Alexandria is a quiet community in Calhoun County near Anniston
Surrounded by cattle-grazing farms and woodlands, Alexandria is a rural community in East Alabama defined by its unhurried pace and central location. It’s one of the many communities near the I-20 corridor that connects Birmingham and Atlanta, quietly settled between Anniston and Gadsden. It’s far enough from the interstate that it’s relatively removed from most noise, but close enough for folks looking to head into Birmingham quickly. Housing prices and property sizes tend to draw buyers to Alexandria, and its close-knit feel keeps the population at a steady few thousand residents. “Being outside the city, it feels like a nice hometown,” says local Realtor Rhonda Hood of ERA King Real Estate. She’s sold homes across the region for nearly five years. “The houses are much more affordable than in big cities, and there will be some acreage. At least one acre [per house] most of the time.”
Established homes that are getting picked up for repairs
While much of Alexandria has a rural feel, several homes, particularly near the heart of the community, sit on modest lots that measure around a quarter-acre. This is the closest to suburbia that Alexandria gets. Country landscapes sprawl a bit outside the community center, where a decent number of homes sit on a few acres; many folks own upwards of 10 acres. Most people own their houses in Alexandria, and the market mainly comprises single-family homes. Buyers will find several mid-to-late 20th-century split-levels, a few 21st-century New Traditionals and a good mix of ranch styles built through the 1900s and early 2000s. Homes start around $30,000 for houses that may need repairs, to $460,000 for a sizable home on a few acres. “They are flipping a lot of houses in Alexandria,” Hood says. “I know several people who are flipping a home.” The overall CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, significantly lower than the national average of 4.
Alexandria High School offers several student clubs
Calhoun County Schools scores an overall B-plus on Niche and serves just over 8,000 students. Alexandria Elementary School receives a B-plus, while Alexandria Middle and Alexandria High have Bs. The high school features several student clubs and extracurricular activities, including Scholar’s Bowl, a county-wide academic tournament with a variety of trivia questions. Other clubs include Key Club and FFA.
Green spaces and sports complexes encourage outdoor activity
Calhoun County operates a couple of parks and green spaces in Alexandria. The Alexandria Community Center offers space for community gatherings, and its adjacent outdoor space, Ronnie H. Carr Park, features a small pavilion and grassy area adorned with light posts. Dr. Tom Bridges Youth Sports Complex is a hub of baseball, softball and football. The facility’s ball fields are flanked by plenty of bleachers and stadium lights, and visitors can enjoy concessions from the central stand. Additional county recreational sports games and tournaments occur about 7 miles away at the Calhoun County Sports Complex. Many of the community’s churches, from Mt. Zion Baptist Church to Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, feature playgrounds and ample outdoor green space, and often engage the community through small events. Locals often head about 15 miles away to Neely Henry Lake for boating, fishing and swimming.
Shopping and dining along U.S. 431
Most of Alexandria’s commercial infrastructure is concentrated along the community’s primary thoroughfares. U.S. Route 431 is a four-lane commuter strip with various retailers, hardware stores and service industries. Alexandria Plaza features a couple of eateries, like Li’s Place and Lickin Good Donuts, and is anchored by Alexandria Foodland, the community’s primary grocery source. Residents can also grab essentials at DG Market, Dollar General and Family Dollar. Walmart Supercenter is about 8 miles away in Jacksonville. Taco and Tequila Mexican Restaurant is a popular spot for dinner, where chimichangas and pollo loco are local favorites. Huddle House offers free waffles on Wednesday for folks spending at least $8, and kids eat free on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Navigating Calhoun County
Residents use cars to get around, and U.S. Route 431 is the community’s main highway. Commuters also have direct access to Alabama State Route 144. Anniston is about 10 miles south of Alexandria, and Oxford, where drivers can access Interstate 20, is about 4 miles south of Anniston. Gadsden, a community of arts, culture and small businesses, is about 20 miles north. Regional Medical Center in Anniston is one of the nearest medical facilities, and the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is around 63 miles away.
Written By
Brennen Martin
