content: <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><edgarSubmission xmlns="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/ownership" xmlns:com="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/common">
    <headerData>
      <submissionType>144</submissionType>
      <filerInfo>
        <filer>
          <filerCredentials>
            <cik>0001971188</cik>
            <ccc>XXXXXXXX</ccc>
          </filerCredentials>
        </filer>
        <liveTestFlag>LIVE</liveTestFlag>
  
  
  
      </filerInfo>
    </headerData>
    <formData>
      <issuerInfo>
        <issuerCik>0000092122</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SOUTHERN CO</issuerName>
        <secFileNumber>001-03526</secFileNumber>
        <issuerAddress>
          <com:street1>30 IVAN ALLEN JR. BLVD., N.W.</com:street1>
          <com:city>ATLANTA</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>GA</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>30308</com:zipCode>
        </issuerAddress>
        <issuerContactPhone>4045065000</issuerContactPhone>
        <nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>Drake Sloane N</nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>
        <relationshipsToIssuer>
          <relationshipToIssuer>Officer</relationshipToIssuer>
        </relationshipsToIssuer>
      </issuerInfo>
      <securitiesInformation>
        <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</securitiesClassTitle>
        <brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
          <name>MERRILL LYNCH</name>
          <address>
            <com:street1>3455 PEACHTREE RD NE</com:street1>
            <com:street2>SUITE 1000</com:street2>
            <com:city>ATLANTA</com:city>
            <com:stateOrCountry>GA</com:stateOrCountry>
            <com:zipCode>30326</com:zipCode>
          </address>
        </brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
        <noOfUnitsSold>12000</noOfUnitsSold>
        <aggregateMarketValue>931320.00</aggregateMarketValue>
        <noOfUnitsOutstanding>1093426111</noOfUnitsOutstanding>
        <approxSaleDate>07/03/2024</approxSaleDate>
        <securitiesExchangeName>NEW YORK</securitiesExchangeName>
      </securitiesInformation>
      <securitiesToBeSold>
        <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</securitiesClassTitle>
        <acquiredDate>01/12/2015</acquiredDate>
        <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT VEST</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
        <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>SOUTHERN COMPANY</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
        <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
        <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>3</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
        <paymentDate>01/12/2015</paymentDate>
        <natureOfPayment>COMPENSATORY PAYMENT</natureOfPayment>
      </securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesToBeSold>
        <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</securitiesClassTitle>
        <acquiredDate>01/13/2016</acquiredDate>
        <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT VEST</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
        <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>SOUTHERN COMPANY</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
        <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
        <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>31</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
        <paymentDate>01/13/2016</paymentDate>
        <natureOfPayment>COMPENSATORY PAYMENT</natureOfPayment>
      </securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesToBeSold>
        <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</securitiesClassTitle>
        <acquiredDate>02/12/2018</acquiredDate>
        <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT VEST</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
        <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>SOUTHERN COMPANY</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
        <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
        <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>388</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
        <paymentDate>02/12/2018</paymentDate>
        <natureOfPayment>COMPENSATORY PAYMENT</natureOfPayment>
      </securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesToBeSold>
        <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</securitiesClassTitle>
        <acquiredDate>02/13/2018</acquiredDate>
        <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>VESTING OF RESTRICTED SHARES</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
        <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>SOUTHERN COMPANY</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
        <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
        <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>121</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
        <paymentDate>02/13/2018</paymentDate>
        <natureOfPayment>COMPENSATORY PAYMENT</natureOfPayment>
      </securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesToBeSold>
        <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</securitiesClassTitle>
        <acquiredDate>02/11/2019</acquiredDate>
        <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT VEST</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
        <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>SOUTHERN COMPANY</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
        <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
        <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>1179</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
        <paymentDate>02/11/2019</paymentDate>
        <natureOfPayment>COMPENSATORY PAYMENT</natureOfPayment>
      </securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesToBeSold>
        <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</securitiesClassTitle>
        <acquiredDate>02/13/2019</acquiredDate>
        <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>VESTING OF RESTRICTED SHARES</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
        <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>SOUTHERN COMPANY</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
        <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
        <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>139</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
        <paymentDate>02/13/2019</paymentDate>
        <natureOfPayment>COMPENSATORY PAYMENT</natureOfPayment>
      </securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesToBeSold>
        <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</securitiesClassTitle>
        <acquiredDate>02/27/2019</acquiredDate>
        <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>VESTING OF RESTRICTED SHARES</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
        <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>SOUTHERN COMPANY</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
        <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
        <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>268</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
        <paymentDate>02/27/2019</paymentDate>
        <natureOfPayment>COMPENSATORY PAYMENT</natureOfPayment>
      </securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesToBeSold>
        <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</securitiesClassTitle>
        <acquiredDate>02/05/2020</acquiredDate>
        <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>VESTING OF RESTRICTED SHARES</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
        <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>SOUTHERN COMPANY</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
        <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
        <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>745</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
        <paymentDate>02/05/2020</paymentDate>
        <natureOfPayment>COMPENSATORY PAYMENT</natureOfPayment>
      </securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesToBeSold>
        <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</securitiesClassTitle>
        <acquiredDate>02/11/2020</acquiredDate>
        <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT VEST</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
        <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>SOUTHERN COMPANY</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
        <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
        <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>1345</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
        <paymentDate>02/11/2020</paymentDate>
        <natureOfPayment>COMPENSATORY PAYMENT</natureOfPayment>
      </securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesToBeSold>
        <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</securitiesClassTitle>
        <acquiredDate>02/13/2020</acquiredDate>
        <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>VESTING OF RESTRICTED SHARES</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
        <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>SOUTHERN COMPANY</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
        <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
        <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>112</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
        <paymentDate>02/13/2020</paymentDate>
        <natureOfPayment>COMPENSATORY PAYMENT</natureOfPayment>
      </securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesToBeSold>
        <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</securitiesClassTitle>
        <acquiredDate>02/27/2020</acquiredDate>
        <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>VESTING OF RESTRICTED SHARES</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
        <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>SOUTHERN COMPANY</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
        <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
        <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>219</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
        <paymentDate>02/27/2020</paymentDate>
        <natureOfPayment>COMPENSATORY PAYMENT</natureOfPayment>
      </securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesToBeSold>
        <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</securitiesClassTitle>
        <acquiredDate>02/05/2021</acquiredDate>
        <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>VESTING OF RESTRICTED SHARES</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
        <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>SOUTHERN COMPANY</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
        <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
        <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>771</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
        <paymentDate>02/05/2021</paymentDate>
        <natureOfPayment>COMPENSATORY PAYMENT</natureOfPayment>
      </securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesToBeSold>
        <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</securitiesClassTitle>
        <acquiredDate>02/11/2021</acquiredDate>
        <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>VESTING OF RESTRICTED SHARES</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
        <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>SOUTHERN COMPANY</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
        <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
        <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>514</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
        <paymentDate>02/11/2021</paymentDate>
        <natureOfPayment>COMPENSATORY PAYMENT</natureOfPayment>
      </securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesToBeSold>
        <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</securitiesClassTitle>
        <acquiredDate>02/12/2021</acquiredDate>
        <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT VEST</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
        <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>SOUTHERN COMPANY</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
        <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
        <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>2863</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
        <paymentDate>02/12/2021</paymentDate>
        <natureOfPayment>COMPENSATORY PAYMENT</natureOfPayment>
      </securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesToBeSold>
        <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</securitiesClassTitle>
        <acquiredDate>02/27/2021</acquiredDate>
        <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>VESTING OF RESTRICTED SHARES</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
        <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>SOUTHERN COMPANY</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
        <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
        <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>230</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
        <paymentDate>02/27/2021</paymentDate>
        <natureOfPayment>COMPENSATORY PAYMENT</natureOfPayment>
      </securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesToBeSold>
        <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</securitiesClassTitle>
        <acquiredDate>03/08/2021</acquiredDate>
        <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>VESTING OF RESTRICTED SHARES</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
        <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>SOUTHERN COMPANY</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
        <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
        <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>2</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
        <paymentDate>03/08/2021</paymentDate>
        <natureOfPayment>COMPENSATORY PAYMENT</natureOfPayment>
      </securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesToBeSold>
        <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</securitiesClassTitle>
        <acquiredDate>02/03/2022</acquiredDate>
        <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>VESTING OF RESTRICTED SHARES</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
        <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>SOUTHERN COMPANY</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
        <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
        <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>351</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
        <paymentDate>02/03/2022</paymentDate>
        <natureOfPayment>COMPENSATORY PAYMENT</natureOfPayment>
      </securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesToBeSold>
        <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</securitiesClassTitle>
        <acquiredDate>02/05/2022</acquiredDate>
        <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>VESTING OF RESTRICTED SHARES</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
        <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>SOUTHERN COMPANY</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
        <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
        <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>846</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
        <paymentDate>02/05/2022</paymentDate>
        <natureOfPayment>COMPENSATORY PAYMENT</natureOfPayment>
      </securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesToBeSold>
        <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</securitiesClassTitle>
        <acquiredDate>02/11/2022</acquiredDate>
        <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>VESTING OF RESTRICTED SHARES</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
        <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>SOUTHERN COMPANY</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
        <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
        <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>530</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
        <paymentDate>02/11/2022</paymentDate>
        <natureOfPayment>COMPENSATORY PAYMENT</natureOfPayment>
      </securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesToBeSold>
        <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</securitiesClassTitle>
        <acquiredDate>02/13/2022</acquiredDate>
        <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT VEST</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
        <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>SOUTHERN COMPANY</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
        <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
        <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>1343</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
        <paymentDate>02/13/2022</paymentDate>
        <natureOfPayment>COMPENSATORY PAYMENT</natureOfPayment>
      </securitiesToBeSold>
      <nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>Y</nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>
      <noticeSignature>
        <noticeDate>07/03/2024</noticeDate>
        <planAdoptionDates>
          <planAdoptionDate>03/04/2024</planAdoptionDate>
        </planAdoptionDates>
        <signature>SLOANE N DRAKE</signature>
      </noticeSignature>
    </formData>
  </edgarSubmission>
metadata_documents: [{"type": "144", "sequence": "1", "filename": "primary_doc.xml", "secsgml_size_bytes": 13494}]
text: 144
  0001971188
  XXXXXXXX
  LIVE
  0000092122
  SOUTHERN CO
  001-03526
  30 IVAN ALLEN JR. BLVD., N.W.
  ATLANTA
  GA
  30308
  4045065000
  Drake Sloane N
  Officer
  COMMON
  MERRILL LYNCH
  3455 PEACHTREE RD NE
  SUITE 1000
  ATLANTA
  GA
  30326
  12000
  931320.00
  1093426111
  07/03/2024
  NEW YORK
  COMMON
  01/12/2015
  PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT VEST
  SOUTHERN COMPANY
  N
  3
  01/12/2015
  COMPENSATORY PAYMENT
  COMMON
  01/13/2016
  PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT VEST
  SOUTHERN COMPANY
  N
  31
  01/13/2016
  COMPENSATORY PAYMENT
  COMMON
  02/12/2018
  PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT VEST
  SOUTHERN COMPANY
  N
  388
  02/12/2018
  COMPENSATORY PAYMENT
  COMMON
  02/13/2018
  VESTING OF RESTRICTED SHARES
  SOUTHERN COMPANY
  N
  121
  02/13/2018
  COMPENSATORY PAYMENT
  COMMON
  02/11/2019
  PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT VEST
  SOUTHERN COMPANY
  N
  1179
  02/11/2019
  COMPENSATORY PAYMENT
  COMMON
  02/13/2019
  VESTING OF RESTRICTED SHARES
  SOUTHERN COMPANY
  N
  139
  02/13/2019
  COMPENSATORY PAYMENT
  COMMON
  02/27/2019
  VESTING OF RESTRICTED SHARES
  SOUTHERN COMPANY
  N
  268
  02/27/2019
  COMPENSATORY PAYMENT
  COMMON
  02/05/2020
  VESTING OF RESTRICTED SHARES
  SOUTHERN COMPANY
  N
  745
  02/05/2020
  COMPENSATORY PAYMENT
  COMMON
  02/11/2020
  PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT VEST
  SOUTHERN COMPANY
  N
  1345
  02/11/2020
  COMPENSATORY PAYMENT
  COMMON
  02/13/2020
  VESTING OF RESTRICTED SHARES
  SOUTHERN COMPANY
  N
  112
  02/13/2020
  COMPENSATORY PAYMENT
  COMMON
  02/27/2020
  VESTING OF RESTRICTED SHARES
  SOUTHERN COMPANY
  N
  219
  02/27/2020
  COMPENSATORY PAYMENT
  COMMON
  02/05/2021
  VESTING OF RESTRICTED SHARES
  SOUTHERN COMPANY
  N
  771
  02/05/2021
  COMPENSATORY PAYMENT
  COMMON
  02/11/2021
  VESTING OF RESTRICTED SHARES
  SOUTHERN COMPANY
  N
  514
  02/11/2021
  COMPENSATORY PAYMENT
  COMMON
  02/12/2021
  PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT VEST
  SOUTHERN COMPANY
  N
  2863
  02/12/2021
  COMPENSATORY PAYMENT
  COMMON
  02/27/2021
  VESTING OF RESTRICTED SHARES
  SOUTHERN COMPANY
  N
  230
  02/27/2021
  COMPENSATORY PAYMENT
  COMMON
  03/08/2021
  VESTING OF RESTRICTED SHARES
  SOUTHERN COMPANY
  N
  2
  03/08/2021
  COMPENSATORY PAYMENT
  COMMON
  02/03/2022
  VESTING OF RESTRICTED SHARES
  SOUTHERN COMPANY
  N
  351
  02/03/2022
  COMPENSATORY PAYMENT
  COMMON
  02/05/2022
  VESTING OF RESTRICTED SHARES
  SOUTHERN COMPANY
  N
  846
  02/05/2022
  COMPENSATORY PAYMENT
  COMMON
  02/11/2022
  VESTING OF RESTRICTED SHARES
  SOUTHERN COMPANY
  N
  530
  02/11/2022
  COMPENSATORY PAYMENT
  COMMON
  02/13/2022
  PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT VEST
  SOUTHERN COMPANY
  N
  1343
  02/13/2022
  COMPENSATORY PAYMENT
  Y
  07/03/2024
  03/04/2024
  SLOANE N DRAKE