A rural community in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains
Oxford, an east Alabama town of just over 22,000 residents, is visible from the highest natural point in Alabama. Mount Cheaha looms over the southern reaches of the Appalachian Mountain Range, overlooking the Talladega National Forest and small towns like Oxford. "My family used to picnic in Cheaha State Park every summer," says local Realtor Tayler Drummond of Keller Williams Realty. Drummond, her mother and her grandparents grew up in Oxford. "We would have picnics and hike to the Bald Rock Overlook on Cheaha Mountain. You could look out and see the city."
Beyond the surrounding nature, Oxford offers a historic downtown that the city is actively redeveloping. "It's really grown. We've added lots of shopping and restaurants over the years, but everyone still knows everyone," Drummond says. "It's pretty standard to walk in a store or restaurant and see two or three familiar faces."
Major industries in Calhoun County include manufacturing, and top employers are Honda Manufacturing and the Anniston Army Depot, where ground combat vehicles are produced and repaired.
Feel welcomed when you visit the charming city of Oxford.
Take the Pulpit Rock Trail to the top of Cheaha State Park and see why the people in Oxford love to hike.
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Historic homes along Main Street
The median home price in Oxford is around $220,000, significantly less than the national median. Most properties are single-family homes. The city's oldest houses are clustered downtown, predominantly bungalows dating from the 1930s to the '50s. Ranch-style homes built in the '60s to the '80s are also found across the city. Newer subdivisions are typically concentrated near U.S. Route 78. Many properties across the city sit on at least 5 acres.
Find a charming older home in downtown Oxford.
Ranch style homes are a common theme in Oxford.
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Hiking Cheaha Mountain
Cheaha State Park, about 20 miles south of Oxford, is the oldest park in Alabama and home to the state's tallest mountain, Cheaha Mountain. The park is popular for mountain biking, swimming in Cheaha Lake and rock climbing. According to the Trust for Public Land, 7 percent of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. The city operates two community centers and four public parks, including the 300-plus-acre Choccolocco Park – the city's largest park with sports facilities and a lake. The Cider Ridge Golf Club is a public course that also hosts competitive golf tournaments.
Climbing to the top of Cheaha State Park and viewing their city is a favorite past time for many people that live in Oxford.
Take your kid fishing at Choccolocco Park in Oxford.
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Shows at the Oxford PAC and attending Oxfordfest in October
The Oxford Performing Arts Center (OPAC), located on Historic Main Street Oxford, is a hub of community programs and local performances, with over 100 events each year. "A lot of local kids are involved in the theater," Drummond says. "My mom and I have been to several concerts there, and people come from all over Alabama for a show."
Main Street also has several vintage shops, restaurants and bars. As the city continues with the area's redevelopment, there are plans to add an Alabama Children's Museum and demolish unsafe buildings on East Choccolocco Street. Events include the Second Friday on Main and October's arts and crafts festival, Oxfordfest. "It's [Oxfordfest] is getting bigger and bigger every year," Drummond says. "It has tons of vendors, food, music and games for the kids."
More stores and restaurants are along Highway 78 and off Interstate 20, like Oxford Exchange and Oxford Commons, with a Publix and an Ulta.
Find some delicious new oil at The Main Olive in Oxford.
Shop at numerous name brand stores in Oxford.
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Oxford City Schools earn high remarks on Niche
Niche ranks Oxford City Schools as the best overall district in Calhoun County, giving it an A-minus. The Donoho School, located about 6 miles north in Anniston, offers private school options for kindergarten through 12th-grade students and scores an A. The Ayers Campus of Gadsen State Community College offers various associate degrees and certificate programs.
Oxford City Schools encourage a positive classroom environment for kids to learn in.
Gadsden State Community College is a popular place for adults in Oxford to further their education.
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Hopping on I-20 to reach Birmingham
Interstate 20 cuts through the heart of Oxford and runs west to Birmingham, about 60 miles away. U.S. Route 78 and State Route 21 intersect at the city's heart. The Area Wide Community Transportation System (ACTS) offers fixed-route buses that shuttle across Calhoun County. Regional Medical Center is about 4 miles north in Anniston, and Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is about 60 miles west. Atlanta is a 90-mile, straight-shot drive on eastbound I-90.
Hot summer days in Alabama
Oxford's summers are hot, and winters are mild, with temperatures rarely below freezing. According to First Street, the city is at a major risk from heat, and several days throughout the year experience temperatures above 100 degrees.
Decreasing crime in Oxford
According to Crime.Alabama.Gov, an effort between the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the University of Alabama, Oxford had 618 total crimes in 2023, down from 2022.
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