Sylacauga, Alabama

Sylacauga, Alabama
City
Downtown Sylacauga by night
Downtown Sylacauga by night
Flag of Sylacauga, Alabama
Flag
Official seal of Sylacauga, Alabama
Seal
Nicknames: 
  • "The Marble City"
  • "Buzzard's Roost"
  • "Alabama's Best-Kept Secret"
Location of Sylacauga in Talladega County, Alabama
Location of Sylacauga in Talladega County, Alabama
Coordinates: 33°10′42″N 86°15′4″W / 33.17833°N 86.25111°W / 33.17833; -86.25111
CountryUnited States
StateAlabama
CountyTalladega
Government
 • MayorJim Heigl
Area
[1]
 • Total
20.42 sq mi (52.88 km2)
 • Land20.25 sq mi (52.46 km2)
 • Water0.16 sq mi (0.42 km2)
Elevation
545 ft (166 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
12,578
 • Density621.01/sq mi (239.78/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
35150-35151
Area code256/938
FIPS code01-74352
GNIS feature ID0160702
Websitewww.cityofsylacauga.net

Sylacauga is a city in Talladega County, Alabama, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 12,578.[2]

Sylacauga is known for its fine white marble bedrock.[3] This was discovered shortly after settlers moved into the area and has been quarried ever since. The marble industry was the first recorded industry in the Sylacauga area.

Sylacauga is the site of the first documented case of an object from outer space hitting a person. On November 30, 1954, a 4 kg (9 lb) piece of what became known as the Hodges Fragment from the Sylacauga Meteorite crashed through the roof of an Oak Grove house, bounced off a radio, and badly bruised Ann Hodges, who was taking an afternoon nap.[4]

Sylacauga is on the 2010 list of "100 Best Communities for Young People" by America's Promise Alliance.

  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  2. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Sylacauga city, Alabama". Census Bureau QuickFacts. July 1, 2022. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  3. ^ "Sylacauga Marble". Alabama Legacy Moments. March 28, 2019. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  4. ^ George, Alice. "In 1954, an Extraterrestrial Bruiser Shocked This Alabama Woman". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved March 16, 2021.