Coosa River community south of Gadsden
Pole barns and steel shops for Southside on the Coosa
Southside began as a farming community and grew into a small city on the river. RBC Buildings serves the Southside area from our Blountsville office.
We have one office, in Blountsville. We do not have an office in Southside.
From farm settlement to river city
Southside was first settled in 1850 as a small rural community made up of townships including Green Valley and Cedar Bend. Its early economy was farming, with grist mills and cotton gins.[2]
The city was incorporated in 1957 and sits on the south side of the Coosa River in the southern Appalachian foothills. The 2020 census counted 9,426 residents.[2]
That mix of farming roots and growing neighborhoods means many kinds of property. A rural lot may need a pole barn or equipment shed, while a family lot may want a garage or shop. It depends on what you are building.[2]
Southside facts
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Southside covers about 19.27 square miles at an elevation of 545 feet.[2]
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Most of the city is in Etowah County, with a small portion in Calhoun County.[2]
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The 2020 data lists 71.5 percent of residents as urban and 28.5 percent as rural.[2]
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Southside has one elementary school and one high school in Etowah County Schools and shares a middle school with Rainbow City.[2]
Southside questions
General information. Every project is different, so call us about yours.
Where should an equipment shed go on a few acres?
Placement depends on drainage, access and how you move equipment. A flat, well drained spot with room for doors is usually a good starting point. We can talk through your property.
Is a barndominium a good way to live on the river side of Southside?
Many people like barndominiums because the shell is steel and the layout is flexible. Whether it works depends on your site, your lot and your budget.
What is the difference between a pole barn and a steel frame building?
A pole barn uses posts set in the ground, while a steel frame building uses a rigid frame. The right one depends on what you plan to use the building for.
Does RBC sell materials by themselves?
RBC publishes price lists for trusses, lumber, doors, insulation and metal trim. Prices are subject to change, so confirm before you order.
Plan a Southside building
Call (205) 429-4411 to talk about a shed, a shop or a home in Southside. We are happy to answer questions.
Sources
Local details on this page come from these public sources, checked in October 2026.