Explore Calera, Alabama, with this interactive street and satellite map.
| City | Calera |
| State | Alabama (AL) |
| County | Shelby County |
| Country | United States of America |
| Timezone | Central Time (America/Chicago) |
| Latitude | 33.122319 |
| Longitude | -86.745644 |
| Population | 16,494 |
| Density | 263.1 /km² |
| Incorporated | Yes |
| ZIP Code | 35040 |
| Area Code | 205, 256 |
| County Seat | Columbiana |
| School District | Shelby County School District |
Calera occupies a landscape defined by the persistent, quiet flow of the Buxahatchee Creek as it winds through the verdant, inland terrain. It lies 10.4 miles south-southeast of Alabaster, AL (from Alabaster, AL: bearing 160°T), and is situated 6.4 miles east of Montevallo. The earth here carries a deep, iron-rich hue, grounding the sprawling woodland that stretches toward the distant, hazy silhouette of Columbiana Mountain. Four miles away, the waters of Mitchell Lake offer a reflective contrast to the dense, leafy canopy of the local thickets. The light at dusk settles heavily over the Cahaba Valley, softening the sharp edges of the trees and casting long, indigo shadows across the fields. Residents often find respite within the quiet, shaded paths of Akridge Arboretum Park, where the air remains cool under the heavy boughs of native timber.
Calera emerged from the necessity of industry, building its foundations upon the steady labor of those who worked the rail lines and lime kilns. The local economy maintains this legacy of productivity, evolving from its early industrial roots into a diverse center for manufacturing and logistics. Small businesses and modern commerce now operate alongside the remnants of a time when the rhythmic clatter of trains signaled the pulse of daily life. The red-clay soil once supported a modest agricultural output, leaving behind a quiet resilience in the way the land is utilized today. Prosperity in Calera remains tied to this historical capacity for transformation, as the community adapts its industrial heritage to meet contemporary demands.
Calera preserves a distinct cultural character that favors neighborly familiarity over the frantic pace of larger urban centers. The community gathers for local events that mark the shifting seasons, turning the town square into a focal point for shared celebration and conversation. While the area is modest in its architectural footprint, the landmarks carry the weight of generations who recognized the value of a steady, unpretentious existence. Famous individuals like the notable musician Sun Ra have roots that trace back to this region, adding a layer of creative mystique to the local history. Life proceeds with a deliberate cadence, allowing the inhabitants to observe the slow, seasonal changes in the vegetation and the subtle shifts in the regional atmosphere.
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This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Calera, Alabama. Coordinates: 33.122319, -86.745644. Live weather conditions are sourced directly from the National Weather Service. Real-time local and world news feeds keep the page current.
Detailed location data for Calera includes the ZIP code (35040), telephone area code (205, 256), county seat of Shelby County (Columbiana), and school district assignment (Shelby County School District).
Location data is drawn from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and cross-verified against 2020 US Census records by coordinate proximity. Population figures are sourced from the 2020 US Census.
| Page generated | August 2026 |
| Location data | SimpleMaps US Cities Database; coordinates matched to USGS GNIS definitive data |
| Wikipedia validation | Article content matched to USGS GNIS coordinates via Wikipedia geosearch API. |