Editing Calera, Alabama

{{short description|City in Alabama, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Calera
|official_name            = Calera, Alabama
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|image_skyline            = Calera Alabama Feb 2012 01.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = The Calera Downtown Historic District was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Alabama#Shelby County|National Register of Historic Places]] on March 29, 2006.
|image_seal               = Seal of Calera, Alabama.png
|image_map                = File:Chilton County and Shelby County Alabama Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Calera Highlighted 0111416.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Calera in Chilton County and Shelby County, Alabama.
|pushpin_map              = USA
|pushpin_map_caption      = Location in the United States
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Alabama|Counties]]
|subdivision_name         = [[United States]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Alabama]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Chilton County, Alabama|Chilton]], [[Shelby County, Alabama|Shelby]]
|leader_title             = Mayor
|leader_name              = Jon G. Graham 
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_sq_mi         = 24.47
|area_land_sq_mi          = 24.21
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.26
|elevation_ft             = 558
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|pop_est_footnotes        = 
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 16494
|population_metro         = 
|population_density_sq_mi = 681.32
| timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone (North America)|CST]]
| utc_offset               = -6
| timezone_DST             = [[Central Time Zone (North America)|CDT]]
| utc_offset_DST           = -5
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -->
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 35040<ref name="zipcode">{{cite web|url=http://www.zipdatamaps.com/35040|access-date=October 30, 2016|title=Zipdatamaps}}</ref>
|area_code                = [[Area codes 205 and 659|205, 659]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 01-11416
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2403965<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2403965}}</ref>
|coordinates              = {{coord|33|06|10|N|86|45|13|W|region:US-AL|display=inline,title}}
|website                  = {{URL|www.cityofcalera.org}}
|footnotes                = 
|unit_pref = Imperial
|area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_01.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 29, 2021}}</ref>
|area_total_km2 = 63.38
|area_land_km2 = 62.70
|area_water_km2 = 0.68
|population_density_km2 = 263.05
}}

'''Calera''' is a city in [[Shelby County, Alabama|Shelby]] and [[Chilton County, Alabama|Chilton]] counties in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Alabama]]. It is the location of the [[Shelby County Airport (Alabama)|Shelby County Airport]].

As of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]] Calera had a population of 11,620, more than tripling its total in [[2000 United States Census|2000]],<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US0111416| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212163452/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US0111416| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 12, 2020| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Calera city, Alabama| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=June 3, 2014}}</ref> making it the fastest-growing city in Alabama. It is within the [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]], Alabama [[Birmingham, Alabama, metropolitan area|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 in Alabama|U.S. Route 31]], the main highway through the city. [[Interstate 65 in Alabama|Interstate 65]] passes through the eastern side of the city, with access from exits 228, 231, and 234. Birmingham is 34&nbsp;mi (55&nbsp;km) north, and [[Montgomery, Alabama|Montgomery]] is 59&nbsp;mi (95&nbsp;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.<ref name="Census 2010"/>

==History==
[[File:Alabama - Claera through Florence - NARA - 23933391 (cropped).jpg|300px|thumb|right|Calera in 1935]]
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}}

==Demographics==
{{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<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{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}}</ref>
}}

===2000 census===
As of the census<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> 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 [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|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<ref name="2010 census">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=August 8, 2015 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> 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 [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|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.

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Calera racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US0111416&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 11, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|9,264
|56.17%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|5,205
|31.56%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|31
|0.19%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|134
|0.81%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|3
|0.02%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|816
|4.95%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|1,041
|6.31%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 16,494 people, 5,100 households, and 3,469 families residing in the city.

==Notable people==
* [[Shanavia Dowdell]], professional basketball player
*[[Hut Stricklin]], [[NASCAR]] driver
*[[Virgil Trucks]], [[Major League Baseball]] pitcher

==Points of interest==
*[[Shelby County Airport (Alabama)|Shelby County Airport]]
*[[Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum]]
*George Roy Park
*Oliver Park
*Timberline Golf Course
*Calera Presbyterian Church
*Rules of entertainment

==Gallery==
<gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
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 [[Properties on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage by county (Pickens–Winston)#Shelby County|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 [[Properties on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage by county (Pickens–Winston)#Shelby County|Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage]] on February 15, 1977.
</gallery>

==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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.weather.gov/bmx/|title=NWS Birmingham, Alabama|date=June 20, 2020}}</ref><ref>[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]</ref>
{{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 <ref name=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.
</ref>
|date=November 2013
}}

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

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [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]]