Once a bustling steel and mining hub, “The Marvel City” of Bessemer sits at the foothills of the southern Appalachian Mountains, roughly 15 miles southwest of Birmingham. With new employers like Amazon and plenty of outdoor recreation, Bessemer is a draw for young professionals and families with kids. Many of the city’s 27,000 residents here live south and east of U.S. Route 11 and gather downtown in the city's northern end for festivals and museum events, or to enjoy some shopping and dining. Plans to build a cultural arts center downtown and extend local walking and biking trails are slated for completion by the end of 2040, while efforts to clean city streets are ongoing.
Lipscomb is minutes away from downtown Birmingham where you can have a night out.
A former railroad depot is now the Hall of History for Bessemer Alabama.
Red Mountain has hiking trails for all skill levels, located near Lipscomb Al.
There is an Amazon distribution center right next to the Thomas community.
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Rail-Trail, parks and a rec center
Six parks with playing fields, picnic areas and playgrounds sit near the central and northwestern ends of the city; many are within walking distance of residential neighborhoods. Bessemer’s roughly 1 mile Rail-Trail, which runs parallel to downtown along the former corridor of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, serves as the city’s main walking and biking path; officials plan to build a pedestrian bridge over Highway 150 that will connect this trail to the downtown Youth and Senior Recreation Center, eventually expanding to the Red Rock Ridge and Valley Trail System.
Kids enjoy playing basketball at a local gym near Bessemer..
Enjoy Railroad Park located in Birmingham.
Autobahn Speedway offers go Karting, Axe Throwing and much more near Bessemer.
Bessemer became a center of steelmaking from about 1890 through the 20th century.
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Blues festival and classic car shows
Downtown’s 3-acre DeBardeleben Park hosts Bessemer’s annual Bob Sykes Blues and BBQ Festival every spring, the Central Alabama Caribbean Festival each summer and in winter, the annual Christmas tree lighting. Set along Alabama Avenue, the city’s former southern railway terminal has been transformed into the Bessemer Hall of History Museum; permanent exhibits include Martin Luther King Jr.’s jail cell door, and classic car shows are held here throughout the year.
A mural celebrating the Jazz Age in Bessemer, Alabama.
Jam to the band at Bob Syke's BBQ and Blues Festival.
Bessemer's Hall of History displays many old artifacts from the community.
Play all day at the Bob Syke's BBQ and Blues Festival.
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Pork barbecue and department stores
Three shopping centers in the central and southern end of the city offer department and big-box stores, while clothing boutiques and antique stores are found between Ninth Avenue and 18th Street. Locally owned and chain restaurants line U.S. Route 11 including the Travel Channel-featured Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q, renowned for its barbecue pork sandwich. Plans are underway to open new shops and restaurants downtown by the end of 2040.
The Bright Star has been serving customers since 1907 in Bessemer,Alabama.
Bob Sykes has been serving up Bar-B-Q since 1957 in Bessemer, Alabama.
Shop for groceries at the Piggly Wiggly in McCalla.
Take in the retail options in McCalla.
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Bungalows and new construction
According to Neighborhood Scout, Bessemer’s home values have risen 21 percent in the last two years but are still trending lower than most communities in America. Four-bedroom bungalows and ranch-style homes built between the 1940s and ‘70s line city streets; prices average $180,000 and usually sell within 86 days. In the city’s central and northwestern ends, prices start as low as $95,000, while in the southern and eastern ends prices can reach as high as $775,000. Investors look to the northern end of the city for new subdivisions with vacant lots of up to 1 acre, starting at $5,000. Up to five-bedroom newly constructed split-level Craftsman- and ranch-style homes south of downtown start at $250,000.
A brick Colonial-inspired home in Bessemer, Alabama.
Stick style homes are found in Bessemer, Alabama.
A turreted estate home in Bessemer, Alabama.
Craftsman style homes are a common sight in Bessemer Alabama.
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Advancing city schools
Serving over 3,000 students, the Bessemer City School District earns an overall grade of C-minus from Niche. According to the Birmingham Times, Superintendent Autumm Jeter, EdD, is committed to moving Bessemer forward by creating a functional and progressive educational system. Jeter plans to mirror other districts by striving for high academic achievement, creating connections between students and the community and exposing students to resources that will help them succeed.
Children can attend Jonesboro Elementary school near Bessemer.
Wenonah High School is a four-year public high school in Birmingham, Alabama.
Oxmoor Valley Elementary serves grade PK-K5.
Bessemer City High School, offers many educational and athletic programs.
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Downtown revitalization
Mayor Kenneth E. Gulley actively recruits new businesses to the area so that “everybody here who wants a job can get a job.” Gulley and other city officials have proposed a plan called Vision 2040: Forging Bessemer’s Future Together, which aims to revitalize downtown by developing a cultural arts center, creating spaces for local performances and re-establishing the Bessemer Historic Preservation Commission by the end of 2040. Local efforts to beautify empty lots and transportation routes with murals and landscaping, address poverty and expand activities for seniors are continuing.
Crime, flooding and bus routes
According to Crime Grade, Bessemer’s property crime rate is 24.81 incidents per 1,000 residents compared to the national average of 19.55, while the violent crime rate is 5.86 incidents per 1,000 residents, compared to the national average of 3.8. The Bessemer Police Department has partnered with the University of Alabama at Birmingham and National Organization of Black Law Enforcement officers to create a local crime reduction program, and with the Bessemer Housing Authority to react more quickly to crime in the city’s public housing communities. By the end of 2024, the city will hire 30 new police officers and upgrade body cameras.
Flooding of the Valley Creek at the western end of the city happens periodically, so Bessemer plans to keep dredging the creek while partnering with the county and state for long-term solutions. According to WSFA12 news, tornadoes occur more frequently in the central part of Alabama; therefore, the city’s promoting emergency text alerts instead of relying only on the area’s Outdoor Warning Siren System. Bessemer’s Public Improvements Department is applying for funding to help clean up litter on city streets.
U.S. Route 11 provides access to much of Bessemer, while Interstate 20 takes commuters to downtown Birmingham and its southwestern suburbs. At the southern end of the city, residents can take Interstate 459 northeast towards Trussville. The Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority’s MAX offers bus routes with paratransit options, and both the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport and Brookwood Baptist Medical Center are roughly 20 miles northeast.
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Bessemer, AL sell after 61 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Bessemer, AL over the last 12 months is $239,900, up 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
BRAND NEW ARCHITECTURAL SHINGLE ROOF- complete tear-off and replacement!!! (APRIL 17, 2026)If you love to entertain, this is your Dream Home!!! Spacious 3 BDR 2 BA home located in the distinguished Letson Farms resort-style sidewalk community with a lake, playground, swimming pool, and tennis courts. Centrally located between UA and UAB, 5 minutes from UAB Medical West, 25 minutes from the
One of our top-selling plans, the Harrington delights with its massive second-floor owner's suite, privately tucked away on the same level as its three additional bedrooms. The first floor impresses with an open-concept family room, breakfast nook, large center island, and dining room that can be a living room, study, or a fifth bedroom/bathroom.
Welcome to your Stunning Custom-Built Home in the sought-after Virginia Ridge! Offering 2,829 sq ft of elegant, functional living, the great room, anchored by a cozy fireplace, flows seamlessly into a bright three-season sunroom, perfect for enjoying serene year-round views. The well-appointed kitchen features granite counters, gas cooktop, a spacious pantry and an eat-in area. Main-floor primary
Dee Dee Harrison-BushKeller Williams Realty Vestavia
Still renting? It’s time to own. This 3BR/2BA, one-level home in McCalla offers space, comfort, and community amenities renters only dream of—fireplace, luxury primary suite, pool, clubhouse, tennis courts, and more. Stop paying rent and start building equity. Homes like this move fast—Call to schedule a showing!
Fully Remodeled & Move-In Ready – Everything’s New! Step into this beautifully renovated home where style meets peace of mind. Enjoy major upgrades including a brand-new roof, 2 new HVAC systems, 2 water heaters. Inside, you’ll love the fresh interior and exterior paint, new modern light fixtures, luxury vinyl plank flooring that runs throughout the second story and basement as well as a newly
This 4-bed home in Bessemer offers 2,047 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space in Windsor Parc, built in 2022 with modern finishes and a functional two-story layout. Welcome to 3499 Misty Hollow Drive, where open concept living makes everyday life and entertaining easy. The spacious living and dining area flows seamlessly into the kitchen, featuring generous counter space and a large
100% financing available! Beautifully remodeled 3BR/3BA home in the heart of Hueytown! This home offers over 2,100 sq ft of living space plus an additional room that’s perfect for a home office or 4th bedroom. Step from the inviting oversized front porch into the cozy living room, then flow easily into the spacious family room-ideal for gatherings. The brand-new kitchen features NEW CABINETS with
Welcome to 837 Walnut Street! This 3 bedroom 2 bath one-level brick home is one you don't want to miss. It features a large living room, beautiful hardwood flooring, natural lighting, fresh paint, updated bathrooms and so much charm. On a half acre lot you will also love relaxing, playing or entertaining in the huge backyard, complete with a newly installed privacy fence, to create your own
Opportunity awaits at this 3-bedroom, 2-bath, one-level home offering over 1,500 square feet of potential. Built in 1930, this property sits on a manageable lot and features a traditional layout with a living room, dining space, and kitchen ready for your vision. While the home could use some TLC, it provides a solid starting point for those looking to renovate, customize, or invest. A
Tucked away in the Hueytown area, this 3.98± acre parcel offers a unique opportunity for residential development or a private homesite. Currently wooded, the property provides a natural setting with plenty of privacy, located behind an established street of homes. Zoned R-2, it presents potential for single-family or duplex development (buyer to verify zoning and use). The rear of the property is
Tucked away on a quiet, dead-end street, this home offers the perfect balance of privacy and convenience-just minutes from schools, shopping, and the interstate. Set on a large, shady lot, it’s the kind of place where you can unwind at the end of the day and still stay connected to everything you need. The split-foyer layout provides flexible living with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths upstairs, along
Spacious 5BR/3BA Home on Nearly an Acre with Pool This home delivers space, functionality, and standout amenities on an almost one-acre lot. Featuring two separate living areas, this layout is ideal for families, entertaining, or multi-generational living. Features include Trex decking on the porch, Gutter Guard system, inground pool, fenced in yard, outbuilding, plus a new dishwasher and new
Don’t miss out on this 3 bed 2 bath MOVE IN READY home with 10+ acres! This beautiful all brick house features a sunroom, large hallways, shops, and more! Cook up memories in the spacious kitchen boasting a breakfast bar, pantry, ample storage space, with an extra laundry hookup for convenience. The master suite is large in size with multiple closets, a jetted tub, spacious shower, and built-in
Welcome to the Marlin! This thoughtfully designed home features a covered entry that opens into a spacious main level, perfect for entertaining. The kitchen offers a large granite island with an open view to the living area, making it easy to stay connected while hosting or relaxing. Enjoy meals in the eat-in kitchen or step outside to the patio for outdoor dining and grilling. Upstairs, the
"Completely remodeled 2BR/1BA rental in Hueytown! Features a clean, modern interior with a living room, formal dining, and laundry room. Kitchen comes with washer/dryer provided! Stay comfortable with central HVAC and a gas furnace. Includes a nice flat yard and a carport. Move-in ready today for $1,300/mo!
Find Your Perfect Birmingham Apartment at Bessemer Place!Bessemer Place Apartments offers one, two and three-bedroom apartments on the west side of Birmingham. We are located near the I-20 and I-459 interchange so you have easy access to the rest of the city. Were also just minutes away from McCalla. This pet-friendly apartment community is located on a private road surrounded by woods that
Spacious 4-bedroom, 2-bath rental in Hueytown offering plenty of room to spread out! This home features a functional layout with generous living space, well-sized bedrooms, and a comfortable kitchen perfect for everyday living. Enjoy relaxing on the large front porch—perfect for morning coffee or evening unwinding. Situated on a desirable corner lot, the property also includes a detached 2-car
Experience Bessemer living at Villa Glen Apartments, just minutes from Downtown Bessemer. This community is located at 900 Division St in Bessemer. Our Bessemer neighborhood features exceptional schools like Mcadory Middle School and High School. Live in an area with multiple parks like DeBardeleben Park and recreational opportunities which are available all year around. All of this is
**UPDATED** | **NO DEPOSIT OPTION** This brick home has 3 bedrooms and 1 bath and has been updated. It features: * Welcoming Front Porch * ONE-Level Living * Eat-In Kitchen * Attached 2-Car Carport * Covered Deck overlooking Fenced Backyard * Detached Storage Building * NEW LVP Flooring and Interior Paint throughout This home is within walking distance of Jonesboro Elementary School and is close
Find your perfect apartment here at Vines at Westlake! Our unique apartment homes offer a variety of thoughtful amenities you are sure to enjoy. Our updated interiors feature spacious walk-in closets, fully equipped kitchens, and washer/dryer connections. We are conveniently located off of Interstate 20/59 just minutes from Downtown Bessemer and Mccalla. Call us today and let's make Vines at
**UPDATED** | **NO DEPOSIT OPTION** This traditional home has 3 bedrooms and 1 bath and has been updated. It includes: * Attached 1-Car Carport * ONE-Level Living * Open, Eat-In Kitchen * Flat, Fenced Backyard This home is less than 3 miles from Hueytown schools. It also has easy access to shops and to I-59. (Tenant to verify schools.) A NO DEPOSIT option is offered through Rhino, a way to pay
Enjoy a fully furnished studio suite in our hotel at an affordable rate with free wi-fi, free utilities and free premium cable. Each studio suite has a full kitchen with full-size refrigerator, stovetop and microwave, and has a flexible workspace and plenty of storage. All our hotels are pet-friendly and have on-site guest laundry available. Plus, there are no long-term commitments and you can
Available now! Text our property manager Amy at (205) 966-8543 to schedule a showing. Section 8 not accepted. This inviting 3BR/2BA home offers comfortable living in an established Bessemer neighborhood. Featuring a functional layout with spacious rooms, this property is ideal for those seeking a place to call home with easy access to local conveniences. Property Highlights: - Well-proportioned
Split the payment — You reserve the new home by paying 50% of the security deposit now, and the remaining balance before move-in.Discover your next home in this charming 3-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom residence, offering 1066 square feet of bright and inviting living space. The interior boasts a modern aesthetic with stylish wood-look flooring throughout. The living area leads to a spacious
**REDUCED** | **UPDATED** |**NO DEPOSIT OPTION** | **NO APP FEE** This 3-bedroom / 2-bath home in Bessemer has been updated. Its features include: * Welcoming Front Deck * Open Floor Plan * Eat-In Kitchen * Den / 4th Bedroom Downstairs * Fenced Backyard This home is located close to schools, shops, and highway access. (Resident to verify schools.) A NO DEPOSIT option is offered through Rhino,
COMING SOONThis home is coming soon. Please check to see the estimated availability date.Welcome to this 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home in Bessemer, AL, offering 2,175 square feet of well-designed living space in a suburban setting with convenient access to nearby amenities. The exterior features a charming façade with an attached two-car garage, providing ample parking and
Sandwiched between Bessemer and Birmingham in Jefferson County, Alabama, is the small town of Lipscomb. Incorporated in 1910, was once a bustling municipality close to booming mines and mills. A rail line was built through the area in 1890 to connect Birmingham and Bessemer, and it still exists today. Depending on where you live, you might have to cross the tracks to get across town.<br><br>The town is full of older homes, including Craftsmen with front- or cross-gabled roofs, ranch-style houses, Minimal Traditionals and split levels. Recent closing sale prices range from $60,000 for a Craftsman to $135,000 for a National pyramidal. Houses less than $100,000 are likely in need of some work. There aren’t any sidewalks, and some of the houses are raised to meet the elevation of the gently rolling landscape, or face the railroad tracks. You’ll find public transportation along 9th Avenue North.<br><br>Students can attend local Lipscomb Elementary School, and go on to attend McAdory Middle and McAdory High School. The middle and high school are about 20 minutes away by car. McAdory High participates in the Southern Zone of the Jefferson County Schools Signature Academies, which allows eligible students to follow a curriculum tailored towards pursuing a degree or a career in a specialized field. McAdory High offers Advanced Manufacturing and Biomedical Science.<br><br>For Mexican cuisine within walking distance of your house, stop by Cuernos Chuecos and order items like steak tacos and burritos. You’ll find Family Dollar on 9th Avenue North, along with small stores like Tienda Ebenezer. In 10 minutes, you can drive to Piggly Wiggly in Midfield, Publix Super Market at Lakeshore Pavilion or Fresh Value Cost Plus. You can reach downtown Birmingham in roughly 20 minutes.<br><br>For entertainment, there are a couple of bingo parlors you can check out. Into golf? Reserve a tee time or get a membership at the nearby Woodward Golf & Country Club, and work your way through the beautiful 18-hole course. Become a membership or get a day pass, and tear down the trails at RideBHM, a downhill mountain biking park. There are plenty of trails, for beginner cyclists to expert-only. This includes learning how to jump a mountain bike at any distance. The park is open year-round, rain or shine, but keep in mind that some track might be closed during rainy weather. <br><br>If nature is more your vibe, along the nearby Venice Road is an access point to Red Mountain Park, which covers 1,500 acres of land along the Red Mountain Ridge. The land was once the site of the extensive iron ore mining operation that built Birmingham, and it was also the city’s greatest resource until the last mine was closed in the mid-1900s. Today the land serves as an outdoor escape from city-life, featuring 16 miles of wooded trails with two city overlooks, three treehouses high near the treetops and a 6-acre, off-the-leash dog park. The historic mines are still marked, and can be seen along several of the trails. The park is open most days of the year except holidays, though amenities like the treehouses aren’t accessible year-round. You can get a slice of history in Lipscomb, along the rail line between Birmingham and Bessemer.
Property Mix - Square Feet
Bessemer Has More Owners
Rental Home Trends
Number of Homes for Rent
94
Median Rent
$1,457
Median Single Family Home Rent
$1,458
Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$1,900
Median Condo Rent
$850
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$850
Demographics
Total Population
25,928
Median Age
40
Population under 18
25.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$36,897
Significantly below the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$55,552
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
84.2%
College Graduates
16.8%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.9%
% Population in Labor Force
54.9%
Below the national average
64.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
57''
Average Winter Low Temperature
35°F
Average Summer High Temperature
91°F
Annual Snowfall
1''
Area Factors
Somewhat friendly
Bike Score®®
30/ 100
Somewhat friendly
Walk Score®®
30/ 100
Somewhat friendly
Transit Score®®
20/ 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.
