Tuscaloosa County, Alabama

Encyclopedia : T : TU : TUS : Tuscaloosa County, Alabama

Tuscaloosa County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. It is named is in honor of the Choctaw chief Tuskalusa. As of 2000 the population was 164,875.

The county is the second-largest in the state in terms of area (trailing only Baldwin County) and fifth-largest in terms of population (behind Jefferson, Mobile, Madison, and Montgomery counties).

Its seat and largest city is Tuscaloosa.

Contents

1 History
2 Geography

2.1 Adjacent Counties

3 Demographics
4 Government
5 Constructions
6 Municipalities and census-designated places
7 External links

History

Tuscaloosa County was established on February 6, 1818.

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 Applalachian Highlands and the Gulf Coastal Plain and consequently boasts a diverse geography. The county is forested and hilly to the northwest and low-lying and occasionally swampy to the southwest.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,500 km² (1,351 mi²). 3,430 km² (1,324 mi²) of it is land and 70 km² (27 mi²) of it (1.99%) is water.

Adjacent Counties

Walker County (northeast)
Jefferson County (east)
Bibb County (southeast)
Hale County (south)
Greene County (southwest)
Pickens County (west)
Fayette County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 164,875 people, 64,517 households, and 41,677 families residing 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 were 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 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 Steve Wilson
Judge John England
Judge Charles Malone
Judge Phillip Lisenby
Judge Hershel Hamner

The chief law enforcement officer of Tuscaloosa County, which comprises the Sixth Judicial Circuit is:

Tommy Smith, [District Attorney]

Constructions

The TV Alabama Tower and the WTTO Tower near Windham Springs are guyed TV masts, which belong to the tallest constructions on earth.

Municipalities and census-designated places

note: populations are from 2000 Census

Brookwood, 1,483
Coaling, 1,115
Coker, 808
Holt CDP, 4,103
Lake View, 1,357
Moundville, 229 (partial - part of Moundville is in Hale County)
North Bibb, 0 (partial - part of North Bibb is in Bibb County)
Northport, 19,435
Tuscaloosa, 77,906
Vance, 464 (partial - part of Vance is in Bibb County)

External links

	State of Alabama History \| People \| Governors \| Metropolitan Areas

Capital

Montgomery

Regions

Cities

Counties

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