Neely Henry Lake is about 5 miles down the highway.

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Capture life long fishing memories at the Neely Henry Bass Club Tournament in Gadsden.
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Parents enjoy taking their kids to play on the playground at Southside Landing on a beautiful spring day.
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Blackstone Bait Shack opened in 2022

Blackstone Bait Shack is a local pub and eatery that opened at Southside Landing in 2022. It’s one of the only three locally owned restaurants in town. A handful of fast-food drive thrus and a hometown grocery store dot the highway, but most of the shopping and dining options are across the river in Rainbow City.

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The Blackstone Bait Shack at Southside Landing brings local people together to enjoy great food, water sports, and play.
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It's hard not to fill up fast on the delicious pizza at Barone's Pizza & Arcade near Southside.
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Etowah County Schools earn a B on Niche

Southside is zoned for the Etowah County School System, which earns an overall B on Niche. The city itself has one elementary school and one high school, and Rainbow City Middle is right across the river. Southside High is the district’s largest school, with about 900 students. Enrollment has increased annually over the last 15 years, and recently, the school received two new portable classrooms.

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Southside Elementary School encourages young kids in Southside to go for their dreams.
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Southside High School takes pride in developing the future leaders of Southside.
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Repaved roads and easy access to Gadsden

About 20 miles of roadways in Southside have been repaved since 2022. One of the roads was expanded to alleviate traffic from the city’s growing population. Alabama State Route 77 links to Rainbow City, right across the Coosa River. From here, it’s about a 6-mile drive to Gadsden, which has two top-rated regional medical centers. Birmingham is the closest major city, about 60 miles down Interstate 59.

Weather and crime in Southside

Summers in Southside are hot and humid, while winters are relatively mild, with the average low at 33 degrees Fahrenheit. Most of Northern Alabama is prone to tornadoes. Many homes have built-in storm shelters, but Southside also has a community storm shelter along Highway 77. Southside has seen a slight increase in property and violent crimes since 2020, according to the most recently available data on the state’s crime dashboard.

Ryan Horton
Written By
Ryan Horton
John Gibbons
Photography Contributed By
John Gibbons
Dan Mack
Video By
Dan Mack

Neighborhood Map

Southside by the Numbers

8,477
Population
$282K
Average Housing Value
71
Average Days on Market

Average Home Value



Source: Public Records

Top Schools in Southside, AL

Source:

Best Public Elementary Schools

John S. Jones Elementary School
#1 John S. Jones Elementary School
A-
Niche
10
GreatSchools
Southside Elementary School
#2 Southside Elementary School
B+
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Ashville Elementary School
#3 Ashville Elementary School
B
Niche
8
GreatSchools
Ohatchee Elementary School
#4 Ohatchee Elementary School
B
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Glencoe Elementary School
#5 Glencoe Elementary School
B+
Niche
5
GreatSchools

Best Public Middle Schools

Ashville Middle School
#1 Ashville Middle School
B
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Rainbow Middle School
#2 Rainbow Middle School
B
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Glencoe Middle School
#3 Glencoe Middle School
B
Niche
4
GreatSchools

Best Public High Schools

Southside High School
#1 Southside High School
B
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Ashville High School
#2 Ashville High School
C+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Glencoe High School
#3 Glencoe High School
B-
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Ohatchee High School
#4 Ohatchee High School
B
Niche
4
GreatSchools

Agents Specializing in this Area

Agent Spotlight

Julius Boggus
(256) 293-5099
Julius R. Boggus isn’t just a real estate agent; he’s a passionate advocate for helping individuals and families find their perfect place to call home in beautiful Guntersville, Alabama. Born and raised in the area, Julius’s deep-rooted connection to the community fuels his dedication to turning homeownership dreams into reality.
A proud graduate of Troy University with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, Julius honed his expertise in political science, business, and leadership—providing him with a well-rounded approach to navigating the complexities of the real estate market.
Before returning to his hometown, Julius gained invaluable experience in commercial property management at a leading Cullman-based firm, overseeing a portfolio of properties across the Southeastern United States. This role sharpened his skills in strategic planning, negotiation, and market analysis, laying the groundwork for his success as a full-time real estate professional.
Known for his integrity, tireless work ethic, and client-first approach, Julius ensures every buyer and seller feels informed, supported, and confident throughout their real estate journey. His professional yet approachable demeanor makes the process seamless and enjoyable.
Whether you’re searching for your dream home, exploring investment opportunities, or selling a property, Julius brings unmatched expertise and a personal touch to every transaction. Let him help you navigate the exciting Guntersville real estate market with ease and confidence—because with Julius, you’re not just buying or selling a house; you’re building a future.
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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.