Where is Muscle Shoals, Alabama, USA?

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: April 28, 2026 | 14:51 ET

Where is Muscle Shoals Located? - Muscle Shoals is a city located in the Colbert County of Alabama, United States. Muscle Shoals lies between 34.6723 Degrees North latitudes and 86.0341 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Muscle Shoals, Alabama

Where is Muscle Shoals, Alabama

Muscle Shoals Map, Alabama, USA

Where is Muscle Shoals?: The Google Map showing the location of Muscle Shoals in the U.S. state of Alabama.

Where is Muscle Shoals Located?

Muscle Shoals is a city located in the Colbert County of Alabama, United States. Muscle Shoals lies between 34.6723 Degrees North latitudes and 86.0341 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Muscle Shoals city is 16275 people and the city has a total area of 16.54 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.

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Muscle Shoals, Alabama Quick Facts

AttributeInformation
CityMuscle Shoals
CountyColbert County
StateAlabama
State CapitalMontgomery
US RegionSouth (East South Central)
Latitude34.7448° N
Longitude87.6675° W
Elevation540 ft (165 m)
Land Area14.28 sq mi
Water Area0.31 sq mi
Total Area14.59 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)16,275
Population DensityApproximately 1,140 per sq mi
ZIP Code35661
Area Code256
Time Zone StandardCentral Standard Time (CST, UTC−6)
Time Zone DaylightCentral Daylight Time (CDT, UTC−5)
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code01-53016
Congressional DistrictAlabama's 5th Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in Muscle Shoals

CategoryInformation
Airport NameNorthwest Alabama Regional Airport
IATA CodeMSL
Nearest Major AirportHuntsville International Airport
PortTennessee River inland waterway access
Major HighwaysU.S. Highway 43, U.S. Highway 72, Alabama Highway 157
Train/Amtrak ServiceNearest Amtrak service available in Birmingham
Local Transit ServiceShoals Area Regional Transit System (SRTS)
  • U.S. Highway 72 – Major east–west route connecting Muscle Shoals with Huntsville and Memphis.
  • U.S. Highway 43 – Important north–south highway serving northwest Alabama.
  • Alabama Highway 157 – Regional route connecting Muscle Shoals with surrounding communities.
  • Northwest Alabama Regional Airport provides commercial and general aviation services.

Top Places to Visit in Muscle Shoals, Alabama

Landmark NameType
Fame Recording StudiosMusic Historic Site
Muscle Shoals Sound StudioMusic Historic Site
Wilson DamHistoric Dam and Recreation Area
River Heritage ParkPark and Riverfront Area
Spring Creek Golf CourseGolf Course
W.C. Handy Birthplace, Museum & LibraryMuseum
Alabama Music Hall of FameMusic Museum
McFarland ParkPark and Campground
Pickwick LakeLake Recreation Area
Shiloh National Military ParkHistoric Site

Driving Distances from Muscle Shoals, Alabama to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
FlorenceAlabama510 minutes
DecaturAlabama4550 minutes
HuntsvilleAlabama651 hour
TupeloMississippi851 hour 30 minutes
BirminghamAlabama1152 hours
MemphisTennessee1402 hours 15 minutes
NashvilleTennessee1202 hours
AtlantaGeorgia1903 hours
KnoxvilleTennessee2203 hours 30 minutes
MontgomeryAlabama2203 hours 30 minutes

Colleges and Universities Near Muscle Shoals, Alabama

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
University of North AlabamaPublicUniversityBusiness, education, nursing, arts, and sciences
Northwest-Shoals Community CollegePublicCommunity CollegeTechnical education, workforce training, and associate degrees
University of AlabamaPublicUniversityResearch, engineering, business, and athletics
Alabama A&M UniversityPublicUniversityAgriculture, engineering, sciences, and education
Athens State UniversityPublicUniversityEducation, business, and professional programs

Waterbodies Near Muscle Shoals, Alabama

Tennessee River, Wilson Lake, Pickwick Lake, Spring Creek, Cypress Creek, and nearby waterways of the Tennessee River Valley.

Stadiums and Sports Facilities in Muscle Shoals

James F. Moore Stadium, Muscle Shoals High School athletic facilities, Northwest-Shoals Community College sports facilities, Spring Creek Golf Course, and local recreation complexes.

Muscle Shoals, Alabama — Key Historical Facts

  • Muscle Shoals developed along the Tennessee River and has a long history connected to transportation, industry, and river commerce.
  • The area was named after the natural rock formations and shallow areas, known as "shoals," found along the Tennessee River.
  • The construction of Wilson Dam during the early twentieth century transformed the region by providing hydroelectric power and supporting industrial development.
  • Muscle Shoals became internationally famous for its music heritage, especially the "Muscle Shoals Sound" created by recording studios and musicians during the twentieth century.
  • The city became a center for recording artists across genres including soul, rock, country, and blues.
  • Today, Muscle Shoals is known for its music history, Tennessee River recreation, manufacturing, and cultural attractions in northwest Alabama.

References

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