Shelby County towns offer history, nature and small-town charm
South of Birmingham, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, lies Shelby County. It was created in 1818 and named for Isaac Shelby, a Revolutionary War hero who also served as Kentucky’s first governor. Its largest city is Alabaster, the county seat is Columbiana, and other significant towns include Pelham, Helena, Calera, Indian Springs Village and Chelsea. “Chelsea is a great community that’s convenient to a lot of business, shopping and restaurants, and it hasn’t lost its bedroom community feel,” says Chad Beasley, a Realtor with Chad & Jen Beasley eXp Realty. “That’s what’s great about it. It’s also a really pretty place to live.”
Chelsea Park offers new builds and older ranch-style homes
Chelsea Park, the largest neighborhood in the city, is a planned community with homes ranging from the mid-$200,000 up to $700,000. “There’s a good bit of new construction in Chelsea,” Beasley says. Other housing options in the area roughly average at $300,000. Homes range from two-bedroom to mansion-size, with three- to four-bedroom houses being the most popular style. There are a few townhouses, as well. Other than New Traditional Craftsman homes and other new construction builds, there are also older ranch-style and cottage-style homes.
Education within Shelby County Schools
Shelby County Schools are graded A-minus on Niche, ranking high in academics, college prep and clubs and activities. School zones in the county are location-based. For example, in Chelsea, students can attend Chelsea Park or Forest Oaks Elementary, and go on to attend Chelsea Middle and Chelsea High. Private school is also an option, including the Coosa Valley Academy, ranked B-minus on Niche. Post-secondary opportunities can be pursued at the University of Montevallo or the Jefferson State Community College Shelby-Hoover campus.
Green spaces include Alabama’s largest state park
Outdoor recreation is a highlight of the county. “Shelby has developed a lot of different parks and trails over the past few years,” Beasley says. “It’s a good place for people who want to get outdoors and be active.” No matter where residents are in the county, they are likely to find a local park. At Melrose Park in Chelsea, kids can run around the cushioned playground, climb a variety of equipment and race down several slides. For a small fee, they can also cool off at the splash pad on hot days. If you’re looking for the chance to do a variety of outdoor activities, head over to Oak Mountains State Park in Pelham. It’s Alabama’s largest state park at 11,632 acres, and with over 50 miles of trails, mountain biking and hiking are two popular activities choose for their visit. You can plan a day-trip or an overnight trip. Other activities include swimming, fishing, golfing and horseback riding.
Dining options range from soul food to Mediterranean fare
For retail shopping, head over to Pelham and Alabaster for stores like Target and JCPenney. Chelsea is conveniently located to Pelham and Alabaster. US 280 is the major highway that runs through the city, and Interstate 65 is just a few miles away. You also won’t lack for grocery shopping options in Shelby. The cities and larger towns have at least one grocery store, like Lucky’s Foodland Plus in Montevallo, Piggly Wiggly in Columbiana, Walmart Supercenter in Lake Purdy and Publix Super Market and Winn-Dixie in Chelsea.
The same is true for local restaurants. Visit The Pizza Star in Columbiana for tasty pizza and wings. Interested in a menu that has both high-quality steaks and classic Tuscan Italian dishes? Stop by Bellini’s Ristorante & Bar in Lake Purdy to try hand-cut steaks grilled over a wood burning grill, or any variety of house made pastas, veal and seafood. Station 31 Kitchen has a menu with a variety of tasty dishes like the Chorizo burger topped with queso and avocado, or lemon crusted salmon with Cajun Brussel sprouts. At Joseph’s Table Mediterranean Bistro & Bar, you might get a pita roll-up, burger or panini for lunch, or one of several dinner plates, like creamy stuffed chicken rolls served with basmati rice.
Weekly and yearly events in Shelby County
Many of the cities in Shelby County have local events, like weekly farmers markets in the spring and summer. Montevallo has Friday Nights at the Cove, a series of music and cultural events held at Owl’s Cove Park during the summer. Columbiana’s Main Street hosts music concerts in June. And every Fourth of July, Chelsea has the ChelseaFest and the Big KaBoom, a city-wide celebration that has live music, several local vendors and one of the largest fireworks shows in Alabama. No matter where you choose to live in Shelby County, whether it’s in one of the smaller towns or fast-growing cities, you can get a small-town feel while surrounded by a beautiful landscape, in driving distance of modern conveniences.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Parks in this Area
Wild Flower Park
Baseball/Softball
Picnic Area
Playground
Oak Mountain State Park
Veterans Park
Bike Trails
Picnic Area
Trails
Heardmont Park
Baseball/Softball
Football
Playground
Spain Park
Baseball/Softball
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Stonecrest playground
Sterrett Park
Transit
Airport
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International
48 min drive
Bus
Valleydale Rd And Inverness Corner Shopp
Bus
HWY 280 And Meadowbrook Rd
Bus
HWY 280 And Inverness Pkwy
Bus
Chick-Fil-A
Bus
HWY 280 And Inverness Plaza
Bus
HWY 280 & Super Walmart
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
North Shelby County
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
North Shelby County Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in North Shelby County, Sterrett sell after 51 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in North Shelby County, Sterrett over the last 12 months is $486,079, up 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Stunning new construction Townhome in a highly sought-after location! just off Highway 280 and 119. This 1,400+ sq ft. Foster 1F Highlands Collection home features 10' ceilings, an open floor plan, and a stylish accent wall. Upstairs, the Primary Suite offers large windows with views of the common grounds and park, a spacious bath with custom-tiled walk-in shower and sliding door, plus a walk-in
Parade of Homes “Gold Winner” (2018) w/lots of upgrades and THREE bedrooms on main featuring Main level & Basement level garages —perfect for boat, golf cart, toys, workshop, etc. All in cul-de-sac w/sidewalks! Located in gated Highland Lakes & zoned for Oak Mountain Schools! Beautifully crafted w/main-level living & two driveways w/lots of extra parking. Inside: Grand Foyer, vaulted ceilings in
This open floor plan with split bedrooms remains a buyer favorite! Charming 3BR/2BA garden home with upstairs bonus room in Villas Belvedere offers 2,286± sq ft. Newly installed luxury vinyl plank floors and freshly painted Alabaster white walls. The large medallion window, a focal point, is brand new. A screened porch looks onto HOA green space; there are lots of kitchen cabinets, an eat-in
Welcome home to Greystone Farms, where this exceptional residence sits on a premier lot and showcases a perfect blend of elegance and modern upgrades. A striking custom iron castle door welcomes you into a home featuring crown molding throughout—including the upstairs—and plantation shutters in every room. All windows have been replaced within the past five years, ensuring comfort and
Great condo in desirable and convenient Horizon Condos. All remodeled, new luxury vinyl blankets flooring, new paint, new stainless-steel appliances, granite countertops, new light fixtures, and new remodeled bathroom. This condo is a downstairs unit that provides privacy and tranquility to its owner. Large built-in bookcase in living room is perfect for your flat-screen TV, multimedia and plenty
Welcome to 919 Sycamore Drive located in the heart of Riverchase! This home is customized throughout and sits on an cut-de-sac acre lot. The gourmet kitchen is equipped with quartz countertops, Wolf dual fuel range & oven, large double sink, wine cooler, built in refrigerator, custom cabinetry, and ample countertop space. You will also enjoy the beautiful sunroom that overlooks a pond with a
Live beyond the ordinary at Inverness Cliffs Apartments, where tranquil pond views and fountains set the tone for your everyday retreat. A serene retreat you cant get enough of, our apartments in Birmingham, AL, raise the bar when it comes to luxury living, surrounding you with only the finest comforts and conveniences. This is where peace finds youwelcome home. Choose from our collection of
Welcome to effortless, elevated living in Everlee, Hoover’s newest and most talked-about community featuring a $15 million resort-style amenity center. This move-in-ready 3 bedroom, 3 full bath townhouse blends simplicity, style, and function—perfect for today’s active lifestyle. Enjoy scenic trails, a one-of-a-kind oversized pool, state-of-the-art gym, pet-friendly spaces, and gathering areas
Discover sleek, modern living at The Whitby Birmingham, nestled in the heart of Greystone and just minutes from Oak Mountain State Park. Birmingham, Alabama's newest selection of 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments and carriage homes offer a perfect blend of refined elegance and cozy comfort. With a touch of English flair and everyday sophistication, our spaces create an effortlessly posh lifestyle
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Marc St John,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
60,109
Median Age
45
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
21.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.1%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$109,178
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$137,335
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96%
College Graduates
61.3%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
22.2%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
66.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
57''
Average Winter Low Temperature
35°F
Average Summer High Temperature
91°F
Annual Snowfall
1''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
17/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
3/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
