RANK #796 / 996 · POP 231,558 · AL
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.5%
The Black Warrior River flows through Tuscaloosa County, a west-central Alabama area known for its diverse geography where the Appalachian Highlands meet the Gulf Coastal Plain. The county seat, Tuscaloosa, was once Alabama's state capital and is often called "The Druid City" due to the water oaks lining its downtown streets. Northport is another notable town, recognized for the Kentuck Festival of the Arts. Residents have access to outdoor recreation at Lake Tuscaloosa, Lake Lurleen State Park, and Hurricane Creek, offering opportunities for boating, fishing, hiking, and kayaking. The county is approximately 55 miles southwest of Birmingham. Life in Tuscaloosa County offers a blend of community and activity, influenced by the presence of the University of Alabama, Shelton State Community College, and Stillman College. The public school systems in both Tuscaloosa County and the city of Tuscaloosa serve thousands of students across numerous campuses. The economy is shaped by higher education and manufacturing, with ongoing investments in these sectors. There is also growth in commercial and residential development, as well as infrastructure improvements. The area maintains a moderate cost of living, with housing costs being a notable factor.
Below national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 4.5x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Plant Expansion
Mercedes-Benz
|
$4,000M | Planned |
|
Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa Rolling Mill Investment
Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa
|
$280M | Planned |
|
Sports Illustrated Resort
Undisclosed
|
$150M | Approved |
|
High Performance Computing and Data Center (HPC)
University of Alabama
|
$96M | Under Construction |
|
McWright's Ferry Road Project
City of Tuscaloosa / Tuscaloosa County Road Improvement Commission
|
$70M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Tuscaloosa County has a Boom Town Index score of 20/100, ranking #796 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.6% and a median household income of $61,645, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Tuscaloosa County is $218,800 with median rent at $974/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2817, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +3.4% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.6%. Home values changed -0.4% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.47% of Tuscaloosa County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.