What is now Camden was established on property donated by Thomas Dunn from his plantation holdings in order to have a new town founded on the site in 1833 to serve as the county seat.

It had been named Barboursville in honor of United States Congressman Philip P. Barbour of Virginia.

[5] The area depended on cultivation of cotton as a commodity crop, which was worked by numerous African American slaves.

The earliest documented industries in the town were a brickyard, sawmill, and window fabricator.

[6] In 1976 the former school was adapted to house the Wilcox County Historical Society.

[7] The red-brick Greek-Revival style Wilcox County Courthouse, also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was completed in 1857.

[6] Already devastated by the Civil War, Camden suffered fires during 1869 and 1870 that destroyed about two-thirds of the town.

[6] Camden benefited economically during the mid-20th century with the construction of a paper mill at Yellow Bluff and of the Millers Ferry Lock and Dam, a hydroelectric dam on the Alabama River near Millers Ferry.

This created the William "Bill" Dannelly Reservoir, which has served as an important recreational resource.

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,927 people, 664 households, and 501 families residing in the city.

[16] Private schools: Intercity bus service is provided by Greyhound Lines.