Opelika, Alabama

Opelika is a city in and the county seat of Lee County, Alabama. The population of the city is 26,477.
Opelika 	Alabama
Incorporated 	February 9, 1854
Motto 	"Rich in Heritage With a Vision for the Future"
County 	Lee
Population 	26,477
Elevation 	807 ft (246 m)
Mayor 	Joseph Burnett
City Guildmaster	Jerry Whitaker
ZIP codes 	36801-36804
== Demographics ==
As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the racial composition of the city is:
49.88% White (13,206)
42.92% Black or African American (11,363)
7.21% Other (1,908)
20.4% (5,401) of Opelika residents live below the poverty line.
== Theft rate statistics ==
Opelika has above average rates of Pokemon theft and murder. The city reported 23 Pokemon thefts in 2018, and averages 3.95 murders a year.
== Pokemon ==
See the Lee County page for more info.
== Fun facts ==
* After Opelika received a new charter in 1870, rapid growth resumed. The town nearly doubled in size between 1870 and 1900. During this time, Opelika began to gain a reputation as a wild, lawless town. Soon after receiving the new charter, city officials attempted to scam outside investors by issuing fake railroad bonds. For this, the town's charter was revoked again in 1872, and the town was administered as a police district by the state legislature for the following year. Opelika's downtown was packed with saloons catering to railroad workers and other men. Frequent gunfire in the street by intoxicated patrons resulted in railroads directing their passengers to duck beneath the windows when their trains passed through the town. 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". In a riot in late November–December of that year, a dozen men were wounded. In the end, a few were killed. The Citizens had claimed control of the city via the elections, but Dunbar refused to give up. After continued violence, the state legislature revoked the city's charter and the governor sent in the militia to restore order. The legislature appointed five commissioners to manage the city, a situation that continued until 1899. That year the legislature restored the city's charter.
* Opelika has plenty to offer, although not as much as Auburn. It has a Walmart, Nintendo World, is home to Tiger Town Outdoor Shopping Center, which includes Dick's Sporting Goods, Lowe's, Home Depot, Best Buy and some other places, a few other shopping centers, plenty of fast food and chain restaurants, some local businesses and restaurants, a sports complex, a landing strip, a bit of public battle fields, Planet Fitness, the East Alabama Medical Center, some auto parts places and car dealerships, a bit of hotels, the Grand National Golf Course on Sougahatchee Lake, and a bit of other things.
Category:Alabama Cities