Editing Bessemer, Alabama

{{Short description|City in Alabama, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Bessemer, Alabama
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = The Marvel City
|motto                    = 
<!-- Images --------------->
|image_skyline            = Jefferson County Courthouse in Bessemer, Alabama.JPG
|imagesize                = 275px
|image_caption            = Jefferson County Courthouse in Bessemer
|image_flag               = Flag of Bessemer, Alabama.png
|image_seal               = Bessemer,_Alabama_City_Seal.png
|image_blank_emblem       = 
|blank_emblem_type        =
<!-- Maps ----------------->
|image_map                = Jefferson County Alabama Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Bessemer Highlighted 0105980.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Bessemer in Jefferson County, Alabama
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             = 
<!-- Location ------------->
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Alabama]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Alabama|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Jefferson County, Alabama|Jefferson]]
<!-- Government ----------->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Kenneth E. Gulley
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date         = August 27, 1887<ref>{{cite web|title=Municipalities of Alabama Incorporation Dates |publisher=Alabama League of Municipalities |url=https://almonline.org/Assets/Files/AboutUs/Alabama_Municipalities_Incorporation_Dates.pdf |access-date=January 25, 2024}}</ref>
<!-- Area ----------------->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023">{{cite web|title=2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2023_Gazetteer/2023_gaz_place_01.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=July 24, 2022}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 105.51
|area_land_km2            = 104.96
|area_water_km2           = 0.55
|area_total_sq_mi         = 40.74
|area_land_sq_mi          = 40.53
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.21
<!-- Population ----------->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 25264
|pop_est_as_of            = 2022
|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="USCensusEst2022"/>
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
|population_total         = 26019
|population_density_km2   = 241.7
|population_density_sq_mi = 626.0
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = −6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = −5
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_m              = 155
|elevation_ft             = 509
|coordinates              = {{coord|33|24|2.03|N|86|57|33.08|W|region:US-AL|display=inline}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]s
|postal_code              = 35020, 35021, 35022, 35023, 35111
|area_code                = [[Area codes 205 and 659|205 and 659]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 01-05980
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2403864<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2403864}}</ref>
|blank2_name              = [[Sales tax]]
|blank2_info              = 10.0%<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avalara.com/taxrates/en/state-rates/alabama/cities/bessemer.html|title=Bessemer (AL) sales tax rate|access-date=January 25, 2024}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://www.bessemeral.org/|bessemeral.org}}
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Bessemer''' is a city in [[Jefferson County, Alabama|Jefferson County]], [[Alabama]], United States and a southwestern suburb of [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]]. The population was 26,019 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Bessemer_city,_Alabama?g=160XX00US0105980 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 25, 2024}}</ref> It is within the Birmingham–[[Hoover, Alabama|Hoover]], AL [[Birmingham metropolitan area, Alabama|Metropolitan Statistical Area]], of which Jefferson County is the center. It developed rapidly as an industrial city in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

==History==
The town was founded in the [[Reconstruction Era]] by the Bessemer Land and Improvement Company, named after [[Henry Bessemer]] and owned by coal magnate [[Henry F. DeBardeleben]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The City of Bessemer – The Marvel City|url=https://www.bessemeral.org/|access-date=August 27, 2020|language=en-US}}</ref> He had inherited [[Daniel Pratt (industrialist)|Daniel Pratt]]'s investments.<ref name="samfordmens">[http://www3.samford.edu/alabama-mens-hall-of-fame/inductees/DeBardeleben.html Alabama Men's Hall of Fame: Henry Fairchild DeBardeleben] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722174859/http://www.samford.edu/alabama-mens-hall-of-fame/inductees/DeBardeleben.html |date=July 22, 2015}}, Samford University</ref> The mayor and councilmen voted to incorporate the city of Bessemer on September 9, 1887.<ref>[http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-2996 "Bessemer"], ''Encyclopedia of Alabama''</ref> Located 16 miles southwest of Birmingham, Bessemer grew rapidly and its promoters believed that it might overtake the other city in economic power.

Given the iron ore, coal and limestone deposits in the area, the city became a center of steelmaking from about 1890 through the 20th century. It attracted rural migrants from across the South, as well as European immigrants. By the 1950s, the city was majority African American in population.<ref>S. Jonathan Bass, ''He Calls Me By Lightning: The Life of Caliph Washington and the Forgotten Saga of Jim Crow, Southern Justice, and the Death Penalty'', Liveright Publishing, 2017</ref>

The industry went through considerable restructuring in the late 20th century, and jobs moved out of the area. Steel is no longer made there.{{cn|date=November 2021}}

In 2019, it was named Alabama's "Worst City to Live in" by 24/7 Wall Street.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Stebbins |first1=Samuel |title=Worst City to Live in Every State |url=https://247wallst.com/special-report/2019/07/22/worst-cities-to-live-in-every-state-4/2/ |website=24/7 Wall Street |access-date=July 24, 2019}}</ref>

==Geography==
Bessemer is located approximately {{convert|16|mi|km}} southwest of Birmingham.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|40.74|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|40.53|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.55|sqmi|km2}} (0.55%) is water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023"/>

Bessemer is situated in the midst of the [[iron ore]] and [[limestone]] district of Alabama, in the southern part of Jones Valley (about {{convert|3|mi|km}} wide).<ref name=EB1911>{{EB1911|wstitle=Bessemer|volume=3|page=823}}</ref> Iron ore was mined on the hills on the city's southeast side, [[coal]] was, and still is mined to the north and west, and limestone deposits were also nearby. All three ingredients were necessary for steelmaking, which led to the area becoming a major steel center from about 1890 through the twentieth century. Steel is no longer made within the city limits but is still manufactured in the neighboring city of [[Fairfield, Alabama|Fairfield]].

===Climate===
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. Bessemer has a [[humid subtropical climate]], abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps, within the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=467010&cityname=Bessemer%2C+Alabama%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Bessemer, Alabama]</ref>
{{Weather box
|location = Bessemer, Alabama (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1977–present)
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high F = 79
|Feb record high F = 89
|Mar record high F = 90
|Apr record high F = 98
|May record high F = 102
|Jun record high F = 105
|Jul record high F = 108
|Aug record high F = 109
|Sep record high F = 103
|Oct record high F = 102
|Nov record high F = 90
|Dec record high F = 88
|year record high F = 109

|Jan avg record high F = 72.4
|Feb avg record high F = 76.2
|Mar avg record high F = 82.4
|Apr avg record high F = 86.4
|May avg record high F = 91.9
|Jun avg record high F = 96.8
|Jul avg record high F = 98.1
|Aug avg record high F = 98.8
|Sep avg record high F = 95.6
|Oct avg record high F = 89.1
|Nov avg record high F = 80.3
|Dec avg record high F = 73.2
|year avg record high F = 100.2

|Jan high F = 55.7
|Feb high F = 60.6
|Mar high F = 68.3
|Apr high F = 76.0
|May high F = 83.0
|Jun high F = 89.1
|Jul high F = 91.8
|Aug high F = 91.7
|Sep high F = 87.1
|Oct high F = 77.1
|Nov high F = 66.0
|Dec high F = 57.9
|year high F = 75.4
|Jan mean F = 44.8
|Feb mean F = 48.8
|Mar mean F = 55.8
|Apr mean F = 63.1
|May mean F = 71.2
|Jun mean F = 77.9
|Jul mean F = 81.2
|Aug mean F = 80.6
|Sep mean F = 75.4
|Oct mean F = 64.8
|Nov mean F = 53.8
|Dec mean F = 47.3
|year mean F = 63.7
|Jan low F = 33.8
|Feb low F = 37.0
|Mar low F = 43.3
|Apr low F = 50.1
|May low F = 59.4
|Jun low F = 66.7
|Jul low F = 70.5
|Aug low F = 69.6
|Sep low F = 63.8
|Oct low F = 52.6
|Nov low F = 41.5
|Dec low F = 36.7
|year low F = 52.1

|Jan avg record low F = 15.7
|Feb avg record low F = 19.7
|Mar avg record low F = 25.2
|Apr avg record low F = 33.5
|May avg record low F = 43.5
|Jun avg record low F = 55.0
|Jul avg record low F = 61.4
|Aug avg record low F = 59.6
|Sep avg record low F = 47.9
|Oct avg record low F = 34.3
|Nov avg record low F = 24.4
|Dec avg record low F = 20.8
|year avg record low F = 13.5

|Jan record low F = −6
|Feb record low F = 3
|Mar record low F = 6
|Apr record low F = 15
|May record low F = 36
|Jun record low F = 43
|Jul record low F = 52
|Aug record low F = 47
|Sep record low F = 37
|Oct record low F = 21
|Nov record low F = 16
|Dec record low F = −1
|year record low F = −6
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 5.40
|Feb precipitation inch = 5.38
|Mar precipitation inch = 5.42
|Apr precipitation inch = 5.11
|May precipitation inch = 4.55
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.53
|Jul precipitation inch = 4.76
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.98
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.45
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.26
|Nov precipitation inch = 4.45
|Dec precipitation inch = 5.20
|year precipitation inch = 55.49
|Jan snow inch = 0.4
|Feb snow inch = 0.0
|Mar snow inch = 0.7
|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 = 0.1
|year snow inch = 1.2
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 10.4
|Feb precipitation days = 10.7
|Mar precipitation days = 10.9
|Apr precipitation days = 9.3
|May precipitation days = 8.5
|Jun precipitation days = 10.5
|Jul precipitation days = 10.9
|Aug precipitation days = 9.9
|Sep precipitation days = 6.4
|Oct precipitation days = 6.7
|Nov precipitation days = 8.2
|Dec precipitation days = 10.8
|year precipitation days = 113.2
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 0.1
|Feb snow days = 0.0
|Mar snow days = 0.1
|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
|year snow days = 0.2
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name=NOAA >
{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=bmx
| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = June 7, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00010764&format=pdf
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
| title = Station: Bessemer 3 WSW, AL
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)
| access-date = June 7, 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 4544
|1900= 6358
|1910= 10864
|1920= 18674
|1930= 20721
|1940= 22826
|1950= 28445
|1960= 33054
|1970= 33663
|1980= 31729
|1990= 33497
|2000= 29672
|2010= 27456
|2020= 26019
|estyear=2022
|estimate=25264
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2022">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |date=January 25, 2024|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=January 25, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 8, 2013}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Bessemer racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US0105980&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 11, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Number
!Percent
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|4,877
|18.74%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|18,107
|69.59%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|48
|0.18%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|68
|0.26%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|5
|0.02%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|609
|2.34%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|2,305
|8.86%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 26,019 people, 10,492 households, and 6,378 families residing in the city.

===2013 ACS===
In the 2013 [[American Community Survey]], there were 27,336 people living in the city. 72.0% were [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 24.0% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.1% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.2% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.1% from some other race and 0.4% from two or more races. 3.2% were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 29,672 people, 11,537 households, and 7,868 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|729.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 12,790 housing units, with an average density of {{convert|314.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 69.6% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 28.9% [[Race (United States Census)|White]],  0.3% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.2% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], <0.1% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.3% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.7% from two or more races. 1.1% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 11,537 households, out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.6% were married couples living together, 29.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.8% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,066, and the median income for a family was $28,230. Males had a median income of $29,413 versus $21,552 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $12,232. About 24.2% of families and 27.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 37.8% of those under age 18 and 24.7% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==
[[File:The Bright Star, Bessemer, Alabama.jpg|thumb|upright|The Bright Star in Bessemer is Alabama's oldest restaurant<ref>{{cite news|last=Swagler |first=Susan |date=October 11, 2017 |title=The Bright Star, Alabama's oldest restaurant, still shines |url=http://alabamanewscenter.com/2017/10/11/bright-star-alabamas-oldest-restaurant-still-shines/ |work=Alabama Newscenter}}</ref>]]
[[File:Amazon groundbreaking Bessemer.jpg|thumb|The groundbreaking of the Amazon fulfillment center in Bessemer in 2018.]]
In 1900, Bessemer ranked eighth in the population in Alabama, second in the amount of capital invested in manufacturing, and fourth in the value of its manufactured product for the year. By 1911, ore mining, iron smelting, and the manufacture of [[iron]] and [[coke (fuel)|coke]] were the chief industries of Bessemer.  Truck farming was an important industry, dating from the area's agricultural past.{{cn|date=November 2021}}

Both blacks and whites from rural areas were attracted to the city for its new work opportunities. Gradually African Americans moved into industrial jobs and became part of integrated unions. Such jobs enabled many working-class families to enjoy middle-class incomes.{{cn|date=November 2021}}

Today, ore mining has ended, as supplies were exhausted. Manufacturing remains a factor, with the U.S. Pipe and Foundry ductile pipe plant on the city's north side. In May 2007, U.S. Pipe announced that it would be building a new $45-million foundry near the current plant.  The site was selected, among other reasons, for having available space for potential future expansions. U.S. Pipe is the largest domestic producer of [[ductile iron pipe]] in sizes 4 inch through 64 inch.<ref>{{cite web|title=Restrained Joint Ductile Iron Pipe and Fittings |publisher=U.S. Pipe |url=https://uspipe.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Restrained-Joint-Ductile-Iron-Pipe-and-Fittings.pdf |access-date=March 29, 2024}}</ref>

Bessemer was once home to a large railroad car manufacturing factory, operated by [[Pullman Standard]] for many decades and later by Trinity Industries. With railroad restructuring in the late 20th century and other manufacturing moving offshore, this plant ceased most production in the 1990s. In 2012, BLOX LLC (bloxbuilt.com) a manufacturer of modular components for healthcare facilities moved into this facility.{{cn|date=November 2021}}

The decline of mining and exodus of the steelmaking and railcar manufacturing industries resulted in extensive loss of jobs. Bessemer has lost population since a peak population in 1970. It faced an economic crisis in the early to mid-1980s, as unemployed workers constituted more than one-third of the workforce. Since that time the city has been successful in diversifying its economy, through the efforts of the Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce and the Bessemer Industrial Development Board. It is recognized for its business growth.  In June 2018, [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] announced that it would build a new {{convert|800000|sqft|m2}}, $325 million fulfillment center in Bessemer, which will initially create 1,500 new jobs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Edgemon |first1=Erin |title='The deal is done:' Amazon to bring 1,500 jobs to Bessemer |url=https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2018/06/the_deal_is_done_amazon_to_bri.html |website=al.com |date=June 22, 2018 |publisher=Advance Local Media LLC |access-date=June 23, 2018}}</ref>

==Crime==
{{Infobox UCR
|city_name= Bessemer
|year= 2022
|violent_crime= 469
|homicide= 10
|rape= 17
|robbery= 76
|aggravated_assault= 366
|property_crime= 2,057
|arson= 8
|burglary= 221
|larceny_theft= 1,542
|motor_vehicle_theft= 286
|source_url= https://cde.ucr.cjis.gov/LATEST/webapp/#/pages/explorer/crime/crime-trend
|source_name= 2022 FBI UCR Data
|notes= 2022 population: 25,264
}}

According to the [[Uniform Crime Report]] statistics compiled by the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] (FBI) in 2022, there were 469 violent crimes and 2,057 property crimes per 100,000 residents. Of these, the violent crimes consisted of 10 murders, 17 forcible rapes, 76 robberies and 366 aggravated assaults, while 221 burglaries, 1,542 larceny-thefts, 286 motor vehicle thefts and 8 acts of arson defined the property offenses.

According to [[NeighborhoodScout]], Bessemer ranks first in terms of violent crimes for U.S. cities with 25,000 or more people as of 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Schiller |first1=Andrew |title=Top 100 Most Dangerous Cities in the U.S. |url=https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/blog/top100dangerous |website=Neighborhood Scout |publisher=Location Inc. |access-date=February 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215103955/https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/blog/top100dangerous |archive-date=February 15, 2019}}</ref>

==Arts and culture==
The performance center [[Bessemer Civic Center]] provides multiple performance spaces for music and theatre.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Civic Center – The City of Bessemer |url=https://www.bessemeral.org/civic-center/ |access-date=June 24, 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Government==
Bessemer uses the [[mayor]]–[[city council]] form of government. The council has seven members, elected from [[single-member districts]]. As of 2016, Kenneth Gulley is mayor, a position elected [[at-large]].<ref>Jesse Chambers, "Bessemer Mayor Kenneth Gulley talks about the state of his city", Al.com, February 8, 2013, updated February 15, 2013</ref> He was first elected in 2010 and reelected to a second term in 2014.<ref>[http://www.bessemeral.org/city-government/mayor-s-office "Mayor's Office"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206211158/http://www.bessemeral.org/city-government/mayor-s-office |date=February 6, 2016 }}, Bessemer, Alabama</ref>

A satellite [[Jefferson County, Alabama|Jefferson County]] [[Courthouse]] is located in downtown Bessemer. There is a special county government district, known as the "Bessemer Cutoff", which was established in the middle of the 20th century when Bessemer was a major city in its own right. A separate county government was considered a possibility, but there was not sufficient land area to meet legislative requirements for a county. The "Cutoff" had a separate series of Alabama [[license plate]]s, with a different numeric prefix than the rest of the county.

Bessemer has since been surpassed in size by Birmingham suburbs such as [[Hoover, Alabama|Hoover]], [[Vestavia Hills, Alabama|Vestavia Hills]], and [[Homewood, Alabama|Homewood]]. But Bessemer retains the branch county courthouse to this day. The term "Bessemer Cutoff" continues to be used regularly by area residents.

The [[United States Postal Service]] operates the Bessemer Post Office.<ref>"[http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/bessemer-1112-4th-ave-n-bessemer-al-1354793 Post Office Location – Bessemer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201211211/http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/bessemer-1112-4th-ave-n-bessemer-al-1354793 |date=December 1, 2010}}." [[United States Postal Service]]. Retrieved on October 8, 2010.</ref>

The state [[Alabama Department of Corrections]] operates the [[William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility]], a prison for men, in [[unincorporated area|unincorporated]] [[Jefferson County, Alabama|Jefferson County]], [[Alabama]], near Bessemer. The prison includes one of the two Alabama death rows for men.<ref name="DonaldProf">"[http://www.doc.state.al.us/facility.asp?id=4 Donaldson Correctional Facility] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100318162908/http://www.doc.state.al.us/facility.asp?id=4 |date=March 18, 2010}}." [[Alabama Department of Corrections]]. Retrieved on October 8, 2010.</ref>

==Education==
{{unreferenced section|date=June 2018}}

===Public schools===
Bessemer has its own school system independent of Jefferson County schools, Bessemer City School District.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st01_al/schooldistrict_maps/c01073_jefferson/DC20SD_C01073.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Jefferson County, AL|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=July 31, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st01_al/schooldistrict_maps/c01073_jefferson/DC20SD_C01073_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>  The system includes:
* Hard Elementary
* Jonesboro Elementary
* Greenwood Elementary
* Abrams Elementary
* Westhills Elementary
* Bessemer City Middle
* [[Bessemer City High School (Alabama)|Bessemer City High School]] (formally Jess Lanier)

The Board of Education also operates the Quitman Mitchell Opportunity Center, which includes an adult learning center, Even Start child care center, and New Horizon Alternative School.

===Private schools===
K–12 private schools in the Bessemer include Rock Christian School and [[Bessemer Academy]], which was founded as a [[segregation academy]].<ref name="Lost Cause Mascots">{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Patrick |title=The Rebel Made Me Do It: Mascots, Race, and the Lost Cause |url=https://aquila.usm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2725&context=dissertations |access-date=May 5, 2021}}</ref>

===Community college===
[[Lawson State Community College]] operates the former Bessemer Technical College campus. The two schools merged in 2005 as a cost-saving measure.

==Media==
''The Western Star'' is a weekly newspaper which covers Bessemer and nearby communities.

''[[The Birmingham News]]'' is published three days per week, and also publishes a weekly section devoted to news from Bessemer and nearby communities.{{cn|date=November 2021}}

One [[radio station]], [[WZGX]] (1450 AM), operates within the city; it broadcasts some Spanish-language programming and music to appeal to the growing Mexican-American population of Jefferson County. It also continues a tradition of broadcasting high school football games on Friday nights. All of metro Birmingham's stations are heard in Bessemer, as well as several stations broadcasting from [[Tuscaloosa, Alabama|Tuscaloosa]].{{cn|date=November 2021}}

[[Television station]] [[WDBB]] (channel 17) is licensed to Bessemer, but broadcasts from studios in Birmingham, simulcasting with [[WTTO]] (channel 21). All of Birmingham's television stations may be viewed in Bessemer, and some have established news bureaus there.{{cn|date=November 2021}}

==Infrastructure==
[[File:Southern Railway Depot, 1905 Alabama Avenue, Bessemer (Jefferson County, Alabama).jpg|thumb|The [[Southern Railway (U.S.)|Southern Railway]] depot in Bessemer, built in 1905]]

===Transportation===
In 1911, the town was served by five [[railroad]] lines: [[Alabama Great Southern]] (Queen & Crescent route), the [[Louisville & Nashville Railroad]], the Kansas City, Memphis & Birmingham ([[St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad]] system), the [[Birmingham Southern Railroad]], and the [[Atlanta, Birmingham and Atlantic Railway]]s. Passenger service decreased after people started choosing to travel by automobiles, increasingly so after World War II. In addition, there was widespread restructuring in the railroad industry that also applied to freight lines.{{cn|date=November 2021}}

By 2006, the companies listed above had consolidated into [[CSX Transportation]], which has lines to Birmingham and [[Brookwood, Alabama|Brookwood]], and the [[Norfolk Southern Railway]], with lines to Birmingham, [[Mobile, Alabama|Mobile]] and [[New Orleans]]. Birmingham Southern continues in service. A major railroad feature is the "High Line", constructed by Tennessee Coal & Iron (predecessor to [[U.S. Steel]]) to ship iron ore from the mines on the city's south side to the steel works in nearby [[Fairfield, Alabama|Fairfield]]. This elevated line traverses the eastern side of the city. Though tracks were removed over much of the High Line when the mines closed, part of the line is still used by the Birmingham Southern. All of the roadbed and bridges remain in place.{{cn|date=November 2021}}

Transit service in Bessemer is provided by [[Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority]], which operates Max Transit bus service.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://maxtransit.org/|title=Max Transit|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref>

Bessemer is served by the small [[Bessemer Airport]] to the southeast of the city. Commercial service in the region is provided by the much larger [[Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport]], located {{convert|5|mi|km}} north of downtown Birmingham, about 21 miles away in total.{{cn|date=November 2021}}

Major highways in Bessemer include [[Interstate 20 (Alabama)|I-20]]/[[Interstate 59 (Alabama)|59]], [[Interstate 459|I-459]], [[U.S. Route 11 in Alabama|U.S. Route 11]], and [[State Route 150 (Alabama)|State Route 150]], which connects Bessemer with [[Hoover, Alabama|Hoover]].{{cn|date=November 2021}}

==Notable people==
* [[David Bonnett]], [[NASCAR]] driver
* [[Neil Bonnett]], [[NASCAR]] driver<ref>{{cite web|title=Neil Bonnett|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/driver?id=bonnene01|publisher=Racing Reference.info|access-date=March 27, 2013}}</ref>
* [[McKinley Boykin]], professional [[American football|football]] player<ref>{{cite web|title=McKinley Boykin|url=http://www.nfl.com/player/mckinleyboykin/2506819/profile|work=NFL.com|access-date=November 26, 2013}}</ref>
* [[Alex Bradford]], composer, singer, arranger, and choir director<ref>{{cite web|title=Alex Bradford|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/prof-alex-bradford-mn0000620491|publisher=Rovi Corp|access-date=March 27, 2013}}</ref>
* [[Mildred Brown]], journalist<ref>{{cite web|title=Mildred Brown|url=http://www.mildreddbrownmemorialstudycenter.com/|publisher=M.D.B.M. Study Cente|access-date=March 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110201170355/http://mildreddbrownmemorialstudycenter.com/|archive-date=February 1, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[David L. DeJarnette]], archaeologist, generally considered the "Father of Alabama Archaeology"
* [[Thornton Dial]], African-American folk artist<ref>{{cite web|title=Thornton Dial|url=http://www.studio360.org/2011/mar/04/thornton-dial-not-outsider-artist/|publisher=Public Radio International|access-date=March 27, 2013}}</ref>
* [[Nelsan Ellis]], actor and playwright<ref>{{cite web|title=Nelsan Ellis|url=http://www.biography.com/people/nelsan-ellis-17191544|publisher=A+E Television Networks, LLC.|access-date=March 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130808015914/http://www.biography.com/people/nelsan-ellis-17191544|archive-date=August 8, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Anthony Henton]], former NFL [[linebacker]]
* [[Mike Hill (sportscaster)|Mike Hill]], Broadcaster, ESPN/Fox Sports and other national outlets
* [[Virginia Hill]], actress, mob courier and girlfriend of Bugsy Siegel{{Citation needed|date=March 2013}}
* [[Andre Holland]], actor
* [[Frank House (baseball)|Frank House]], born in Bessemer, [[major league baseball]] player<ref name="The Baseball Encyclopedia">{{cite book |editor= Reichler, Joseph L. |title= The Baseball Encyclopedia |orig-year= 1969 |edition= 4th |year= 1979 |publisher= Macmillan Publishing |location= New York |isbn= 0-02-578970-8 |url-access= registration |url= https://archive.org/details/baseballencyclop00reic }}</ref>
* [[Bo Jackson]], [[Heisman Trophy]] winner, [[National Football League|NFL]] and [[MLB]] player<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=JACKSBO01|title=Bo Jackson|publisher=databaseFootball.com|access-date=March 25, 2013|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314145050/http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=JACKSBO01|archive-date=March 14, 2013}}</ref>
* [[Lamar Johnson (baseball)|Lamar Johnson]], former MLB first baseman
* [[Eddie LeVert]], singer
* [[Gucci Mane]], rapper
* [[Reese McCall]], former NFL [[tight end]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/player/reesemccall/2520502/profile|title = Reese McCall Stats, News and Video - TE|website = [[NFL.com]]}}</ref>
* [[David McCampbell]], naval aviator, Medal of Honor recipient, and the US Navy's all-time leading ace with 34 aerial victories during World War II.
* [[Edward McClain (Alabama politician)|Edward McClain]], Alabama state legislator
* [[Deborah E. McDowell]], English professor and author of a 1997 memoir of life in Bessemer, ''Leaving Pipe Shop''<ref>{{cite web|title=Deborah E. McDowell|url=http://xroads.virginia.edu/~public/pipeshop/bio.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990209201609/http://xroads.virginia.edu/%7Epublic/pipeshop/bio.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 9, 1999|publisher=University of Virginia|access-date=March 27, 2013}}</ref>
* [[Elijah Nevett]], [[National Football League|NFL]] player<ref>{{cite web|title=Elijah Nevett|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/N/NeveEl20.htm|publisher=Pro-Football Reference|access-date=March 27, 2013}}</ref>
* [[Kerry Rhodes]], [[National Football League|NFL]] player<ref>{{cite web|title=Kerry Rhodes|url=https://www.learnboost.com/us/jesslanierhighschool|publisher=Learnboost.com|access-date=March 27, 2013|archive-date=March 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130326013203/https://www.learnboost.com/us/jesslanierhighschool|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Curtis Rowe]], professional [[basketball]] player 
* [[DeMeco Ryans]], [[National Football League|NFL]] player and head coach<ref>{{cite web|title=DeMeco Ryans|url=http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/team/roster/demeco-ryans/98d8154e-4346-4cdf-ae75-0b244df4b3fb/|publisher=Philadelphia Eagles.|access-date=March 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124065302/http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/team/roster/demeco-ryans/98d8154e-4346-4cdf-ae75-0b244df4b3fb/|archive-date=January 24, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Glenn Shadix]], born in Bessemer, actor
* [[John Paul Thomas]], artist, educator and scholar; born in Bessemer
* [[Ontario Tillman]], member of the [[Alabama House of Representatives]] born in Bessemer and resident
* [[Olanda Truitt]], [[National Football League|NFL]] player<ref>{{cite web|title=Olanda Truitt|url=http://www.nfl.com/player/olandatruitt/2503397/profile|publisher=NFL Enterprises LLC.|access-date=March 27, 2013}}</ref>
* [[Larry Watkins]], former NFL [[running back]]
* [[Jack Whitten]], abstract painter<ref>{{cite web|title=Jack Whitten|url=http://www.metmuseum.org/collections/search-the-collections?&who=Jack+Whitten&what=Paintings%7CPlastic&pg=1|publisher=The Metropolitan Museum of Art.|access-date=March 27, 2013}}</ref>
* [[Andre Williams (musician)|Andre Williams]], singer and producer<ref>{{cite web|title=Andre Williams|url=https://michiganrockandrolllegends.com/index.php/mrrl-hall-of-fame/295-andre-williams|publisher=Michigan Rock and Roll Legends|access-date=October 2, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Gran Wilson]], opera singer
* [[Rod Windsor]], [[National Football League|NFL]] player<ref>{{cite web|title=Rod Windsor|url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/roster/Rod-Windsor/eb122965-72da-40af-9a2b-a2120254f658/|publisher=Cleveland Browns|access-date=March 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130313165818/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/roster/Rod-Windsor/eb122965-72da-40af-9a2b-a2120254f658|archive-date=March 13, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Jameis Winston]], [[Heisman Trophy]] winner, quarterback for the [[New York Football Giants]]

==Notable animal==
* [[Matilda (chicken)]], Guinness World Record holder

==See also==
{{Portal|Alabama}}
* [[SS Bessemer Victory|SS ''Bessemer Victory'']] – World War II cargo ship named for Bessemer
* [[Amazon worker organization#2020-21 Bessemer union drive|Bessemer union drive]] - unionization movement of workers at [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{NIE Poster|Bessemer (Alabama)|Bessemer|year=1905}}
* [https://www.bessemeral.org/ City of Bessemer – Official Website]
* [https://www.bessemerchamber.com/ Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce]

{{Geographic location
 | Centre    = Bessemer
 | North     = [[Brighton, Alabama|Brighton]]
 | Northeast = [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]]
 | East      = 
 | Southeast = [[Helena, Alabama|Helena]]
 | South     = [[Montevallo, Alabama|Montevallo]]
 | Southwest = 
 | West      = [[North Johns, Alabama|North Johns]]
 | Northwest = 
}}
{{Jefferson County, Alabama}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Bessemer, Alabama| ]]
[[Category:1887 establishments in Alabama]]
[[Category:Birmingham metropolitan area, Alabama]]
[[Category:Cities in Alabama]]
[[Category:Cities in Jefferson County, Alabama]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1887]]