Population58,898 (2025 est.)
Riverfront Connections Along a Shared State Line
Russell County, AlabamaRussell County meets Georgia along the Chattahoochee River, with Phenix City serving as the county seat opposite Columbus. The river gives the area a clear geographic focus, linking local history with today’s riverfront landscape. The Phenix City Riverwalk offers one way to approach that setting, while the broader county extends into smaller communities and wildlife habitats. Explore the river corridor first, then use the county’s local resources to look beyond its urban center.
Russell County at a Glance
Population58,898 (2025 est.)
County SeatPhenix City
Largest CityPhenix City
Established1832
ZIP CodesSee postal resources
Total Area, Including Water647 sq mi (total)
Major RoutesU.S. Highway 80; U.S. Highway 280; U.S. Highway 431; State Route 26; State Route 51; State Route 165
Area CodesVaries by community
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover Russell County
Russell County
Russell County was formed in 1832, when Girard became its first county seat. The area around Girard was part of the homeland of the Coweta branch of the Creek Nation before the later development of the towns that became Phenix City. That history places the Chattahoochee at the center of several different stories. Today, Phenix City is the county seat, and the river still provides a visible connection between the Alabama community and neighboring Columbus, Georgia.
Start with the riverfront for a sense of the connection between Phenix City and Columbus, then branch into the county according to your interests. The Riverwalk provides views of the Chattahoochee and its recreation setting. Farther along the river corridor, Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge includes land in Russell County as part of a larger protected area spanning both states. Consult current city and refuge information before choosing access points or planning specific activities.
What Shapes Us
Riverfront Perspective
Phenix City's Riverwalk places the Chattahoochee in view, helping visitors understand the relationship between the Alabama riverbank and the Georgia community across the water.
Layered Local History
The histories of the Coweta Creek people, Girard and Phenix City provide different perspectives on the same river corridor and its changing communities.
Shared Wildlife Habitat
Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge extends across county and state boundaries, connecting part of Russell County with a larger network of riverine wildlife habitats.
Explore the communities and habitats connected by water.
A Closer Look
Russell County
Places and perspectives from Russell County
Russell County headlines via Google News
Alabama inmate serving life for murder found dead in cell at Jefferson County prison - AL.com
Alabama inmate serving life for murder found dead in cell at Jefferson County prison AL.com
Read the Story Oct 12, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Russell County
Stories from every corner of Russell County.
Alabama inmate serving life for murder found dead in cell at Jefferson County prison - AL.com
Alabama inmate serving life for murder found dead in cell at Jefferson County prison AL.com
Oct 12, 2026 • 2 min read
LIVE UPDATES: Monitoring damage across Alabama from Isaias' remnants - wvtm
LIVE UPDATES: Monitoring damage across Alabama from Isaias' remnants wvtm
Oct 10, 2026 • 2 min read
Man dies after being struck by train in Russell County - WKRG
Man dies after being struck by train in Russell County WKRG
Oct 9, 2026 • 2 min read
26-year-old man dies in train incident in Russell County - CNAW 2 with Colin Scroggins
26-year-old man dies in train incident in Russell County CNAW 2 with Colin Scroggins
Oct 9, 2026 • 2 min read
Pike Road vs. Benjamin Russell: Watch Alabama high school Thursday night football live tonight - AL.com
Pike Road vs. Benjamin Russell: Watch Alabama high school Thursday night football live tonight AL.com
Oct 8, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Meadowlane Elementary School – Elementary; grades KG-05. 709 Meadowlane Dr, Phenix City, AL 36869. 334-298-2568.
Mount Olive Intermediate School – Elementary; grades 03-05. 456 State Highway 165, Fort Mitchell, AL 36856. 334-468-5002.
Central High School – High; grades 09-12. 2400 Dobbs Dr, Phenix City, AL 36870. 334-298-3626.
Phenix City Intermediate School – Middle; grades 06-07. 2401 S Railroad St, Phenix City, AL 36867. 334-298-8744.
Central Freshman Academy – Secondary; grades 09-09. 2800 Dobbs Drive, Phenix City, AL 36870. 334-448-8780.
Mt Olive Primary School – Elementary; grades PK-02. 454 State Highway 165, Ft Mitchell, AL 36856. 334-468-5100.
Dixie Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-05. 4914 US Highway 80 W, Opelika, AL 36804. 334-468-5323.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital – Acute Care Hospitals. 4401 River Chase Drive, Phenix City, AL 36867. 334-732-3000.
Public Safety
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Emergency Services
Parks & Public Lands
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Trails
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Utilities
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Phenix City – Russell County Public Library – 1501 17Th Avenue, Phenix City, AL 36867. 334-298-1139.
Courts
Motor Vehicle Services
Alabama — Driver License Offices
Alabama — License and ID Cards
Alabama — Driver Records, Crash Reports, and Driver License Reinstatements
Transportation
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know Russell County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Russell County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
58,898 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
647.191 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with Emergency Management, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Human Resources, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Motor Vehicle Licensing, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Probate Court, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with County Commissioners, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
The Phenix City Riverwalk follows the river’s western bank and offers views toward Columbus and the river recreation area. Check city notices for current access conditions when planning a visit. Phenix City Riverwalk.
Yes. The refuge includes land in Russell and Barbour counties in Alabama, as well as land across the river in Georgia. It is a larger protected area rather than a destination contained entirely within Russell County. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge fact sheet.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
The VA explains how to find and appoint an accredited representative for benefit claims. Contact a representative to confirm availability before appointing them. For education benefits, use the GI Bill application guidance. These are national VA services available to eligible local residents, rather than a listing of county offices.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Local Businesses
Businesses Serving Russell CountyExplore the businesses listed for this county.
Businesses serving Russell County
Additional county facts: county overview and references.
Connect with local businesses.Russell County