City Profiles

Chelsea Incorporated 1996

2017 POPULATION: 14,216

The Chelsea area was originally settled in the mid-1800s and was known as Melrose. When new railroads came through in 1908, the area was named Chelsea as formal stores, a grist mill and more were opened. When the city was incorporated in 1996, it only had a population of 906, but the area has grown expontentially since then. Today the city has three elementary schools as well as Chelsea Middle School and Chelsea High School. Its Chelsea Community Center offers everything from karate and ballroom dancing classes to a pickleball league. Each year the city hosts Chelsea Fest and The Big Kaboom on the last Saturday before the Fourth of July, and the festivities include fireworks and entertainment for all. cityofchelsea.com

Columbiana

INCORPORATED 1837

POPULATION: 4,550

Columbiana serves as county seat to Shelby County, and its crown jewel is its marble courthouse that was completed in 1908. Its walkable Main Street is populated with gift stores, antique shops, restaurants and more, and it hosts Cowboy Day, Music on Main Street, Liberty Day and Monster Walk events each year. Its latest addition is Old Mill Square Park, located on 6 acres featuring art as well as the 30,000-square-foot Shelby County Arts Council building with the Black Box Theatre, gallery and classrooms. There are also three museums in Columbiana: The Shelby County Historical Museum, The Shelby County Iron Works Museum (just outside the city) and the George Washington Memorabilia Museum. cityofcolumbiana.com