Roosevelt City is the first community when you enter from the western side of Birmingham.
Roosevelt City has a population of 8,124
In October 1967, at the height of the civil rights moment, Roosevelt City was a majority-black incorporated municipality located between Midfield, Lipscomb, Brighton, and Brownville.
The first municipal election was held on January 9, 1968. Freddie Rogers defeated four other candidates to become the city’s first (and only) Mayor.
At first, the city was unable to secure services from neighboring cities, even though state law dictated that business taxes in the unincorporated area would be paid to the nearest municipality.
In 1972, the new city was more successful in securing federal grants funding to pay for new services such as police and fire departments and the construction of the Roosevelt City Community Center.
In 1972, with a population close to 4K, Roosevelt City described itself as “the third-largest all-black city in the nation.
In early 1973, Roosevelt City purchased the former Fox Restaurant and Tourist Court on Bessemer Super Highway. The restaurant was supposed to be remodeled at a cost of $150,000 for use as a Roosevelt City Municipal Complex. The new complex was to preserve the old restaurant's kitchen and dining room. The complex was also supposed to have space for a municipal court and housing authority. While a tourist court would accommodate a fire station, police station, city jail, credit union, and lounge.
In March 1973, Roosevelt City opened bids for a new Valley Creek Treatment Plant and began construction of low-income housing in Brewerfield. In July, the city began the construction of a medical clinic.
On July 12, 1988, Roosevelt City held a special election and voted 718 to 404 to be annexed into Birmingham after tax issues threatened to bankrupt the city. The vote was contested, but it was upheld by the Alabama Supreme Court in August 1989.
