Tuscaloosa County Demographic

Introduction

The area now known as Tuscaloosa County was discovered in 1540 by troops of Hernando DeSoto. The name Tuscaloosa is derived from the Choctaw Indian Chief Tushkauloosa, which, literally translated, means "Black Warrior". The Black Warrior River, which runs through Tuscaloosa County, is an essential link in Alabama's inland water system. In 1819, Tuscaloosa County was officially created by an act of the first State Legislature. Today, Tuscaloosa County is the second largest in the state with an area of 1,340 square miles. The population of the County is 178,404 people.
*2008 Estimate, Experian/Applied Geographic Solutions

Demographic Data

Community Profile

Population of Cities

Tuscaloosa County Population

Economic Trends

Households and Income

Educational Attainment

Labor Market Data

Tax Rates

Selected Wage Rates

Click on the categories below to view the wage information form the Alabama Department of Labor, Labor Market Information Division's 2008 Wage Survey.

• Long Range Occupational Projections 2008
  
  
• Alabama Industry Projections 2016

Transportation Facts

Education

     The West Alabama Region is known as the "Capstone of Education" in Alabama. Within our community there exists a nationally renowned teaching and research university; a liberal arts college built on tradition and quality; a community college meeting area needs in lifelong learning and training requirements for business and industry; and progressive quality public and private schools.

     With effective business-education partnerships that work, West Alabama is a leader in academic and technical education excellence.  This level of excellence is evidenced in achievement scores that exceed national averages and in the fact that students and teachers from all levels consistently earn national and academic awards, scholarships and honors for excellence. The opportunities available create an excellent learning environment.

The University of Alabama

     Since its founding in 1831 in Tuscaloosa as the first public university in the state, The University of Alabama has been committed to providing the best, most complete education possible for its students. By offering outstanding teaching in a solid core curriculum enhanced by multimedia classrooms and campus-wide computer labs, The University of Alabama keeps its focus on the future while maintaining a traditional college atmosphere. Extensive international study opportunities, internship programs, and cooperative education placement help students prepare for successful futures.

     Offering over 270 undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs, the University gives its approximately 27,000 students a wide range of choices and offers courses of study at the bachelor's, master's, specialist, and doctoral levels.

     U.S. News and World Report has named UA one of the nations top 50 public universities for five consecutive years. UA leads the nation with five students named to the 2005 USA Today All-USA College Academic Team, and UA's three-year total of 14 also tops all other colleges and universities.

      The UA School of Law graduating class for May 2007 had a national bar exam passage rate of over 98 percent, well above the 2007 state rate of 64 percent and the national average of 67 percent.

     The University of Alabama represents one of the greatest assets to the West Alabama business community.  University officials believe in strong business partnerships, and have shown that belief throughout the years.  These partnerships have attracted global businesses to the area, including Mercedes-Benz and JVC.  

          In addition to partnerships, the University offers a variety of Outreach programs.  These programs provide service and consultation through targeted centers, grant-supported programs and outreach activities of faculty, staff and students.  These programs include, but are not limited to the following list:

AIME (Alabama Institute for Manufacturing Excellence)
An interdisciplinary center employing computer modeling and information systems, as well as resources and personnel from the College of Arts and Sciences, Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration, and College of Engineering, in response to the research and development needs of industry.

Alabama Productivity Center
Began as a joint venture between UA and Alabama Power Company; focuses faculty and student resources on productivity, quality, and competitiveness issues faced by Alabama businesses; activities include information dissemination and research.

CBER (Center for Business and Economic Research)
promotes economic development throughout Alabama through research and public service; serves as an international resource for demographic and economic information about the state.

Child Development Resources and Services
is an outreach arm of the College of Human Environmental Sciences.  CDRS helps parents in twelve Alabama counties find suitable child care by: educating them about their options, offering financial assistance to low-income families with funding from the Alabama Department of Human Resources, and providing training and technical assistance to child care providers.

Enterprise Integration Lab
aids organizations in leveraging information technology to compete in world markets; develops techniques to integrate business activities through intelligent communication, command, and control structures.

Family Business Forum
offers access to experts in accounting, banking, insurance, law, financial management, business
strategy, management information systems, human resources, success planning, and taxation;
focuses on family dynamics as they pertain to family members who own or run businesses, as well as the management of family-owned businesses.

Small Business Development Center
fosters the start-up and growth of small businesses through one-on-one counseling, workshops, and the transfer of information. The Center's fundamental mission is to deliver quality assistance and information to the region's small businesses in an efficient and timely manner.

University Medical Center
An outreach arm of the College of Community Health Sciences through which faculty, students, and local residents provide health care for West Alabama citizens. Seven clinical services are offered through the center; family medicine, internal medicine, minor surgery, OBGYN, occupational medicine, pediatric, and psychiatry clinics.

    

Stillman College

     Stillman College, authorized by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the United States in 1875, held its first classes in the Fall of 1876 and was chartered as a legal corporation by the State of Alabama in 1895. Stillman College is a four-year liberal arts college offering the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees.

     Today the College’s concentration is on Christian- inspired education rather than training for the ministry, the stiffening of state requirements for teaching certificates and the gradual but inevitable increase in employment opportunities for blacks. Stillman offers majors in 16 areas including business, computer science, music, and international studies. Stillman also has pre-professional programs in engineering, law, medicine, ministry, and social work. Stillman offers cooperative programs with colleges and universities in Alabama, Tennessee, New York, Michigan, Ohio, and Washington.

     The 100-acre Tuscaloosa campus is noted for its stately magnolias and spacious, well-maintained grounds. In this setting graceful buildings were erected and others are under construction and being planned.

Shelton State Community College

     Shelton State Community College, located in Tuscaloosa is an open-admission, state-supported, comprehensive community college whose primary purpose is to provide accessible post secondary education in academic, technical, and occupational fields. The College includes the C.A. Fredd Campus, which is designated as a Historical Black College and University (HBCU). Shelton State Community College also offers specialized training through the Alabama Fire College and the Center for Advanced Productivity (CAP).

    Also located at Shelton State Community College is the West Alabama Center for Workforce Development and Training for Business and Industry. This center is designed to work hand in hand with the local industrial community to insure the continued growth of a vibrant economy.

     Shelton State Community College has traditionally been a beneficial resource to businesses of West Alabama.  With an annual enrollment of over 8,000 students, Shelton offers students the chance to learn the skills needed for tomorrow’s fast-paced business world. 

Bevill State Community College

    Bevill State Community College, part of a state system of public colleges, has campuses in Fayette, Hamilton, Jasper, and Sumiton. The Fayette campus includes three buildings on campus and one off-campus facility. The on-campus facilities include a residence hall, gymnasium, natatorium, observatory, library, student center, and 28 classrooms/labs available for academic, certificate, and continuing education programs. The off-campus location houses classrooms primarily used for business and industry training, technical education, and community service programs. Enrollment for the Fayette campus is approximately 900 students.

    The Fayette campus also oversees the Carrollton Instructional Site, located in Pickens County. The center offers general transfer courses in the evening.

Primary & Secondary Education in West Alabama

     The West Alabama region is home to  “first-class” primary and secondary school facilities.  These academic facilities prepare students for entry into the work force or higher education.

      Tuscaloosa, the largest metropolitan area of West Alabama is serviced by two public schools systems: the Tuscaloosa City School System and the Tuscaloosa County School System. Both systems are fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Alabama Department of Education. Offering a varied curriculum for students K-12, the school systems strive to prepare students to become lifelong learners.

Tuscaloosa City Schools

     The Tuscaloosa City School System provides outstanding education opportunities for students in grades K-12 residing within the Tuscaloosa City limits. There are a total of 22 city schools (12 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, & 5 high schools) serving over 10,000 students. The system has received the “What Parents Want” award for ten consecutive years. School Match, the nation’s largest school selection consulting firm, gives this award.

A wide range of excellent opportunities for students is available including Advanced Placement Courses, American Studies Program, Night High School, Pre-K Program, Arts in Education Program, Adult Education Opportunities, Extended Day Program, Athletic Programs, Special Education, and the Success by Six Initiative. The International Baccalaureate (IB) Program is a comprehensive and rigorous two-year curriculum for students in the eleventh and twelfth grades. It is one of only five programs in Alabama. The IB program offers a challenging curriculum taught and tested according to international standards.

The 2005 graduating class earned approximately $5.5 million in student scholarships. Seventy percent of graduates attend two or four year colleges after graduation. Twenty-five percent attend vocational/technical schools.

Tuscaloosa County Schools

     The Tuscaloosa County school system has a rich heritage of educational progress since its establishment in 1871. Thirty-two schools, located throughout the county, provide comprehensive, community-based learning centers for students enrolled in kindergarten through grade twelve.

     One of the fastest growing school systems in Alabama, Tuscaloosa County schools consist of 19 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, and 5 high schools covering areas from Brookwood to Vance to Northport to the Hillcrest area.

     The County system also operates a regional education center designed for exceptional students, and a student adjustment center, which is an alternative school for at-risk students. The Regional Educational Center is designed for special classes for the handicapped and the TARGET program provides a challenging curriculum for the gifted student.  From an early intervention and preschool program to an instructional program at all levels that combines academic, workplace, technical and social skills, the Tuscaloosa County schools have achieved high levels of results.

Tuscaloosa Private Schools

     The Tuscaloosa area is also served by a variety of private schools. These private schools, from religious-based to college-preparatory, provide additional educational choices for residents.

Adopt-A-School Program

Tuscaloosa County's public schools enjoy a strong, growing support system and partnership with the private sector and business and industry through one of the Southeast's most successful Adopt-A-School programs. Founded in 1985 by The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama in partnership with both the Tuscaloosa City and County School Systems, the Adopt-A-School program has been recognized on state and national levels for its results. With the 54 individual schools in both systems matched with approximately 79 businesses and organizations as adopters, the program is one of the few in the nation managed by a local Chamber of Commerce that involves multiple school systems.

Adopt-A-School links businesses, industries and organizations with schools. This provides creative working partnerships and programming to enhance the educational experience of all students through applications of business and community resources in a variety of enrichment initiatives.