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Opelika, AL

Frequently asked questions

Opelika, AL

Opelika is a city in and the county seat of Lee County in the east-central part of the U.S. state of Alabama. It is the principal city of the Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Area. The Auburn-Opelika, AL MSA with a population of 150,933, along with the Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area, comprises the Greater Columbus combined statistical area, a region home to 501,649 residents.

In 1882, two factions claimed to rule the city government, one known as the "Bar room" headed by Mayor Dunbar, a saloon keeper, and another known as the "Citizens". In a riot in late November–December of that year, a dozen men were wounded. In the end, a few were killed. The Citizens had claimed control of the city via the elections, but Dunbar refused to give up. After continued violence, the state legislature revoked the city's charter and the governor sent in the militia to restore order. The legislature appointed five commissioners to manage the city, a situation that continued until 1899. That year, the legislature restored the city's charter.

Opelika is known for its diverse economy, with major industries including manufacturing, healthcare, education, and retail. The city's strategic location along the I-85 corridor has contributed to its economic success, attracting businesses and fostering a dynamic community.

Opelika places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, with the East Alabama Medical Center serving as a leading healthcare provider in the region. The city offers various recreational opportunities to promote an active and healthy lifestyle, including parks, and fitness centers such as the Opelika SportsPlex and Aquatics Center, a popular destination for fitness enthusiasts, providing state-of-the-art facilities for exercise and recreational activities. Auburn Chiropractic Health Clinic, offers treatment to the newly born as well as the aged, and all ages in between as well as the Compass Chiropractic.

Top sites in Opelika, AL are Opelika Historic Downtown, Southern Union State Community College, and Museum of East Alabama.

Population: 35,005 (2024). ZIP codes: 36801-36804. Area code: 334. Elevation: 807 ft (246 m). Area: 62.16 sq mi (161.00 km2).

FAQs

What is Opelika, AL famous for?

Opelika continued to add factories and other industries throughout the middle years of the 20th century. In the 1950s, Opelika attracted the nation's first and largest magnetic tape manufacturing plant. In 1963, tire manufacturer Uniroyal constructed a massive plant in Opelika, and around the same time, Diversified Products revolutionized the physical fitness equipment industry with products produced at their Opelika plant.

Is Opelika, AL a small town?

Opelika is known for being the “little” sister town to Auburn, Alabama, which means this area is packed with sights and sounds at a small-town pace. Start thinking about a move to hometowns like Opelika, Alabama, which this year was named one of the top 50 best small towns in America! Little sister to Auburn, this historic railroad town has been picking up steam as a worthy weekend destination over the past decade.

What is the economy of Opelika, AL?

Opelika's economy has shifted from textile manufacturing, and since 2004, has experienced revitalization in many segments of the economy, including commercial, residential, and industrial activity. In 2005, the city announced new industry investments and existing industry expansions totaling 1.5 billion and 4,004 additional jobs. In 2009, Opelika's largest employer was the East Alabama Medical Center, which employed more than 2,700 employees that year.

Sources

City of Opelika

Wikipedia

East Alabama Medical Center

Golambert Team

Opelika Main Street

Opelika Historic Downtown

Southern Union State Community College

Museum of East Alabama

East Alabama Medical Center

Opelika SportsPlex and Aquatics Center

Auburn Chiropractic Health Clinic

Compass Chiropractic

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