Tuscaloosa County is a community that provides our citizens with an inviting menu of choices of where and how to live, in an environment sensitive to our people’s health, security, well-being and enjoyment. The Tuscaloosa County area is built around family values, diverse, caring neighborhoods, and inspiring places of worship. With all the qualities of “Main Street, USA”, Tuscaloosa County is a vibrant, livable community where people make the difference, and neighbors genuinely care about each other.

Whatever makes a person feel at home, one of the area’s neighborhoods is likely to provide the right atmosphere. That’s why you often hear from lifelong residents as well as newcomers that this is an ideal place to call home.

Housing & Neighborhoods

The composer of the song, “Sweet Home Alabama,” must have been standing in the center of Tuscaloosa County when the inspiration came upon him.

Homes and neighborhoods are special in the hearts of the people of Tuscaloosa County. Whether it’s a tidy little farm, a historic home in downtown Tuscaloosa or Northport, or a fashionable enclave on Lake Tuscaloosa, homes are what people retreat to when their day is over.

Others call home a new garden home or a clean-cut, inviting retirement center. There are a lot of these homes, and the number is growing annually. So are apartment complexes that are placed in strategic points around the county.

Most people, however, live in tree-lined established neighborhoods. Some have been around a while; some are spanking new. Some feature middle-aged homes with clapboard or vinyl siding; others are brand new and brick.

Residential growth has been dynamic in recent years, especially around Lake Tuscaloosa, northeast toward Birmingham, and south of town.

Both the Homebuilders Association of Tuscaloosa and the Tuscaloosa Association of Realtors have active memberships that get involved in making the county an even better home for everyone.

Public Safety

Tuscaloosa County’s law enforcement and public safety agencies work in harmony and cooperation with each other as well as with area citizens. With hundreds of full-time, highly-trained officers in the cities of Tuscaloosa and Northport and the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Department, the community enjoys a high level of safety and security. The area’s crime rate falls below national averages for comparably sized communities.

In addition, there is a high level of cooperative initiatives between all law enforcement agencies. Three metropolitan law enforcement units exist to assist with suppressing serious crime in the areas of narcotics, homicide, and youth aid.

With over 265 full-time fire department professionals in the cities of Tuscaloosa and Northport, and seventeen volunteer fire departments located throughout the County, the area is protected and served effectively. Fire protection is a priority of the entire area and fire stations are strategically located throughout the community ensuring low insurance ratings.

The partnership of citizens with public safety professionals is evidenced in the success of various programs such as Crime Stoppers, Neighborhood Watch and other specialized safety initiatives.

Religious Life

Faith is a strong and active part of the lives of people who live in Tuscaloosa County.

Whether it’s downtown, in the suburbs or on the county roads, churches of various faiths continue to grow and to build new facilities for their congregations. For example, in downtown Tuscaloosa, the Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches, already large, have added substantial new edifices in recent years.

More than 300 churches and synagogues, representing nearly 50 different faiths and denominations give the area a strong resource for community projects, as well. The Tuscaloosa Prayer Network has grown, and Reach Out Tuscaloosa, which brings churches together in charitable efforts, flourishes.

The Tuscaloosa Character Council, established by the Tuscaloosa City Council a few years ago, works diligently to promote 49 positive character traits in government, business and industry, the schools, and the faith community.