Hoover

by The Linguist

Hoover is a city in Jefferson and Shelby counties in north central Alabama, United States. Hoover lies directly south of Birmingham and is part of the Birmingham-Hoover, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2020 census, the population of Hoover was 91,577, making it the sixth largest city in Alabama.

History

The city of Hoover was incorporated in 1967 and was named after William H. Hoover, a local insurance company owner. Development of the Interstate highway system in the 1960s helped establish Hoover as a residential suburb of Birmingham. White flight from Birmingham following the Civil Rights Movement further fueled population growth in Hoover during the 1960s and 1970s.

Geography

Hoover is located at 33°22′11′′N 86°48′18′′W. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 43.1 square miles, of which 42.9 square miles is land and 0.2 square miles, or 0.44%, is water.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 91,577 people, 37,108 households, and 25,823 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,432.7 inhabitants per square mile. There were 39,959 housing units at an average density of 932.2 per square mile.

The racial makeup of the city was 75.3% White, 17.7% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 3.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.2% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. 3.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 37,108 households, out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.5% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.1 males.

Economy

Hoover has a strong, diversified economy with major employers in finance, healthcare, technology, retail, manufacturing, and professional services. According to the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce, some of the top private employers in the city include:

  • HealthSouth – A major rehabilitation hospital and healthcare corporation (3,700+ employees)
  • Regions Financial Corporation – Headquarters for the regional banking company (1,500 employees)
  • EBSCO Industries – Major information services firm (1,100 employees)
  • Shipt – Headquarters for the grocery delivery startup acquired by Target (900+ employees)
  • Hibbett Sporting Goods – Corporate headquarters (850 employees)

Other major employers in education, retail, manufacturing, and technology have facilities located in Hoover including the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Samford University, Walmart, Buffalo Rock, and lnspire Catering. Automobile manufacturing also has a significant presence in the area, with a Mercedes-Benz assembly plant employing around 3,500 workers.

In the public sector, the city of Hoover itself employs over 600 people in departments ranging from public safety to parks and recreation. The city government provides quality services while maintaining one of the lowest per capita municipal tax rates in the state of Alabama.

Shopping and Tourism

Hoover is a regional shopping destination, home to the Riverchase Galleria – Alabama’s largest mall with over 1 million square feet of retail space and more than 130 stores and restaurants. The Galleria attracts nearly 13 million visitors a year and is a major driver of sales tax revenue for the city.

Other popular shopping and dining areas in Hoover include the Patton Creek shopping center, the Village at Lee Branch, Bluff Park Village, and the Stadium Trace Village shopping district. Hoover’s location along Interstate I-459 and proximity to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport also make it attractive for hotel development, with over 3,000 hotel rooms located in the city.

Tourism centers around sporting events and facilities including the Finley Center sports complex, Aldridge Gardens, and the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium, home of the SEC Baseball Tournament. Hoover has over 60 parks with a variety of amenities from athletic fields and trails to a water park and recreation center.

Government

Hoover operates under a Mayor-Council form of government. The day-to-day administration of the city is led by a Mayor who is elected at-large. The City Council consists of seven members elected from single-member districts.

Some of the main departments and services provided by the city government include:

Residents can learn more about city government departments and services on the City of Hoover website. The city is focused on providing excellent services and amenities that contribute to a high standard of living and quality of life for residents.

Education

Hoover is home to some of the top ranked public and private schools in Alabama. The Hoover City School System enrolled over 13,700 students as of 2020 and operates a total of 15 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 2 high schools, and a career center.

Hoover High School and Spain Park High School are known for their strong academic and athletic programs. The two high schools have an intense football rivalry that draws huge crowds each season. Hoover’s Bumpus Middle School was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School in 2019. The city also has a large number of students attending private schools such as Hoover Academy, John Carroll Catholic High School, and the Birmingham-area locations of Briarwood Christian School.

Higher education institutions in the area include Birmingham-Southern College located right on the border with Hoover and Samford University’s main campus in Homewood. The University of Alabama at Birmingham is a major research university that contributes to the metro area’s reputation as a healthcare and medical research hub.

Transportation

The major highways running through Hoover include Interstates I-65, I-459 and U.S. Highway 31. The city is located about 8 miles south of downtown Birmingham which can be reached in 15 minutes by car via I-65. The Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is situated just east of Hoover and provides flights to destinations around the country on major airlines.

Public transportation in Hoover is provided by bus service from the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority. Hoover is also establishing itself as an extremely bicycle-friendly city, with over 45 miles of paths and trails integrated throughout the community.

Notable People

A number of famous athletes, musicians, actors, and other public figures were either born in Hoover or lived in the city including:

  • Charles Barkley – Former NBA star and Naismith Hall of Famer
  • Channing Tatum – Actor known for roles in “Step Up” and “Magic Mike”
  • Sunny Hostin – Co-host of ABC’s “The View” talk show
  • Michael McCary – Former lead singer of R&B group Boyz II Men
  • Sonequa Martin-Green – Actress known for “Star Trek: Discovery” and “The Walking Dead”

Hoover’s residential growth over the past decades has attracted many wealthy business executives, doctors, lawyers, and professional athletes to make it their home.

Conclusion

From its origins as a small suburb, Hoover has developed into one of the largest, most affluent, and fastest growing cities in Alabama. The community provides exceptional residential neighborhoods, strong public schools, robust infrastructure, and a thriving local economy. While closely tied to greater Birmingham, Hoover has emerged as an attractive destination in its own right with extensive shopping, recreation, education, and employment opportunities. All signs point to continued prosperity and expansion for Hoover in the years ahead.