Opelika initially gained prominence in the late 19th century as a railroad town. Though firmly in the Deep South — in Alabama but about 20 miles from the Georgia border — the city has a colorful history that calls to mind a frontier town in the Wild West. Many things have changed since sister-city Auburn surpassed Opelika in population and recognition, but the railroad still passes through the center of the town. “We’re still very proud of the railroad,” says Leigh Krehling, the community relations officer for Opelika who has lived in the city for 25 years. “You can’t go probably a couple of hours without a train going through." Today, Opelika’s charming downtown and highly rated school system attract residents to the city.
Explore the beautiful and charming city of Opelika.
Learn about the railroad history of Opelika.
Find something new in the downtown area of Opelika.
Admire the murals at the museum in downtown Opelika.
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New construction in Opelika
Opelika and its sister city, Auburn, have grown considerably over the last 15 years. While Auburn is about twice its size, Opelika has grown faster, adding 10.7% to its population since 2020, now sitting around 33,000. That population growth is reflected in the city’s building reports, which point to 700 new residential units added in the past year, including homes and apartments. Most of the current inventory on the market is new construction concentrated in subdivisions surrounding downtown Opelika, generally in a new traditional style with farmhouse touches. Meanwhile, varied styles populate downtown, from older Victorian-inspired houses to smaller bungalows and national-style homes. The median single-family home sells for $345,000, with the high end of the market reaching between $900,000 and $2 million for farmhouse-style homes in some of the upscale neighborhoods around downtown. For a more affordable option, smaller bungalows start between the mid-$100,000s and mid-$200,000s.
Newly constructed homes are common in Opelika.
Take a walk down the friendly streets of Opelika.
Victorian style homes add beauty to the streets of Opelika.
Enjoy the well maintained homes in Opelika.
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Education at highly rated Opelika City Schools
Opelika City Schools serve the community, with the district receiving an A-minus grade from Niche. Students are zoned to one of three kindergarten-through-second grade elementary schools, followed by third-through-fifth-grade intermediate school before all students in the city attend the sixth-grade Fox Run School, Opelika Middle School and Opelika High School. Opelika High School, rated an A-minus by Niche, works with colleges, including the University of Alabama, Auburn University and Southern Union State Community College, to offer dual enrollment programs. Auburn University, the second-largest college in the state by enrollment, is located in nearby Auburn, less than 10 miles from Opelika, while Southern Union State Community College offers an Opelika campus.
Opelika Middle School takes pride in teaching future leaders.
Opelika High School is a great place for kids to have academic success.
Downtown Auburn is home to many Auburn University students and faculty.
Toomer's Corner, at the center of Downtown Auburn, features the paw of Auburn University Tiger.
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Recreation at the Opelika Sportsplex
Much of the city of Opelika’s energy has been directed towards increasing access to its parks and recreation offerings. The largest of these is the Opelika Sportsplex and Aquatics Center, which opened a new outdoor pool and splash playground in the summer of 2024. The facility includes five soccer fields, 24 pickleball courts and a gym. Parks like Municipal Park and West Ridge Park also offer playgrounds for families, while Spring Villa Park recently opened an archery park. Opelika is known for its golf courses, headlined by the RTJ Golf Trail at Grand National. The public club has hosted PGA Tour events and offers three high-level courses.
Let kids play in the splash pad at the Opelika Sportsplex and Aquatics.
Enjoy your time at the Opelika Sportsplex Fall Festival.
Municipal Park boasts a large amount of green space for residents to enjoy.
Play a round of golf at the Robert Trent Jones course in Opelika.
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Shopping and dining around the tracks in downtown
Downtown Opelika is still built around the railroad, with North Railroad Avenue and South Railroad Avenue flanking the tracks. While the south side has traditionally been more business-focused, with restaurants and shops lining South Eighth Street, breweries and record stores have begun to spring up in the more industrial areas just north of the tracks. “Downtown is very active,” Krehling says. “It’s grown over the last couple of years. We have a distillery and a few breweries, so that’s kind of been a big draw for folks.” Southwest of downtown along Interstate 85, the Tiger Town shopping center has big box stores like Target, Home Depot and Best Buy, along with groceries at Kroger and fast-casual restaurants. Nearby, Botanic — a restaurant, bar and market set in a greenhouse — opened in 2022 and has become a community staple. Chain shops and restaurants sit alongside Pepperell Parkway, leading west toward Auburn.
Enjoy the sights and sounds that Opelika has to offer.
Take a friend shopping in Opelika.
Westside residents can shop at Fringe Consignment for women's and children's clothing.
Residents can head to The Coffee Shop in downtown for fresh brewed coffee, pastries, and more.
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Snopelika and other community events
The city organizes several events that unite the community, especially during the holidays. “Christmas is a huge deal here,” Krehling says. “We’re getting a new Christmas tree that’ll be the tallest in Alabama — 72 feet tall.” Among 15 holiday events, Snopelika draws thousands of attendees from the city and the region. And while not officially put on by the city, the annual Opelika Songwriters Festival hosts over 80 performances across three days. In nearby Auburn, college football dominates fall weekends. Over 80,000 fans fill Jordan-Hare Stadium on gamedays to cheer on the Auburn Tigers. While not as dramatic as in Auburn, Opelika often sees increased visitors and traffic on gameday weekends.
Residents cook up fresh food at Opelika's National Night Out.
Win a prize at the Opelika Sportsplex Fall Festival.
Food Truck Friday in Opelika features live bands and music.
O Grows Farmer's Market in Opelika also has beautiful flowers for sale.
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Commutes to nearby employers like the East Alabama Medical Center
While Opelika plays into its railroad heritage, the city doesn’t offer passenger train service. Residents instead drive anywhere they need to go. East Alabama Health is the city’s largest employer, with more than 3,000 employees commuting to campuses in Opelika and Auburn. Several manufacturing facilities also operate in the city. Meanwhile, Opelika’s sister city, Auburn, is less than 10 miles away, while I-85 leads about 60 miles west to Montgomery, Alabama’s capital. Columbus, Georgia, is a little less than a 30-mile drive, while Atlanta sits roughly 100 miles northeast on I-85. Opelika residents looking for commercial flights will often head to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, as its status as a hub for Delta Airlines means it offers nonstop flights to over 200 destinations.
Feel welcomed when you visit the city of Opelika.
The East Alabama Medical Center is just down the road from Opelika.
I-85 keeps Opelika residents in route to cities like Atlanta and Montgomery.
Read about the railroad history of Opelika.
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Hot summers and a recent dip in crime
Residents generally consider Opelika a safe place to live. While violent and property crimes each hover just above the national average as reported by the FBI, the Opelika Police Department reported a 25.5% dip in violent crime in 2023 compared to the four-year average between 2019 and 2022. Many in Opelika attribute the improvements to the police department’s focus on how it interacts with the community. “Our police chief has changed the culture of the policing around here and the relationship with the community,” Krehling said. “He’s been working hard on that the last couple of years.” Weather-wise, Opelika has the hot, muggy summers and mild winters characteristic of the Deep South. Severe storms are relatively common in the warm months, while occasional tropical systems can bring winds and flood risk.
Written By
Brendan Doyle
Photography Contributed By
John Gibbons
Video By
Grace Kim
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Norman Schlemmer,
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 Opelika, AL sell after 91 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Opelika, AL over the last 12 months is $346,900, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Discover luxury and comfort in the beautiful Trillium subdivision by Stone Martin Builders—where North Opelika’s charm meets modern living. Nestled on a large lot, this elegant home features the “Fairhope II” floor plan, thoughtfully designed with space, style, and sophistication in mind.4 Bedrooms4 Bathrooms4th Bd can be used as a Bonus Room with Ensuite & Sitting NookSpacious,
This beautifully maintained home features a functional floor plan with an open layout ideal for modern living. The foyer leads to a spacious great room with a central fireplace. The kitchen offers granite countertops, a bar-top island, and a breakfast area, with a large butler’s pantry connecting to the formal dining room—perfect for entertaining. The main-level primary suite includes a soaking
Nicely remodeled 3BR/2BA manufactured home in the Beulah community won't last long! This home offers affordability and tons of living space!! Home is approx. 2300 sq ft and has a large living room w/ woodburning FB, formal dining room, and spacious kitchen. The kitchen offers lots of cabinet space and will come with new appliances. There is new LVP flooring, fresh paint, and new light fixtures
Discover luxury and comfort in the beautiful Trillium subdivision by Stone Martin Builders—where North Opelika’s charm meets modern living. Nestled on a large lot, this elegant home features the “Fairhope II” floor plan, thoughtfully designed with space, style, and sophistication in mind.4 Bedrooms4 Bathrooms4th Bd can be used as a Bonus Room with Ensuite & Sitting NookSpacious,
This beautifully maintained home features a functional floor plan with an open layout ideal for modern living. The foyer leads to a spacious great room with a central fireplace. The kitchen offers granite countertops, a bar-top island, and a breakfast area, with a large butler’s pantry connecting to the formal dining room—perfect for entertaining. The main-level primary suite includes a soaking
Nicely remodeled 3BR/2BA manufactured home in the Beulah community won't last long! This home offers affordability and tons of living space!! Home is approx. 2300 sq ft and has a large living room w/ woodburning FB, formal dining room, and spacious kitchen. The kitchen offers lots of cabinet space and will come with new appliances. There is new LVP flooring, fresh paint, and new light fixtures
Layered into Opelika's revitalized downtown, and walkable to local shopping, coffee, and restaurants, we offer the best of modern amenities paired with charming historic sensibilities. One, two, and three-bedroom apartment homes await to welcome you. We're thrilled to honor the history of this amazing area and are ready to step into the next chapter with the community. Savor the best of the past
Step into newly-built luxury at The AustinOpelikas newest apartment destination. Designed for style and function, our spacious open-concept floor plans include all-electric kitchens, walk-in closets, smart thermostats, and wood-style flooring throughout. Whether youre looking for a one-bedroom retreat or a three-bedroom layout with room to grow, The Austin offers everything you need to feel at
Welcome to The Glenn, a brand new luxury apartment home community featuring one, two and three bedrooms in Auburn, AL near Tiger Town. Spacious layouts and amenities welcome you home, along with exceptional service and an ideal location close to shopping, dining and entertainment.
The Saugahatchee Country Club has maintained its status as an exclusive club in the Auburn area since the late 1940s. “Saugahatchee has always been one of the most sought-after country clubs in the area. It’s got a very nice golf course that they re-did last summer, and it looks absolutely beautiful,” says Gloria Gittings, a real estate agent with Porter Properties with over a decade of experience in the Auburn area. Stately homes in the neighborhood offer great fairway views, and a membership to the private club comes with an array of amenities.
The private club has several membership tiers, from social to golf options, but residents don’t have to be a member of the club to live in the neighborhood. Saugahatchee’s 18-hole, par 72 course was listed as one of the best golf courses in the area by Golf Digest. After a round, members can refuel with pub grub at the 19th hole restaurant. The Main Dining Room offers great golf course views and upscale menu options including several cuts of steak. Among the many amenities that the club offers is its expansive 22-acre lake where members are able to try their luck in catching fish.
Saugahatchee’s residential areas surround the country club’s golf course, giving residents undisturbed views of the greens. Single-family homes are surrounded with mature trees, a rarity among other communities in the area. An array of architectural styles are represented in the neighborhood, including New Traditional brick homes on spacious half-acre, or larger, lots and two-story homes built in the 1970s and 80s. Home prices vary depending on lot size and when the house was built, with older homes typically selling between $450,000 and $550,000, while newer homes can sell anywhere from $500,000 to $750,000. It’s best to strike when the iron’s hot when a home is available, Gittings says. “Homes are pretty easy to sell there. If anything’s listed there it doesn’t stay on the market very long.”
A quick drive down Hamilton Road leads to all of the shops and restaurants along Moores Mill Road, including the Ogletree Village shopping center. A few of Downtown Auburn’s beloved restaurants have locations in this shopping center, including Hamilton’s and Amsterdam Café. Lucy’s is a popular brunch spot, serving filling plates with ingredients grown by local farmers. All In CrossFit is close by for an intensive workout and a welcoming community. Early risers can head to the Hamilton Place shopping center for a pick-me-up from One Bike Coffee. For any groceries or daily essentials, Publix is nearby.
The community is located about a mile from the Auburn University Regional Airport, which does not offer commercial flights but is home to Auburn University’s Department of Aviation. Though the airport is close to Saugahatchee, residents won’t have to worry about any flyover noise. The community is short drive from the central parts of Auburn, just 5 miles from the university and downtown area. Interstate 85 is close by for commuters and is used to travel throughout Lee County. The East Alabama Medical Center, a 314-bed hospital, is 4 miles from the community, as well.
Kids in Saugahatchee start school at Southview Primary School, part of the Opelika City School District with an A grade from Niche. A-minus-rated Northside Intermediate School teaches students from third grade until fifth, followed by Fox Run School for sixth grade. Opelika Middle School received a B-plus grade and has a 17-to-1 student-teacher ratio according to Niche. Opelika High School offers career and technical education courses in fields such as finance, IT and agriculture among many others. The school hailed an A-minus Niche grade, offering an array of Advanced Placement classes and college preparatory programs as well.
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the 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.
