kids encyclopedia robot

Hoover, Alabama facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Hoover, Alabama
Riverchase Galleria
Riverchase Galleria
Location of Hoover in Jefferson County and Shelby County, Alabama
Location of Hoover in Jefferson County and Shelby County, Alabama
Country United States
State Alabama
Counties Jefferson, Shelby
Settled 1853
Founded 1954
Incorporated April 28, 1967
Incorporated May 18, 1967
Named for William H. Hoover
Area
 • City 50.326 sq mi (130.344 km2)
 • Land 49.354 sq mi (127.827 km2)
 • Water 0.972 sq mi (2.518 km2)
Elevation
495 ft (151 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • City 92,606
 • Estimate 
(2022)
92,435
 • Rank US: 367th
AL: 6th
 • Density 1,874/sq mi (723.5/km2)
 • Urban
774,956 (US: 58th)
 • Urban density 1,522/sq mi (587.5/km2)
 • Metro
1,181,196 (US: 47th)
 • Metro density 248.8/sq mi (96.07/km2)
 • Combined
1,362,731 (US: 43rd)
 • Combined density 200.3/sq mi (77.35/km2)
Time zone UTC–6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC–5 (CDT)
ZIP Codes
35022, 35080, 35124, 35142, 35216, 35222, 35226, 35236, 35242, 35244
Area code(s) 205 and 659
FIPS code 01-35896
GNIS feature ID 2404725

Hoover is a city in the Jefferson and Shelby counties in north central Alabama, United States. Hoover is the largest suburban city in Alabama and the 6th largest city in Alabama. The population was 92,606 at the 2020 census. Hoover is part of the Birmingham, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area and is also included in the Birmingham-Cullman-Talladega, AL Combined Statistical Area. Hoover's territory is along the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

The Birmingham Barons Minor League Baseball team, which traces its history to 1885, played its home games at the 10,800-seat Hoover Metropolitan Stadium from 1988 through 2013, when it moved to Regions Field in the Parkside District of Birmingham.

History

Hoover AL Public Library hallway
Hoover Public Library, 2007

This suburban area near the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains had been known as the Green Valley community since the 1930s; it was mostly a bedroom or residential community into the late 1970s and early 1980s. The City of Hoover was incorporated in 1967, named for William H. Hoover (1890–1979), a local insurance company owner.

On September 8, 1980, the city annexed the Riverchase business and residential community, gaining large office buildings, employers, and workers to increase the city's tax base. When Interstate I-459 was opened, a major interchange with Interstate I-65 was constructed within the borders of Hoover, improving access.

In 1986 the Riverchase Galleria multi-use complex opened; it has significantly increased the tax revenue for the city. It has also attracted new residents and businesses to the area. The city has grown extremely fast, aided by its annexations of territory as well as new developments. The city has expanded its facilities, and now operates a Municipal Center, Library, and Public Safety Center. The city expects to continue to increase in population, which has risen significantly since 2008. It numbered 92,606 as of the 2020 census.

Geography

Hoover is located at 33°23′11″N 86°48′18″W / 33.386435°N 86.804938°W / 33.386435; -86.804938.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 50.326 square miles (130.34 km2), of which 49.354 square miles (127.83 km2) is land and 0.972 square miles (2.52 km2), is water.

Many major highways pass through the city limits, including I-65, I-459, and U.S. Route 31. Via I-65 or US-31, downtown Birmingham is 11 mi (18 km) north, and Montgomery is 82 mi (132 km) south. Via I-459, Atlanta, GA is 152 mi (245 km) east, and Tuscaloosa is 53 mi (85 km) west.

Economy

The Riverchase Galleria shopping-hotel-office complex generates tax revenues for the city; it is also the location of numerous retail, hotel, and office workers. The Riverchase Office Park, and other office parks and buildings throughout Hoover, house many large corporations. Major shopping centers in the city include Riverchase Galleria on US 31, Patton Creek on SR 150, and Village at Lee Branch on US 280. The Central Business District is intersected by US 31, SR 150, and US 280. I-65 and I-459 intersect in the city.

Top employers

According to the City's 2022 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the largest employers in the city are:

# Employer # of Employees
1 Regions Bank 2,644
2 Hoover City Schools 1,869
3 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama 1,711
4 AT&T of Alabama 1,170
5 Walmart and Sam's Club 950
6 Publix 868
7 McLeod Software 700
8 City of Hoover 667
9 SS&C Health 438
10 Doster Construction 184

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1970 688
1980 18,996 2,661.0%
1990 39,788 109.5%
2000 62,742 57.7%
2010 81,619 30.1%
2020 92,606 13.5%
2022 (est.) 92,435 13.3%
U.S. Decennial Census
2020 Census

2020 census

Hoover, Alabama – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000 Pop 2010 Pop 2020 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 53,616 59,254 62,841 85.45% 72.60% 67.86%
Black or African American alone (NH) 4,230 12,008 15,513 6.74% 14.71% 16.75%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 76 143 114 0.12% 0.18% 0.12%
Asian alone (NH) 1,811 4,120 5,913 2.89% 5.05% 6.39%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 16 16 17 0.03% 0.02% 0.02%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 51 123 333 0.08% 0.15% 0.36%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) 562 1,040 3,171 0.90% 1.27% 3.42%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2,380 4,915 4,704 3.79% 6.02% 5.08%
Total 62,742 81,619 92,606 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 census, there were 92,606 people, 36,799 households, and 25,337 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,926.6 inhabitants per square mile (744/km2) There were 39,008 housing units.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 81,619 people in 32,478 households, including 22,476 families, in the city. The population density was 1,870.3 inhabitants per square mile (722.1/km2). There were 35,474 housing units at an average density of 812.9 per square mile (313.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 75.1% White, 14.8% Black, 0.2% Native American, 5.1% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 3.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. 6.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 32,478 households 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families. 25.8% of households were one person and 7.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.02.

The age distribution was 25.0% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males.

The median household income was $72,960 and the median family income was $94,066. Males had a median income of $65,023 versus $44,525 for females. The per capita income for the city was $39,141. About 3.4% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.6% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Int459sRoad-Exit10-AL150 (34804698540)
A sign designating the exit to Hoover on Interstate 459

Hoover is served by two interstate highways, 65 and 459, with a major interchange near the center of the city. Major arterial roads include U.S. Route 31 as a north–south route through the middle of the city, U.S. Route 280 in the eastern portion of the city, Route 150 as an east–west road connecting the city center to the western side, and Valleydale Road connecting Route 31 and Route 280. Hoover is also served by the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority.

Communities

  • Acton
  • Altadena
  • Bluff Park
  • Caldwell Mill
  • Chace Lake
  • Country Club Highlands
  • Deer Valley
  • Georgetown
  • Green Valley
  • Greystone
  • Inverness
  • Lake Crest
  • Lake Cyrus
  • Lake Wilborn
  • Patton Chapel
  • Pinewood
  • Riverchase
  • Rocky Ridge
  • Ross Bridge
  • Russet Woods
  • Shades Mountain
  • Shoal Creek
  • Southlake
  • The Preserve
  • Trace Crossings

Parks

  • Aldridge Gardens
  • Bluff Park Community Center and Playground
  • Blue Ridge Park
  • Georgetown Park
  • Howard Lake Park
  • Inverness Park
  • Loch Haven Park
  • Moss Rock Preserve
  • Ross Park
  • Russet Woods Park
  • Star Lake Park
  • Sertoma Park
  • Veterans Park
  • Wildflower Park
  • Chace Lake Park

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Hoover High School Facade
Hoover High School

Hoover is served by Hoover City Schools. It has ten elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools, Spain Park High School and Hoover High School. Both schools have ranked high for excellent academics, being rated close to the top five hundred schools in the country. During the 2022–2023 school year, some 2,841 students enrolled in Hoover High School, 1,503 in Spain Park High School, with a total of 13,557 students in the Hoover City School system. Spain Park received the National Blue Ribbon Award in 2008.

Berry Middle School, which served as the city's first high school before the present Hoover High was constructed, was closed after the 2005–2006 academic year. Students were moved to a new Berry Middle School constructed near the site of Spain Park High School. A poll of residents in 2007 favored selling the school, possibly to the independent Shades Mountain Christian School. Simmons Middle School and Bumpus Middle School are the city's other middle schools.

Given the population expansion, the city built Riverchase Elementary to relieve overcrowding of some schools. The student population bubble is advancing in the system, and in the 2011–2012 academic year, Bumpus Middle School and its students were relocated to the former freshman center of Hoover High School. The former Bumpus site became Brock's Gap Intermediate School in 2011. The former Berry site became the current Bumpus Middle School in 2011. Brock's Gap served 5th and 6th graders until 2018 when Hoover Rezoning went into effect. They now serve 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. Bumpus Middle School served only 7th and 8th graders until 2018 because of Hoover Rezoning. They now serve 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.

Colleges and universities

The Shelby-Hoover campus of the Jefferson State Community College is in Shelby County, is in Hoover, near Spain Park High School. Faulkner University has a campus on Valleydale Road; The University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB) in downtown Birmingham is only 8–10 miles away, and features the premier medical school of Alabama.

Miscellaneous education

The Birmingham Supplementary School Inc. (BSS, バーミングハム日本語補習校 Bāminguhamu Nihongo Hoshūkō), a part-time Japanese school, holds its classes at the Shelby-Hoover campus. Its office is at the Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC facility in unincorporated Talladega County, near Lincoln. The school opened on September 1, 2001.

Media

Hoover has one television station, WBMA, branded as ABC 33/40, with its studio within the Hoover city limits. The metro area has TV broadcasting stations that serve the Birmingham-Anniston-Tuscaloosa Designated Market Area (DMA), as defined by Nielsen Media Research. Charter Communications, Bright House Networks, and AT&T U-verse provide cable television service to specific communities in Hoover. DirecTV and Dish Network provide direct broadcast satellite television, including both local and national channels.

No radio stations operate from Hoover, although residents are served by numerous stations from the Birmingham market. (WERC-FM is licensed to Hoover but its studio is located in Birmingham.)

Two newspapers serve Hoover: the Over the Mountain Journal newspaper, published twice monthly and delivered for free to select neighborhoods in Hoover and nearby communities; and the Hoover Sun, published monthly and mailed for free to roughly 24,000 homes and businesses in Hoover.

Enjoy Hoover, a 6x/year magazine, is distributed freely at hundreds of locations throughout the city, editorially focused on dining, entertainment, shopping, and healthy living in Hoover.

Notable people

Points of interest

  • Aldridge Botanical Gardens
  • Hoover Metropolitan Stadium (formerly Regions Park), home of the SEC baseball tournament
  • Riverchase Galleria
  • Moss Rock Preserve
  • The Library Theatre

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Hoover (Alabama) para niños

kids search engine
Hoover, Alabama Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.