Calera, AL, is a very small town in Shelby County with a population of approximately 4,000. It is located about 15 miles south of Birmingham along Interstate 65, near the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge. Calera was incorporated in 1918 and named for early settler Hosea M. Calder. Though many people believe that its name means “good fishing,” in native American dialect it is translated to mean “charred,” and was likely given due to the fact that the town was burned during the Civil War.

Calera has a very low crime rate, with not much to do beyond watching locals fish at the wildlife refuge or stroll along its walking trails. There are only two city parks currently in existence, but they are nice and well maintained. Though the downtown area is small, it offers some great antique stores to explore, with something for everyone of all ages.

Calera Public Schools primarily serve students from Calera and nearby Hoover. The system consists of four elementary schools (Bradford, Echola Elementary [K-5], Valleydale Elementary [K-5] and one magnet school, Brooks–DeBost [elementary/middle]), Calera Middle School (grades 6-8), and Hoover High School (grades 9-12).

Calera Schools students performed very well on the Alabama State Achievement test. The 2012 eighth grade students were ranked 33rd in mathematics in the state of Alabama. There are many excellent teachers that come together to help every student succeed.

The city does not offer much for higher education, with an extension center operated by UAB doubling as the public library.

Local Calera Attractions

Some of the best local Calera attractions include the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge, which is located just south of the city limits. The refuge consists of over 20 mi (32 km) of trails for hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding. Visitors can also fish at three lakes within the refuge. A little further out, visitors to Calera will want to check out Oak Mountain State Park, which is located about 10 mi (16 km) south of the city. Oak Mountain offers over 20 mi (32 km) of trails for hiking and biking as well as a nature center. On September 26, 2012, A new park was created with funds raised by Calera Rotary Club called Rotary Park. This park consists of a dog park, playground, and .5 mi (0.8 km) walking trails.

Today, Calera enjoys a population boom thanks to its growing commercial sector, which brings jobs to the area. Though many people who live in Calera work outside the city, there are some great employment opportunities for those willing to commute.

Calera is a hidden gem tucked away in a valley between Birmingham and Montgomery. For those looking for a quiet community that won’t cost an arm or leg to live in, this is definitely the place to be.