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"Welcome to Alabama’s friendliest and most progressive community. Here we take pride in our heritage, our commitment to quality and our promising future. Our history is older than the state of Alabama. Our future is insured with a dedication to attaining the very best for our citizens
Take a moment and stroll through our diverse neighborhoods. Visit us during our annual CityFest. Enjoy the thrill of college football. Fish, swim and boat on our abundant waters. Reach back into our history.
Of course, being Southern, we feature the best food anywhere from barbecue to the finest cuisine. It is all here along with friendly people, ready smile and warm greetings."
-Former Mayor Al DuPont
The West Alabama trade area is comprised of seven counties. These counties include Bibb County, Fayette County, Greene County, Hale County, Lamar County, Pickens County and Tuscaloosa County. Tuscaloosa County is the most densely populated of the seven, with an estimated population of 178,404 in 2008. The entire West Alabama trade area has a 2008 estimated population of 280,012.
TOTAL POPULATION |
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| County |
2000 Census |
2010 Census |
2011 Estimates |
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Bibb |
20,826 |
22,915 |
23,575 |
||
Fayette |
18,495 |
17,241 |
17,057 |
||
Greene |
9,974 |
9,045 |
9,015 |
||
Hale |
17,158 |
15,760 |
14,806 |
||
Lamar |
15,904 |
14.564 |
14,620 |
||
Pickens |
20,949 |
19,746 |
19,845 |
||
Tuscaloosa |
164,875 |
194,656 |
201,872 |
||
| Total |
268,208 |
293,927 |
300,790 |
||
| Source: US Census Bureau, Experian/Applied Geographic Solutions |
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TOTAL HOUSEHOLDS |
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| County |
1990 Census |
2000 Census |
2010 Cencus |
2016 Projections |
||
Bibb |
5,750 |
7,421 |
8,062 |
8,486 |
||
Fayette |
6,858 |
7,493 |
6,968 |
6,455 |
||
Greene |
3,512 |
3,931 |
3,670 |
3,311 |
||
Hale |
5,397 |
6,415 |
6,046 |
5,239 |
||
Lamar |
6,005 |
6,468 |
5,968 |
5,454 |
||
Pickens |
7,568 |
8,086 |
7,881 |
7,369 |
||
Tuscaloosa |
55,346 |
64,517 |
77,444 |
82,890 |
||
| Total |
90,436 |
104,331 |
116,039 |
119,204 |
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| Source: Demographic Data Copyright by Experion/Applied Geographic Solutions |
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The West Alabama area is 50 miles southwest of Birmingham and 95 miles northwest of Montgomery. Atlanta, Memphis, and Nashville are within 200 miles of the area and New Orleans and the Gulf Coast are within 300 miles. Other major markets such as Lexington, Ky., Charlotte, N.C., Jacksonville, Fla., and Greenville, S.C. are within a 400-mile radius. This strategic location provides West Alabama businesses with access to numerous major markets.
The geography of West Alabama is very diverse. The area is located where the Appalachian Mountains meet the coastal plain and the Black Warrior River. Hills and mountains cover the northern portion of the six county area, while the southern portion is flat and fertile land. Lakes and rivers are abundant throughout the region.
The West Alabama trade area is serviced by Interstates 59/20 and 359, as well as U.S. Highways 82, 43, and 11, State Highways 69, 215, and 171.
The Tuscaloosa Municipal Airport offers limited air service on a 6,500 foot lighted jet runway, while Birmingham International Airport is only one hour north on I-59/20. Kansas City Southern and Norfolk Southern offer railroad freight service to the West Alabama. Passenger service is offered by Amtrack with routes to New York and New Orleans. The Black Warrior River is a federally maintained river and allows barge service to the Port of Mobile, via the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. Over 18 motor freight companies also service the area.
Tuscaloosa is the largest city in the West Alabama trade area. The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa strives to bring new and exciting cultural events to the region. Many cultural facilities and events are currently available n the area. The list below provides some examples of such events and facilities.
Frank Moody Music Building
Garland Art Gallery
Kentuck Festival of the Arts
Moundville Native American Festival
Old Towne Northport
Sakura Festival
Westervelt-Warner Museum
| Offices | June 30, 2008 |
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| Tuscaloosa County |
50 | $2,284 billion |
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| Pickens County |
10 | $294 billion |
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| Hale County |
3 | $226 billion |
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| Bibb County |
8 | $189 billion |
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| Lamar County |
10 | $352 billion |
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| Fayette County |
7 | $282 billion |
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| Greene County |
2 | $49 billion |
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| Source: FDIC. Link | |||||||
| Members | Total Shares & Deposits (Dec 2007) | |||||
| Tuscaloosa County | 122,909 | 823,479,156 | ||||
| Source:
NCUA. Link *Does not include credit unions whose corporate office is not in specified county. |
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The West Alabama Trade Area is an ideal location for conventions and other business related gatherings. The Tuscaloosa area alone has more than 32 hotels and Bed and Breakfasts with a total of over 2,200 total rooms. Numerous meeting locations can accommodate groups of all sizes. Facilities at the University of Alabama add to the marketability of the area as a convention destination.
Along with the more than four recreational lakes and three rivers, the West Alabama area has a wide variety of land based activities. The more than seven golf courses, both private and public, will pose a challenge for any avid golfer. Two state parks offer visitors camping, hiking and fishing opportunities. Local YMCAs and other organizations coordinate a number of sport activities for participants of all ages.
Highways & Road Systems
The West Alabama area is serviced by Interstates 59/20 and 359. I-59/20 connects the Region with Atlanta, approximately four hours, to the Northeast and New Orleans, approximately five hours, to the South. U.S. Highways 82, 43, and 11, State Highways 69, 215, and 171, also service the area. These highways connect the communities of the West Alabama region and all intersect in the city of Tuscaloosa, which is located on I-59/20. The newly constructed Black Warrior Parkway creates a direct link from I-59/20 to the Tuscaloosa Regional Airport.
The West Alabama region is strategically located to service the Southeast and the globe. Major ports on the Gulf of Mexico are less than three hundred miles to the South. This location also allows goods to be shipped North to Birmingham and Atlanta, where they can be routed to any location in the world.
There are many motor freight and package delivery companies that service the region. These services in conjunction with the road system make the region a premier location for global corporations.
Air Service
The Tuscaloosa Regional Airport, Van de Graff field, has a 6,500 foot lighted jet runway. Charter air services are available with excellent private and corporate air facilities located at the airport complex. Bama Air and Tuscaloosa Air provide fixed base operation. Van de Graff field is conveniently located adjacent to the Tuscaloosa Airport Industrial Park.
Birmingham’s International Airport, is a short hour’s drive from the West Alabama Region and serves the entire United States. Several major carriers, including Delta, American, United, Northwest, Southwest, TWA, Continental, and USAir service the facility.
Rail
Rail is a vital transportation link for the region. Numerous manufacturing and consumer goods plants rely on rail service for shipping. Kansas City Southern and Norfolk Southern service the region. Amtrak also offers passenger service to New Orleans, Louisiana. The “Crescent” route links New York and New Orleans.
Barge Service
The Black Warrior river bisects the West Alabama Region. The river, with a federally maintained waterway, connects the region to the port of Mobile via the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway as well as to the Tennessee, Ohio, and Mississippi River systems.
Public Transportation
Communities within the region provide public transportation services. Tuscaloosa provides scheduled inter-city bus passenger service daily. Greyhound provides local scheduled passenger service. Charter service is available from many charter companies.
