City · Alabama
Calera, Alabama
Calera, city, mostly in Shelby County (99.5% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Chilton County, Alabama. Calera had 18,992 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 15.2% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 16,494 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 17,714 (±82). GEOID 0111416.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
18,992
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 16,494 · ACS 2020-2024: 17,714 ±82
Median household income
$87,194
±$9,201 (90% margin)
Alabama: $63,999
Median home value
$235,300
±$8,738 (90% margin)
Alabama: $209,900
Median gross rent
$1,601
±$137 (90% margin)
Alabama: $1,007
Where is Calera and what county is it in?
Calera is a city mostly in Shelby County (99.5% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Chilton County, Alabama. It covers 24.3 square miles of land, 679 residents per square mile in 2020.
Calera is in the Birmingham, AL metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 7 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Shelby County | 16,408 | 99.5% |
| Chilton County | 86 | 0.5% |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Calera, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 18,992 people lived in Calera on July 1, 2025, up 15.2% since 2020, faster than Alabama (+3.3%). The 2020 Census counted 16,494 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 17,714 (±82).
| Measure | Calera | Shelby County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 17,714 ±82 | 230,211 | +3,858 |
| Households | 6,686 ±302 | 86,866 | +1,586 |
| Average household size | 2.64 ±0.12 | 2.61 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,907 ±303 | 91,995 | +1,426 |
Calera's population since 2000
From 3,158 in 2000 to 18,992 in 2025: up 501.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Calera as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Calera?
The median resident of Calera is 33.9 years old; 25.3% are under 18 and 8.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 57.8%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 30.7%. 4.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Calera | Shelby County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 33.9 ±1.7 | 40.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 25.3% ±2.1 pts | 22.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 8.3% ±1.5 pts | 16.8% | – |
| Male | 49.6% ±2.3 pts | 48.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.2% ±3.2 pts | 7.6% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 57.8% ±4.4 pts | 73.2% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 30.7% ±4.0 pts | 13.4% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.8 pts | 2.2% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.5% ±0.7 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.7% ±2.0 pts | 5.5% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 8.5% ±3.0 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.3% ±1.7 pts | 6.3% | – |
| With a disability | 12.1% ±2.2 pts | 12.2% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.6% ±2.0 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.4% ±2.4 pts | 94.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 37.1% ±4.8 pts | 46.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.8% ±2.1 pts | 16.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 92.3% ±2.2 pts | 89.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.1% ±0.8 pts | 1.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Calera earn?
Half of Calera's 6,686 households earn less than $87,194 a year (±$9,201), against $97,961 in Shelby County and $63,999 in Alabama. In 2015-2019 the median was $75,803 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $11,391 after inflation. 7.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Calera | Shelby County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $87,194 ±$9,201 | $97,961 | +$11,391 |
| Mean household income | $100,196 ±$5,560 | $128,135 | – |
| Per capita income | $39,054 ±$2,031 | $49,440 | +$6,591 |
| People below the poverty line | 7.3% ±2.4 pts | 7.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 5.9% ±3.4 pts | 8.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.2% ±2.7 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.0% ±1.2 pts | 97.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 96.1% ±2.0 pts | 94.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Calera?
Owners occupy 79.3% of Calera's occupied homes and renters 20.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $235,300 by its owner (±$8,738). The median renter pays $1,601 a month including utilities, and 39.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Calera | Shelby County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $235,300 ±$8,738 | $326,100 | +$53,157 |
| Median gross rent | $1,601 ±$137 | $1,401 | +$287 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.7% ±11.6 pts | 38.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,391 ±$77 | $1,734 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 79.3% ±4.3 pts | 81.4% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 20.7% ±4.3 pts | 18.6% | – |
| Housing units | 6,907 ±303 | 91,995 | +1,426 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1% ±1.6 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.8% ±4.5 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 86.5% ±3.9 pts | 77.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.1% ±2.3 pts | 7.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.5% ±1.5 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 30.5% ±5.4 pts | 14.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.2% ±1.5 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 1.7% ±1.1 pts | 2.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Calera building?
Builders took permits for 244 new housing units in Calera in 2025 (244 in single-family houses), 12.8 per 1,000 residents against 3.7 across Alabama.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Calera work and get to work?
74.4% of Calera's workers drive alone and 16.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 33.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.7%.
| Measure | Calera | Shelby County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 74.4% ±3.0 pts | 66.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.7% ±1.5 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 74.4% ±5.2 pts | 74.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.0% ±2.9 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Walked | 0.3% ±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 16.2% ±4.0 pts | 16.9% | +12.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 33.0 min ±2.3 | 29.5 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Calera?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Calera, and 5 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $72,833 (Tract 305.04) to $76,813 (Tract 305.03).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 306.13Shelby County | 7,139 | $89,013 |
| Tract 305.04Shelby County | 3,687 | $72,833 |
| Tract 305.03Shelby County | 4,238 | $76,813 |
| Tract 305.02Shelby County | 3,605 | $113,750 |
| Tract 306.14Shelby County | 4,079 | $96,672 |
| Tract 604.03Chilton County | 4,831 | $67,662 |
| Tract 306.12Shelby County | 3,076 | $115,000 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Calera) · Census block assignment files
How does Calera compare with other places in Alabama?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Calera is the 2,022nd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 34th-most populous of 463 in Alabama.
Calera ranks 46th of 305 places in Alabama with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 34th | 463 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 24th | 257 |
| Residents per square mile | 76th | 311 |
| Median household income | 46th | 305 |
| Per capita income | 66th | 311 |
| Median home value | 67th | 304 |
| Median gross rent | 11th | 274 |
| Poverty rate | 231st | 258 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 42nd | 295 |
| Median age | 266th | 309 |
| Owner-occupied share | 94th | 310 |
| Work from home | 24th | 138 |
| Travel time to work | 38th | 310 |
Calera's figures with every place in Alabama (CSV)
Every place in Alabama, sortable · Compare Calera with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Calera?
10 of the 57 figures for Calera on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Calera are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Calera.