Calera, Alabama

Calera
City
Calera, Alabama
The Calera Downtown Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 29, 2006.
Location in Shelby County and the state of Alabama
Calera Location in the United States
Coordinates: 33°06′10″N 86°45′13″W / 33.10278°N 86.75361°W / 33.10278; -86.75361Coordinates: 33°06′10″N 86°45′13″W / 33.10278°N 86.75361°W / 33.10278; -86.75361
Country	United States
State	Alabama
Counties	Chilton, Shelby
Area
• Total	24.4 sq mi (63.1 km2)
• Land	24.1 sq mi (62.4 km2)
• Water	0.3 sq mi (0.7 km2)
Population (2016)[1]
• Total	14,500-16,000
• Estimate (2016)[2]	14,500-16,000
• Density	482/sq mi (186.2/km2)
Time zone	CST (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	35040[3]
Area code(s)	205
Website	www.cityofcalera.org

Calera is a city in Shelby and Chilton counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is the location of the Shelby County Airport. Calera's population was 3,158 at the 2000 census.

As of the 2010 census the population had more than tripled to 11,620,^[4] making it the fastest-growing city in Alabama. It is within the Birmingham-Hoover, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area and positively affected by the growth in its economy.

Geography

Calera is located in southern Shelby County at 33°06′27″N 86°45′00″W / 33.107572°N 86.749964°W / 33.107572; -86.749964.^[5] The city limits extend southward into Chilton County along U.S. Route 31, the main highway through the city. Interstate 65 passes through the eastern side of the city, with access from exits 228, 231, and 234.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.4 square miles (63.1 km²), of which 24.1 square miles (62.4 km²) is land and 0.27 square miles (0.7 km²), or 1.17%, is water.^[4]

History

The city of Calera was incorporated in 1887, and named after the Spanish word for "limestone" for all of the limestone deposits located in the area.

Demographics

As of the census^[9] of 2000, there were 3,158 people, 1,248 households, and 888 families residing in the city. The population density was 244.9 people per square mile (94.5/km²). There were 1,400 housing units at an average density of 108.6 per square mile (41.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 77.42% White, 19.92% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.66% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. 1.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,248 households out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.7% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,650, and the median income for a family was $42,885. Males had a median income of $34,042 versus $21,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,395. About 12.2% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.8% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census^[10] of 2010, there were 11,620 people, 4,657 households, and 3,240 families residing in the city. The population density was 482.2 people per square mile (186.2/km²). There were 5,128 housing units at an average density of 212.8 per square mile (82.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.2% White, 23.0% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0% Pacific Islander, 2.9% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. 5.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,657 households out of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 39.5% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 8.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31.9 years. For every 100 females there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $54,080, and the median income for a family was $62,117. Males had a median income of $47,125 versus $37,888 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,391. About 9.6% of families and 12.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.9% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

• Hut Stricklin, NASCAR driver
• Virgil Trucks, Major League Baseball pitcher

Points of interest

• Shelby County Airport
• Oliver Park
• Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
• Peek's Auto Tops and Interiors
• George Roy Park
• Timberline Golf Course
• Calera Presbyterian Church
• Ozan Winery
• Vizzini Winery
• Waffle House

Gallery

• 
  Calera City Hall
• 
  The Calera Presbyterian Church was built in 1885. The church building is now owned by the city. It was added to the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage on March 12, 1997.
• 
  The Cowart Drug Store was built in 1885. It was added to the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage on February 15, 1977.
• 
  Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Calera has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.^[11]

References

External links

• City of Calera official website

Municipalities and communities of Chilton County, Alabama, United States
County seat: Clanton
Cities	Calera‡ Clanton Jemison
Towns	Maplesville Thorsby
Unincorporated communities	Isabella Jumbo Mountain Creek Stanton Verbena
Footnotes	‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

Municipalities and communities of Shelby County, Alabama, United States
County seat: Columbiana
Cities	Alabaster Birmingham‡ Calera‡ Chelsea Columbiana Helena‡ Hoover‡ Leeds‡ Montevallo Pelham Vestavia Hills‡ Vincent‡
Towns	Harpersville Indian Springs Village Westover Wilsonville Wilton
CDPs	Brantleyville Brook Highland Dunnavant Highland Lakes Meadowbrook Shelby Shoal Creek Sterrett Vandiver
Unincorporated communities	Acton Aldrich Arkwright Calcis Cloverdale Fourmile Inverness Maylene Nelson Pea Ridge Ryan Saginaw Siluria
Footnotes	‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties