Tuscaloosa County is a
countyA county is a land area of local government within a country. A county may have cities and towns within its area. Originally, in continental Europe, a county was the land under the jurisdiction of a count .Counts are called earls in post-Celtic Britain, Ireland and France—the term is from Old...
of the
U.S.The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
stateA U.S. state is any one of 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government . Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile...
of
AlabamaAlabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States of America. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its...
.
It is named in honor of the pre-
ChoctawThe Choctaw are a Native American people originally from the Southeastern United States . They are of the Muskogean linguistic group...
chief Tuskaloosa.
In 2007, the population was estimated at 171,159.
In 2000, the population was 164,875.
The county is the second-largest in the state in terms of area (trailing only
Baldwin CountyBaldwin County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. It is named in honor of Abraham Baldwin, a member of the United States Senate who never actually lived in what would become Alabama. As of 2000 the population is 140,415 . The estimated 2006 population from the U.S. Census Bureau is 169,162....
) and sixth-largest in terms of population (behind
JeffersonJefferson County is the most densely populated county in the U.S. state of Alabama, the county seat being Birmingham.As of 2000 U.S. Census, the population of Jefferson County was 662,047. Jefferson County is the most populous and principal county in the Greater Birmingham area.-History:Jefferson...
,
MobileMobile County
[p] is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of a tribe of Indians, the Maubila tribe . As of 2008, its population was 406,309. Its county seat is Mobile, Alabama...
,
MadisonMadison County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is a major part of the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. The county is named in honor of James Madison, fourth President of the United States of America, and the first to visit the state of Alabama. According to the Census'...
,
MontgomeryMontgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Alabama. It was named in honor of Lemuel P. Montgomery, a military officer killed at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in the War of 1812 . The county seat, Montgomery, Alabama, has a different origin for its name, being named for Richard Montgomery...
,and
ShelbyShelby County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama and is named in honor of Isaac Shelby, Governor of Kentucky. The county seat of Shelby County is Columbiana. As of 2005 U.S. Census estimated the population was 171,465. Shelby County ranks among the 100 highest-income counties in the...
counties).
Its
seatA county seat is a term for an administrative center for a county or civil parish, primarily used in the United States. In the Northeast United States, the statutory term often is shire town, but colloquially county seat is the term in use there...
and largest city is
TuscaloosaTuscaloosa is a city in and the seat of Tuscaloosa County in the west central part of the U.S. state of Alabama. Located on the Black Warrior River, it is the fifth-largest city in Alabama with an estimated population of 90,221 in 2008. Tuscaloosa is named after the Choctaw chieftain Tuskaloosa...
, the former state capital from 1826 to 1845.
It is also the largest county in the Tuscaloosa, Alabama,
Metropolitan Statistical AreaThe Tuscaloosa metropolitan area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of three counties in west central Alabama, anchored by the city of Tuscaloosa...
.
History
Tuscaloosa County was established on February 6, 1818.
Tourist attractions include
University of AlabamaThe University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA. Founded in 1831, UA is the flagship university of the University of Alabama System. Within Alabama, it is often called "the Capstone"...
football, the Bear Bryant Museum, the Kentuck Art Festival, Dickens Downtown, International City Fest, and Tuscaloosa Christmas Afloat.
Principal agricultural products in Tuscaloosa County have included hay, corn, cotton, soybeans, wheat and
snapdragonSnapDragon is a contemporary jazz band based in San Antonio, Texas. The group released their debut CD, "Stealing a Moment" on Humbug Records in 2008, and the 10-song CD soon broke the Top 100 in U.S radio airplay...
s.
Major companies in the county have included
JVC, usually referred to as JVC, is a Japanese international consumer and professional electronics corporation based in Yokohama, Japan which was founded in 1927...
,
Mercedes-BenzMercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of luxury automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. It is currently a division of the parent company, Daimler AG , after previously being owned by Daimler-Benz...
USA International, Uniroyal-
Goodrich- People :* Aaron Goodrich , first Chief Justice of Minnesota Territorial Supreme Court * Benjamin Franklin Goodrich , founder of the Goodrich Corporation* Calvin Goodrich , American malacologist...
, and Phifer Wire Products.
On April 8, 1998, an F3 tornado struck northeast of Tuscaloosa. This windstorm injured two people and damaged five homes including mobile homes. It rotated seventeen miles (27 km) from Holman to north of
NorthportNorthport is a city in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, United States. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates the population is 23,118. It is part of the Tuscaloosa, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
. Twenty-four homes and thirteen mobile homes were also in destruction. Moments later, an F5 tornado struck northeastern Tuscaloosa near the
Black Warrior RiverThe Black Warrior River is a tributary of the Tombigbee River, approximately 178 mi long, in west central Alabama in the United States. It drains an area of 6,275 sq mi with its upper watershed encompassing a forested area of high bluffs at the extreme southern end of the Appalachian Mountains...
before entering western Jefferson County.
Geography
Tuscaloosa County 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 HighlandsThe Appalachian Mountains , often called the Appalachians, are a vast system of mountains in eastern North America. Definitions vary on the precise boundaries of the Appalachians...
and the
Gulf Coastal PlainThe Gulf Coastal Plain extends from the Florida Parishes of Louisiana over most of Mississippi, some of western Tennessee and Kentucky, the southwestern 2/3 of Alabama, and the western Florida Panhandle and Southern Texas. Its southern boundary is the Gulf of Mexico and its western boundary the...
and consequently boasts a diverse geography.
According to the
U.S. Census BureauThe United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data. As part of the United States Department of Commerce, the Census Bureau serves as the leading source of quality data about...
, the county has a total area of 3,500 km² (1,351 square miles). Nearly 1,324 square miles (3,430 km²) of it is land, and 27 square miles (70 km²) of it (1.99%) is water.
Major highways
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.svg.png)
Interstate 20Interstate 20 is a major east-west Interstate Highway in the southeastern United States. I-20 runs 1,535 miles from near Kent, Texas, at Interstate 10 to Florence, South Carolina, at Interstate 95...
/Interstate 59Interstate 59 is an Interstate Highway in the southern United States. Its southern terminus is near Slidell, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans, at an intersection with Interstate 10 and Interstate 12, its northern terminus is at Wildwood, Georgia, at an intersection with Interstate 24.The road's...
- Interstate 359
Interstate 359 is a spur from Interstate 20 and Interstate 59 that provides access to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It runs for 2.3 miles from Interstate 59 north to 15th Street in downtown Tuscaloosa. The highway also serves as the route for U.S. Highway 11 and State Route 69. The highway continues...
U.S. Highway 11
U.S. Highway 43
U.S. Highway 82
State Route 5
State Route 69State Route 69 is a long route that extends from the southwestern to the northeastern parts of the state. The southern terminus of the route is at a junction with State Route 177 at Jackson. The northern terminus of the route is at its junction with U.S...
State Route 215State Route 215, also known as SR-215, is a numbered state highway in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. SR-215 partially follows the former routes of U.S. Highway 82 and U.S. Highway 11...
State Route 216State Route 216, also known as SR-216, is a numbered state highway in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. SR-216 follows the former route of U.S. Highway 11 through eastern Tuscaloosa County...
State Route 297The Warrior Loop or the Tuscaloosa Eastern Bypass is a proposed four-lane, , $250 million bypass of the city of Tuscaloosa, Alabama to be completed by 2012. Its route would begin at Interstates 20/59 in Cottondale and terminate at U.S. Highway 82 just to the west of Northport...
Rail
- Norfolk Southern Railway
The Norfolk Southern Railway is a major Class I railroad in the United States, owned by the Norfolk Southern Corporation. With headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, the company operates 21,500 route miles in 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia and the province of Ontario, Canada...
- Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971 to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a blend of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union Station...
- Alabama Southern Railroad
The Alabama Southern Railroad is a class III railroad that operates in the southern United States.ABS is one of several short line railroads owned by the Watco Companies....
- CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation is a Class I railroad in the United States, owned by the CSX Corporation and headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. It is one of the three Class I railroads serving most of the East Coast, the other two being the Norfolk Southern Railway and Canadian Pacific Railway...
Adjacent counties
- Walker County
Walker County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama.Its name is in honor of John Williams Walker, a member of the United States Senate.
As of 2000 the population was 70,713...
(northeast)
- Jefferson County
Jefferson County is the most densely populated county in the U.S. state of Alabama, the county seat being Birmingham.As of 2000 U.S. Census, the population of Jefferson County was 662,047. Jefferson County is the most populous and principal county in the Greater Birmingham area.-History:Jefferson...
(east)
- Bibb County
Bibb County is a county in the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of William W. Bibb, the first Governor of Alabama. As of 2000 the population was 20,826...
(southeast)
- Hale County
Hale County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. It is named in honor of Confederate Colonel Stephen F. Hale. As of 2000 the population was 17,185. Its county seat is Greensboro and it is part of the Tuscaloosa Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
(south)
- Greene County
Greene County is the least populous county in the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Revolutionary War General Nathanael Greene of Rhode Island. As of 2000 the population was 9,974. Its county seat is Eutaw....
(southwest)
- Pickens County
Pickens County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of 2000, the population was 20,949. Its county seat is Carrollton, and it is a prohibition, or dry county.- History :...
(west)
- Fayette County
Fayette County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette , who aided General George Washington in the American Revolutionary War. As of 2000 the population was 18,495. Its county seat is Fayette and it is a prohibition or dry...
(northwest)
Demographics
As of the
censusA "census" is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population.In other words every 10 years...next one would be in 2010 The term is used mostly in connection with...
of 2000, there were 164,875 people, 64,517 households, and 41,677 families residing in the county. The
population densityPopulation density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans. It is a key term used in geography....
was 48 persons/km² (124/sq mi). The population core of the county lies in
TuscaloosaTuscaloosa is a city in and the seat of Tuscaloosa County in the west central part of the U.S. state of Alabama. Located on the Black Warrior River, it is the fifth-largest city in Alabama with an estimated population of 90,221 in 2008. Tuscaloosa is named after the Choctaw chieftain Tuskaloosa...
-
NorthportNorthport is a city in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, United States. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates the population is 23,118. It is part of the Tuscaloosa, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
conurbationA conurbation is an urban area or agglomeration comprising a number of cities, large towns and larger urban areas that, through population growth and physical expansion, have merged to form one continuous urban and industrially developed area...
(including
CoalingCoaling is a town in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,115. It is part of the Tuscaloosa, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Coaling is located at .According to the U.S...
,
CokerCoker is a town in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 808. It is part of the Tuscaloosa, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Coker is located at .According to the U.S...
, and
HoltHolt is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 4,103. It is part of the Tuscaloosa, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
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/sq mi), while the density of the county outside the central population core is only 17 persons/km² (44 persons/sq mi).
There were 71,429 housing units at an average density of 54/sq mi (21/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 68.12%
WhiteRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 29.31%
BlackRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or
African AmericanRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.23%
Native AmericanRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.92%
AsianRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.03%
Pacific IslanderRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.56% from
other racesRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.82% from two or more races. Nearly 1.29% of the population were
HispanicRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or
LatinoRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
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 couplesMarriage is a social union or legal contract between individuals that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged by a variety of ways, depending on the culture or demographic...
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 incomePer capita income means how much each individual receives, in monetary terms, of the yearly income generated in the country. This is what each citizen is to receive if the yearly national income is divided equally among everyone. Per capita income is usually reported in units of currency per year...
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.
Government
Tuscaloosa is served by several elected state officials. Tuscaloosa is served by the following elected state officials: two District Court Judges, six Circuit Court Judges, and the District Attorney.
The current District Court Judges are:
- Judge Joel Chandler
- Judge Jim Guin
The current Circuit Court Judges are:
- Judge Scott Donaldson, Presiding Judge
- Judge Michael Bradley Almond
- Judge John England
- Judge Charles Malone
- Judge Phillip Lisenby
- Judge Hershel Hamner
The current Sheriff is Ron Abernathy.
The chief law enforcement officer of Tuscaloosa County, which comprises the Sixth Judicial Circuit is:
- Thomas M. Smith
Thomas M. Smith is the current District Attorney of the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Alabama. Smith was sworn into the elected office on January 19, 1999...
, District Attorney
On the federal level, Tuscaloosa County is divided between the
sixthAlabama's Sixth Congressional District is a U.S. congressional district in Alabama, which elects a representative to the United States House of Representatives. It encompasses the counties of Chilton, Bibb and Shelby. It also includes parts of St. Clair County, Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, and Coosa...
and
seventhAlabama's Seventh Congressional District is a U.S. congressional district in Alabama, which elects a representative to the United States House of Representatives. The district encompasses the counties of Greene, Choctaw, Sumter, Marengo, Dallas, Wilcox, Perry and Hale...
congressional districts of Alabama, represented by
Spencer BachusSpencer Thomas Bachus III , American politician, has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1993, representing .- Early life and career:...
(R) and
Artur DavisArtur Genestre Davis is an American politician who has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 2003, representing . It encompasses the counties of Choctaw, Sumter, Greene, Perry, Hale, Dallas, Wilcox, and Marengo...
(
DThe Alabama Democratic Party is the local branch of the Democratic Party in the state of Alabama. It is presently chaired by Joe Turnham.It is the minority party in Alabama. Following the elections of 2008, Democrats hold the following statewide executive offices:*Lt...
), respectively. It is also in the
northernThe United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama is the Federal district court whose jurisdiction comprises the following counties: Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Colbert, Cullman, De Kalb, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Jackson, Jefferson, Lamar,...
federal court district of Alabama.
Politics
Tuscaloosa County voted for
John McCainJohn Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
over
Barack ObamaBarack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office, as well as the first president born in Hawaii...
in the 2008
ElectionThe 56th quadrennial United States presidential election was held on November 4, 2008. Outgoing Republican President George W. Bush's policies and actions and the American public's desire for change were key issues throughout the campaign, and during the general election campaign, both major party...
.
Education
The
Tuscaloosa County School System serves students in the county who live outside the city limits of Tuscaloosa. The system has been in operation since 1871. The system is managed by a Board of Education, composed 7 members elected by district by the voter of the county outside the limits of the city of Tuscaloosa, and a superintendent appointed by the board to manage the day-to-day operations of the system. In school year 2005-2006, 16,318 students were enrolled by the system. There are 16 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, 5 high schools and the Tuscaloosa Regional Detention Center and Sprayberry Regional Eduational Center for gifted and special needs children. Currently four new schools are scheduled to open August 2008.
The
Tuscaloosa City School System serves students who live in the city of Tuscaloosa.
Constructions
The
TV Alabama TowerTV Alabama Tower is a 2000 foot tall guyed radio mast located near Windham Springs, in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, USA. TV Alabama Tower was built in 1996 and is the property of "TV Alabama, Inc."...
and the
WTTO TowerThe WTTO Tower is a 609.6 m tall guyed mast structure used for communication purposes. It was finished in 1986 and is located in Windham Springs, Alabama, in the U.S. at .-External links:*...
near Windham Springs are guyed TV masts. These are the tallest constructions in Tuscaloosa County.
Municipalities and census-designated places
note: populations are from 2000 Census
- Brookwood
Brookwood is a town in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population of the town is 1,483. It is part of the Tuscaloosa, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Brookwood is located at ....
, 1,483
- Coaling
Coaling is a town in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,115. It is part of the Tuscaloosa, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Coaling is located at .According to the U.S...
, 1,115
- Coker
Coker is a town in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 808. It is part of the Tuscaloosa, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Coker is located at .According to the U.S...
, 808
- Holt CDP
Holt is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 4,103. It is part of the Tuscaloosa, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, 4,103
- Lake View
Lake View is a town in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,357. It is part of the Tuscaloosa, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Lake View is located at ....
, 1,357
- Moundville
Moundville is a town in Hale and Tuscaloosa Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. At the 2000 census the population was 1,809. It is part of the Tuscaloosa Metropolitan Statistical Area. Moundville is known for its quintessential southern landscapes...
, 229 (partial - part of Moundville is in Hale CountyHale County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. It is named in honor of Confederate Colonel Stephen F. Hale. As of 2000 the population was 17,185. Its county seat is Greensboro and it is part of the Tuscaloosa Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
)
- North Bibb, 0 (partial - part of North Bibb is in Bibb County
Bibb County is a county in the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of William W. Bibb, the first Governor of Alabama. As of 2000 the population was 20,826...
)
- Northport
Northport is a city in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, United States. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates the population is 23,118. It is part of the Tuscaloosa, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, 19,435
- Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa is a city in and the seat of Tuscaloosa County in the west central part of the U.S. state of Alabama. Located on the Black Warrior River, it is the fifth-largest city in Alabama with an estimated population of 90,221 in 2008. Tuscaloosa is named after the Choctaw chieftain Tuskaloosa...
, 77,906
- Vance
Vance is a town in Bibb and Tuscaloosa Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama, just outside of the city of Tuscaloosa. It is most famous for the Mercedes-Benz plant, currently the only one in North America...
, 464 (partial - part of Vance is in Bibb CountyBibb County is a county in the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of William W. Bibb, the first Governor of Alabama. As of 2000 the population was 20,826...
)
External links