Calera, Alabama

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 {{convert|63.1|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|62.4|km2|order=flip}} is land and {{convert|0.7|km2|order=flip}}, or 1.17%, is water.

File:Alabama - Claera through Florence - NARA - 23933391 (cropped).jpg

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.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

{{US Census population

|1880= 234

|1890= 753

|1900= 770

|1910= 754

|1920= 852

|1930= 975

|1940= 1092

|1950= 1361

|1960= 1928

|1970= 1655

|1980= 2035

|1990= 2136

|2000= 3158

|2010= 11620

|2020= 16494

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2016}}

}}

As of the census{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }} of 2000, there were 3,158 people, 1,248 households, and 888 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|244.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,400 housing units at an average density of {{convert|108.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. 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.

As of the census{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=August 8, 2015 |title=U.S. Census website }} of 2010, there were 11,620 people, 4,657 households, and 3,240 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|482.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 5,128 housing units at an average density of {{convert|212.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. 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.

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 16,494 people, 5,100 households, and 3,469 families residing in the city.

• Shanavia Dowdell, professional basketball player
• Hut Stricklin, NASCAR driver
• Virgil Trucks, Major League Baseball pitcher

• Shelby County Airport
• Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
• George Roy Park
• Oliver Park
• Timberline Golf Course
• Calera Presbyterian Church
• Rules of entertainment

File:Calera, Alabama City Hall.JPG|Calera City Hall

File:Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum Calera, Alabama.JPG|Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum

File:Calera, Alabama Presbyterian Church.JPG|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.

File:Calera, Alabama Cowart Drug Store.JPG|The Cowart Drug Store was built in 1885. It was added to the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage on February 15, 1977.

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.weather.gov/bmx/|title=NWS Birmingham, Alabama|date=June 20, 2020}}[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=882110&cityname=Calera%2C+Alabama%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Calera, Alabama]

{{Weather box

|location = Calera, Alabama

|single line = Yes

|metric first = Yes

|Jan high F = 54

|Feb high F = 60

|Mar high F = 67

|Apr high F = 77

|May high F = 83

|Jun high F = 89

|Jul high F = 92

|Aug high F = 91

|Sep high F = 86

|Oct high F = 77

|Nov high F = 66

|Dec high F = 58

|year high F = 75

|Jan low F = 31

|Feb low F = 33

|Mar low F = 41

|Apr low F = 48

|May low F = 55

|Jun low F = 63

|Jul low F = 67

|Aug low F = 66

|Sep low F = 61

|Oct low F = 48

|Nov low F = 39

|Dec low F = 33

|year low F = 49

|Jan precipitation inch = 5.1

|Feb precipitation inch = 5.3

|Mar precipitation inch = 6.5

|Apr precipitation inch = 5.2

|May precipitation inch = 4

|Jun precipitation inch = 4.2

|Jul precipitation inch = 5.4

|Aug precipitation inch = 4.2

|Sep precipitation inch = 3.8

|Oct precipitation inch = 2.8

|Nov precipitation inch = 3.7

|Dec precipitation inch = 5.1

|year precipitation inch = 55.1

|source 1 = Weatherbase

{{cite web

|url =http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=882110&cityname=Calera%2C+Alabama%2C+United+States+of+America&units=

|publisher=Weatherbase

|title=Weatherbase.com

|year=2013

}}

Retrieved on November 6, 2013.

|date=November 2013

}}

Chilton County Transit provides dial-a-ride bus transit service to the city.{{cite web|url=https://chiltoncounty.org/chilton-county-transit/|title=Chilton County Transit|access-date=November 11, 2024}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.cityofcalera.org/ City of Calera official website]

{{Chilton County, Alabama}}

{{Shelby County, Alabama}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Cities in Alabama

Category:Cities in Chilton County, Alabama

Category:Cities in Shelby County, Alabama

Category:Populated places established in 1887

Category:Birmingham metropolitan area, Alabama

Category:1887 establishments in Alabama