Opelika, Alabama
City
Downtown Opelika
Downtown Opelika
Motto: 
"Rich in Heritage With a Vision for the Future"
Location of Opelika in Lee County, Alabama
Location of Opelika in Lee County, Alabama
Coordinates: 32°38′43″N 85°22′42″W / 32.64528°N 85.37833°W / 32.64528; -85.37833[1]
CountryUnited States
StateAlabama
CountyLee
Government
 • MayorGary Fuller (R)
Area
[2]
 • City62.16 sq mi (161.00 km2)
 • Land61.15 sq mi (158.39 km2)
 • Water1.01 sq mi (2.62 km2)
Elevation
[1]
807 ft (246 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • City30,995
 • Density506.84/sq mi (195.69/km2)
 • Metro
150,933
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
36801-36804
Area code334
FIPS code01-57048
GNIS feature ID0152814[1]
Websitewww.opelika-al.gov

Opelika (pronounced /ˌoʊpəˈlaɪkə/ OH-pə-LY-kə) is a city in and the county seat of Lee County in the east-central part of the U.S. state of Alabama.[3] It is a principal city of the Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Area. As of the 2020 census, the population of Opelika is 30,995, an increase of 17.1 percent from the 2010 Census where the population was 26,477. The Auburn-Opelika, AL MSA with a population of 150,933, along with the Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area, comprises the Greater Columbus combined statistical area, a region home to 501,649 residents.

History

The Opelika area was first settled in 1832 after the Treaty of Cusseta[4] was signed by the U.S. government and the Creek Nation. This treaty placed the land, and all other Creek territories east of the Mississippi River, under the possession of the United States government. Though the territory now belonged to the U.S., Opelika kept its Creek name, which translates to "large swamp".[5]

Two decades after settlement, Opelika was chartered as a town on February 9, 1854,[6] thanks to its rapid growth. This growth was due to the Montgomery & West Point Railroad Company's rail lines, which traversed the town and served as major means of transportation for unprocessed cotton between the northern and southern territories.[6]

Opelika later received a new charter in 1870, and its rapid growth continued. The town nearly doubled in size between 1870 and 1900.

Opelika's downtown was packed with saloons catering to railroad workers and other men. Frequent gunfire in the street by intoxicated patrons resulted in railroads directing their passengers to duck beneath the windows when their trains passed through the town.[7]

In 1882, two factions claimed to rule the city government, one known as the "Bar room" headed by Mayor Dunbar, a saloon keeper, and another known as the "Citizens". In a riot in late November–December of that year, a dozen men were wounded. In the end, a few were killed. The Citizens had claimed control of the city via the elections, but Dunbar refused to give up. After continued violence, the state legislature revoked the city's charter and the governor sent in the militia to restore order. The legislature appointed five commissioners to manage the city,[7] a situation that continued until 1899. That year, the legislature restored the city's charter.

Geography

Climate

Climate data for Opelika, Alabama, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1957–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 80
(27)		 84
(29)		 89
(32)		 91
(33)		 97
(36)		 101
(38)		 103
(39)		 103
(39)		 99
(37)		 98
(37)		 88
(31)		 81
(27)		 103
(39)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 71.3
(21.8)		 74.3
(23.5)		 81.0
(27.2)		 84.5
(29.2)		 89.9
(32.2)		 93.8
(34.3)		 95.5
(35.3)		 95.6
(35.3)		 92.2
(33.4)		 86.2
(30.1)		 78.4
(25.8)		 73.1
(22.8)		 96.8
(36.0)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 55.6
(13.1)		 59.5
(15.3)		 67.0
(19.4)		 74.1
(23.4)		 81.1
(27.3)		 86.8
(30.4)		 89.5
(31.9)		 88.5
(31.4)		 84.2
(29.0)		 75.1
(23.9)		 65.8
(18.8)		 57.8
(14.3)		 73.7
(23.2)
Daily mean °F (°C) 44.3
(6.8)		 47.8
(8.8)		 54.6
(12.6)		 61.3
(16.3)		 69.4
(20.8)		 76.1
(24.5)		 79.3
(26.3)		 78.6
(25.9)		 73.5
(23.1)		 62.9
(17.2)		 53.0
(11.7)		 46.6
(8.1)		 62.3
(16.8)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 33.0
(0.6)		 36.1
(2.3)		 42.1
(5.6)		 48.5
(9.2)		 57.7
(14.3)		 65.4
(18.6)		 69.1
(20.6)		 68.6
(20.3)		 62.9
(17.2)		 50.6
(10.3)		 40.2
(4.6)		 35.4
(1.9)		 50.8
(10.5)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 16.4
(−8.7)		 20.4
(−6.4)		 25.0
(−3.9)		 32.6
(0.3)		 42.3
(5.7)		 55.9
(13.3)		 62.5
(16.9)		 60.4
(15.8)		 50.0
(10.0)		 34.7
(1.5)		 25.6
(−3.6)		 20.7
(−6.3)		 14.3
(−9.8)
Record low °F (°C) −7
(−22)		 5
(−15)		 11
(−12)		 25
(−4)		 33
(1)		 37
(3)		 48
(9)		 52
(11)		 36
(2)		 26
(−3)		 16
(−9)		 1
(−17)		 −7
(−22)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 5.05
(128)		 5.33
(135)		 5.50
(140)		 4.79
(122)		 4.01
(102)		 4.50
(114)		 4.77
(121)		 4.36
(111)		 3.34
(85)		 3.61
(92)		 4.27
(108)		 5.67
(144)		 55.20
(1,402)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 9.7 9.0 8.4 7.8 7.1 9.5 10.3 8.9 6.5 6.0 6.8 9.7 99.7
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1
Source 1: NOAA[8]
Source 2: National Weather Service[9]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18803,245—
18903,70314.1%
19004,24514.6%
19104,73411.5%
19204,9604.8%
19306,15624.1%
19408,48737.9%
195012,29544.9%
196015,67827.5%
197019,02721.4%
198021,89615.1%
199022,1221.0%
200023,4986.2%
201026,47712.7%
202030,99517.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
2018 Estimate[11]

2020 census

Opelika racial composition[12]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 14,836 47.87%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 11,947 38.54%
Native American 39 0.13%
Asian 692 2.23%
Pacific Islander 14 0.05%
Other/Mixed 1,060 3.42%
Hispanic or Latino 2,407 7.77%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 30,995 people, 11,866 households, and 7,199 families residing in the city.

2010 census

According to 2009 Census estimates, the median income for a household in the city was $35,243, and the median income for a family was $47,864.[13]

The per capita income for the city is $18,023. Residents with income under poverty levels are 23.1% of the population, while 31.1% of children in the area are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 14.9% are 65 or older.[14]

Economy

Northeast Opelika Industrial Park

Opelika's economy has shifted from textile manufacturing, and since 2004, has experienced revitalization in many segments of the economy, including commercial, residential and industrial activity. In 2005, the city announced new industry investments and existing industry expansions totalling 1.5 billion and 4,004 additional jobs.[15]

In 2009, Opelika's largest employer was the East Alabama Medical Center, which employed more than 2,700 employees that year.[16]

Companies located in Opelika, or planning to locate here include:

Arts and culture

In 2021, the city opened the Opelika Public Library. It is the only public library in the city.

Parks and recreation

Opelika Sportsplex and Aquatics Center splashpark

Spring Villa Park, a 350-acre (140 ha) park in Opelika, features picnic and play areas, nature trails, and camping.[20] Spring Villa, an antebellum house located in the park, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[20]

In 2019, the city opened the Opelika Pickleball Facility, featuring 24 regulation courts.

In 2009, the City of Opelika built the Opelika SportsPlex and Aquatics Center, a $32 million facility.

The RTJ Golf Trail at Grand National, part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, is located in Opelika, and has hosted national championships.[21]

Government

Memorial at Opelika City Hall

Opelika is governed by a mayor-council government, with a mayor and a five-member city council. The chief executive official of the city of Opelika is the mayor. The mayor is elected at-large for a four-year term. The mayor has complete executive power in the city, and can appoint and dismiss department heads at will.

The mayor of Opelika is Gary Fuller.[22] Council members include:[23]

  • Eddie Smith - Ward 4 (president)
  • Erica Baker-Norris - Ward 2 (president pro-tem)
  • George Allen - Ward 1
  • Tim Aja - Ward 3
  • Todd Rauch - Ward 5

In 2007, the city council designated Opelika as a City of Character, to recognize, emphasize and enforce 49 character traits throughout the community, and to mandate character training.[24][25][26]

Education

Opelika campus of Southern Union State Community College

Opelika City Schools is the public school system of Opelika. The Opelika City School System consists of eight schools. There are three primary schools serving grades Kindergarten – 2, three intermediate schools serving grades 3–5, one middle school (grades 6–8), and one high school, Opelika High School (grades 9–12).[27]

A campus of Southern Union State Community College—a public, two-year college—is located Opelika.[28]

Media

Opelika is included in the Columbus, Georgia market according to Nielsen.[29] The Opelika-Auburn News is a city newspaper.

The movie Norma Rae (1979) was filmed in Opelika.[30]

Infrastructure

Transportation

The last passenger train service was the Illinois Central Railroad's City of Miami (Chicago - Miami), having its final run in 1971. The Illinois Central's Seminole (Chicago - Jacksonville) served Opelika until 1969. Amtrak service is proposed under the American Jobs Plan.[31]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Opelika, Alabama
  2. ↑ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Treaty of Cusseta (1832)". Encyclopedia of Alabama. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Opelika | Alabama, United States | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  6. 1 2 "Opelika". Encyclopedia of Alabama. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  7. 1 2 "The Battle Of The Bar-rooms; Murderous Factions Fights In Alabama—Death Of Maloney In Opelika", New York Times, 15 December 1882, accessed 4 April 2016.
  8. ↑ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Opelika, AL". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  9. ↑ "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Birmingham". National Weather Service. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  10. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  11. ↑ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  13. ↑ "U.S. Census Bureau Quick Facts". United States Census Bureau. December 23, 2011. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
  14. ↑ "Opelika, Alabama (AL) poverty rate data - information about poor and low-income residents living in this city".
  15. ↑ "Hello World!". www.opelikaeconomicdevelopment.org.
  16. ↑ "eamc.org annual report 2009, page 14" (PDF).
  17. ↑ "Economic Development | Opelika, AL". Archived from the original on April 3, 2015. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  18. ↑ "About Us".
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Economic Development | Opelika, AL". www.opelika-al.gov.
  20. 1 2 "Spring Villa Park". City of Opelika. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Barbasol Championship debuts on PGA TOUR in 2015".
  22. ↑ "Mayor's Office". City of Opelika. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  23. ↑ "City Council". City of Opelika. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Envision Opelika » City of Character".
  25. ↑ "Character Cities, Counties, and States – International Association of Character Cities". Archived from the original on January 18, 2008.
  26. ↑ "About Us – Character First!". Archived from the original on December 31, 2007. Retrieved January 6, 2008.
  27. ↑ "Home - Opelika City Schools". www.opelikaschools.org.
  28. ↑ "Campus Locations". Southern Union State Community College. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  29. ↑ https://ustvdb.com/markets/columbus-opelika/
  30. ↑ "Governor George Wallace with Sally Field, during the filming of NORMA RAE in Opelika, Alabama". Alabama Department of Archives and History. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  31. ↑ Producer, Evan Sobol, Digital Content. "Amtrak announces 'Connects US' plan to grow rail services over next 15 years". FOX Carolina. Archived from the original on April 14, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)"Invest in America. Invest in Amtrak". Amtrak Connects US. Retrieved April 1, 2021.

References

  • Alabama State Department of Education. Accountability Reporting. Retrieved June 13, 2004.
  • Alabama State Department of Education. Reports. Retrieved October 5, 2006.
  • Auburn, Alabama, City of. (2000) The City of Auburn, Alabama Comprehensive Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2000. Finance Department.
  • Auburn, Alabama, City of. (2000) The City of Auburn Proposed Biennial Budget for FY 05 & FY 06 Budget Message. Office of the City Manager.
  • Center for Demographic Research, Auburn University – Montgomery. U.S. Census Reports for Opelika City for the years 1950, 1960, 1970, and 1980.
  • Conway Data. (May 2004). Top Groups of 2003. Retrieved on October 14, 2006, from Press Release: Site Selection’s 2003 Top Deals and Top Groups. Also available in Site Selection magazine (May 2004).
  • Department of Industrial Relations, State of Alabama. (1978–2005). Total Nonagricultural Employment for Lee County. Montgomery, Alabama: Author.
  • Duran, Rachel (2003). "Automotive Industry in the Driver's Seat", Global Corporate Xpansion, July 1, 2003. Birmingham Ala., Latitude 3 Media Group.
  • EDAA Newsletter (Fall 2006). EDAA/SEDC Community Awards Presented at Conference. Economic Development Council of Alabama. Retrieved on October 14, 2006, from Economic Development Association of Alabama.
  • Golf Digest, August 2005 Vol.56, No. 8
  • Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, Inc. (1999). Strategic Plan for the City of Opelika.
  • Nunn, Alexander (Ed.) (1983). Lee County and Her Forebears. Montgomery, Ala., Herff Jones. LCCCN 83-081693
  • Opelika, Alabama, City of. (2005). Comprehensive Plan for the City of Opelika. Opelika, Alabama. Opelika Planning Department.
  • Opelika, Alabama, City of. (2005). Financial Statements for the Fiscal Year ended September 30, 2005 Archived July 13, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 9, 2006.
  • Opelika, Alabama, City of. (2005). Our City Council Members Archived 2005-08-31 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 9, 2005.
  • Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama. (Summer 2005). Alabama Reading Test Results Show Overall Improvements from 2004 to 2005, but School System Results Vary. The PARCA Quarterly, 3–7.
  • Randle, Mike. (Spring 2006). Top Deals & Hot Markets 2006: Alabama and North Carolina: Performing Economic Miracles. Southern Business and Development Magazine. Retrieved on October 14, 2006, from Southern Business and Development.
  • Site Selection online. (May 2006). Top Groups 2005. Retrieved on October 14, 2006, from TOP GROUPS 2005-- Site Selection magazine, May 2006. Also available in Site Selection magazine (May 2006).
  • Jake Hess, New York Times Obituaries, Jan 11, 2004.
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