Dora, Alabama Facts for Kids

The first people to settle in the area that is now Dora arrived in the early 1830s. These early settlers included James M. Davis, Ezekiel Morgan, and Cole Smith. More families moved here later in the 1830s.

In 1886, the Kansas City, Memphis and Birmingham Railroad built a railway line through the settlement. They named their train station "Sharon". Soon after, coal companies like Magella Coal Company and Horse Creek Coal and Coke Company started operating. By 1890, the area was known as Horse Creek. It officially became a town in 1897.

By 1900, there were many coal mines nearby. The town also had a school, churches, businesses, and doctors. In 1906, the town's name was changed to Dora.

In 2023, Dora grew by adding a large piece of land that connected it to Interstate 22 at exit 78. This was a big step for Dora, as it was the first time the city had direct access to an interstate highway. New developments are now being built in this area.

According to the 2020 census, Dora had a population of 2,297 people. This was an increase from 2,024 people in 2010.

Geography and Location

Dora is located in Walker County, Alabama. The U.S. Census Bureau states that the city covers a total area of about 7.5 square miles (19.4 square kilometers), and all of this area is land.

Population and People

Dora's population has changed over the years. Here's a quick look at how many people have lived in Dora during different census years:

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1900	385	—
1910	916	137.9%
1920	1,117	21.9%
1930	1,143	2.3%
1940	1,032	−9.7%
1950	984	−4.7%
1960	1,776	80.5%
1970	1,862	4.8%
1980	2,327	25.0%
1990	2,214	−4.9%
2000	2,413	9.0%
2010	2,025	−16.1%
2020	2,297	13.4%
U.S. Decennial Census 2013 Estimate

Dora's Population in 2020

In the 2020 United States census, Dora had 2,297 people living in 901 households. There were 596 families in the city.

The racial makeup of Dora in 2020 was mostly White (79.1%) and Black or African American (14.19%). A smaller percentage of the population identified as Native American, Asian, or other races. About 0.7% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

City Government

The current Mayor of Dora is Hezekiah Walker.

The city council meetings are held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 6 PM. Everyone is welcome to attend these meetings.

Schools in Dora

Dora is home to Dora High School. Students from elementary and middle schools in Sumiton also attend Dora High School. The school's mascot is the bulldog. Dora High School is part of the Walker County Board of Education.

Dora High School (330 Glenn C Gant Cir, Dora, AL 35062)

Parks and Fun Activities

Dora has a city park located behind the city hall. This park offers many ways to stay active and have fun:

Tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts
A walking track
A playground with covered picnic areas (pavilions)
Batting cages
Three baseball fields of different sizes

The park also provides easy access to a public pond and the Horse Creek Walking Trail.

Dora City Park (1485 Sharon Blvd, Dora AL, 35062)

Dora also has its own golf course, the Horse Creek Golf Course. It's an 18-hole course that opened in September 2000. In June 2017, a new clubhouse was built. It has a large space for events, a pro shop for golf gear, and a snack bar.

Horse Creek Golf Course (1745 Hwy 78, Dora AL, 35062)

The Horse Creek Walking Trail is a paved and lighted trail that is 2.5 miles long. It starts at the Horse Creek Golf Course and ends at the City of Lights Dream Center. You can also reach the city park from this trail.

Police and Fire Departments

Police Department

The Dora Police Department provides 24-hour police protection for the city. There are seven full-time police officers, led by Chief Jared Hall, who has been the chief since 2015. The police department and city jail are located at city hall.

Dora Police Department (1485 Sharon Blvd, Dora AL, 35062)

Fire Department

Dora Fire and Rescue is a volunteer fire department. It is led by Chief Adrean Booth.

Dora Fire and Rescue (1485 Sharon Blvd, Dora AL, 35062)

Famous People from Dora

Several notable people have come from Dora:

Ivy Andrews, a former Major League Baseball pitcher
Terry Fell, a country music singer
Sybil Gibson, a talented painter
Howard Goodman (gospel singer), a gospel music singer
Chavis Williams, a former linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens football team

Dora, Alabama facts for kids

Contents

History of Dora