Calera, Alabama
Calera | |
|---|---|
| Calera, Alabama | |
The Calera Downtown Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 29, 2006. | |
|
Seal | |
Location of Calera in Chilton County and Shelby County, Alabama. | |
| Coordinates: 33°07′30″N 86°44′53″W / 33.12500°N 86.74806°W[1] | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| Counties | Chilton, Shelby |
| Area | |
• Total | 24.47 sq mi (63.38 km2) |
| • Land | 24.21 sq mi (62.70 km2) |
| • Water | 0.26 sq mi (0.68 km2) |
| Elevation | 551 ft (168 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 16,494 |
| • Density | 681.3/sq mi (263.05/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 35040[3] |
| Area codes | 205, 659 |
| FIPS code | 01-11416 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2403965[1] |
| Website | www |
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 2020 census, Calera had a population of 16,494.[4]
It is within the Birmingham, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
Calera is located in southern Shelby County and 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]
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.[6][7]
| Climate data for Calera, Alabama | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 12 (54) |
16 (60) |
19 (67) |
25 (77) |
28 (83) |
32 (89) |
33 (92) |
33 (91) |
30 (86) |
25 (77) |
19 (66) |
14 (58) |
24 (75) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −1 (31) |
1 (33) |
5 (41) |
9 (48) |
13 (55) |
17 (63) |
19 (67) |
19 (66) |
16 (61) |
9 (48) |
4 (39) |
1 (33) |
9 (49) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 130 (5.1) |
130 (5.3) |
170 (6.5) |
130 (5.2) |
100 (4) |
110 (4.2) |
140 (5.4) |
110 (4.2) |
97 (3.8) |
71 (2.8) |
94 (3.7) |
130 (5.1) |
1,400 (55.1) |
| Source: Weatherbase [8] | |||||||||||||
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
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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% | |
| 2020 | 16,494 | 41.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[9] | |||
Racial and ethnic composition
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[10] | Pop 2010[11] | Pop 2020[12] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 2,417 | 8,094 | 9,264 | 76.54% | 69.66% | 56.17% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 620 | 2,651 | 5,205 | 19.63% | 22.81% | 31.56% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 6 | 23 | 31 | 0.19% | 0.20% | 0.19% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 13 | 71 | 134 | 0.41% | 0.61% | 0.81% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0.06% | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 2 | 12 | 69 | 0.06% | 0.10% | 0.42% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 38 | 188 | 747 | 1.20% | 1.62% | 4.53% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 60 | 578 | 1,041 | 1.90% | 4.97% | 6.31% |
| Total | 3,158 | 11,620 | 16,494 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Calera had a population of 16,494, 6,226 households, and 3,469 families. The median age was 33.4 years. 28.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 9.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 87.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 81.7 males age 18 and over.[13][14]
92.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 7.9% lived in rural areas.[15]
There were 6,226 households in Calera, of which 41.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 49.0% were married-couple households, 14.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 30.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[13]
There were 6,508 housing units, of which 4.3% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.3%.[13]
| Race | Number | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| White | 9,427 | 57.2% |
| Black or African American | 5,227 | 31.7% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 89 | 0.5% |
| Asian | 137 | 0.8% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | 3 | 0.0% |
| Some other race | 571 | 3.5% |
| Two or more races | 1,040 | 6.3% |
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) | 1,041 | 6.3% |
2010 census
As of the census[16] of 2010, there were 11,620 people, 4,657 households, and 3,240 families living in the city. The population density was 482.2 inhabitants 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.
2000 census
As of the census[17] of 2000, there were 3,158 people, 1,248 households, and 888 families living in the city. The population density was 244.9 inhabitants per square mile (94.6/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.
Notable people
- Shanavia Dowdell, professional basketball player
- Hut Stricklin, NASCAR driver
- Virgil Trucks, Major League Baseball pitcher
Points of interest
- Shelby County Airport
- Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
- George Roy Park
- Oliver Park
- Timberline Golf Course
- Calera Presbyterian Church
- Rules of entertainment
Gallery
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Calera City Hall
-
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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.
Transportation
Chilton County Transit provides dial-a-ride bus transit service to the city.[18]
References
- ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Calera, Alabama
- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
- ^ "Zipdatamaps". Retrieved October 30, 2016.
- ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
- ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Calera city, Alabama". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "NWS Birmingham, Alabama". June 20, 2020.
- ^ Climate Summary for Calera, Alabama
- ^ "Weatherbase.com". Weatherbase. 2013. Retrieved on November 6, 2013.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
- ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Calera city, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Calera city, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Calera city, Alabama". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Chilton County Transit". Retrieved November 11, 2024.