Florence is a city in, and the county seat of, Lauderdale County, Alabama, United States, in the state's northwest corner. It is situated along the Tennessee River and is home to the University of North Alabama, the oldest college in the state.
According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 39,319.
Florence is the largest and principal city of the Florence-Muscle Shoals Metropolitan Statistical Area commonly known as "The Shoals". Florence is considered northwestern Alabama's primary economic hub.
Annual tourism events include the W. C. Handy Music Festival in the summer and the Renaissance Faire in the fall. Landmarks in Florence include the Rosenbaum House, the only Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home located in Alabama, and the Florence Indian Mound and Museum.
The type of municipal government is mayor-council.