About Gulf Shores, Alabama

The City of Gulf Shores, Alabama

Gulf Shores is a resort city situated along the Gulf of Mexico, in Baldwin County, Alabama. The city was mostly wetlands and remote beachfront until the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway was completed in 1937. This brought easy access to the island which in turn drove the tourist industry. The first hotel was built in the early 1940s and the first post office opened in 1947. The city continued to grow with residence and tourist but Gulf Shores was still relatively unknown to the outside world until Hurricane Fredrick hit in 1979. Fredrick destroyed much but contributed to the process of the current landscape of beachfront high rises, beachfront communities, and tourist destinations.

Popular Attractions

Gulf Shores has much to offer its residents including beautiful white-sandy beaches, golf courses, nature trails and more. For Nature and animal lovers, Gulf Shores features the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, “The Little Zoo That Could”, which is home to more than 250 animals. For outdoor enthusiasts, there is wonderful fishing in the gulf and many deep-sea fishing charters are available for hire. There are many other water activities available including jet skis, kayaking, paddle boarding, and more. Families can also enjoy Waterville USA a 20-acre water & amusement park. For the golf lover, Gulf Shores offers 4 courses, including Craft Farms Golf Club which has two Arnold Palmer 18-hole courses. Gulf Shores is also home of the Annual National Shrimp Festival that began in 1971.

Schools

Gulf Shores is located in the Baldwin County School District. There are three public schools in the area, Gulf Shores Elementary, Gulf Shores Middle and Gulf Shores High. On average, the local public schools have a ratio of 18 students to a teacher. There is one private school, South Baldwin Christian Academy which is a K-3 thru 12th grade school. It has an average 9 to 1 teacher ratio and 103 students. Gulf Shores also has one community college, Coastal Alabama Community College.

Real Estate of Pleasure Island (Includes Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Ft. Morgan and Perdido Key, FL)

As of 2016, the median CONDO sold value on the island is $295,750. The average days on market is 167 days. Condo values on the island have increased approximately 7.5% in the last year.

As of 2016, the median HOME sold value on the island is $289,900. The average days on market is 193 days. Condo values on the island have increased approximately 5.5% in the last year. The median rental price for a three bedroom, two bath home is $1455.