Mission Statement

The City of Bessemer provides service oriented, responsible government, consistent with the community's values, priorities and expectations for a high quality of life, enhancing the City's fiscal health, providing professional and innovative services, and managing the City's resources, while planning for the future.

About Us:

Founded in 1887, Bessemer is located in southwestern Jefferson County. Nestled in the Jones Valley at the end of the foothills of the Appalachian Chain, Bessemer sits strategically along Interstate 59/20 and is centrally located to the economic centers of  Birmingham, Hoover, Tuscaloosa and the Mercedes Plant in Vance. The Birmingham-Hoover metropolitan area where our city is located is home to over 1 million people.

With about 27,000 residents, according to the 2010 U.S. Census, Bessemer is a city with a rich history and great prospects for the future.

Bessemer is a thriving city full of economic growth and development.  Our city is home to several major industries and companies. In recent years, Dollar General, Amsted Rail, U.S. Pipe and others have located facilities within our city. Where Bessemer once thrived through iron ore manufacturing, the city is now home to a diverse blend of industry and companies.

The Bessemer Airport is one of the city’s gems and the preferred destination for small plane traffic. Mitchell Field is a short drive from downtown Bessemer, Birmingham and Hoover.

Our city is home to Medical West Hospital, an affiliate of of the UAB Health System.

Bessemer City Schools and a group of private schools offer educational opportunities for those with children in grades K-12. Lawson State Community College  has a campus in Bessemer. The University of Alabama, UAB, Miles College, Birmingham-Southern College, Samford University and Montevallo College are all within a short drive of Bessemer.

Historic Tannehill State Park is just a short drive from downtown. Renown restaurants such as The Bright Star and Bob Sykes BBQ, provide some of the South’s finest cuisine.

With a mix of shopping, world-class restaurants, churches and recreational and entertainment attractions, such as the Alabama Splash Adventure, Bessemer is a city on the move!

The Mayor and the Bessemer City Council invite you to visit the city and enjoy its flavor, its people, its heritage and all Bessemer has to offer.