<?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>0001674959</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>DAVIS MARTIN BERNARD</nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>
      <relationshipsToIssuer>
        <relationshipToIssuer>Former Officer</relationshipToIssuer>
      </relationshipsToIssuer>
    </issuerInfo>
    <securitiesInformation>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common</securitiesClassTitle>
      <brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
        <name>Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC</name>
        <address>
          <com:street1>1 N. Jefferson Ave. </com:street1>
          <com:city>St. Louis</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>MO</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>63103</com:zipCode>
        </address>
      </brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
      <noOfUnitsSold>30000</noOfUnitsSold>
      <aggregateMarketValue>2679241.20</aggregateMarketValue>
      <noOfUnitsOutstanding>1099055064</noOfUnitsOutstanding>
      <approxSaleDate>06/11/2025</approxSaleDate>
      <securitiesExchangeName>NYSE</securitiesExchangeName>
    </securitiesInformation>
    <securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common</securitiesClassTitle>
      <acquiredDate>02/11/2020</acquiredDate>
      <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>Compensation - Restricted Stock Units</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>Issuer</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
      <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>30000</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <paymentDate>02/11/2020</paymentDate>
      <natureOfPayment>N/A</natureOfPayment>
    </securitiesToBeSold>
    <nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>N</nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <securitiesSoldInPast3Months>
      <sellerDetails>
        <name>Martin B. Davis</name>
        <address>
          <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>
        </address>
      </sellerDetails>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common shares of SO</securitiesClassTitle>
      <saleDate>06/03/2025</saleDate>
      <amountOfSecuritiesSold>1115</amountOfSecuritiesSold>
      <grossProceeds>100283.10</grossProceeds>
    </securitiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <remarks>Shares sold were acquired via Compensation and Restricted Stock Units between 02/11/2020-02/13/2022. </remarks>
    <noticeSignature>
      <noticeDate>06/11/2025</noticeDate>
      <signature>Martin B. Davis</signature>
    </noticeSignature>
  </formData>
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144
0001674959
XXXXXXXX
LIVE
0000092122
SOUTHERN CO
001-03526
30 IVAN ALLEN JR. BLVD., N.W.
ATLANTA
GA
30308
4045065000
DAVIS MARTIN BERNARD
Former Officer
Common
Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC
1 N. Jefferson Ave.
St. Louis
MO
63103
30000
2679241.20
1099055064
06/11/2025
NYSE
Common
02/11/2020
Compensation - Restricted Stock Units
Issuer
N
30000
02/11/2020
N/A
N
Martin B. Davis
30 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd., N.W.
Atlanta
GA
30308
Common shares of SO
06/03/2025
1115
100283.10
Shares sold were acquired via Compensation and Restricted Stock Units between 02/11/2020-02/13/2022.
06/11/2025
Martin B. Davis