Editing Tuscaloosa County, Alabama

{{short description|County in Alabama, United States}}
{{use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Tuscaloosa County
 | state                = Alabama
 | seal                 = Seal of Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.png
 | founded year         = 1818<ref name=aces/>
 | founded date         = February 6
 | seat wl              = Tuscaloosa
 | largest city wl      = Tuscaloosa
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 1351
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 1322
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 30
 | area percentage      = 2.2
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 227036
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 237373 {{increase}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
 | time zone            = Central
 | ex image             = Tuscaloosa Court House.jpg 
 | ex image cap         = [[Tuscaloosa County Courthouse]] in Tuscaloosa
 | web                  = www.tuscco.com
 | district             = 4th
 | district2            = 7th
 | named for            = [[Tuskaloosa]]
 | footnotes            = 
*County Number '''63''' on [[Vehicle registration plates of Alabama|Alabama License Plates]]
*Largest County by population not shuffled to top '''05''' on Alabama License Plates
}}

'''Tuscaloosa County''' is a [[County (United States)|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 United States census|2020 census]], its population was 227,036, making it the [[List of counties in Alabama|fifth-most populous county]] in Alabama.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/tuscaloosacountyalabama/PST045223|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 15, 2024}}</ref> The [[county seat]] and largest city is [[Tuscaloosa, Alabama|Tuscaloosa]]. Tuscaloosa County is part of the [[Tuscaloosa metropolitan area|Tuscaloosa, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area]], which also includes [[Hale County, Alabama|Hale]] and [[Pickens County, Alabama|Pickens]] counties. The community gained international attention in 1993 when it landed [[Mercedes-Benz U.S. International|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==
''See also the history of [[Tuscaloosa, Alabama]]''

===Early settlement===
The pace of white settlement in the Southeast increased greatly after the [[War of 1812]] and the [[Treaty of Fort Jackson]] and the subsequent availability of land previously settled by Native Americans. A small assortment of log cabins soon arose near the large [[Creek (people)|Creek]] village at the fall line of the river, which the new settlers named in honor of the sixteenth-century [[Chief Tuskaloosa]].<ref name="aces">"ACES Winston County Office" (links/history), [[Alabama Cooperative Extension System]] (ACES), 2007, webpage:  [http://www.aces.edu/counties/Tuscaloosa/ ACES-Tuscaloosa].</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=United States Census Bureau|title=2010 Census Data|url=http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/|access-date=May 12, 2012|publisher=United States Census Bureau|archive-date=October 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016135253/http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data|url-status=dead}}</ref> of a [[Muskogean languages|Muskogean]]-speaking tribe and paramount chief of the [[Mississippian culture]]. To form the word, they combined the Choctaw words "tushka" or "tashka" ("warrior") and "lusa" ("black").

In 1817, [[Alabama]] became a [[Alabama Territory|territory]]. Tuscaloosa County was established on February 6, 1818. On December 13, 1819, the territorial legislature incorporated the town of Tuskaloosa- now Tuscaloosa - one day before [[United States Congress|Congress]] admitted Alabama the [[United States|Union]] as a [[U.S. state|state]].

From 1826 to 1846, Tuskaloosa was the [[List of capitals in the United States|capital]] of Alabama. The State House was built at the corner of 6th Street and 28th Avenue (now the site of Capitol Park). In 1831, the [[University of Alabama]] was established.

===Civil War and Reconstruction===
During the antebellum years, the principal crop was cotton, cultivated and processed by African-American slaves. By 1860, shortly before Alabama's [[secession]] from the Union, the county had a total of 12,971 whites, 84 "free" African Americans, and 10,145 African-American slaves; the latter comprised 43.7 percent of the total population.<ref name="pop">[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ajac/altuscaloosa.htm Tom Blake, "MIGRATION OF FORMER SLAVES"], Tuscaloosa County, AL, February 2002, at Rootsweb</ref> The [[American Civil War|Civil War]] brought significant changes, including migration out of the county by some African Americans.<ref name="pop" /> 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 and intimidation.<ref name="pop" />

Several thousand men from Tuscaloosa County fought in the [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] armies. During the last weeks of the War, a brigade of Union troops raiding the city burned the campus of the university. The town of Tuscaloosa was also damaged in the battle and shared fully in the South's economic sufferings which followed the defeat. Following Reconstruction, there was violence as whites struggled to regain control of the state legislature. It reached a height in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Tuscaloosa County had a total of 10 documented [[Lynching in the United States|lynchings of African Americans]], according to a 2015 study by the [[Equal Justice Initiative]].<ref>[https://eji.org/sites/default/files/lynching-in-america-third-edition-summary.pdf "Supplement: Lynchings by County/ Alabama: Tuscaloosa", 3rd edition] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023063004/https://eji.org/sites/default/files/lynching-in-america-third-edition-summary.pdf|date=October 23, 2017}}, from ''Lynching in America: Confronting the Legacy of Racial Terror'', 2015, Equal Justice Institute, Montgomery, Alabama</ref>

In the 1890s the construction of a system of locks and dams on the Black Warrior River by the [[U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]] improved navigation to such an extent that Tuscaloosa was effectively connected to the Gulf Coast seaport of [[Mobile, Alabama|Mobile]]. This stimulated the economy and trade, and mining and metallurgical industries were developed in the region. By the advent of the 20th century, the growth of the University of Alabama and the mental health-care facilities in the city, along with a strong national economy, fueled a steady growth in Tuscaloosa which continued unabated for 100 years.

In 1901, the state legislature passed a constitution that [[Disfranchisement after Reconstruction era|disenfranchised most African Americans]] and tens of thousands of poor whites and followed with [[Jim Crow]] laws enforcing racial segregation. Due to this oppression and problems of continued violence by [[Lynching in the United States|lynching]]s, many African Americans left Alabama in two waves of the [[Great Migration (African American)|Great Migration]] in the first half of the 20th century. They went to Northern and Midwestern industrial cities. Their mass departure from Tuscaloosa County is reflected in the lower rates of county population growth from 1910 to 1930, and from 1950 to 1970. (see Census Table).

===Civil Rights era===
Blacks by 1960 represented 28.7% of the county population, and they were still disenfranchised throughout the state. African Americans in Tuscaloosa were active in demonstrations and other civil rights activities throughout the 1960s, seeking [[desegregation in the United States|desegregation]] of public facilities, including the county courthouse. The university was at the center of significant moments in the civil rights movement, including the admission of [[Autherine Lucy]] and the pro-segregation demonstration that followed as well as the [[Stand in the Schoolhouse Door]] incident in which then-governor [[George Wallace]] attempted to stop desegregation of the institution by denying entrance to two [[African-American]] students.

The late 20th century brought positive economic news when [[Mercedes-Benz]] announced it would build its first U.S. assembly plant near [[Vance, Alabama|Vance]]. The facility opened in 1995 and began assembling the R-Class Grand Sport Tourer in 2005. From 2006 to 2015 it produced the [[Mercedes-Benz GL-Class|GL-Class]] vehicles; and since 1998 and 2015 respectively, has produced the [[Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class|GLS-Class]] and [[Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class|GLE-CLASS]]. The plant brought thousands of jobs to the area through its own direct hires as well as those of the many component suppliers it attracted.

===2000 to Present===
On April 27, 2011, the city of Tuscaloosa was hit by a half-mile (800 m) wide [[2011 Tuscaloosa–Birmingham tornado|EF4 tornado]], which was part of the [[2011 Super Outbreak]]. It resulted in at least 44 deaths in the city, over 1000 injuries, and massive devastation.<ref name="MSNBC">{{Cite web |title=Twister outbreak is second deadliest in US history |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna42834400 |access-date=May 10, 2023 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref><ref name="blog.al.com">{{Cite web |last=Kausler Jr. |first=Don |date=2011-04-28 |title=Tuscaloosa tornadoes: Death toll at 36, Mayor Walt Maddox says |url=https://www.al.com/spotnews/2011/04/tuscaloosa_tornadoes_death_tol.html |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=AL.com |language=en}}</ref> Officials at DCH Hospital (alone) in Tuscaloosa reported treating more than 1000 injured people in the first several days of the tornado aftermath.<ref name="reuters.com">{{Cite news |date=April 29, 2011 |title=Tornadoes inflict grim toll on Alabama children |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-weather-children-idUSTRE73S7MU20110429 |access-date=May 10, 2023}}</ref> Mayor Maddox was quoted saying that "We have neighborhoods that have been basically removed from the map."<ref>{{cite web|date=April 29, 2011|title=Twister debris searched; nearly 300 dead - Weather|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna42794539|access-date=July 10, 2013|publisher=NBC News}}</ref> On April 29, President Barack Obama, upon touring the tornado damage in Tuscaloosa, said "I have never seen devastation like this".<ref>{{cite web|date=April 29, 2011|title=President Obama, First Lady Tour Alabama Tornado Damage - ABC News|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/president-obama-lady-tour-alabama-tornado-damage/story?id=13489876|access-date=July 10, 2013|publisher=Abcnews.go.com}}</ref>

In the decade since, more than $1 billion in public and private funding<ref>{{Cite web|title='Day You'll Never Forget': Decade After Deadly Tuscaloosa Tornado, Recovery Is Uneven|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/04/27/991277578/day-youll-never-forget-decade-after-deadly-tuscaloosa-tornado-recovery-is-uneven|access-date=July 14, 2021|website=NPR.org|language=en}}</ref> has assisted the community in recovery. Former Tuscaloosa City Council President told NPR in 2021, "Black, white, young and old come together and we worked through this thing and made Tuscaloosa what it is today."

According to a police violence tracking website, police have killed directly or indirectly 18 people over the last 21 years in the county, half of them African American.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Searches – Fatal Encounters|url=https://fatalencounters.org/view/person/|access-date=September 30, 2021|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Lketuscal tal.png|thumb|right|Lake Tuscaloosa]]
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|1351|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|1322|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|30|sqmi}} (2.2%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_01.txt|access-date=August 22, 2015|publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 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 Mountains|Appalachian Highlands]] and the [[Gulf Coastal Plain]] and consequently boasts a diverse geography. Tuscaloosa County contains part of the [[Talladega National Forest]], a national protected area.

Adjacent counties are: [[Walker County, Alabama|Walker County]] (northeast), [[Jefferson County, Alabama|Jefferson County]] (east), [[Bibb County, Alabama|Bibb County]] (southeast), [[Hale County, Alabama|Hale County]] (south), [[Greene County, Alabama|Greene County]] (southwest), [[Pickens County, Alabama|Pickens County]] (west), and [[Fayette County, Alabama|Fayette County]] (northwest)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1820= 8229
|1830= 13646
|1840= 16583
|1850= 18056
|1860= 23200
|1870= 20081
|1880= 24957
|1890= 30352
|1900= 36147
|1910= 47559
|1920= 53680
|1930= 64153
|1940= 76036
|1950= 94092
|1960= 109047
|1970= 116029
|1980= 137541
|1990= 150522
|2000= 164875
|2010= 194656
|2020= 227036
|estyear=2023
|estimate=237373
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|access-date=March 15, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades|publisher=[[US Census Bureau]]|access-date=}}</ref><br> 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2/> 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2/><br />1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=August 22, 2015}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/al190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 24, 1995|access-date=August 22, 2015}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=August 22, 2015}}</ref> 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2/> 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2/>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Tuscaloosa County, Alabama – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''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 may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Tuscaloosa County, Alabama|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=p004&g=050XX00US01125&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name="2010CensusP2">{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Tuscaloosa County, Alabama|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US01125&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name="2020CensusP2">{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Tuscaloosa County, Alabama|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US01125&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|111,367
|126,611
|style='background: #ffffe6; |134,880
|67.55%
|65.04%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |59.41%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|48,135
|57,401
|style='background: #ffffe6; |68,779
|29.19%
|29.49%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |30.29%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|348
|455
|style='background: #ffffe6; |420
|0.21%
|0.23%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.18%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|1,506
|2,293
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3,241
|0.91%
|1.18%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1.43%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|19
|76
|style='background: #ffffe6; |94
|0.01%
|0.04%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.04%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|107
|136
|style='background: #ffffe6; |792
|0.06%
|0.07%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.35%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|1,263
|1,735
|style='background: #ffffe6; |6,532
|0.77%
|0.89%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2.88%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|2,130
|5,949
|style='background: #ffffe6; |12,298
|1.29%
|3.06%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5.42%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''164,875'''
|'''194,656'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''227,036'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 227,036 people, 89,962 households, and 53,843 families residing in the county.<ref>{{Cite web|title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Tuscaloosa%20County,%20Alabama%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=March 15, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The [[population density]] was {{convert|171.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}} There were 101,460 housing units.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 194,656 people, 76,141 households, and 46,304 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|147|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|persons&nbsp;|persons}}. There were 84,872 housing units at an average density of {{convert|64|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 66.3% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 29.6% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.3% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 1.2% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.5% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.1% from two or more races. Nearly 3.1% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|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 [[Marriage|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, 21.5% of the population was under the age of 18, 19.7% was from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% was 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.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 164,875 people, 64,517 households, and 41,677 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|124|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|persons&nbsp;|persons}}. The population core of the county lies in [[Tuscaloosa, Alabama|Tuscaloosa]]-[[Northport, Alabama|Northport]] [[conurbation]] (including [[Coaling, Alabama|Coaling]], [[Coker, Alabama|Coker]], and [[Holt, Alabama|Holt]] [[Census-designated place|CDP]]). The combined 2000 Census population of this area (not including their undesignated suburban census areas) is 103,367, accounting for 62.7% of the county in population, while only accounting for 6.9% in area. Consequently, the population density of the central population core is {{convert|1,137|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|persons&nbsp;|persons}}, while the density of the county outside the central population core is only {{convert|44|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|persons&nbsp;|persons}}.

There were 71,429 housing units at an average density of {{convert|54|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 68.12% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 29.31% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.23% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.92% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.56% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.82% from two or more races. Nearly 1.29% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

According to the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]] the largest ancestry groups in Tuscaloosa County were: 31.2% [[English-American|English]], 29.31% [[African American|African]], 8.9% [[Irish-American|Irish]], 7% [[German-American|German]], 2.9% [[Scots-Irish American|Scots-Irish]] and 2% [[Scottish-American|Scottish]].

There were 64,517 households, out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 47.20% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.40% were non-families. 28.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.30% 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 3.00.

In the county, 23.40% of the population was under the age of 18, 16.50% was from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 20.80% from 45 to 64, and 11.30% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,436, and the median income for a family was $45,485. Males had a median income of $34,807 versus $24,128 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $18,998. About 11.30% of families and 17.00% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 19.50% of those under age 18 and 13.20% of those age 65 or over.

==Culture==
===Housing===
Tuscaloosa County has an overall cost of living that is 12% lower than the national average.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Quality of Life |url=https://tcoeda.com/quality-of-life/ |access-date=July 23, 2021 |website=Tuscaloosa County EDA |language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Housing|url=https://tcoeda.com/quality-of-life/housing/|access-date=July 23, 2021|website=Tuscaloosa County EDA|language=en-US}}</ref>

===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 (Black Warrior River tributary)|Hurricane Creek]], and the 250-acre Lake Lurleen in Lake Lurleen State Park.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Recreation |url=https://tcoeda.com/quality-of-life/recreation/ |access-date=July 23, 2021 |website=Tuscaloosa County EDA |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[University of Alabama Arboretum|The University of Alabama Arboretum]] explores Tuscaloosa's native flora and fauna.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The University of Alabama Arboretum – {{!}} The University of Alabama |url=https://arboretum.ua.edu/ |access-date=October 22, 2022 |website=arboretum.ua.edu}}</ref>

===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.<ref name=":0" />

===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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Plan Your Visit |url=https://www.tuscaloosarivermarket.com/plan-your-visit |access-date=October 22, 2022 |website=Tuscaloosa River Market}}</ref>

===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.<ref name=":0" />

Kentuck Art Center in historic downtown [[Northport, Alabama|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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Artists Apply {{!}} Kentuck Festival of the Arts |url=https://www.kentuck.org/artists-apply |access-date=October 22, 2022 |website=Kentuck Art Center |language=en}}</ref>

===College Sports===
Football games in Tuscaloosa make a $25.8 million per-game impact.<ref name=":0" /> The University of Alabama has 21 varsity SEC teams, including [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Crimson Tide Football]].<ref name=":0" /> Alabama teams have achieved 18 recognised national championships,<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Championships – Paul W Bryant Museum {{!}} The University of Alabama |url=https://bryantmuseum.com/traditions_alabama/national_championships/ |access-date=October 22, 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> and the [[Bryant–Denny Stadium|Bryant-Denny Stadium]], with a capacity of 100,077, is one of the world's largest on-campus football stadiums.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bryant-Denny Stadium |url=https://rolltide.com/sports/2016/6/10/facilities-bryant-denny-html.aspx |access-date=October 22, 2022 |website=University of Alabama Athletics |language=en}}</ref>

===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.<ref name=":0" />

==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<ref>{{Cite web|title=Major Employers|url=https://tcoeda.com/business-advantages/major-employers/|access-date=July 14, 2021|website=Tuscaloosa County EDA|language=en-US}}</ref> are: [[University of Alabama|The University of Alabama]], [[Mercedes-Benz U.S. International|Mercedes Benz U.S. International]], [[DCH Regional Medical Center]], [[Tuscaloosa County School System|Tuscaloosa County Board of Education]], [[Tuscaloosa City Schools|City of Tuscaloosa Board of Education]], Warrior Met Coal, Inc., The City of Tuscaloosa, [[BFGoodrich|Michelin/BF Goodrich Tire Manufacturing]], Veterans Administration Medical Center, SMP Automotive Systems, Phifer Incorporated, [[Brose Fahrzeugteile|Brose Tuscaloosa]], [[DCH Regional Medical Center|Northport Medical Center]], ARD Logistics, [[Shelton State Community College]], [[Bryce Hospital]], Tuscaloosa County, [[Nucor|Nucor Tuscaloosa]], [[ZF Friedrichshafen|ZF Chassis Systems Tuscaloosa Axel Systems]], and the [[Alabama Department of Transportation]].

===Workforce===
Tuscaloosa County has a total labor force of approximately 100,220<ref name="Workforce">{{Cite web|title=Workforce|url=https://tcoeda.com/business-advantages/workforce/|access-date=July 14, 2021|website=Tuscaloosa County EDA|language=en-US}}</ref> 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<ref>{{Cite web|title=Target Industries|url=https://tcoeda.com/target-industries/|access-date=July 14, 2021|website=Tuscaloosa County EDA|language=en-US}}</ref> 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 [[University of Alabama|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.<ref name="Workforce"/>

===Primary and secondary Education===
The [[Tuscaloosa County School System]] serves students in the county who live outside the city limits of Tuscaloosa.<ref name=Schooldistrictmap2020>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st01_al/schooldistrict_maps/c01125_tuscaloosa/DC20SD_C01125.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Tuscaloosa County, AL|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-03-29}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st01_al/schooldistrict_maps/c01125_tuscaloosa/DC20SD_C01125_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref> 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 district]]s 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 (Alabama)|Brookwood High School]] (Brookwood), [[Hillcrest High School (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)|Hillcrest High School]] (Taylorville), Holt (Holt), Northside (Samantha), Sipsey Valley (Coker), and [[Tuscaloosa County High School]] (Northport).

The [[Tuscaloosa City Schools|Tuscaloosa City School System]] serves students who live in the city of Tuscaloosa.<ref name=Schooldistrictmap2020/> 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 (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)|Central High School]], and [[Northridge High School (Alabama)|Northridge High School]].

==Government and politics==
{{PresHead|place=Tuscaloosa County, Alabama|source=<ref name="DL">{{cite web|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/|access-date=November 21, 2016}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|50,724|33,399|1,133|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|51,117|37,765|1,290|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|47,723|31,762|3,215|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|45,748|32,048|976|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|45,405|32,796|711|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|42,877|26,447|506|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|34,003|24,614|1,497|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|27,939|23,067|3,376|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|27,454|23,495|7,124|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|27,396|18,166|196|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|28,075|16,066|598|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|19,750|19,103|1,867|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|16,021|20,275|710|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|21,172|8,272|735|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1968|American Independent|3,822|5,556|18,993|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|13,227|0|6,036|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|5,598|8,254|140|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|4,994|8,186|618|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|3,872|7,677|171|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1948|Dixiecrat|658|0|4,797|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|584|4,939|50|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|426|6,284|22|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|332|6,029|32|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|302|5,322|32|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|1,210|2,769|2|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|247|2,363|144|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|491|3,438|27|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|218|2,437|53|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|87|1,695|207|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|162|1,729|142|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|132|1,405|56|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|650|1,173|68|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|965|2,151|130|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1892|Democratic|708|2,212|1,346|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1888|Democratic|1,057|2,214|29|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1884|Democratic|807|1,776|17|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1880|Democratic|807|1,855|0|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1876|Democratic|988|2,184|0|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1872|Democratic|1,363|1,651|0|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1868|Democratic|1,167|1,383|0|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1860|Southern Democratic|0|23|2,242|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1856|Know Nothing|0|680|973|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1852|Whig|527|475|3|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1848|Whig|976|694|0|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1844|Democratic|902|964|0|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1840|Whig|1,276|938|0|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1836|Democratic|730|841|0|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1832|Democratic|0|428|0|Alabama}}
{{PresRow|1828|Democratic|154|637|0|Alabama}}
{{PresFoot|1824|Democratic|186|382|118|Alabama}}

Tuscaloosa County is somewhat conservative for a county dominated by a college town. While most such counties have swung toward the Democrats since the 1990s, Tuscaloosa County has not voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since 1976, the only time it has gone Democratic since 1960. For example, Tuscaloosa County voted for [[John McCain]] over [[Barack Obama]] in the 2008 [[2008 United States presidential election in Alabama|Election]] by a margin of 58-42%. However, Obama attracted high turnout and many votes from young people and others, in addition to the African-American minority. The latter make up 28.9% of the population of the county and have supported Democrats in national elections since the civil rights era and restoration of their constitutional right to vote.<ref>[http://philhardwickblog.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/2008_election_map-counties.jpg "Election Map: Counties"], Phil Hardwick blog, November 2008</ref>

In [[2018 Alabama gubernatorial election]]. Democratic candidate [[Walt Maddox]], the mayor of the city of Tuscaloosa, won the county by a mere one vote over incumbent Republican [[Kay Ivey]], who won the election.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2018 Gubernatorial General Election Results - Tuscaloosa County, AL|url=https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/statesub.php?year=2018&fips=1125&f=0&off=5&elect=0}}</ref>

Tuscaloosa County is one of seven in the state with limited [[home rule]]. It must still gain state legislative approval on many issues, including for financial measures. The four-member County Commission is elected from [[single-member district]]s.<ref name="map">[http://www.tuscco.com/95/county_commissioners "County Commission"], Tuscaloosa County Commission website</ref>

Judges are also elected. The current District Court Judges are:
* Judge Joanne Jannik
* Judge Jim Gentry

The current Circuit Court Judges in no particular order are:
* Judge Allen W. May, Jr., Presiding Judge
* Judge M. Bradley Almond
* Judge Daniel F. Pruet
* Judge James H. Roberts, Jr.
* Judge Elizabeth C. Hamner

The current Clerk of the Circuit Court is Magaria H. Bobo.

The current County Sheriff is Ron Abernathy. The chief law enforcement officer of Tuscaloosa County, which comprises the Sixth Judicial Circuit, is Hays Webb, District Attorney, also an elected position.

On the federal level, Tuscaloosa County is divided between the [[Alabama's 4th Congressional District|fourth]] and [[Alabama's 7th Congressional District|seventh]] congressional districts of Alabama, represented by [[Robert Aderholt]] ([[Republican Party of Alabama|R]]) and [[Terri Sewell]] ([[Alabama Democratic Party|D]]), respectively. The 7th district includes much of the [[Black Belt (region of Alabama)|Black Belt]] and is a majority-minority district, with a predominantly African-American majority.

Tuscaloosa County is within the [[United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama|northern]] federal court district of Alabama.

==Transportation==
===Major highways===
{{div col}}
*{{jct|state=AL|I|20|I|59}}
*{{jct|state=AL|I|359}}
*{{jct|state=AL|US|11}}
*{{jct|state=AL|US|43}}
*{{jct|state=AL|US|82}}
*{{jct|state=AL|SR|5}}
*{{jct|state=AL|SR|69}}
*{{jct|state=AL|SR|171}}
*{{jct|state=AL|SR|215}}
*{{jct|state=AL|SR|216}}
*{{jct|state=AL|SR|297}}
*{{jct|state=AL|SR|300}} (Unsigned route)
{{div col end}}

===Toll Roads/Bridges===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Road Name
!S/W Terminus
!N/E Terminus
!Length
!Cash tolls (automobile)
!Notes
|-
|Black Warrior Parkway
|[[Image:I-20.svg|20px]][[Image:I-59.svg|20px]] [[Tuscaloosa, Alabama|Tuscaloosa]]
|[[Image:US 82.svg|20px]] [[Northport, Alabama|Northport]]
|4.9 mi.
|$1.50
|
|}

===Transit===
* [[Amtrak]] ''[[Crescent (train)|Crescent]]'' (''[[Tuscaloosa station]]'')
* [[Tuscaloosa Transit Authority]]

===Rail===
* Freight: Class 1 Railroads [[Kansas City Southern Railway|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 (train)|Crescent]] at [[Tuscaloosa station]].

===Airports & Cargo Facilities===
* [[Tuscaloosa National Airport]]
* [[Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Transportation|url=https://tcoeda.com/business-advantages/transportation/|access-date=July 14, 2021|website=Tuscaloosa County EDA|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Communities==
===Cities===
*[[Brookwood, Alabama|Brookwood]]
*[[Northport, Alabama|Northport]]
*[[Tuscaloosa, Alabama|Tuscaloosa]] (county seat)

===Towns===
{{div col}}
*[[Coaling, Alabama|Coaling]]
*[[Coker, Alabama|Coker]]
*[[Lake View, Alabama|Lake View]]
*[[Moundville, Alabama|Moundville]] (partly in [[Hale County, Alabama|Hale County]])
*[[Vance, Alabama|Vance]] (partly in [[Bibb County, Alabama|Bibb County]])
*[[Woodstock, Alabama|Woodstock]] (partly in [[Bibb County, Alabama|Bibb County]])
{{div col end}}

===Census-designated places===
*[[Cottondale, Alabama|Cottondale]] 
*[[Holt, Alabama|Holt]]

===Other unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Abernant, Alabama|Abernant]]
* [[Buhl, Alabama|Buhl]] 
* [[Caffee Junction, Alabama|Caffee Junction]]
* [[Duncanville, Alabama|Duncanville]]
* [[Echola, Alabama|Echola]]
* [[Elrod, Alabama|Elrod]]
* [[Fosters, Alabama|Fosters]]
* [[Gorgas, Alabama|Gorgas]] (partly in [[Walker County, Alabama|Walker County]])
* [[Kellerman, Alabama|Kellerman]]
* [[Kimbrell, Alabama|Kimbrell]] (partly in [[Jefferson County, Alabama|Jefferson County]])
* [[McCalla, Alabama|McCalla]] (partly in [[Jefferson County, Alabama|Jefferson County]])
* [[Moores Bridge, Alabama|Moores Bridge]]
* [[New Lexington, Alabama|New Lexington]]
* [[Peterson, Alabama|Peterson]]
* [[Ralph, Alabama|Ralph]]
* [[Romulus, Alabama|Romulus]]
* [[Samantha, Alabama|Samantha]]
* [[Sandtown, Alabama|Sandtown]]
* [[Taylorville, Alabama|Taylorville]]
* [[Windham Springs, Alabama|Windham Springs]]
{{div col end}}

===Ghost towns===
* [[Brownville, Alabama|Brownville]]
* [[Kaulton, Alabama|Kaulton]]

==See also==
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama]]
*[[List of properties on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama|Properties on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama]]

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051201062604/http://www.ci.tuscaloosa.al.us/ Official City of Tuscaloosa Homepage]
*[http://www.tuscaloosada.com/ Tuscaloosa County District Attorney's Office]
*[http://www.tuscaloosachamber.org/ Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040823220551/http://www.tuscaloosachamber.org/ |date=August 23, 2004 }}
*[http://www.tcvb.org/ Tuscaloosa Convention and Visitor's Bureau]
*[http://www.tcida.com/ Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority]
*[http://www.tuscaloosa-library.org/ Tuscaloosa Public Library]
*[http://www.tcsoal.org/ Official Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office Homepage]
*[http://www.tuscco.com/ Tuscaloosa County Probate Records]
*{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20000918192316/http://www.onlinetuscaloosa.com/ Online Tuscaloosa]}}
*[http://www.tuscarts.org/ Arts Council of Tuscaloosa]
*[http://www.tsoonline.org/ Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra]
*[http://www.tuscaloosacojail.com Tuscaloosa County Jail Information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218075735/http://tuscaloosacojail.com/ |date=December 18, 2014 }}
*[http://www.destinationtuscaloosa.com/ Destination Tuscaloosa Magazine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820171913/http://www.destinationtuscaloosa.com/ |date=August 20, 2008 }}
* Tuscaloosa County [http://alabamamaps.ua.edu/contemporarymaps/alabama/counties/tuscaloosa.jpg map of roads/towns] (map © 2007 [[University of Alabama|Univ. of Alabama]]).
*[http://www.tcss.net] Tuscaloosa County School System

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
|North     = 
|Northeast = [[Walker County, Alabama|Walker County]]
|East      = [[Jefferson County, Alabama|Jefferson County]]
|Southeast = [[Bibb County, Alabama|Bibb County]]
|South     = [[Hale County, Alabama|Hale County]]
|Southwest = [[Greene County, Alabama|Greene County]]
|West      = [[Pickens County, Alabama|Pickens County]]
|Northwest = [[Fayette County, Alabama|Fayette County]]
}}

{{Tuscaloosa County, Alabama}}
{{Alabama}}

{{Coord|display=title|33.20654|-87.534607}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Tuscaloosa County, Alabama| ]]
[[Category:Alabama placenames of Native American origin]]
[[Category:1818 establishments in Alabama Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1818]]
[[Category:Tuscaloosa, Alabama metropolitan area]]