Opelika, Alabama

== History == The Opelika area was first settled in 1832 after the Treaty of Cusseta was signed by the U.S.

Two decades after settlement, Opelika was chartered as a town on February 9, 1854, thanks to its rapid growth.

Opelika later received a new charter in 1870, and its rapid growth continued.

In 1882, two factions claimed to rule the city government, one known as the "Bar room" headed by Mayor Dunbar, a saloon keeper, and another known as the "Citizens".

The legislature appointed five commissioners to manage the city, a situation that continued until 1899.

Census Reports for Opelika City for the years 1950, 1960, 1970, and 1980.

The Illinois Central's Seminole (Chicago - Jacksonville) served Opelika until 1969.

The last passenger train service was the Illinois Central Railroad's City of Miami (Chicago - Miami), having its final run in 1971.

Library which was built in 1976.

The movie Norma Rae (1979) was filmed in Opelika.

Nunn, Alexander (Ed.) (1983).

(2000) The City of Auburn, Alabama Comprehensive Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2000.

Duran, Rachel (2003).

Retrieved June 13, 2004.

== Economy == Since 2005, the city experienced new industry investments and existing industry expansions totalling more than $2.6 billion and the creation of over 4,700 additio...

Retrieved October 5, 2006.

In 2007, the city council designated Opelika as a City of Character, to recognize, emphasize and enforce 49 character traits throughout the community, and to mandate character t...

In 2009, the City of Opelika built the Opelika SportsPlex and Aquatics Center, a $32 million facility.

Congressman for the 2nd District of Alabama Mallory Hytes Hagan Stramara, Miss America 2013 and politician.

Opelika Community Theatre was founded in 2015.

In 2019, the city opened the Opelika Pickleball Facility, featuring 24 regulation courts.

== Geography == === Climate === == Demographics == === 2020 census === As of the 2020 United States census, there were 30,995 people, 11,866 households, and 7,199 familie...

== Arts and culture == The city spent $12 million to open the Opelika Public Library in 2021, the only public library in the city.

In 2025, Eddie Smith was elected the mayor of Opelika.