Tuscaloosa County, Alabama facts for kids

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Tuscaloosa County

U.S. county

Tuscaloosa County Courthouse in Tuscaloosa

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Alabama

Alabama's location within the U.S.

Country

United States

State

Alabama

Founded

February 6, 1818

Largest city

Tuscaloosa

Area

• Total

1,351 sq mi (3,500 km²)

• Land

1,322 sq mi (3,420 km²)

• Water

30 sq mi (80 km²) 2.2%

Population

(2020)

• Total

227,036

• Estimate

(2023)

237,373

• Density

168.05/sq mi (64.885/km²)

Time zone

UTC−6 (Central)

• Summer (DST)

UTC−5 (CDT)

Congressional districts

4th, 7th

County Number 63 on Alabama License Plates
Largest County by population not shuffled to top 05 on Alabama License Plates

Tuscaloosa County is a county in the northwest-central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama and is the center of commerce, education, industry, health care, and entertainment for the region.

As of the 2020 census, its population was 227,036, making it the fifth-most populous county in Alabama. The county seat and largest city is Tuscaloosa. Tuscaloosa County is part of the Tuscaloosa, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area, which also includes Hale and Pickens counties. The community gained international attention in 1993 when it landed Mercedes-Benz's first North American assembly plant, and as of 2021, the company employs over 4,000 people at the facility. Even so, Tier-1 research university The University of Alabama remains the county's largest employer and dominant economic and cultural engine.

History

Tuscaloosa County was established on February 6, 1818. During the antebellum years, the principal crop was cotton, cultivated and processed by African-American slaves. By 1860, shortly before the state seceded from the Union, the county had a total of 12,971 whites, 84 "free" African Americans and 10,145 slaves; the latter comprised 43.7 percent of the total population. The war brought significant changes, including migration out of the county by African Americans. "By the 1870 census, the white population of Tuscaloosa County had decreased about 9% to 11,787, while the African American population decreased about 19% to 8,294." Some freedmen moved to nearby counties and larger cities for more opportunities and to join with other freedmen in communities less subject to white supervision.

Following passage by Alabama of the 1901 constitution that disenfrachised most African Americans, followed by the state legislature passing laws to impose Jim Crow, and problems of continued violence by lynchings, many African Americans left Alabama in two waves of the Great Migration. They went to Northern and Midwestern industrial cities. Their mass departure is reflected in lower rates of county population growth from 1910 to 1930, and from 1950 to 1970. (see Census Table below.)

As a result of these changes and growth by the white population, "by 1960, 100 years later, the County was listed as having 77,719 whites, about six times more than 100 years earlier, while the 1960 total of 31,303 "Negroes" was about three times more than what the colored population had been 100 years before." They represented 28.7% of the population and were still disenfranchised. After passage of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, African Americans gained their ability to vote and participate in the political system. In 2015, one of the four elected County Commissioners is African American. Since the late 20th century, white conservatives in Alabama and other southern states have increasingly supported Republican Party candidates. African Americans have generally supported the Democratic Party, in a realignment of politics in the state since the period after Reconstruction.

In the 21st century, the principal agricultural products have included hay, corn, cotton, soybeans, wheat and snapdragons. Major companies in the county have included JVC, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Uniroyal-Goodrich, and Phifer Inc.

Tornado incidents

1998

On April 8, 1998, an F3 tornado struck northeast of Tuscaloosa. This windstorm injured two people and damaged five homes including mobile homes. It rotated seventeen miles (27 km) from Holman to north of Northport. Thirty-seven homes were also in destruction. Moments later, an F5 tornado struck northeastern Tuscaloosa near the Black Warrior River before entering western Jefferson County.

2011

On April 27, 2011, Tuscaloosa was hit by a half-mile (800 m) wide tornado, which was part of the April 25–28, 2011 tornado outbreak in the region. It resulted in at least 44 deaths, over 1000 injuries, and massive devastation. Officials at DCH Hospital (alone) in Tuscaloosa reported treating more than 1000 injured people in the first several days of the tornado aftermath. Initially, officials said that "more than 50 children arrived alone" at the hospital, raising questions about the possible loss of their parents, and 30 of these children were transferred to pediatric trauma wards, indicating serious injuries. Mayor Walter Maddox was quoted saying that "We have neighborhoods that have been basically removed from the map."

On April 29, President Obama, upon touring the tornado damage in Tuscaloosa, said "I have never seen devastation like this".

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,351 square miles (3,500 km²), of which 1,322 square miles (3,420 km²) is land and 30 square miles (78 km²) (2.2%) is water. It is the second-largest county in Alabama by land area and third-largest by total area. It is located in the west central part of the state, in the region commonly known as West Alabama. The county straddles the boundary between the Appalachian Highlands and the Gulf Coastal Plain and consequently boasts a diverse geography.

Adjacent counties

Walker County (northeast)
Jefferson County (east)
Bibb County (southeast)
Hale County (south)
Greene County (southwest)
Pickens County (west)
Fayette County (northwest)

National protected area

Talladega National Forest (part)

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1820	8,229	—
1830	13,646	65.8%
1840	16,583	21.5%
1850	18,056	8.9%
1860	23,200	28.5%
1870	20,081	−13.4%
1880	24,957	24.3%
1890	30,352	21.6%
1900	36,147	19.1%
1910	47,559	31.6%
1920	53,680	12.9%
1930	64,153	19.5%
1940	76,036	18.5%
1950	94,092	23.7%
1960	109,047	15.9%
1970	116,029	6.4%
1980	137,541	18.5%
1990	150,522	9.4%
2000	164,875	9.5%
2010	194,656	18.1%
2020	227,036	16.6%
2023 (est.)	237,373	21.9%
U.S. Decennial Census 2010 2020 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010 2020

2020 census

**Tuscaloosa County, Alabama - Demographic Profile**
(*NH = Non-Hispanic*)
Race / Ethnicity	Pop 2010	Pop 2020	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	126,611	134,880	65.04%	59.41%
Black or African American alone (NH)	57,401	68,779	29.49%	30.29%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	455	420	0.23%	0.18%
Asian alone (NH)	2,293	3,241	1.18%	1.43%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	76	94	0.04%	0.04%
Some Other Race alone (NH)	136	792	0.07%	0.35%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH)	1,735	6,532	0.89%	2.88%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	5,949	12,298	3.06%	5.42%
Total	194,656	227,036	100.00%	100.00%

Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 194,656 people, 76,141 households, and 46,304 families residing in the county. The population density was 147 per square mile (57 persons/km²). There were 84,872 housing units at an average density of 64 per square mile (25/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 66.3% White, 29.6% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.5% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Nearly 3.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 76,141 households, out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 41.6% were married couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42, and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.5% under the age of 18, 19.7% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.3 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,311, and the median income for a family was $58,756. Males had a median income of $42,424 versus $32,163 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,546. About 11.3% of families and 19.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.4% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.

Culture

Housing

Tuscaloosa County has an overall cost of living that is 12% lower than the national average. The average housing value as of May 2021 was $182,303. Between 2020 and 2021, the Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority reported a 31.2% increase in housing sales.

Recreation

Located in the Appalachian foothills, Tuscaloosa has 177 miles of shoreline for recreational use along its waterways. The county has 35 parks, containing nearly 2,000 acres. Outdoor recreation areas include the 5000-acre Lake Tuscaloosa, Hurricane Creek, and the 250-acre Lake Lurleen in Lake Lurleen State Park.

The University of Alabama Arboretum explores Tuscaloosa's native flora and fauna.

Entertainment

Tuscaloosa's downtown entertainment district contains several music venues, including Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, which regularly hosts live music performances. The 1938 Bama Theatre, which has a historic train trestle, is also an events venue. Every Friday evening during the summer, the City of Tuscaloosa holds a free live concert series, Live at the Plaza.

River market

The Tuscaloosa River Market hosts two weekly farmers markets and is open year-round, although only the Saturday market is open year-round.

Museums & The Arts

Historical museums in Tuscaloosa County include the Alabama Museum of Natural History, The Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum, and the Paul W. Bryant Museum, which celebrates The University of Alabama's athletics history. There is also The Children's Hands on Museum (CHOM) which showcases the history of Tuscaloosa County.

Kentuck Art Center in historic downtown Northport represents approximately 180 artists from around the country, 60% of whom are local to Alabama. The center also hosts an annual Kentuck Festival of the Arts, which has a yearly attendance of 10,000-20,000.

College Sports

Football games in Tuscaloosa make a $25.8 million per-game impact. The University of Alabama has 21 varsity SEC teams, including Crimson Tide Football. Alabama teams have achieved 18 recognised national championships, and the Bryant-Denny Stadium, with a capacity of 100,077, is one of the world's largest on-campus football stadiums.

Sports Leagues & Wellness

Tuscaloosa County Parks and Recreation Authority (PARA) operates seven activity centers that have facilities for basketball, swimming, workouts, and other recreation. PARA also operates youth sports leagues, as does the YMCA. For tennis, there are two country clubs as well as a public facility. The county is also home to many public and private golf courses.

Economy

Major Employers

Tuscaloosa County's largest employers represent education institutions, quality health-care providers, and enterprises focused on advanced manufacturing for the automotive and other industries. The county's 20 largest employers are: The University of Alabama, Mercedes Benz U.S. International, DCH Regional Medical Center, Tuscaloosa County Board of Education, City of Tuscaloosa Board of Education, Warrior Met Coal, Inc., The City of Tuscaloosa, Michelin/BF Goodrich Tire Manufacturing, Veterans Administration Medical Center, SMP Automotive Systems, Phifer Incorporated, Brose Tuscaloosa, Northport Medical Center, ARD Logistics, Shelton State Community College, Bryce Hospital, Tuscaloosa County, Nucor Tuscaloosa, ZF Chassis Systems Tuscaloosa Axel Systems, and the Alabama Department of Transportation.

Workforce

Tuscaloosa County has a total labor force of approximately 100,220 that includes many recent graduates of local higher education institutions.

The county partners with West AlabamaWorks, a workforce development organization that connects government, education, and private sector partners throughout a nine-county region. The county also works closely with statewide workforce development resources including Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT) and Alabama Technology Network. AIDT is a nationally renowned state agency that provides no-cost career technical program enhancements at the state's community and technical colleges, customizing services to benefit employers and trainees. Alabama Technology Network, part of the Alabama Community College System, is ISO 9001:2008 Certified and connects industry leaders with government and education resources to provide workforce training, technical assistance, and engineering services to existing workers in the following areas:

Tuscaloosa City Schools and the Tuscaloosa County School District both offer technical and career education as part of their standard curriculum. Tuscaloosa Career & Technology Academy, part of Tuscaloosa City Schools, offers instruction in 17 career pathways at its $23-million facility. The Bill Taylor Institute, a collaboration between Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. and AIDT, offers high school and community apprenticeship courses.

Emerging Industries

Capitalizing on access to research and development resources of its higher education institutions along with a large, skilled workforce, the Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority recently identified six target industries for future economic growth and expansion: Research & Development, Healthcare, Corporate Operations, Advanced Manufacturing, Information Technology, and Energy.

Education

Higher Education

The county is the home to Tier-1 research university The University of Alabama, Shelton State Community College, and private liberal arts school Stillman College, a historically black college founded in 1876. Together, the three schools enroll 43,681 students as of spring 2021.

Primary and secondary Education

The Tuscaloosa County School System serves students in the county who live outside the city limits of Tuscaloosa. The system has been in operation since 1871. The system is managed by a board of education, composed of 7 members elected by single-member districts by the voters of the county outside the limits of the city of Tuscaloosa. The board appoints a superintendent to manage the day-to-day operations of the system. In school year 2020–21, over 18,700 students (ALSDE Report Card) were enrolled by the system. There are 19 elementary schools, 2 intermediate schools, 7 middle schools and 6 high schools. Children are also served at the Tuscaloosa Regional Detention Center and Sprayberry Regional Educational Center; the latter provides services to at risk, and special needs children. The six county high schools are Brookwood High School (Brookwood), Hillcrest High School (Taylorville), Holt (Holt), Northside (Samantha), Sipsey Valley (Coker), and Tuscaloosa County High School (Northport).

The Tuscaloosa City School System serves students who live in the city of Tuscaloosa. There are approximately 10,000 students enrolled in Tuscaloosa City Schools. Twenty-four schools comprise the district, including 13 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, 3 high schools and 3 campuses dedicated to specialty education: one for students with special needs and those receiving alternative education, a school for students studying performing arts, and a career technical facility for grades 9 – 12. The three high schools are Paul W. Bryant High School, Central High School, and Northridge High School.

Transportation

Major highways

I-20 / I-59
I-359
US 11
US 43
US 82
SR 5
SR 69
SR 171
SR 215
SR 216
SR 297
SR 300 (Unsigned route)

Toll Roads/Bridges

Road Name	S/W Terminus	N/E Terminus	Length	Cash tolls (automobile)	Notes
Black Warrior Parkway	Tuscaloosa	Northport	4.9 mi.	$1.50

Transit

Amtrak Crescent (Tuscaloosa station)
Tuscaloosa Transit Authority

Rail

Freight: Class 1 Railroads Kansas City Southern and Norfolk Southern Railway
Intermodal Freight: Norfolk Southern's Birmingham Regional Intermodal Facility just across the county line in McCalla
Passenger Service: The county is served by Amtrak's Crescent at Tuscaloosa station.

Airports & Cargo Facilities

Tuscaloosa National Airport
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport

Waterway Access

The Black Warrior River bisects Tuscaloosa County and is part of Alabama's network of more than 1,300 miles of navigable waterways (the largest inland waterway system in the U.S.).

The Alabama State Port Authority (ASPA) owns and operates the State of Alabama's deepwater port facilities at the Port of Mobile, located approximately 225 highway miles from Tuscaloosa.

ASPA also operates the Tuscaloosa-Northport Inland Dock in Tuscaloosa County, which features a 60’ by 80’ concrete barge dock, mooring dolphins, a 24,000-square-foot warehouse and a 570,000 bushel grain elevator. Private docking facilities are also available in the county.

Parker Towing Company, with headquarters in Tuscaloosa, provides regional and local barge service and has one of the largest barge lines in the Southeast.