SHELBY COUNTY
County Offices
200 West College Street
Columbiana 205-669-3740
www.shelbyal.com
Chamber of Commerce
1301 County Services Drive
Pelham 205-663-4542
http://shelbychamber.org
Services
As a vital part of the Metro Birmingham region, Shelby County has been welcoming record numbers of newcomers over the past decade. Residents have the advantage of a state-of-the-art hospital associated with the Shelby Baptist Health System, the Shelby Baptist Medical Center in Alabaster. The hospital provides a comprehensive range of inpatient and outpatient medical and surgical services including open-heart surgery. The emergency room is one of the busiest in Metro Birmingham, treating more than 40,000 patients each year. Committed to healthcare excellence in a patient-centered environment, the medical center recently opened the doors of a new multi-million-dollar emergency department as well as a spacious new Women’s Center. Several primary care and specialty clinics serve Shelby County communities, including sites in Alabaster, Pelham at Cahaba Valley Road, Helena, and Columbiana. These centers provide valuable resources close to home for the county’s fast-growing communities. Shelby Baptist also serves as a regional referral agency, custom matching residents and newcomers with the right doctor or service provider.
Students of all ages can look forward to a quality education in public and private schools throughout Shelby County, where the construction of new facilities continues to meet a rapidly expanding population. Jefferson State Community College provides a campus in northern Shelby County, situated at the very edge of the Birmingham city limits that cross county lines. One of the Alabama’s leading two-year institutions, Jefferson State provides more than 120 university transfer programs, 20 career programs with multiple options, and numerous certificate programs. The college also serves as a workforce training resource through a wide range of credit and non-credit programs. Montevallo University is the educational jewel of Shelby County, one of only 21 public liberal arts universities in the nation. The university has emerged as a leader in liberal arts education, recognized by U.S. News and World Report as the highest ranking master’s level university in Alabama.
Lifestyle
Many newcomers to Metro Birmingham choose to live in Shelby County communities for their beautiful homes, tranquil neighborhoods, respected schools, and wealth of recreational activities. Over the past decade, a number of cities, towns, and even unincorporated communities have doubled, tripled, and quadrupled in population as an increasing number of people awaken the advantages of Shelby County living. The county is unique in the number of important cities that spill over into its boundaries, including Birmingham, Hoover, Leeds, and Vestavia Hills. Sports, outdoor adventure, and simple relaxation are available in scores of city and county parks or the 10,000-acre Oak Mountain State Park. Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the county harmonizes naturally beautiful landscapes with first-rate attractions and amenities like the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum or the American Village Civic Education Center. The latter covers 113 acres with a recreated colonial village and historic park where costumed interpreters make it possible for visitors to relive the great American experiment in liberty and self-government.
Performing arts centers showcase regional and national talent, drawing enthusiastic audiences to musical concerts, dance productions, and theatre. Fine museums, historic sites, grand architecture, and charming districts preserve the past around every corner. Annual celebrations and seasonal festivals dot the calendar, giving friends and neighbors a chance to strengthen community spirit. Shopping is available in regional malls filled with high fashion and leading retailers or one-of-a-kind boutiques and shops tucked away in quaint towns. Golfers will find some of the finest fairways in Alabama and the nation along the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, while those who enjoy water sports can look forward to sparkling lakes for boating, swimming, water-skiing, and fishing. The housing in Shelby County is as diverse and attractive as the terrain, blending older homes in long-established neighborhoods with an abundance of new construction. Custom country estates on wooded lots, executive homes that command lakefront or fairway views, cozy subdivisions and planned communities, and sleepy small towns that have yet to be discovered by large numbers of newcomers are all available in Shelby County. Few places in the Southeast or the nation can rival the appeal of Shelby County, where images of grazing horses and serene country ponds contrast with lively urban scenes.
Alabaster
Municipal Offices
205-664-6800
www.cityofalabaster.com
Chamber of Commerce
205-663-4542
http://shelbychamber.org
Boasting a growth rate of 60 percent over the past decade, Alabaster has emerged as a sprawling suburban city just 17 miles south of downtown Birmingham. The city is home to Shelby County’s only full-service hospital, the Shelby Baptist Medical Center. Alabaster also hosts one of Shelby County’s largest annual celebrations, CityFest, which began in 2003 to celebrate the city’s 50th birthday. The city is home to one of the state’s largest Christmas Parades, sponsored by the Alabaster Beautification Board. The parks and recreation department efficiently manages a wealth of lush green spaces and sports facilities throughout the community. Young professionals, families, and retirees can enjoy diverse programs, beach volleyball, sports fields and courts, playgrounds, tennis courts, walking tracks, and picnic pavilions. The housing selection includes lovely homes along tree-shaded streets in long-established neighborhoods and newer construction in a variety of architectural styles, sizes, and price ranges.
Birmingham
Municipal Offices
205-254-2290
www.birminghamal.gov
Chamber of Commerce
205-241-8100
www.birminghamal.gov
Famous for its shopping, cultural, historic, and entertainment attractions, the Magic City is earning national accolades as one of America’s most livable metropolitan centers. Birmingham is an artful blend of old and new, historic and progressive. Magnificent architecture from the past blends gracefully with stunning new high-rise developments to create a distinctive skyline. Birmingham has proudly assumed its place among the nation’s leading financial and business centers, yet the city has managed to preserve the warm and gentle spirit for which the South has long been known. New residents will be captivated by the beauty and character of the Birmingham’s historic neighborhoods, filled with grand architecture and mature greenery. Acres of lush parkland, important monuments, cultural centers and performance venues, wonderful museums, high-fashion districts and malls, a lively nightlife, fine dining, and a thriving economy are just a few of the high points on a long list of Birmingham advantages. The city is brimming over with cosmopolitan advantages and amenities from permanent companies for the arts and children’s theatre to revolutionary public educational institutions and internationally recognized healthcare facilities. Known for its diversity, the city is emerging as a model for ensuring that all residents enjoy equal access to the finest that Birmingham has to offer. The expansive city of Birmingham is closely aligned with Jefferson County but also stretches into Shelby County.
Calera
Municipal Offices
205-668-3500
www.cityofcalera.org
Chamber of Commerce
205-668-3023
www.calerachamber.org
Proudly calling itself “The Heart of the Heart of Dixie,” the city of Calera has managed to preserve its small-town flavor and friendliness in the face of unprecedented growth and development. The harmony of yesterday’s charm with progressive amenities and conveniences give Calera a unique appeal. Popular restaurants, quaint antique shops, first-rate services, and a growing commercial base combine with an expanding industrial sector to create a balanced community. Calera’s large city park offers lighted facilities for football, baseball, softball, tennis, and basketball as well as playground equipment, picnic pavilions, and hiking paths. The city is home to the regional attraction known as the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum, a three-block complex that showcases antique locomotives and railcars, the actual railroad museum, and a train that offers excursion rides. “Thomas the Tank Engine” is an annual attraction that draws as many as 20,000 visitors to Calera each year. The housing selection in Calera mixes charming older properties with brisk new-home construction, supporting every imaginable lifestyle choice.
Chelsea, Westover
Chelsea Offices
205-678-8455
www.cityofchelsea.com
Westover Offices
205-678-3375
http://westoveralabama.org
Chamber of Commerce
205-669-9075
www.southshelbychamber.com
The spirit of Chelsea is simply summed up in the city slogan, “It’s All About the Family.” Proud of its consistent designation as Tree City USA, Chelsea is attracting newcomers in record numbers to small-town serenity in close proximity to urban educational, recreational, commercial, historic, and cultural attractions. Many residents of Chelsea are commuters to Birmingham employment centers, returning at the end of each day to lovely subdivisions and tree-shaded neighborhoods. A relatively new city, Chelsea incorporated in 1996 with a population less than 1,000. By the 2000 census, the city claimed nearly 3,000 residents—only four short years later. Five years later the population effectively doubled again. This phenomenal boom in population is a reflection of aggressive annexation and brisk new-home construction. Supporting the influx of new residents with convenient shops and services, commercial development has burgeoned along the Highway 280 corridor. The small town of Wilton is home to only a few hundred residents, offering an intimate hometown setting in the path of Chelsea’s remarkable suburban development.
Columbiana
Municipal Offices
205-669-5800
www.cityofcolumbiana.com
Chamber of Commerce
205-669-9075
http://southshelbychamber.com
Serving as the seat of county government, Columbiana enjoys a centralized location in Shelby County. The city welcomes a significant number of visitors during the working week who arrive to conduct governmental business or attend related events. Although Columbiana offers a quick commute to Birmingham’s world-class attractions and amenities, the city hosts a wide variety of special events and activities that provide local entertainment. Music on Main Street, the City-Wide Yard Sale, the popular Monster Walk at Halloween, and the Liberty Day celebration are just a few examples of a calendar brimming over with red-letter dates. The slogan for Columbiana is, “Embracing the Future while Preserving the Past,” an apt description of a progressive community that maintains pride in its historic legacy.
Helena
Municipal Offices
205-663-2161
www.cityofhelena.org
Chamber of Commerce
205-663-4524
http://shelbychamber.org
The peaceful city of Helena with its clean and quiet streets attracts many families to tranquil, tree-shaded neighborhoods and a growing list of amenities. Growth in retail, wholesale, and manufacturing sectors attests to the fact that business and industry are also awakening to the potential of Helena. The city’s prime location has attracted many commuting professionals who appreciate the friendly atmosphere, the slower pace, and the attractive selection of housing. Nestled in Old Town Helena, a new outdoor amphitheater enlivens the summer months by serving as a concert venue, a central stage for the fairgrounds, and a center of special events. Old Town provides a focal point for the community with its medley of eateries and unique shops. Festivals and celebrations dot the calendar with dates to remember, including the popular Kidfest with its family-oriented appeal for residents and visitors alike.
Hoover, Greystone
Municipal Offices
205-444-7500
www.hooveral.org
Chamber of Commerce
205-988-5672
www.hooverchamber.org
One of the fastest-growing communities in the South, Hoover plays a vital role in the recently designated Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Statistic Area. Spanning nearly 50 square miles, this major metropolis stretches over Jefferson County into Shelby County. Residents enjoy the benefits of a health business environment, suburban conveniences, a strong retail sector, a lively cultural community, great restaurants, sporting events, and premier vacation areas close to home. The city even offers its own recreational vehicle park. Beyond the cityscape, naturally beautiful surroundings include wooded mountains, rippling streams, and lush valleys. Hoover is committed to keeping pace with a growing population, evidenced by the modern new library, a full-service recreation center, and Alabama’s largest state-of-the-art high school. Attractions and activities for youth are abundant, attracting many families to the city. Beautiful residential communities like Greystone and Brook Highland are available in the Shelby County portion of Hoover. Greystone features two lush golf courses with a spectacular country club, a new tennis complex, aquatic attractions, and residential options that range from garden homes to multi-million-dollar estates. Highly rates schools draw many families to an idyllic lifestyle complemented by Hoover’s urban advantages.
Indian Springs Village
Municipal Offices
205-733-9935
http://indianspringsvillage.org
Chamber of Commerce
205-663-4542
http://shelbychamber.org
Providing a 15-minute drive into downtown Birmingham, the bedroom community of Indian Springs Village is well-known for its educational advantages. This small town is home to a prestigious college-prep school distinguished as the only independent, non-public, non-military, non-religious boarding school in Alabama and Mississippi. The focal point of recreational activity in Indian Springs Village is Heardmont Park, exceptionally well-equipped with tennis courts, ball fields, playground equipment, and picnic areas. Just south of the town, Oak Mountain State Park offers 10,000 acres of wooded beauty and world-class outdoor adventures close to home. Popular activities at the park include staying in vacation cottages, golfing, camping, picnicking, playing tennis, swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, exploring a demonstration farm, and horseback riding or horse boarding.
Inverness, Lake Purdy, Meadowbrook
County Offices
205-669-3740
www.shelbyal.com
Chamber of Commerce
205-663-4542
http://shelbychamber.org
Shelby County’s phenomenal growth has not only affected established cities and towns but spawned spectacular suburban residential communities like Inverness, Meadowbrook, and Lake Purdy. Inverness and Meadowbrook are among the Southeast’s most highly regarded residential addresses, drawing newcomers to luxurious homes that often enjoy heavily wooded lots. The 1,650-acre mixed-use planned community of Inverness blends beautiful neighborhoods of luxurious homes with prime office space and retail development. The well-appointed country club includes a championship 18-hole golf course, while beautiful Lake Heather sparkles like a jewel against the scenic landscape. Handsome homes have sprung up around the periphery of Lake Purdy, creating an idyllic community situated between Highway 280 and Leeds. The lake serves as a regional reservoir but allows boat and shoreline fishing for an unparalleled “vacation lifestyle” in close proximity to urban amenities.
Leeds
Municipal Offices
205-699-0900
www.leedsalabama.gov
Chamber of Commerce
205-699-5001
www.leedsareachamber.com
Proud of its designation as a Tree City USA, the lovely community of Leeds is located near the Interstate 20 corridor approximately 15 minutes from downtown Birmingham. Located at the edge of Jefferson County, the city sprawls into Shelby and St. Clair counties. In fact, Leeds is so closely aligned with the city of Moody in St. Clair County that the two communities are often spoken of as the Leeds-Moody area. Strong civic leadership has enabled Leeds to grow and develop in a manner that has preserved the character of a serene bedroom community. Leeds formed its own school system in 2003, and four colleges are available within a 30-minute drive. Logan Martin Lake is just east of the city for boating, fishing and water sports, while golfers enjoy such facilities as the River Oaks Golf and Country Club. The world-class auto racing of Talladega Speedway is only 20 minutes from Leeds, and Birmingham’s cosmopolitan attractions are easily accessible.
Montevallo
Municipal Offices
205-665-2555
www.cityofmontevallo.com
Chamber of Commerce
205-665-1519
http://montevallocc.com/wp
Offering a friendly community with a close-knit spirit and the intellectual stimulation and vibrancy of a college town, Montevallo is 45 minutes away from Birmingham. Home to the state’s only public liberal arts university, the University of Montevallo, the city is alive with exciting events and activities. Seldom does a week pass by without a theatrical production, a musical concert, an art exhibit, or a collegiate sports event. Famous for its unparalleled beauty, the 160-acre campus blends white-columned brick buildings and red brick streets with sweeping lawns, colorful flowerbeds, and stately trees. Designed by the world-renowned Olmsted Brothers, the core of the campus has been designated a National Historic District. Other highlights in or near the Montevallo community include the Montevallo Golf Club, the Aldrich Coal Mine Museum, Oak Mountain State Park, the American Village educational center, Stephens Park, Orr Park, George Daily Park, and Brierfield Ironworks Park.
Mount Laurel
Mt. Laurel Offices
205-408-TOWN
888-408-TOWN
www.mtlaurel.com
Chamber of Commerce
205-669-9075
www.southshelbychamber.com
Southern Shelby County is home to a number of attractive communities that dot the picturesque countryside, but few can rival the exceptional qualities found in Mt. Laurel. Traditional neighborhood developments are purposefully and carefully designed to preserve the best of small-town living. Mt. Laurel offers beautiful homes with welcoming front porches, lovely streets lined with shade trees, and a town center designed to encourage pedestrian traffic that is filled with commercial conveniences. The feeling in this “Mayberry” setting may be Old World America, but residents enjoy the latest communications technologies. Mt. Laurel is especially well known for the craftsmanship of its homes and the fine balance of development with the natural environment. Existing trees, rolling hills, and natural watersheds are preserved whenever possible.
Pelham
Municipal Offices
205-620-6404
https://pelhamalabama.gov
Chamber of Commerce
205-663-4542
http://shelbychamber.org
Like most of the communities in Shelby County, Pelham has welcomed a flood of newcomers in recent years. Situated in the panoramic foothills of towering Oak Mountain, the city offers scenic, tranquil neighborhoods that provide a welcome retreat from urban bustle. The Pelham Civic Complex, the Ballantrae Golf Club, and the nationally recognized Pelham Racquet Club are among the distinctive features that place Pelham in a class of its own for recreational amenities and special events. The civic complex features two NHL-regulation ice skating rinks with a capacity of 500 skaters, a skating school, party rooms, and a multi-purpose banquet area. The Pelham City Park is ideally located off Highway 31, although several neighborhood parks dot the community with green space and sports facilities. Fun-Go-Holler Park, the newest addition to the park system, is located beside the Pelham Racquet Club. Stellar attractions near Pelham include the Verizon Wireless Music Center, Oak Mountain State Park, and the Heart of Dixie Railroad.
Vestavia Hills
Municipal Offices
205-978-0100
http://vhal.org
Chamber of Commerce
205-823-5011
http://vestaviahills.org
The lion’s share of Vestavia Hills is located in Jefferson County, although the city spills into Shelby County as well. Vestavia Hills proudly points to the Temple of Sibyl as the symbol of the city, a grand monument that appropriately marks a community that has been ranked among the “Fifty Fabulous Places to Raise Your Family.” Area youth attend outstanding schools that serve neighborhoods lined with beautiful homes and meticulously landscaped yards. The city is nestled at the edge of the Appalachian Mountains at the top of Shades Mountain, overlooking panoramic Shades Valley to the north and the rolling foothills to the south. Residents enjoy a relaxed pace of life at a distance from urban bustle, but they are also close to metropolitan advantages and amenities in Metro Birmingham.
Vincent, Wilsonville, Harpersville
Vincent Offices
205-672-2261
www.townofvincent.com
Wilsonville Offices
205-669-6180
www.wilsonvilleal.com
Harpersville Offices
205-672-9961
www.townofharpersville.com
Chamber of Commerce
205-669-9075
www.southshelbychamber.com
The small but growing towns of Vincent, Wilsonville, and Harpersville are nestled in southern Shelby County, a panoramic region filled with images of grazing horses, tranquil ponds, and charming historic sights. Nestled in the last foothills of the Appalachian Mountain Range, this area features picturesque cotton fields and fresh-water springs as well as beautiful sites for residential developments that enjoy a rural setting. U-pick farms, recreational farm attractions, and Morgan Creek Vineyards are among the homespun delights. Regional attractions include Talledega National Forest, the Talledega Speedway, and the Desoto Caverns. Sparkling lakes are available close to home for fishing, boating, and water sports. Expansive shopping centers are approximately 30 minutes from home at regional malls like The Summit, The Galleria, and Brookwood Mall. For the finest in country living within a reasonable commute from the bright lights of Alabama’s largest city, these tranquil towns offer the best of all worlds.
