Southside, AL

Sitting along the southern banks of the Coosa River, Southside is a peaceful community about ten minutes south of Gadsden. Home to roughly 9,500 residents, it offers a laid-back pace of life with plenty of scenic river views. The area grew from a handful of small rural settlements into an incorporated town in the 1950s, and today it attracts newcomers looking for quiet neighborhoods, open space, and an easy commute around Etowah County.

Life in Southside naturally centers around the water, where locals spend weekends boating, fishing, and relaxing at parks along Neely Henry Lake. Families are drawn here for the strong public schools, including Southside High and Southside Elementary, along with a middle school shared with neighboring Rainbow City. You will find everyday shops and restaurants along Highway 77, while a quick drive across the river into Gadsden covers larger retail, dining, and medical needs.