Tuscaloosa, AL

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2022 Population

272,931

2.66% 1-year growth

US Senator

Tommy Tuberville

Republican Party

US Senator

Katie Britt

Republican Party

2022 Median Age

34.1

2.01% 1-year decrease

2022 Poverty Rate

18%

2.75% 1-year increase

2022 Median Household Income

$58,132

6.76% 1-year growth

2022 Median Property Value

$201,800

17.9% 1-year growth

2022 Employed Population

124,727

3.78% 1-year growth

About

In 2022, Tuscaloosa, AL had a population of 273k people with a median age of 34.1 and a median household income of $58,132. Between 2021 and 2022 the population of Tuscaloosa, AL grew from 265,855 to 272,931, a 2.66% increase and its median household income grew from $54,449 to $58,132, a 6.76% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Tuscaloosa, AL are White (Non-Hispanic) (57.6%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (35.2%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (1.88%), White (Hispanic) (1.68%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (1.35%).

None of the households in Tuscaloosa, AL reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

98% of the residents in Tuscaloosa, AL are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Tuscaloosa, AL are The University of Alabama (10,025 degrees awarded in 2022), Shelton State Community College (853 degrees), and Stillman College (100 degrees).

In 2022, the median property value in Tuscaloosa, AL was $201,800, and the homeownership rate was 64.3%.

Most people in Tuscaloosa, AL drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Tuscaloosa, AL was 2 cars per household.

Tuscaloosa, AL borders Birmingham-Hoover, AL and Columbus, MS.

About the photo: Lake Harris Spillway

Photo by Richard Nix

United States Alabama

Population & Diversity

Tuscaloosa, AL is home to a population of 273k people, from which 98% are citizens. As of 2022, 3.34% of Tuscaloosa, AL residents were born outside of the country (9.1k people).

In 2022, there were 1.63 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (157k people) in Tuscaloosa, AL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 96.1k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 5.13k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98%

2022 Citizenship

97.7%

2021 Citizenship

As of 2022, 98% of Tuscaloosa, AL residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.5%. In 2021, the percentage of US citizens in Tuscaloosa, AL was 97.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Tuscaloosa, AL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Tuscaloosa, AL

White (Non-Hispanic)
157k ± 247
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
96.1k ± 880
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
5.13k ± 916

3.77%

Hispanic Population

10.3k people

3.77% of the people in Tuscaloosa, AL are hispanic (10.3k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Tuscaloosa, AL as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Alabama.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
45,935 ± 5,238 people
Guatemala
15,043 ± 3,007 people
India
10,012 ± 2,454 people

In 2022, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Alabama was Mexico, the natal country of 45,935 Alabama residents, followed by Guatemala with 15,043 and India with 10,012.

Foreign-Born Population

3.34%

2022 Foreign-Born Population

9.1k people

3.34%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

8.88k people

As of 2022, 3.34% of Tuscaloosa, AL residents (9.1k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2021, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Tuscaloosa, AL was 3.34%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Tuscaloosa, AL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
4,437 ± 456
Gulf War (2001-)
3,542 ± 720
Gulf War (1990s)
2,516 ± 522

Tuscaloosa, AL has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.25 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Tuscaloosa, AL employs 125k people. The largest industries in Tuscaloosa, AL are Manufacturing (19,985 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (17,897 people), and Educational Services (17,249 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($80,077), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($78,060), and Wholesale Trade ($58,227).

Males in Alabama have an average income that is 1.43 times higher than the average income of females, which is $50,264. The income inequality in Alabama (measured using the Gini index) is 0.458, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

125k

2022 Value

± 3,441

3.78%

1 Year growth

± 3.73%

From 2021 to 2022, employment in Tuscaloosa, AL grew at a rate of 3.78%, from 120k employees to 125k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Tuscaloosa, AL, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (12,755 people), Sales & Related Occupations (11,701 people), and Management Occupations (11,436 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Tuscaloosa, AL.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Alabama (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

125k

2022 Value

± 3,441

3.78%

1 Year growth

± 3.73%

From 2021 to 2022, employment in Tuscaloosa, AL grew at a rate of 3.78%, from 120k employees to 125k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Tuscaloosa, AL, are Manufacturing (19,985 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (17,897 people), and Educational Services (17,249 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Tuscaloosa, AL, though some of these residents may live in Tuscaloosa, AL and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$46,131

Median earning men ± $1,425

$32,084

Median earning women ± $1,618

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2022 are Wholesale Trade ($70,057), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($62,369), and Public Administration ($60,911).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2022 are Public Administration ($50,823), Wholesale Trade ($46,618), and Information ($46,281).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Alabama.

Y-Axis

2.1%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 2.13M people employed in Alabama. This represents a 2.1% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 11.2%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Alabama.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

322
Retail Trade
278
Other Services (except Public Administration)
263
Construction

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Depending on the option selected, the visualization shows the number of employees or number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$1.52M
Manufacturing
$702k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$326k
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Alabama went to Donald J. Trump with 62% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (36.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.08%).

Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt are the senators currently representing the state of Alabama. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Alabama is currently represented by 7 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Tuscaloosa, AL. Showing the available data for Alabama.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (62%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (36.6%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.08%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Alabama went to Donald J. Trump with 62% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (36.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.08%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Alabama for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Alabama

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Alabama.

Tommy Tuberville

Senator from Alabama

Assumed office on January 3, 2021

Katie Britt

Senator from Alabama

Assumed office on January 3, 2023

Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt are the senators currently representing Alabama.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Alabama over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Alabama

Alabama is currently represented by 7 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Alabama have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2022, universities in Tuscaloosa, AL awarded 11,015 degrees. The student population of Tuscaloosa, AL in 2022 is skewed towards women, with 18,532 male students and 25,066 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Tuscaloosa, AL are White (8,411 and 78.7%), followed by Black or African American (1,191 and 11.2%), Hispanic or Latino (478 and 4.48%), and Two or More Races (332 and 3.11%).

The largest universities in Tuscaloosa, AL by number of degrees awarded are The University of Alabama (10,025 and 91%), Shelton State Community College (853 and 7.74%), and Stillman College (100 and 0.908%).

The most popular majors in Tuscaloosa, AL are General Marketing & Marketing Management (763 and 6.93%), Registered Nursing (633 and 5.75%), and General Finance (581 and 5.27%).

The median tuition costs in Tuscaloosa, AL are $9,548 for private four year colleges, and $11,100 and $31,460 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2022 in Tuscaloosa, AL, the percentage of applicants admitted was 79.6%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 18.4%. The number of students enrolled in 2022 was 43,598 (42.5% men and 57.5% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2022 there were 43,598 students enrolled in Tuscaloosa, AL, 42.5% men and 57.5% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 29,827 records, of which 56.3% were women and 43.7% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Marketing & Marketing Management
581 degrees awarded
General Finance
540 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
420 degrees awarded

In 2022, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Tuscaloosa, AL was General Marketing & Marketing Management with 581 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Tuscaloosa, AL according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

The University of Alabama
10,025 degrees awarded
Shelton State Community College
853 degrees awarded
Stillman College
100 degrees awarded

In 2022, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was The University of Alabama with 10,025 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2022, 4,496 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Tuscaloosa, AL, which is 0.69 times less than the 6,519 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2022 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 8,411 degrees mean that there were 7.06 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 1,191 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($11,100) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2022.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,844) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2022.

Public, 2-year ($2,000) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Alabama.

Measure

In 2022, 0.905% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.822% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Alabama.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2022 were High School or Equivalent (1.23M), Some college (913k), and Secondary Education (625k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Tuscaloosa, AL was $201,800 in 2022, which is 0.716 times smaller than the national average of $281,900. Between 2021 and 2022 the median property value increased from $171,100 to $201,800, a 17.9% increase. The homeownership rate in Tuscaloosa, AL is 64.3%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.8%.

People in Tuscaloosa, AL have an average commute time of 24.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Tuscaloosa, AL is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Tuscaloosa, AL is $58,132. In 2022, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Tuscaloosa, AL was Shelby County, AL with a value of $90,618, followed by Limestone County, AL and Madison County, AL, with respective values of $80,146 and $78,058.

Housing

Property

$201,800

Median Property Value 2022

±$5,086

$64,344

Median Property Taxes

±$1,965

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Tuscaloosa, AL the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Tuscaloosa, AL compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

64.3%

Homeownership

2022

67.7%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2022

In 2022, 64.3% of the housing units in Tuscaloosa, AL were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 65.1%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Tuscaloosa, AL compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2022, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Tuscaloosa, AL was Shelby County, AL with a value of $90,618, followed by Limestone County, AL and Madison County, AL, with respective values of $80,146 and $78,058.

The following map shows all of the counties in Tuscaloosa, AL colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$58,132

Median Household Income

± $1,937

100k

Number of Households

± 2,552

In 2022, the median household income of the 100k households in Tuscaloosa, AL grew to $58,132 from the previous year's value of $54,449.

The following chart displays the households in Tuscaloosa, AL distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Tuscaloosa, AL is from Alabama.

0.458

2022 Wage GINI in Alabama

0.458

2021 Wage GINI in Alabama

In 2022, the income inequality in Alabama was 0.458 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0777% growth from 2021 to 2022, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Alabama was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Alabama in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Alabama across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2022

Drove Alone (82.3%)
Carpooled (9.91%)
Worked At Home (5.32%)

In 2022, 82.3% of workers in Tuscaloosa, AL drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.91%) and those who worked at home (5.32%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

24.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Tuscaloosa, AL have a shorter commute time (24.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.7 minutes). Additionally, 1.75% of the workforce in Tuscaloosa, AL have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Tuscaloosa, AL compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Tuscaloosa, AL distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Tuscaloosa, AL have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

18% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Tuscaloosa, AL (46.4k out of 257k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Tuscaloosa, AL is Black, followed by White and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

93% of the population of Tuscaloosa, AL has health coverage, with 50.8% on employee plans, 15.2% on Medicaid, 11.3% on Medicare, 13.9% on non-group plans, and 1.74% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Alabama see 1520 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.0658% increase from the previous year (1519 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2054 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 797 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Alabama.

1,520 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Alabama

Primary care physicians in Alabama see an average of 1,520 patients per year. This represents a 0.0658% increase from the previous year (1,519 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Alabama in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2022, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 23.7% under 18 years, 27.9% between 18 and 34 years, 34% between 35 and 64 years, and 14.4% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.1% were men and 51.9% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

7.02%

Uninsured

50.8%

Employer Coverage

15.2%

Medicaid

11.3%

Medicare

13.9%

Non-Group

1.74%

Military or VA

Between 2021 and 2022, the percent of uninsured citizens in Tuscaloosa, AL declined by 5.66% from 7.45% to 7.02%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Tuscaloosa, AL changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Keep Exploring

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Birmingham-Hoover, AL