Alabaster: Difference between revisions
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|year=1953 | |year=1953 | ||
|population= 31,545 | |population= 31,545 | ||
|mayor= | |map=[[File:Alabaster locator map.png|255px]] | ||
|logo=[[ | |mayor=Scott Brakefield | ||
|logo=[[File:2021 Alabaster logo.png|175px]] | |||
|schools=Shelby County Schools | |schools=Shelby County Schools | ||
|fire=Alabaster Fire and Rescue Service | |fire=Alabaster Fire and Rescue Service | ||
|website=[http://www.cityofalabaster.com/ cityofalabaster.com] | |website=[http://www.cityofalabaster.com/ cityofalabaster.com] | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Alabaster''' is a city and southern suburb of [[Birmingham]] occupying 20.5 square miles in [[Shelby County]]. According to the [[2015]] U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city has a population of 31,545 | '''Alabaster''' is a city and southern suburb of [[Birmingham]] occupying 20.5 square miles in [[Shelby County]]. According to the [[2015]] U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city has a population of 31,545. | ||
The vicinity of Alabaster was developed near the mill village of [[Siluria]] along the [[Montgomery Highway]] in the 1930s, primarily on behalf of the [[Alabaster Lime Company]] owned by [[George Scott | The vicinity of Alabaster was developed near the mill village of [[Siluria]] along the [[Montgomery Highway]] in the 1930s, primarily on behalf of the [[Alabaster Lime Company]] owned by [[George Scott Sr]]. The community took its name from the white high-calcium limestone which was abundant there, especially on the outcropping later called [[Scott Rock]]. The [[Alabaster Water Works]] was incorporated on [[June 19]], [[1933]]. A concrete bridge connecting Alabaster and Siluria over the [[John Allen Branch]] was completed on [[December 12]], [[1935]]. | ||
In [[1951]] [[A. H. Albright]], [[Postmaster of Birmingham]], approved a new post office for Alabaster, housed in the store owned by [[Sara Reed]], who was appointed the town's post mistress. Scott's son, [[George Scott | In [[1951]] [[A. H. Albright]], [[Postmaster of Birmingham]], approved a new post office for Alabaster, housed in the store owned by [[Sara Reed]], who was appointed the town's post mistress. Scott's son, [[George Scott Jr]] opened the [[First Bank of Alabaster]] on [[January 21]], [[1952]] and led the efforts to incorporate the town. He was elected as the city's first Mayor upon successful incorporation on [[February 23]], [[1953]]. At the time the community was served by a small newspaper, the ''[[Alabaster Advertiser]]'' until it ceased publication in [[1958]]. | ||
On [[ | On [[September 21]], [[1959]] the [[Shelby Baptist Medical Center|Shelby Memorial Hospital]] was dedicated in Alabaster. The current [[Alabaster City Hall]] was completed in [[1960]] and housed the first [[Alabaster Public Library]]. | ||
Siluria was merged into Alabaster in [[1971]]. | Siluria was merged into Alabaster in [[1971]]. | ||
The city adopted new branding, and a slogan "Alabaster: City Unlimited", in [[2021]]. In [[2023]] Alabaster raised its sales tax rate to 9%, with the additional funds set to go toward improvements to streets, parks, recreation centers, libraries, and fire and rescue service. In [[2024]] the city engaged [[CMH Architects]] to design a new $40 million recreation center. | |||
==Demographics== | ==Demographics== | ||
The [[2020 U.S. Census]] counted 33,284 people, 11,568 households, and 8,667 families residing in the city. The population was 66% white, 16% Black or African-American, and 13% Hispanic or Latino of any race. | |||
'''year''' '''pop.''' '''%change''' | |||
1960 | 1,623 | --- | | |||
1970 | 2,642 | +62.8% | | |||
1980 | 7,079 | +167.9% | | |||
1990 | 14,732 | +108.1% | | |||
2000 | 22,619 | +53.5% | | |||
2010 | 30,352 | +34.2% | | |||
2020 | 33,284 | +9.7% | | |||
==Government== | |||
Alabaster's municipal government, operating from [[Alabaster City Hall]], consists of a [[Mayor of Alabaster|Mayor]] elected at-large every four years, and seven [[Alabaster City Council]] members, each representing a ward for the same term. The current Mayor, [[Scott Brakefield]], was elected in [[2020 Shelby County municipal elections#Alabaster|2020]]. | |||
Much of the day-to-day operation of city departments are managed by a City Administrator, a position currently held by [[Brian Binzer]]. | |||
==Schools== | ==Schools== | ||
| Line 33: | Line 45: | ||
==Notable locations== | ==Notable locations== | ||
* [[Alabaster Senior Activity Center]] | |||
* [[Buck Creek]] | * [[Buck Creek]] | ||
* [[Edmondson's Barber Shop]] | * [[Edmondson's Barber Shop]] | ||
| Line 38: | Line 51: | ||
==References == | ==References == | ||
* Seales, Bobby Joe (n. d.) "[ | * Seales, Bobby Joe (n. d.) "[https://algenweb.org/shelby/alabaster.html The Beginning of Alabaster]". ''History of Shelby County'' website - accessed August 17, 2021 | ||
* "[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alabaster,_Alabama Alabaster, Alabama]" (April 22, 2009) Wikipedia - accessed May 10, 2009 | * "[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alabaster,_Alabama Alabaster, Alabama]" (April 22, 2009) Wikipedia - accessed May 10, 2009 | ||
* "[https://www.alabasterconnection.net/2022/05/alabaster-city-unlimited-a-new-brand/ Alabaster City Unlimited: A New Brand]" (May 4, 2022) ''Alabaster Connection'' | |||
* Rebman, Stephanie (March 28, 2023) "Alabaster gearing up to implement one-cent sales tax increase." {{BBJ}} | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Latest revision as of 12:17, 16 March 2024
| City of Alabaster | |
| |
| Incorporated | 1953 |
|---|---|
| Population | 31,545 |
| Mayor | Scott Brakefield |
| School district | Shelby County Schools |
| Government |
Alabaster City Council |
| Web site | cityofalabaster.com |
| |
| Locate with Google Maps | |
Alabaster is a city and southern suburb of Birmingham occupying 20.5 square miles in Shelby County. According to the 2015 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city has a population of 31,545.
The vicinity of Alabaster was developed near the mill village of Siluria along the Montgomery Highway in the 1930s, primarily on behalf of the Alabaster Lime Company owned by George Scott Sr. The community took its name from the white high-calcium limestone which was abundant there, especially on the outcropping later called Scott Rock. The Alabaster Water Works was incorporated on June 19, 1933. A concrete bridge connecting Alabaster and Siluria over the John Allen Branch was completed on December 12, 1935.
In 1951 A. H. Albright, Postmaster of Birmingham, approved a new post office for Alabaster, housed in the store owned by Sara Reed, who was appointed the town's post mistress. Scott's son, George Scott Jr opened the First Bank of Alabaster on January 21, 1952 and led the efforts to incorporate the town. He was elected as the city's first Mayor upon successful incorporation on February 23, 1953. At the time the community was served by a small newspaper, the Alabaster Advertiser until it ceased publication in 1958.
On September 21, 1959 the Shelby Memorial Hospital was dedicated in Alabaster. The current Alabaster City Hall was completed in 1960 and housed the first Alabaster Public Library.
Siluria was merged into Alabaster in 1971.
The city adopted new branding, and a slogan "Alabaster: City Unlimited", in 2021. In 2023 Alabaster raised its sales tax rate to 9%, with the additional funds set to go toward improvements to streets, parks, recreation centers, libraries, and fire and rescue service. In 2024 the city engaged CMH Architects to design a new $40 million recreation center.
Demographics
The 2020 U.S. Census counted 33,284 people, 11,568 households, and 8,667 families residing in the city. The population was 66% white, 16% Black or African-American, and 13% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
year pop. %change 1960 | 1,623 | --- | 1970 | 2,642 | +62.8% | 1980 | 7,079 | +167.9% | 1990 | 14,732 | +108.1% | 2000 | 22,619 | +53.5% | 2010 | 30,352 | +34.2% | 2020 | 33,284 | +9.7% |
Government
Alabaster's municipal government, operating from Alabaster City Hall, consists of a Mayor elected at-large every four years, and seven Alabaster City Council members, each representing a ward for the same term. The current Mayor, Scott Brakefield, was elected in 2020.
Much of the day-to-day operation of city departments are managed by a City Administrator, a position currently held by Brian Binzer.
Schools
Until the 2013–2014 school year, Alabaster students attended Shelby County Schools. The Alabaster City Council voted on October 17, 2011 to form a separate school district, and appointed five citizens to the new Alabaster Board of Education on March 5, 2012. The district officially split on July 1, 2013.
Six Shelby County schools within the Alabaster city limits became the city's first (and current) schools: Creekview Elementary School, Meadowview Elementary School, Thompson Intermediate School, Thompson Sixth Grade Center, Thompson Middle School, and Thompson High School. The Linda Nolen Learning Center, serving Shelby County children with special needs, was moved from Thompson High to Pelham in 2012 in anticipation of the new Alabaster school district.
Notable locations
- Alabaster Senior Activity Center
- Buck Creek
- Edmondson's Barber Shop
- Veterans Skate Park, opened 2006
References
- Seales, Bobby Joe (n. d.) "The Beginning of Alabaster". History of Shelby County website - accessed August 17, 2021
- "Alabaster, Alabama" (April 22, 2009) Wikipedia - accessed May 10, 2009
- "Alabaster City Unlimited: A New Brand" (May 4, 2022) Alabaster Connection
- Rebman, Stephanie (March 28, 2023) "Alabaster gearing up to implement one-cent sales tax increase." Birmingham Business Journal
External links
|
Shelby County |
|---|---|
| Topics | |
| Cities |
Alabaster | Calera | Chelsea | Columbiana (seat) | Harpersville | Helena | Indian Springs Village | Montevallo | Pelham | Vincent | Westover | Wilsonville | Wilton |