City Profiles

Alabaster

INCORPORATED 1953

POPULATION: 33,487

Starting in the 1920s, Alabaster was a site of employee housing for Alabaster Lime Company, and its name came from the business and from the mineral that is often found with limestone. Today the city’s population has sky rocketed to become the largest in Shelby County. It is home to three elementary schools as well as Thompson Middle School and Thompson High School. The city’s population is expected to grow by more than 23 percent by 2025. Alabaster’s “Medical Mile” hosts more than 1,000 medical professionals, and a new 350,000-square-foot retail and mixuse space, District 31, broke ground in 2018. Each June Alabaster hosts City Fest, which features live music and more, and its annual Christmas Parade is also popular. cityofalabaster.com

Calera

INCORPORATED 1887

POPULATION: 14,717

Calera has a friendly, small-town atmosphere and draws its name from the Spanish word for “quarry” for all of the limestone deposits located in the area. The city is home to the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum and Timberline Golf Club, and Lay Lake is just a short drive away. You can explore two wineries, Ozan Winery and Vizzini Farms Winery, there. Each year the city hosts Calera Goes Pink, Movies in the Park, Strawberry Festival, Christmas Village and the Christmas Parade. Youth sports and family fun are offered at its selection of parks like Akridge Arboretum Park, George W. Roy Recreational Park, Oliver Park Sports Complex and Eagle Sports Complex. cityofcalera.org