Located between Birmingham and Atlanta, Oxford offers convenience that�s hard to beat. Oxford is only 56 miles east of Birmingham and 83 miles west of Atlanta. With a variety of cultural opportunities available in the area, it�s easy to see why Oxford has become a destination, and an even better place to call home. Oxford is a special place to live whether you�re a first time home buyer or seasoned retiree.


Oxford, which was originally known as Lickskillet, was the first city in Calhoun County to be incorporated. It was founded in the early 1850s. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.3 square miles of which, 18.2 square miles of it is land and 0.1 square miles of it is water.


Oxford lies among the foothills at the southern end of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Nearby Mount Cheaha is Alabama's highest point and offers expansive views of the surrounding wilderness and the city below. Much of the city's southern border is shared with the Talladega National Forest. Major bodies of water include Oxford Lake, Lake Hillabee, and Choccolocco Creek, which bisects the city.


Population is listed as 14,592. Estimated median household income is upwards of $47,800, while the resident median age is 38 years. Oxford is one of the richer cities in Alabama. A large, stable middle class is one of the strengths of the city.


Oxford is known as one of Calhoun's fastest growing residential and commercial cities. It stretches across the county line into neighboring Talladega County. This unique location allows Oxford to have excellent access to the resources in both counties. Businesses have discovered affordable facilities, skilled labor and a quality community in Oxford. With a great school system and excellent municipal services, it's easy to understand why businesses choose this city.


Children in Oxford attend award winning schools and opportunities for after-school activities are abundant. Oxford's public schools are administered by the Oxford City School System. There are currently four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. The privately operated Trinity Christian Academy is located in southwestern Oxford. The school system is generally well-regarded. Oxford High School boasts an enrollment exceeding 1,000 students. In an autumn tradition, the Yellow Jacket football team spends Friday nights competing in front of large crowds at Lamar Field. Past attendance at the games has exceeded 10,000, and the crowd can be heard for miles around.


Oxford�s mild climate allows participation in outdoor activities all year round. Oxford presently has one of the best recreation programs in the state; and the community continually strives to ensure that the children have a safe place to grow and play. Facilities include: a children�s playground, 3 tennis courts, 7 covered picnic pavilions, horseshoe pits and volleyball area, swimming pool, a par 3 golf course and driving range, and 2 separate ball complexes consisting of 4 softball fields and 5 baseball fields along with batting and pitching cages, all make up the area around Oxford Lake.





If golf is your game, you�re in luck. Ever popular Cider Ridge is located on Hamric Drive East in Oxford. The 6,976 yard, 18 hole championship golf course designed by Bill Bergin traverses Hillabee Creek, Choccolocco Creek, Cider Lake, a century old rock reservoir, and even a waterfall. With its dramatic topography and bent grass greens, it is one of the southeast's most scenic championship golf courses. The clubhouse provides striking views of Cider Lake in addition to a restaurant, a fully stocked pro shop, and a practice facility with professional instruction available.


Cider Ridge is contoured to the land, blending in to the natural scenic surroundings with incomparable views. You can now ride the fairways and with many tee layouts and other features, it will be as challenging as most golfers desire and expect in a top quality golf course. Local players are the majority of the golfers at Cider Ridge. However, golfers from all over the nation are saying Cider Ridge is one of the most scenic courses they have ever played. Cider Ridge is catering to the needs and desires of the local population. The club house is open to the public for dining, weddings, and various social functions.


Cider Ridge is located on the old Mellon Apple Orchard property. Over 100 years ago, the orchard produced from 7,000 to 11,000 bushels of apples each year and at its peak produced 20,000 gallons of apple cider. Hence, the name Cider Ridge evolved. People would come from as far away as Alexander City and Gadsden to purchase their apple cider.


Cider Ridge itself has many distinguishing characteristics: an almost natural dam on Little Hillabee Creek with a waterfall, a century old rock reservoir that was used with a ram pump producing running water over 100 years ago, massive centuries old trees, and multitudinous varieties of flora and fauna. You can see remains of the old mill from the Mellon Bridge over Choccolocco Creek. The mill was a water-powered grist mill, saw mill, and gin mill.


Oxford officials have adopted a progressive attitude, implementing a number of city improvements to meet the demands of a growing population, including the construction of a new City Hall and Public Library. The investment in Oxford's facilities and amenities is part of an ongoing effort to be recognized as "The Crossroads and Retail Capital of Calhoun County," as well as a safe and comfortable place to raise a family.