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.[4]
History
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]
As of the census[6] 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.
2010 census
As of the census[7] 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.
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 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.[9][10]
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