Vestavia Hills

Vestavia Hills is a city located in Jefferson County, Alabama, and Shelby County, Alabama, and is a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama. The city is situated near the Red Mountain and is close to the Birmingham Zoo and the Vulcan Park and Museum. Vestavia Hills is also near the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. The city is home to the Vestavia Hills City Schools and is served by the Birmingham News and the Shelby County Reporter.

Geography

Vestavia Hills is located at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and is near the Cahaba River. The city is situated in the Birmingham-Hoover, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area and is close to the Talladega National Forest and the Cheaha State Park. The geography of the area is also influenced by the Black Warrior River and the Coosa River. The city is near the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and the Aldridge Gardens, which are popular tourist attractions. Vestavia Hills is also close to the Oak Mountain State Park and the Red Mountain Park, which offer outdoor recreational activities such as hiking and biking.

History

The area that is now Vestavia Hills was originally inhabited by the Creek Nation and was later settled by European-Americans in the early 19th century. The city was named after the Vestal Virgins of ancient Rome and was incorporated in 1950. Vestavia Hills is located near the Sloss Furnaces and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, which are popular historical attractions. The city is also close to the 16th Street Baptist Church and the Kelly Ingram Park, which are significant landmarks in the Civil Rights Movement. Vestavia Hills is near the University of Alabama and the Auburn University, which are major institutions of higher learning in the state.

Demographics

As of the 2010 United States Census, the population of Vestavia Hills was approximately 34,000 people. The city has a diverse population with a mix of African American, Asian American, and Hispanic and Latino Americans. Vestavia Hills is also home to a large number of Protestants, including Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterians. The city is served by the Vestavia Hills City Schools and is close to the Samford University and the Birmingham-Southern College. Vestavia Hills is also near the University of Montevallo and the Shelton State Community College, which offer higher education opportunities.

Economy

The economy of Vestavia Hills is diverse and includes industries such as healthcare, education, and retail. The city is home to the Vestavia Hills City Hall and is served by the Birmingham Business Journal and the Shelby County Reporter. Vestavia Hills is also close to the Riverchase Galleria and the The Summit, which are major shopping centers in the area. The city is near the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport and is served by the Greyhound Lines and the Amtrak. Vestavia Hills is also home to the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce and is close to the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Education

Vestavia Hills is served by the Vestavia Hills City Schools, which includes Vestavia Hills High School and Vestavia Hills Elementary School. The city is also close to the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the Samford University, which offer higher education opportunities. Vestavia Hills is near the Birmingham-Southern College and the Miles College, which are private institutions of higher learning. The city is also home to the Vestavia Hills Public Library and is served by the Jefferson County Library Cooperative. Vestavia Hills is close to the Alabama School of Fine Arts and the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind.

Government

Vestavia Hills is a Mayor-council government and is served by the Vestavia Hills City Council. The city is located in the 6th congressional district of Alabama and is represented by Gary Palmer in the United States House of Representatives. Vestavia Hills is also served by the Alabama State Legislature and is represented by Jabo Waggoner in the Alabama Senate. The city is close to the Birmingham City Hall and is served by the Jefferson County Commission. Vestavia Hills is also home to the Vestavia Hills Police Department and the Vestavia Hills Fire Department, which provide public safety services to the city. Category: Cities in Alabama