Opelika, Alabama

The Opelika area was first settled in 1832 after the Treaty of Cusseta{{Cite web |title=Treaty of Cusseta (1832) |url=http://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-3083 |access-date=September 2, 2022 |website=Encyclopedia of Alabama |language=en}} was signed by the U.S. government and the Creek Nation. This treaty placed the land, and all other Creek territories east of the Mississippi River, under the possession of the United States government. Though the territory now belonged to the U.S., Opelika kept its Creek name, which translates to "large swamp",{{Cite web |title=Opelika {{!}} Alabama, United States {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Opelika |access-date=September 2, 2022 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}} from opilwa (swamp) and lako (big).{{cite book |last1=Read |first1=William A. |title=Indian Places Names in Alabama |date=1984 |publisher=University of Alabama Press |location=Tuscaloosa |isbn=9780817302313 |page=50 |edition=2nd |url=https://www.uapress.ua.edu/9780817302313/indian-place-names-in-alabama/ |access-date=1 September 2024}}

Two decades after settlement, Opelika was chartered as a town on February 9, 1854,{{Cite web |title=Opelika |url=http://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-2138 |access-date=September 2, 2022 |website=Encyclopedia of Alabama |language=en}} thanks to its rapid growth. This growth was due to the Montgomery & West Point Railroad Company's rail lines, which traversed the town and served as major means of transportation for unprocessed cotton between the northern and southern territories.

Opelika later received a new charter in 1870, and its rapid growth continued. The town nearly doubled in size between 1870 and 1900.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

Opelika's downtown was packed with saloons catering to railroad workers and other men. Frequent gunfire in the street by intoxicated patrons resulted in railroads directing their passengers to duck beneath the windows when their trains passed through the town.[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9806E0D6143DE533A25756C1A9649D94639FD7CF "The Battle Of The Bar-rooms; Murderous Factions Fights In Alabama—Death Of Maloney In Opelika"], New York Times, December 15, 1882, accessed April 4, 2016.

In 1882, two factions claimed to rule the city government, one known as the "Bar room" headed by Mayor Dunbar, a saloon keeper, and another known as the "Citizens". In a riot in late November–December of that year, a dozen men were wounded. In the end, a few were killed. The Citizens had claimed control of the city via the elections, but Dunbar refused to give up. After continued violence, the state legislature revoked the city's charter and the governor sent in the militia to restore order. The legislature appointed five commissioners to manage the city, a situation that continued until 1899. That year, the legislature restored the city's charter.

{{Weather box

| single line = Y

| location = Opelika, Alabama, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1957–present

|Jan record high F = 80

|Feb record high F = 84

|Mar record high F = 89

|Apr record high F = 91

|May record high F = 97

|Jun record high F = 101

|Jul record high F = 103

|Aug record high F = 103

|Sep record high F = 99

|Oct record high F = 98

|Nov record high F = 88

|Dec record high F = 81

|Jan avg record high F = 71.3

|Feb avg record high F = 74.3

|Mar avg record high F = 81.0

|Apr avg record high F = 84.5

|May avg record high F = 89.9

|Jun avg record high F = 93.8

|Jul avg record high F = 95.5

|Aug avg record high F = 95.6

|Sep avg record high F = 92.2

|Oct avg record high F = 86.2

|Nov avg record high F = 78.4

|Dec avg record high F = 73.1

|year avg record high F = 96.8

| Jan high F =55.6

| Feb high F =59.5

| Mar high F =67.0

| Apr high F =74.1

| May high F =81.1

| Jun high F =86.8

| Jul high F =89.5

| Aug high F =88.5

| Sep high F =84.2

| Oct high F =75.1

| Nov high F =65.8

| Dec high F =57.8

| Jan mean F =44.3

| Feb mean F =47.8

| Mar mean F =54.6

| Apr mean F =61.3

| May mean F =69.4

| Jun mean F =76.1

| Jul mean F =79.3

| Aug mean F =78.6

| Sep mean F =73.5

| Oct mean F =62.9

| Nov mean F =53.0

| Dec mean F =46.6

| Jan low F =33.0

| Feb low F =36.1

| Mar low F =42.1

| Apr low F =48.5

| May low F =57.7

| Jun low F =65.4

| Jul low F =69.1

| Aug low F =68.6

| Sep low F =62.9

| Oct low F =50.6

| Nov low F =40.2

| Dec low F =35.4

|Jan avg record low F = 16.4

|Feb avg record low F = 20.4

|Mar avg record low F = 25.0

|Apr avg record low F = 32.6

|May avg record low F = 42.3

|Jun avg record low F = 55.9

|Jul avg record low F = 62.5

|Aug avg record low F = 60.4

|Sep avg record low F = 50.0

|Oct avg record low F = 34.7

|Nov avg record low F = 25.6

|Dec avg record low F = 20.7

|year avg record low F = 14.3

|Jan record low F = -7

|Feb record low F = 5

|Mar record low F = 11

|Apr record low F = 25

|May record low F = 33

|Jun record low F = 37

|Jul record low F = 48

|Aug record low F = 52

|Sep record low F = 36

|Oct record low F = 26

|Nov record low F = 16

|Dec record low F = 1

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation inch =5.05

| Feb precipitation inch =5.33

| Mar precipitation inch =5.50

| Apr precipitation inch =4.79

| May precipitation inch =4.01

| Jun precipitation inch =4.50

| Jul precipitation inch =4.77

| Aug precipitation inch =4.36

| Sep precipitation inch =3.34

| Oct precipitation inch =3.61

| Nov precipitation inch =4.27

| Dec precipitation inch =5.67

|year precipitation inch = 55.20

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 9.7

|Feb precipitation days = 9.0

|Mar precipitation days = 8.4

|Apr precipitation days = 7.8

|May precipitation days = 7.1

|Jun precipitation days = 9.5

|Jul precipitation days = 10.3

|Aug precipitation days = 8.9

|Sep precipitation days = 6.5

|Oct precipitation days = 6.0

|Nov precipitation days = 6.8

|Dec precipitation days = 9.7

| Jan snow inch =0.0

| Feb snow inch =0.0

| Mar snow inch =0.0

| Apr snow inch =0.0

| May snow inch =0.0

| Jun snow inch =0.0

| Jul snow inch =0.0

| Aug snow inch =0.0

| Sep snow inch =0.0

| Oct snow inch =0.0

| Nov snow inch =0.0

| Dec snow inch =0.0

|year snow inch = 0.0

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days = 0.1

|Feb snow days = 0.0

|Mar snow days = 0.0

|Apr snow days = 0.0

|May snow days = 0.0

|Jun snow days = 0.0

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.0

|Sep snow days = 0.0

|Oct snow days = 0.0

|Nov snow days = 0.0

|Dec snow days = 0.0

|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00016129&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Opelika, AL

|access-date = March 4, 2023

}}

|source 2 = National Weather Service

{{cite web

|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=bmx

|publisher = National Weather Service

|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Birmingham

|access-date = March 4, 2023

}}

}}

{{US Census population

|1880= 3245

|1890= 3703

|1900= 4245

|1910= 4734

|1920= 4960

|1930= 6156

|1940= 8487

|1950= 12295

|1960= 15678

|1970= 19027

|1980= 21896

|1990= 22122

|2000= 23498

|2010= 26477

|2020= 30995

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 6, 2013}}
2018 Estimate{{cite web|title=Population Estimates|url=https://census.gov/data/tables/2018/demo/popest/total-cities-and-towns.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 8, 2018}}

}}

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 30,995 people, 11,866 households, and 7,199 families residing in the city.

According to 2009 Census estimates, the median income for a household in the city was $35,243, and the median income for a family was $47,864.{{cite web|url= http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/01/0157048.html|title= U.S. Census Bureau Quick Facts|date= December 23, 2011|work= United States Census Bureau|access-date= December 29, 2011|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120308012220/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/01/0157048.html|archive-date= March 8, 2012}}

The per capita income for the city is $18,023. Residents with income under poverty levels are 23.1% of the population, while 31.1% of children in the area are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 14.9% are 65 or older.{{Cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/poverty/poverty-Opelika-Alabama.html|title = Opelika, Alabama (AL) poverty rate data - information about poor and low-income residents living in this city}}{{Failed verification|Specific data cited here not listed on web page|date=September 2018}}

File:Northeast Opelika Industrial Park.jpg

Opelika's economy continues to grow at a healthy, diversified pace, and since 2004, has experienced revitalization in many segments of the economy, including commercial, residential and industrial activity. Over the last 20 years, since 2005, the city announced new industry investments and existing industry expansions totaling more than $2.6 billion and the creation of over 4,700 additional jobs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.opelika-al.gov/916/Economic-Development|title=Economic Development | Opelika, AL|website=www.opelika-al.gov}}

Currently, Opelika's largest employer is East Alabama Health, which employs more than 3,700 employees.

In 2021, the city opened the Opelika Public Library. It is the only public library in the city. The library holds a large main area of books with a teen and kid room in the far back. It has quiet study rooms and work spaces. It also has fun activities for family, teens etc.

Opelika Community Theatre has been active since 2015 and puts on several shows a year, including shows for teen and adult casts.

File:Splashpad Opelika, AL.jpg

Spring Villa Park, a {{convert|350|acre|ha|adj=on}} park in Opelika, features picnic and play areas, nature trails, two disc golf courses, and camping.{{cite web | title = Spring Villa Park | publisher = City of Opelika | url = https://www.opelika-al.gov/623/Spring-Villa-Park | accessdate = October 27, 2023}} Spring Villa, an antebellum house located in the park, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 2019, the city opened the Opelika Pickleball Facility, featuring 24 regulation courts.

In 2009, the City of Opelika built the Opelika SportsPlex and Aquatics Center, a $32 million facility.

The RTJ Golf Trail at Grand National, part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, is located in Opelika, and has hosted national championships.{{Cite web|url=http://www.pgatour.com/company/2014/08/11/barbasol-championship-pga-tour-2015.html|title = Barbasol Championship debuts on PGA TOUR in 2015}}

File:Opelika City Hall Memorial.jpg

Opelika is governed by a mayor-council government, with a mayor and a five-member city council.

The chief executive official of the city of Opelika is the mayor. The mayor is elected at-large for a four-year term. The mayor has complete executive power in the city, and can appoint and dismiss department heads at will.

The mayor of Opelika is Gary Fuller.{{cite web | title = Mayor's Office | publisher = City of Opelika | url = https://www.opelika-al.gov/202/Mayors-Office | accessdate = October 27, 2023}} Council members include:{{cite web | title = City Council | publisher = City of Opelika | url = https://www.opelika-al.gov/406/City-Council | accessdate = October 27, 2023}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=width|

• Eddie Smith - Ward 4 (president)
• Erica Baker-Norris - Ward 2 (president pro-tem)
• George Allen - Ward 1
• Tim Aja - Ward 3
• Todd Rauch - Ward 5}}

In 2007, the city council designated Opelika as a City of Character, to recognize, emphasize and enforce 49 character traits throughout the community, and to mandate character training.{{Cite web|url=http://www.envisionopelika.org/?p=45|title=Envision Opelika » City of Character}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.charactercities.org/aboutus/charactercities/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118225650/http://www.charactercities.org/aboutus/charactercities/|url-status=dead|title=Character Cities, Counties, and States – International Association of Character Cities|archivedate=January 18, 2008}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.characterfirst.com/aboutus/#qualities |title=About Us – Character First! |access-date=January 6, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071231171401/http://www.characterfirst.com/aboutus/#qualities |archive-date=December 31, 2007 |url-status=dead }}

File:Southern Union SCC Opelika Campus.jpg]]

Opelika City Schools is the public school system of Opelika. The Opelika City School System consists of nine schools. There are three primary schools serving grades Kindergarten – 2, three intermediate schools serving grades 3–5, one sixth grade school, one middle school (grades 7&8), and one high school, Opelika High School (grades 9–12).{{Cite web|url=https://www.opelikaschools.org/|title=Home - Opelika City Schools|website=www.opelikaschools.org}}

A campus of Southern Union State Community College—a public, two-year college—is located Opelika.{{cite web | title = Campus Locations | publisher = Southern Union State Community College | url = https://www.suscc.edu/about/opelika-map | accessdate = October 27, 2023}}

{{See also|List of television stations in Alabama|List of radio stations in Alabama}}

Opelika is included in the Columbus, Georgia market according to Nielsen.[https://ustvdb.com/markets/columbus-opelika/ Columbus-Opelika], ustvdb.com. Accessed February 24, 2024. The Opelika-Auburn News is a city newspaper.

The movie Norma Rae (1979) was filmed in Opelika.{{cite web | title = Governor George Wallace with Sally Field, during the filming of NORMA RAE in Opelika, Alabama | publisher = Alabama Department of Archives and History | url = https://digital.archives.alabama.gov/digital/collection/photo/id/9997/rec/25 | accessdate = October 27, 2023}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|

• U.S. Route 29
• U.S. Route 280
• U.S. Route 431
• Alabama State Route 14
• Alabama State Route 51
• Interstate 85}}

Lee-Russell Public Transit provides dial-a-ride transit service through Opelika and the region.{{cite web|url=https://www.lrcog.com/public-transit/#LRPT|title=Lee-Russell Public Transit|access-date=November 10, 2024}}

The last passenger train service was the Illinois Central Railroad's City of Miami (Chicago - Miami), having its final run in 1971. The Illinois Central's Seminole (Chicago - Jacksonville) served Opelika until 1969. Amtrak service is proposed under the American Jobs Plan.{{Cite web|last=Producer|first=Evan Sobol, Digital Content|title=Amtrak announces 'Connects US' plan to grow rail services over next 15 years|url=https://www.foxcarolina.com/amtrak-announces-connects-us-plan-to-grow-rail-services-over-next-15-years/article_1cefd7a5-e294-57a9-810c-b15c6ef6916c.html|access-date=April 1, 2021|website=FOX Carolina|language=en|archive-date=April 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414144513/https://www.foxcarolina.com/amtrak-announces-connects-us-plan-to-grow-rail-services-over-next-15-years/article_1cefd7a5-e294-57a9-810c-b15c6ef6916c.html|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|title=Invest in America. Invest in Amtrak.|url=https://www.amtrakconnectsus.com/|access-date=April 1, 2021|website=Amtrak Connects US|language=en-US}}

{{Reflist}}

• Alabama State Department of Education. [http://www.alsde.edu/Accountability/preAccountability.asp Accountability Reporting]. Retrieved June 13, 2004.
• Alabama State Department of Education. [http://www.alsde.edu/html/reports1.asp?systemcode=179&schoolcode=0000 Reports]. Retrieved October 5, 2006.
• Auburn, Alabama, City of. (2000) The City of Auburn, Alabama Comprehensive Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2000. Finance Department.
• Auburn, Alabama, City of. (2000) The City of Auburn Proposed Biennial Budget for FY 05 & FY 06 Budget Message. Office of the City Manager.
• Center for Demographic Research, Auburn University – Montgomery. U.S. Census Reports for Opelika City for the years 1950, 1960, 1970, and 1980.
• Conway Data. (May 2004). Top Groups of 2003. Retrieved on October 14, 2006, from [https://web.archive.org/web/20061018022634/http://www.conway.com/cdi/press/040428apr.htm Press Release: Site Selection’s 2003 Top Deals and Top Groups]. Also available in Site Selection magazine (May 2004).
• Department of Industrial Relations, State of Alabama. (1978–2005). Total Nonagricultural Employment for Lee County. Montgomery, Alabama: Author.
• Duran, Rachel (2003). "Automotive Industry in the Driver's Seat", Global Corporate Xpansion, July 1, 2003. Birmingham Ala., Latitude 3 Media Group.
• EDAA Newsletter (Fall 2006). EDAA/SEDC Community Awards Presented at Conference. Economic Development Council of Alabama. Retrieved on October 14, 2006, from [https://web.archive.org/web/20061006083736/http://www.edaa.org/newsletter.aspx Economic Development Association of Alabama].
• Golf Digest, August 2005 Vol.56, No. 8
• Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, Inc. (1999). Strategic Plan for the City of Opelika.
• Nunn, Alexander (Ed.) (1983). Lee County and Her Forebears. Montgomery, Ala., Herff Jones. LCCCN 83-081693
• Opelika, Alabama, City of. (2005). Comprehensive Plan for the City of Opelika. Opelika, Alabama. Opelika Planning Department.
• Opelika, Alabama, City of. (2005). [http://www.opelika.org/Default.asp?ID=403 Financial Statements for the Fiscal Year ended September 30, 2005] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713113347/http://www.opelika.org/Default.asp?ID=403 |date=July 13, 2014 }}. Retrieved October 9, 2006.
• Opelika, Alabama, City of. (2005). [http://www.opelika.org/citycouncil/cityofopelikacitycouncil.html Our City Council Members] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050831190244/http://www.opelika.org/citycouncil/cityofopelikacitycouncil.html |date=August 31, 2005 }}. Retrieved August 9, 2005.
• Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama. (Summer 2005). Alabama Reading Test Results Show Overall Improvements from 2004 to 2005, but School System Results Vary. The PARCA Quarterly, 3–7.
• Randle, Mike. (Spring 2006). Top Deals & Hot Markets 2006: Alabama and North Carolina: Performing Economic Miracles. Southern Business and Development Magazine. Retrieved on October 14, 2006, from [https://web.archive.org/web/20061019023003/http://www.sb-d.com/issues/Spring2006/features/sbd100TopDeals.asp Southern Business and Development].
• Site Selection online. (May 2006). Top Groups 2005. Retrieved on October 14, 2006, from [http://www.siteselection.com/issues/2006/may/topGroups/ TOP GROUPS 2005-- Site Selection magazine, May 2006]. Also available in Site Selection magazine (May 2006).
• Jake Hess, New York Times Obituaries, January 11, 2004.

{{Portal|United States}}

• [https://www.opelika-al.gov/ City of Opelika official website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20101213202225/http://www.opelika.com/ Opelika Chamber of Commerce]

{{Lee County, Alabama}}

{{Columbus Auburn Opelika}}

{{Alabama county seats}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Cities in Alabama

Category:Cities in Lee County, Alabama

Category:County seats in Alabama

Category:Columbus metropolitan area, Georgia

Category:Auburn metropolitan area, Alabama

Category:Alabama placenames of Native American origin