Hoover spans Jefferson and Shelby counties and ranks as Jefferson County’s second-largest city and Alabama‘s sixth-largest [1]. William H. Hoover, owner of Employers Mutual Insurance of Alabama, bought land along Highway 31 near Bluff Park in 1953 and moved his company there in 1958. The city was incorporated on April 22, 1967 with just over 400 residents, and the 2020 census counted 85,386. See Birmingham.
| Incorporated | April 22, 1967 |
|---|---|
| Population, 2020 | 85,386 |
| Median household income | $92,984 |
| Largest sector | Education, health care and social assistance (24.1%) |
| Schools | Hoover City Schools, 15 schools |
Growth
A 1959 home tour by the Birmingham Association of Homebuilders spurred residential growth, a golf course and a fire department. The Hoover Mall, with 21 stores, opened in 1972, and the city has since annexed nearby communities [1].
Economy and transport
Finance, insurance, real estate, professional services and retail are significant. Interstate 65 runs through the city, Interstate 459 bypasses Birmingham to the north, and Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport serves the area [1].
Attractions
Attractions include the Galleria Mall, the Ross Bridge golf course on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, Regions Park, home of the Birmingham Barons and the SEC Baseball Tournament, Aldridge Gardens and the 250-acre Moss Rock Preserve [1].
Name and incorporation
Hoover lies in both Jefferson and Shelby counties, is the second-largest city in Jefferson County and the sixth-largest in Alabama, and is crossed by Interstates 65 and 459. It is named for William H. Hoover, an insurance businessman who bought land along Highway 31 in 1953 and moved his company from Birmingham in 1958. It was incorporated on April 22, 1967 with just over 400 residents.[2]
Growth and population
A 1959 home tour helped spark residential development, a golf course and a fire department, and the Hoover Mall opened in 1972 with 21 stores. The 2020 census counted 92,606 residents (the Encyclopedia of Alabama gives 85,386, likely a different geographic count). Educational services, health care and social assistance employ 24.1 percent of workers, professional and administrative services 12.2 percent and finance, insurance and real estate 11.4 percent.[2]
Schools and attractions
Hoover City Schools run 10 elementary, three middle and two high schools and are known for academics and state football championships. Attractions include the Galleria Mall, Ross Bridge golf course, Aldridge Gardens and the Moss Rock Preserve of more than 250 acres, and Regions Park is home to the Birmingham Barons.[2]
FAQs
How big is Hoover? 85,386 residents in 2020.
Who is it named for? William H. Hoover.
Sources
More in Human Geography
Key facts
- Population 85,3861
Quick checkWhen was Hoover incorporated?Show answer
April 22, 1967.
Sources
- Encyclopedia of Alabama. Hoover. n.d. (accessed 2026-11-10)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 10, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue