A rapidly growing community just outside of Birmingham
When Chelsea was incorporated in 1996, it had a small population of just under 1,000. Nowadays, the outlying Birmingham community is one of the fastest-growing areas in the state, with a population nearing 16,000. Hundreds of homes are constructed yearly to accommodate the community's growth, offering newcomers options in established and newly built subdivisions. Near Alabama's largest state park and home to a dynamic annual firework show, Chelsea mixes various community events and natural recreational amenities.
Colonials, bungalows, townhomes and more
Chelsea's housing stock comprises several subdivisions with ample single-family homes on quarter-acre lots for prices between $200,000 and $500,000. Housing communities like Yellow Leaf and Forest Lakes feature brick-clad split levels and colonials from the late 1990s and early 21st century with over 2,000 square feet. Polo Crossings, a new-age Chelsea subdivision, features contemporary homes, sprawling bungalows and luxury townhomes. Subdivision housing commonly features two-car garages, fenced-in yards and small front porches, and several have Tudor and A-frame influences. Buyers have many options outside subdivisions. Chelsea features several custom estates with over 3,000 square feet on large lots around 10 acres in size for higher prices near $800,000. Community streets are mostly low-traffic, leafy roadways that meet undeveloped grassy areas.
This colonial style house adds charm to Chelsea.
Unique architecture adds to the beauty of this home in Chelsea.
New style and developments make Chelsea a growing community.
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Students attend Shelby County Schools
Students in Chelsea attend a well-regarded string of schools served by the Shelby County School District, which received an overall A-minus from Niche. Children typically start their education at Forest Oaks Elementary School, scoring an overall A-minus from Niche with a student-to-teacher ratio of 20-to-1. Students advance to Chelsea Middle School, which earned an overall nine out of 10 on GreatSchools. High schoolers in the community attend Chelsea High School, home of the Hornets. Students can join various clubs, like Math Team, Diversity Club, French Club and Model UN. The high school earned an overall B-plus from Niche.
Forest Oaks Elementary School in Shelby County has a goal to encourage others.
Chelsea Middle School takes pride in educating kids in Chelsea.
Chelsea High School is the proud home of the Hornets.
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Dinner at Station 31 and shopping at Chelsea Crossroads
Along Chesser Drive are several restaurants, like Station 31 Kitchen. Neighboring the Chelsea and Fire Rescue Station, the restaurant features a rustic firehouse aesthetic with a full bar and various menu items like burgers, wings, fries and pasta. More options to eat are across the street at the SoCal Smoothie Company, a trendy spot with acai bowls and smoothies. When locals need to run errands, there are several big-box grocery stores. Chelsea Crossroads is a small shopping center with a Publix and a few service businesses and restaurants. Shoppers also head to Chelsea Corners to grab groceries at the Wynn Dixie.
Enjoy an amazing burger at Station 31 Kitchen in Chelsea.
Buy some groceries from the Publix in Chelsea.
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A day at Oak Mountain State Park
A major draw to Chelsea living is the community's proximity to Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama's largest state park, spanning over 11,000 acres. Outdoorsy locals frequent the community's ample recreational amenities, including 100-plus miles of trails for hiking and biking, a beach area for swimming and water vistas for kayaking and canoeing. Other amenities include the Oak Mountain Interpretive Center, an environmental center where locals can enroll in educational programs, peruse animal exhibits or see historical artifacts. Chelsea Recreational Park is another outdoor respite for the community. Locals bring their kids to enjoy the playground with swings and the adjacent covered pavilion. Other amenities include three softball fields, a multi-use athletic field, walking trails and ample green space. Residents head to the S. Earl Niven Chelsea Community Center for indoor recreation. Center amenities include two regulation basketball courts, two racquet courts and a weight room.
Enjoy the beauty of Oak Mountain State Park next to Chelsea.
Grab a friend and hit the lake at Oak Mountain State Park next to Chelsea.
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The Big KaBoom
Chelsea residents frequently come together for various area-wide events. ChelseaFest and the Big KaBoom is a widely celebrated Fourth of July event featuring one of the largest fireworks shows in Alabama. The event features several food and drink vendors for locals to enjoy while listening to live music performances on the event's center stage. Another popular event is Fire at the Foothills, an annual fundraiser for the Chelsea Kiwanis and Chelsea Fire and Rescue featuring a barbecue cook-off. Locals also flock to the neighborhood's center for the Chelsea Christmas Parade.
Hopping on I-280
Chelsea is a car-dependent community, and Birmingham public transportation doesn't reach the area. Highway 280 is a popular highway for commuting and passes directly through town. Drivers heading into the city hop on 280 westbound and have a 20-mile trip before they're in the heart of Birmingham.
Written By
Hannah Rainey
Photography Contributed By
John Gibbons
Video By
Dan Mack
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Amy Spinks,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Chelsea, AL sell after 69 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Chelsea, AL over the last 12 months is $365,000, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to this fabulous area! This home has New HVAC, Partial flooring replacement in some areas, New Appliances. A fireplace and a soft neutral color palette create a solid blank canvas for the living area. Relax in your primary suite with a walk in closet included. The primary bathroom is fully equipped with a separate tub and shower, double sinks, and plenty of under sink storage. Take it
CHARMING REGENT PARK AWAITS YOU! FABULOUS SUBDIVISION WITH SIDEWALKS, POOLS, PARKS AND GREAT NEIGHBORS! ZONED FOR MT LAUREL AND OAK MOUNTAIN SCHOOLS. Exterior and Interior painted 4/2025! Spacious home with Master on main w/ walk in closet, private water closet, separate tub and shower. Three bedrooms and one bath up. Open Living and Dining fresh interior and exterior paint. Kitchen offers
Check out this stunner! A fireplace and a soft neutral color palette create a solid blank canvas for the living area. You'll love cooking in this kitchen, complete with a spacious center island and a sleek backsplash. Relax in your primary suite with a walk in closet included. Take advantage of the extended counter space in the primary bathroom complete with double sinks and under sink storage.
12.33 acres in Leeds, zoned Mt Laurel Elementary and Oak Mountain High. Solitude but still so very close to the shops and restaurants on Dunnavant Valley.
A gorgeous 4 bed 2 bath in the charming Chelsea Acres community! Built in 2023, this beauty brings comfort, style, and space all on ONE LEVEL! Split bedroom layout for ultimate privacy Spacious open-concept kitchen with large island – perfect for entertaining! Huge walk-in closet in the master suite. Covered patio for relaxing evenings. Fenced back yard for your furry friends.Community has a pool
Don't miss this incredible opportunity to own a 1.59-acre lot in the highly desirable Highlands of Chelsea! This spacious and buildable homesite offers the perfect canvas for your custom dream home, surrounded by the natural beauty and serenity of this upscale community. Tucked away on a quiet street, this lot offers seclusion and privacy, with mature trees providing a peaceful buffer from
Our brand-new community, located near Highway 280 and Oak Mountain State Park, features beautifully landscaped grounds and charming single-family homes for rent. Choose from our three, four, and five-bedroom floor plans to best fit your lifestyle. Each home comes with several interior features including garages, chef-inspired kitchens, and washers and dryers. Spend your weekends unwinding at
One level, 2BR/2BA home located in the popular Forest Lakes community. Updated throughout, this home has a spacious kitchen with laminate hardwood floors, tray ceilings, and an open living room/dining room layout. The master bedroom features tray ceilings, a private bath with double vanities and a large walk-in closet. There is also an attached garage with pull down attic storage and nice
Beautiful, pet-friendly home coming soon! Apply now, Move-In is available on or after the listed date. Upon approval, $500 reservation deposit to reserve (applied to security deposit and/or refundable). Application fee: $50 per adult. Security Deposit: one month?s rent. Pet fees: $250 + $35/mo per pet. Some homes may include pool ($150/mo), septic ($15/mo), and/or HOA fees; other fees may apply.
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.
