Hoover is a city in Jefferson and Shelby counties in north central Alabama, United States. Hoover is the largest suburban city in Alabama and the sixth largest city in Alabama. The population was 92,606 at the 2020 census. Hoover is part of the Birmingham, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area and is also included in the Birmingham-Cullman-Talladega, AL Combined Statistical Area. Hoover's territory is along the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.
The Birmingham Barons Minor League Baseball team, which traces its history to 1885, played its home games at the 10,800-seat Hoover Metropolitan Stadium from 1988 through 2013, when it moved to Regions Field in the Parkside District of Birmingham.
History
thumb|left|Hoover Public Library, 2007
This suburban area near the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains had been known as the Green Valley community since the 1930s; it was mostly a bedroom or residential community into the late 1970s and early 1980s. The City of Hoover was incorporated in 1967, named for William H. Hoover (1890–1979), a local insurance company owner.
On September 8, 1980, the city annexed the Riverchase business and residential community, gaining large office buildings, employers, and workers to increase the city's tax base. When Interstate I-459 was opened, a major interchange with Interstate I-65 was constructed within the borders of Hoover, improving access.
In 1986 the Riverchase Galleria multi-use complex opened; it has significantly increased the tax revenue for the city. It has also attracted new residents and businesses to the area. The city has grown extremely fast, aided by its annexations of territory as well as new developments. The city has expanded its facilities, and now operates a Municipal Center, Library, and Public Safety Center. The city expects to continue to increase in population, which has risen significantly since 2008. It numbered 92,606 as of the 2020 census.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and , is water. the largest employers in the city are:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Employer
! # of Employees
|-
|1
|Regions Bank
|2,644
|-
|2
|Hoover City Schools
|1,869
|-
|3
|Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama
|1,711
|-
|4
|AT&T of Alabama
|1,170
|-
|5
|Walmart and Sam's Club
|950
|-
|6
|Publix
|868
|-
|7
|McLeod Software
|700
|-
|8
|City of Hoover
|667
|-
|9
|SS&C Health
|438
|-
|10
|Doster Construction
|184
|}
Public safety
thumb|upright=0.8|The falls at Moss Rock Preserve
Hoover Fire Department is a full-time career department operating from 11 fire stations throughout the city. The city has one battalion. There are nine engine companies, two quints, one ladder truck, five ALS rescue/ambulances, and two battalion chief cars. All engine companies are staffed with a minimum of three people, with at least two being firefighter/paramedics. All engines are classified ALS (Advanced Life Support). The department also operates one heavy rescue truck, and one hazmat unit. Hoover Fire Department holds a Class 1 ISO rating. In 2016, the department responded to over 10,000 calls.
Hoover operates its own enhanced 911 emergency call center, which has 24 operator positions, 5 Emergency Communication Supervisors, 2 Emergency Communication Managers, 1 Director, and is staffed 24/7.
Hoover provides traffic, severe weather, disaster information, and details on special events on low-power AM radio (1610 kHz).