RANK #546 / 1001 NAT · #20 / 27 AL · POP 237,552
1YR FORECAST: -1.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +27%
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.
Tuscaloosa County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +0.3% YoY, population +1.5%, wages +3.6%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 9.7x — home prices are high 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 1001 counties.
Tuscaloosa County scores 45/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#546). Median household income is $66,231 and job growth is running at -0.6%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Tuscaloosa County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $248,700 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.27, with rents averaging $1,037/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Tuscaloosa County's population is growing — up +1.5% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.6%). Home values shifted +0.3% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.67% 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.