Tuscaloosa County, Alabama

Tuscaloosa County History, Geography, Demographics, Cities and Towns, and Education

Etymology - Origin of County Name

The county received its name from the Choctaw Indian word for the Black Warrior River, which flows through the area.

Demographics:

County QuickFacts: Census Bureau Quick Facts

County History

Tuscaloosa County, Alabama

Formed in Feb. 6, 1818, its present boundaries were not established until 1820. The county is located in the Appalachian foothills and the coastal plain. The county received its name from the Choctaw Indian word for the Black Warrior River, which flows through the area. The county was inhabited by both Creek and Choctaw Indians. It currently encompasses 1,336 square miles.

The county seat was first established in the town of Tuscaloosa in 1819, moved to Newton in 1822, and then back to Tuscaloosa shortly thereafter. The town of Tuscaloosa was designated the state capital from 1826-45. The state university was established in Tuscaloosa in 1827. Other notable towns include Northport, Brookwood, Holt and Coaling.

According to the census of 2000, there were 164,875 people, 64,517 households, and 41,677 families living in the county. The population density was 48 persons/km² (124 persons/mi²). The population core of the county lies in Tuscaloosa-Northport conurbation (including Coaling, Coker, and Holt 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 439 persons/km² (1137 persons/mi²), while the density of the county outside the central population core is 17 persons/km² (44 persons/mi²).

There were 71,429 housing units at an average density of 21/km² (54/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 68.12% White, 29.31% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.92% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.56% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. 1.29% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 64,517 households out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.20% were 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 the population was spread out with 23.40% under the age of 18, 16.50% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 20.80% from 45 to 64, and 11.30% who were 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 that age 65 or over.

Neighboring Counties:

• Northeast: Walker County; Jefferson County
• Southeast: Bibb County
• South: Hale County
• Southwest: Greene County
• West: Pickens County
• Northwest: Fayette County

Cities and Towns:

County Resources:

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