RANK #821 / 996 NAT · #25 / 27 AL · POP 231,558
1YR FORECAST: -0.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +15%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
The data is not encouraging — Tuscaloosa County scores just 17/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #821 of 996 counties. Job growth at +1.6% and median household income of $61,645 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Tuscaloosa County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $218,800 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $974/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Tuscaloosa County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +3.4% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.6% clip. Home values shifted -0.4% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.47% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Tuscaloosa County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.