Pelham is a city in Shelby County, Alabama, United States. It incorporated in July 1964. At the 2000 census the population was 14,369, but has grown to 21,352 recorded by the 2010 census. It was named for Confederate American Civil War officer John Pelham. An F2 tornado damaged business buildings in Pelham along with Indian Springs, Helena, and Inverness on Palm Sunday, March 27, 1994.