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 of Calera in Chilton County and Shelby County, 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
Government
• Mayor	Jon G. Graham
Area [4]
• Total	24.43 sq mi (63.28 km2)
• Land	24.17 sq mi (62.59 km2)
• Water	0.27 sq mi (0.69 km2)
Population  (2010)[2]
• Total	11,620
• Estimate  (2019)[1]	14,717
• Density	608.95/sq mi (235.12/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	35040[3]
Area code(s)	205, 659
FIPS code	01-11416
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.

As of the 2010 census Calera had a population of 11,620, more than tripling its total in 2000,^[5] making it the fastest-growing city in Alabama. It is within the Birmingham-Hoover, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area.

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.^[6] 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. Birmingham is 34 mi (55 km) north, and Montgomery is 59 mi (95 km) south, both via I-65.

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.^[5]

History[]

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

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1880	234		—
1890	753		221.8%
1900	770		2.3%
1910	754		−2.1%
1920	852		13.0%
1930	975		14.4%
1940	1,092		12.0%
1950	1,361		24.6%
1960	1,928		41.7%
1970	1,655		−14.2%
1980	2,035		23.0%
1990	2,136		5.0%
2000	3,158		47.8%
2010	11,620		268.0%
2019 (est.)	14,717	[1]	26.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]

As of the census^[8] of 2000, there were 3,158 people, 1,248 households, and 888 families living 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.

Of the 1,248 households 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 households were one person and 10.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.04.

The age distribution was 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% 65 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 household income was $35,650 and the median family income 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^[9] of 2010, there were 11,620 people, 4,657 households, and 3,240 families living 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.

Of the 4,657 households 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 households were one person and 5.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.01.

The age distribution was 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% 65 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 household income was $54,080 and the median family income 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[]

• Shanavia Dowdell, professional basketball player
• 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

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. Calera is the location of the National Weather Service forecast office that serves the Birmingham metropolitan area.^{[10] [11]}

References[]

External links[]

• City of Calera official website