Opelika, Alabama

Opelika (pronounced ) is a city in and the county seat of Lee County in the east-central part of the U.S. state of Alabama. 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 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".

Two decades after settlement, Opelika was chartered as a town on February 9, 1854, 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.

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.

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, a situation that continued until 1899. That year, the legislature restored the city's charter.

2020 census
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.

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.

Economy


Opelika's economy continues to grow at a healthy, diversified pace, and since 2004, has experienced revitalization in many segments of the economy, including commercial, residential and industrial activity. Over the last 20 years, since 2005, the city announced new industry investments and existing industry expansions totaling more than $2.6 billion and the creation of over 4,700 additional jobs.

Currently, Opelika's largest employer is East Alabama Health, which employes more than 3,700 employees.

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

Hanwha Advanced Materials
 * Golden State Foods.
 * Hanwha Cimarron.
 * Niagara Bottling.
 * Pharmavite.
 * Cumberland Plastic Solutions.
 * Dinan Engineering.
 * Car Tech.
 * Yongsan Automotive USA.
 * West Fraser
 * Miele
 * Walmart Distribution Center
 * JoAnn Stores Distribution Center
 * HL Mando
 * Daewon America
 * SM America
 * KOAM
 * Ecoplastic

In addition to industrial growth, the City of Opelika has seen a significant increase in the development of both single-family and multi-family housing as well as many new retail/commercial offerings already open or soon to open:
 * Botanic
 * Texas Roadhouse
 * Walk-On’s
 * QuikTrip
 * Golf Suites
 * Starbucks
 * Publix
 * Burlington
 * Del Taco
 * Element Hotels
 * Flying Biscuit

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

Parks and recreation


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

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.

Government


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. Council members include: • 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.

Education


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).

A campus of Southern Union State Community College&mdash;a public, two-year college&mdash;is located Opelika.

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

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

Transportation
• U.S. Route 29

• U.S. Route 280

• U.S. Route 431

• Alabama State Route 14

• Alabama State Route 51

• Interstate 85

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.