Tri-Cities
RANK #67 / 996 NAT · #3 / 27 AL · POP 57,270
1YR FORECAST: +2.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +37%
Colbert County, Alabama, is widely recognized for its musical heritage, particularly in Muscle Shoals, home to iconic recording studios like FAME Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, where legendary artists recorded. Located in the northwest corner of Alabama along the Tennessee River, the county seat is Tuscumbia, also known as the birthplace of Helen Keller. The area offers a small-town atmosphere with access to natural beauty, including riverfront parks, golf courses, and wildlife preserves. The county also provides public transportation through a demand-response Dial-a-Ride program. Life in Colbert County is often characterized by a close-knit, small-town environment, attracting many retirees. The public schools in Colbert County are above average, with some elementary schools ranking highly within the state. The economy is supported by a strong industrial base, including manufacturing, and recent defense manufacturing investments are projected to create new jobs. The presence of the University of North Alabama in the broader Shoals area also contributes to the local economy through employment and student spending.
Below national median
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.0x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Colbert Combustion Turbine Plant Expansion
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
|
$750M | Operating |
|
Muscle Shoals Solar Project
Ørsted (acquired from Longroad Energy)
|
$227M | Operating |
|
Spring Valley Solar 2
Spring Valley LLC (for TVA)
|
$200M | Planned |
|
Muscle Shoals Sports, Retail and Entertainment Complex
City of Muscle Shoals (public/private partnership)
|
$65M | Planned |
|
Bank Independent Operations Center
Bank Independent
|
$60M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Colbert County ranks #67 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 93/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +1.3% and a median household income of $56,149 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Colbert County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $148,500, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.38 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $810/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Colbert County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.8% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.3% clip. Home values shifted +1.1% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.15% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Colbert County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.