Shelby, Alabama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shelby, Alabama
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Location of Shelby in Shelby County, Alabama.
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 Shelby, Alabama
Location in Alabama
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| County | Shelby |
| Area | |
| • Total | 19.01 sq mi (49.24 km2) |
| • Land | 18.76 sq mi (48.59 km2) |
| • Water | 0.25 sq mi (0.66 km2) |
| Elevation | 495 ft (151 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 940 |
| • Density | 50.11/sq mi (19.35/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 205, 659 |
| GNIS feature ID | 126669 |
Shelby is a small community in Shelby County, Alabama, United States. It is called a census-designated place, which means it's an area the government identifies for statistics. However, it is not an officially incorporated city or town.
Shelby is located near Lay Lake and Waxahatchee Creek. The Shelby Iron Park is a special place right in the heart of the area. You can also find two historic buildings here: The Brick House and the Old Shelby Hotel. These buildings are listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage because they are important to the state's history.
History of Shelby
Shelby was once home to the important Shelby Iron Company. This company made iron products.
Shelby Iron Company and the Civil War
During the American Civil War, the ironworks in Shelby played a big role. They made iron plating that was used on powerful ships called ironclads. These ships included the CSS Tennessee, CSS Huntsville, and CSS Tuscaloosa.
The Shelby Iron Company had its own railroad, called the Shelby Iron Company Railroad. This railroad connected Shelby to Columbiana. This link allowed the ironworks to connect with the larger Alabama and Tennessee River Railroad. This made it easier to move iron and supplies.
On March 31, 1865, near the end of the Civil War, a group of soldiers attacked Shelby. These soldiers were part of General Emory Upton's division, which was part of Wilson's Raid. They destroyed the ironworks.
People of Shelby
The population of Shelby has changed over the years.
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 567 | — | |
| 1890 | 753 | 32.8% | |
| 2010 | 1,044 | — | |
| 2020 | 940 | −10.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The Shelby Iron Works was first counted in the 1880 U.S. Census. In 1890, it was listed simply as Shelby and was an official town. After that, it wasn't counted as a separate community again until 2010. In 2010, it was listed as a census-designated place.
See also
In Spanish: Shelby (Alabama) para niños
