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Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Coordinates:33°12′35″N87°34′09″W/ 33.20972°N 87.56917°W/33.20972; -87.56917
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Not to be confused withTuskaloosa;Tuskegee, Alabama;orTuscumbia, Alabama.
"Tuscaloosa" redirects here. For other uses, seeTuscaloosa (disambiguation).

Tuscaloosa
City
View of Downtown Tuscaloosa from the amphitheater
View of Downtown Tuscaloosa from the amphitheater
Flag of Tuscaloosa
Flag
Official seal of Tuscaloosa
Seal
Official logo of Tuscaloosa
Logo
Nickname(s):
Druid City, T-Town, City of Champions
Motto:
"Together we can build a bridge to the future."
Location of Tuscaloosa in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
Location of Tuscaloosa in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
Coordinates:33°12′35″N87°34′09″W/ 33.20972°N 87.56917°W/33.20972; -87.56917
CountryUnited States
StateAlabama
CountyTuscaloosa
IncorporatedDecember 13, 1819[1][2]
Government
• TypeMayor-Council
•MayorWalt Maddox(D)
• Council PresidentKip Tyner
Area
[3]
•City72.22 sq mi (187.05 km2)
• Land62.15 sq mi (160.97 km2)
• Water10.07 sq mi (26.08 km2)
Elevation
[4]
221 ft (69 m)
Population
(2020)[5]
•City99,600
• Estimate
(2022)[6]
110,602
• RankUS:280th
AL:5th
• Density1,787/sq mi (689.9/km2)
•Urban
156,450 (US:229th)
• Urban density1,774.6/sq mi (685.2/km2)
•Metro
277,494 (US:181st)
• Metro density79.4/sq mi (30.67/km2)
Time zoneUTC–6(Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)UTC–5(CDT)
ZIP Codes
35401, 35402, 35403, 35404, 35405, 35406, 35407, 35486, 35487
Area code(s)205 and 659
FIPS code01-77256
GNISfeature ID0153742[4]
Websitetuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa(/ˌtʌskəˈluːsə/TUS-kə-LOO-sə) is a city in and thecounty seatofTuscaloosa Countyin west-centralAlabama,United States,[7]on theBlack Warrior Riverwhere theGulf CoastalandPiedmontplains meet.Alabama's fifth-most populous city,the population was 99,600 at the2020 census,[5]and was estimated to be 110,602 in 2022.[6]It was known as Tuskaloosa until the early 20th century.[8]It is also known as "the Druid City" because of the numerouswater oaksplanted in its downtown streets since the 1840s.[9]

Incorporated on December 13, 1819, it was named afterTuskaloosa,the chief of a band ofMuskogean-speaking people defeated by the forces of Spanish explorerHernando de Sotoin 1540 in theBattle of Mabila,in what is now central Alabama.[10]It served as Alabama's capital city from 1826 to 1846, where in 1846 it was moved to its present location inMontgomery.

Tuscaloosa is the regional center of industry, commerce, healthcare and education for the area of west-central Alabama known as West Alabama. It is the principal city of theTuscaloosa Metropolitan Statistical Area,which includes Tuscaloosa,HaleandPickenscounties.

It is the home of theUniversity of Alabama,Stillman CollegeandShelton State Community College.While it attracted international attention whenMercedes-Benzannounced on September 30, 1993 that it would build its first North American automotive assembly plant in Tuscaloosa County,[11]the University of Alabama remains the city's dominant economic and cultural engine, making it acollege town.City leaders adopted the moniker "The City of Champions" after theAlabama Crimson Tide football teamwon theCollege Football National Championshipin their2009,2011,2012,2015,2017and2020seasons.

In 2008, Tuscaloosa hosted theUSA Olympic Triathlontrials for theBeijing Games.[12]

History[edit]

See also:Timeline of Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Reportedly the name Tuscaloosa is a compound Choctaw Indian word; "tusko" meaning "warrior" and "loosa" meaning "black". The Black Warrior River flows through the north portion of the city. In 1809 Creek chief Occechemolta established a settlement at the falls of the River. (US-T125/Alabama: A Guide to the Deep South/p 244). County seat of Tuscaloosa County 1818 to 1822 and 1826 to the present. State capital from 1826 to 1846.[4]

Native American[edit]

In 1828,Andrew Jacksonwas elected president of the United States. He had gained popularity when he defeated the Creek at theBattle of Horseshoe Bendin 1814, following victories in the War of 1812. He long proposed Indian removal to anIndian Territoryto be established west of the Mississippi, to make land available in the Southeast for European-American settlement.[13]Jackson abandoned the policy of his predecessors of treating different Indian groups as separate nations.[13]Instead, he aggressively pursued plans to move all Indian tribes living east of the Mississippi River.[13]

Following Congressional passage of theIndian Removal Act,in 1832 the Creek National Council signed theTreaty of Cusseta,ceding their remaining lands east of theMississippito the U.S., and accepting relocation to the Indian Territory. They had already been under pressure from new settlers encroaching on their territory. Most Muscogee-speaking peoples were removed to Indian Territory during theTrail of Tearsin 1834, although some remained behind. Some Muscogee in Alabama live nearPoarch Creek ReservationinAtmore(northeast ofMobile).

Statehood and origin of name[edit]

The ruins of the Alabama State Capitol in Tuscaloosa at Capitol Park. The building served as the home of a women's college until it burned down in 1923.

The pace of white settlement in the Southeast increased greatly after theWar of 1812and theTreaty of Fort Jacksonand the subsequent availability of land previously settled byNative Americans.[14]A small assortment of log cabins soon arose near the largeCreekvillage at the fall line of the river, which the new settlers named in honor of the sixteenth-centuryChief Tuskaloosaof aMuskogean-speaking tribe—combining the Choctaw words "tushka" or "tashka" ( "warrior" ) and "lusa" ( "black" ).[15][16]

In 1817, Alabama became aterritory.On December 13, 1819, the territorial legislature incorporated the town of Tuskaloosa,[2]one day beforeCongressadmitted Alabama to theUnionas a U.S. state.

Wallace standing againstdesegregationwhile being confronted by Deputy U.S. Attorney GeneralNicholas Katzenbachat theUniversity of Alabamain 1963

From 1826 to 1846, Tuskaloosa was thecapitalof Alabama.[17][18]The State House was built at the corner of 6th Street and 28th Avenue (now the site of Capitol Park).[18]In 1831, theUniversity of Alabamawas established and the town's population and economy grew rapidly, but the relocation of the capital toMontgomerycaused a severe decline. The state legislature established Alabama State Hospital for the Insane (nowBryce Hospital) in Tuskaloosa in the 1850s, which helped restore the city's fortunes.

Civil War[edit]

During theCivil Warfollowing Alabama'ssecessionfrom the Union, several thousand men from Tuscaloosa fought in theConfederatearmies. During the last weeks of the War, the campus of the university was burned in a battle.[19]The larger town was also damaged in the battle, and its White population suffered economically. Its Black population was emancipated from slavery.

In the 1890s the construction of a system of locks and dams on the Black Warrior River by theU.S. Army Corps of Engineersimproved navigation to such an extent that Tuscaloosa was effectively connected to the Gulf Coast seaport ofMobile.This stimulated the economy and trade, and mining and metallurgical industries were developed in the region. By the onset of the 20th century, the growth of the University of Alabama and the mental health-care facilities in the city, along with a strong national economy, fueled a steady growth in Tuscaloosa which continued unabated for 100 years.

Civil rights movement[edit]

Main articles:Autherine LucyandStand in the Schoolhouse Door

In the post World War II era, African Americans increased their activism to ensure their constitutional civil rights and challenged southern segregation in numerous ways. In 1952,Autherine Lucywas admitted to the university as a graduate student, but her admission was rescinded when authorities discovered she was not white. After three years of legal wrangling,Thurgood Marshalland theNAACPgot a court order preventing the university from banning Lucy and another student based on race. The following year, Lucy enrolled as a graduate student in Library Science on February 3, 1956, becoming the first African American admitted to a white public school or university in the state.[20][21]During her first day of class on February 6, students and others rioted on the campus, where a mob of more than a thousand white men pelted the car in which she was taken to her classes. Death threats were made against her and the university president's home was stoned.[22]The riots were the most violent involving a pro-segregation demonstration since the landmarkBrown v. Board of EducationSupreme Court decision. After the riots, the university suspended Lucy from school stating her own safety was a concern; it later expelled her on a technicality. She was active in civil rights for a time, but withdrew later that year. After her expulsion was annulled by the university in 1988, Lucy re-enrolled and completed her M.S. in education and graduated together with her daughter in 1992.[23]

Foster Auditorium and Malone-Hood Plaza in 2010. Lucy Clock Tower is in the foreground.

On June 11, 1963,George Wallace,governor of Alabama, stood in front of theFoster Auditoriumentrance at The University of Alabama in what became known as theStand in the Schoolhouse Doorin an attempt to stopdesegregationof that institution by the enrollment of twoAfrican-Americanstudents,Vivian MaloneandJames Hood.[24]He had created a challenge to federal orders, when confronted by US Deputy Attorney GeneralNicholas Katzenbachandfederal marshalssent in by Attorney GeneralRobert F. Kennedy,Wallace stepped aside. PresidentJohn F. Kennedyhad supported integration of the University of Alabama as well.[25][26]

On June 9, 1964, in an event that later became known asBloody Tuesday,a group of peaceful African-AmericanCivil rightsmarchers were beaten, arrested and tear gassed by police in Tuscaloosa while walking from theFirst African Baptist Churchto the County Courthouse to protest against the segregated restrooms and drinking fountains of this public facility.[27]Thirty-three people were sent to the hospital for treatment of injuries, and 94 were arrested. The events were not witnessed by outside journalists and had little influence outside the local community. A year later, theBloody Sundayevents in Selma of a voting rights march attracted national and international coverage and attention.[28]

James Hood dropped out of the University of Alabama after two months. He later returned, and in 1997, received his Ph.D. ininterdisciplinary studies.[29]Malone persisted in her studies at the time and became the first African American to graduate from the university.[30]In 2000, the university granted her an honorary doctorate of humane letters. Later in his life, Wallace apologized for his opposition at that time toracial integration.[31]

In 2010, the university formally honored Lucy, Hood and Malone by renaming the plaza in front of Foster Auditorium as Malone-Hood Plaza and erecting the Autherine Lucy Clock Tower in the plaza.[32]In 2022, the university dedicated the home of the College of Education as Autherine Lucy Hall.[33]

2011 tornado[edit]

Main article:2011 Tuscaloosa–Birmingham tornado

On April 27, 2011, Tuscaloosa was hit by a 1.5 mi (2.4 km) wideEF4tornado that resulted in 64 deaths, more than 1500 injuries, and massive devastation. Most of the deaths, 44, were in Tuscaloosa alone, with the rest being inBirminghamand surrounding suburbs.[34][35][36]The tornado's top winds were estimated by the USNational Weather Serviceat 190 mph (310 km/h).[34][37][38]Officials at DCH Regional Medical alone reported treating more than 1,000 injured people in the tornado aftermath.[39]Officials reported dozens of unaccompanied minors being admitted for treatment at the hospital, raising questions about the possible loss of their parents. Several were taken to pediatric trauma wards, indicating serious injuries.[39]Referring to the extent and severity of the damage, MayorWalter Maddoxstated that "we have neighborhoods that have been basically removed from the map."[40]The same tornado later went on to cause major damage in the Birmingham area.[36]In all, the cost of damage from the tornado amounted to $2.45 billion, making it, at the time, the costliest tornado in U.S. history, though it would be surpassed less than a month later by the devastatingJoplin, Missouri tornadoof May 22.[41]

The tornado was part of the2011 Super Outbreakthat affected large parts of the eastern United States and was the largest tornado outbreak ever recorded.[42][43]In total, 324 people were killed by tornadoes during the outbreak, including 238 in Alabama alone.[44]The tornadoes and other severe weather combined for over $10 billion in damage throughout the affected states, with more than 20% of the damage cost resulting from the tornado that struck Tuscaloosa.[45]

Immediate aftermath of the April 27th, 2011, tornado.Druid City Hospitalin the background.

In the immediate aftermath of the tornado, thousands of rescue workers dug through the wreckage looking for survivors and recovering bodies. More than 450 persons were originally listed as missing in the post-disaster chaos, leading to fears that the death toll could climb rapidly and skepticism about the relatively low fatality figures in relation to the high number of casualties. Rumors abounded that refrigerated trucks were being brought to store unidentified remains, and that countless bodies were beneath area waters. But the fatality figure did not increase (and was later reduced). Most persons listed as missing were later found to have survived.[46]During this period,The Tuscaloosa Newsposted an on-line people finder to aid people to find each other, as well as determine who was still missing.[47]

Two days after the storm, U.S. President Barack Obama and Alabama Governor Robert Bentley and their spouses, Michelle Obama and Diane Bentley, respectively, accompanied Mayor Maddox on a tour of the damage and the recovery efforts, along with FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate and several Congressional dignitaries. Remarking about the scale and severity of the damage, Obama said, "I've never seen devastation like this, it's heartbreaking", after touring the damaged areas.[48]Obama pledged the full resources of the federal government toward aiding the recovery efforts.[49]Bentley—himself a Tuscaloosa native—pledged additional national guard troops.

Tuscaloosa MayorWalt Maddoxannounced that he was requesting 500 additional National Guard troops and calling for more volunteer aid workers and cadaver teams for the recovery of bodies, in order to prevent the spread of disease.[46]

TheNew York Yankeesorganization contributed $500,000 to theAmerican Red CrossandSalvation Armyto aid in recovery efforts, and theAtlanta Bravesorganization donated $100,000.[50][51]ActorCharlie Sheenvisited the city to pay his respects on May 2 and donated supplies for relief efforts, along with several other actors, musicians and athletes.[52]

Due to the disaster, on August 6, 2011, the University of Alabama held a delayed graduation ceremony for the class of 2011. It awarded posthumous degrees to six students who died in the tornado.[53]The cable channel ESPN filmed a tribute in memory of the devastation.[54]

Bicentennial[edit]

The city of Tuscaloosa celebrated its 200th birthday on December 13, 2019 with city officials holding various dedications and commemorative events throughout the city, including the displaying of a "bicentennial quilt" and a fireworks display following the 44th Annual West Alabama Christmas Parade, which was dedicated to the city's birthday. The University of Alabama gave two sculptures to the city, one of a 30 foot-tall, 9,500-pound statue of the Roman goddessMinerva—designed by local artist Caleb O'Connor—at Manderson Landing park along theBlack Warrior River,and a sculpture known as The Walkway. According to the Tuscaloosa200 website, the Walkway is a "replica of the route of the Black Warrior River fromDemopolisto Tuscaloosa, it traces milestones in our city's existence and survival, but its twists and turns, ebbs and flows have mirrored our city's past. "It was created by sculptor and architect Craig R. Wedderspoon.[55][56]

A hermetically sealedtime capsulewas buried under a large boulder near the boat house near Manderson Landing; the time capsule is intended to capture "What was life like in Tuscaloosa during the year 2019?" and is set to be opened on December 13, 2069, the city's 250th birthday.[56]

Geography[edit]

Black Warrior Riverin Tuscaloosa; M&O Railroad trestle in the background

According to theUnited States Census Bureau,the city has a total area of 72.22 square miles (187.0 km2), of which 62.15 square miles (161.0 km2) is land and 10.07 square miles (26.1 km2), is water as of 2023.[3]Most water within the city limits is inLake Tuscaloosa,which is entirely in the city limits, and theBlack Warrior River.

This city is located at33°12′35″N87°34′09″W/ 33.20972°N 87.56917°W/33.20972; -87.56917(33.2098407, -87.5691735),[57]approximately 60 miles (97 km) southwest ofBirmingham.It lies on thefall lineof the Black Warrior River, approximately 193 miles (311 km) upriver from the river's confluence with theTombigbee RiveratDemopolis.Because of its location on the boundary between the Appalachian Highland and the Gulf Coastal Plain, the geography of the area around Tuscaloosa is diverse, varying from heavily forested hills to the northeast to a low-lying, marshy plain to the southwest.

Cityscape[edit]

Major areas of Tuscaloosa city proper include:

Climate[edit]

Spillway at Lake Tuscaloosa

Typical of theDeep South,Tuscaloosa experiences ahumid subtropical climate(KöppenCfa). TheGulf of Mexicoheavily influences the climate by supplying the region with warm, moistair.During thefall,winter, and spring seasons, the interaction of this warm, moist air with cooler, drier air from the North alongfrontscreates precipitation. These fronts usually move from west to east as they track along thejet stream.Notable exceptions occur duringhurricane season,where storms may move from due south to due north or even from east to west during land-falling hurricanes. The interaction between low- and high-pressure air masses is most pronounced during the severe weather seasons in the spring and fall. During the summer, the jet stream flows well to the north of the southeastern U.S., and most precipitation is consequentlyconvectional,i.e., caused by the warm surface heating the air above.

Severe thunderstorms can bring damaging winds, large hail, and occasionally tornadoes. AnF4 tornadostruck Tuscaloosa County in December 2000, killing eleven people. Tuscaloosa was struck by anF2tornado inJanuary 1997,which resulted in the death of one person. In April 2011, two tornadoes in a span of twelve days hit the city, the first being an EF3 onApril 15,and the second and more devastating being an EF4 onApril 27,when more than 50 deaths resulted. The city suffered considerable infrastructure damage.[58]

Winter lasts from mid-December to late-February; the daily average temperature in January is 44.7 °F (7.1 °C). On average, the low temperature falls to the freezing mark or below on 46 days a year, and to or below 20 °F (−7 °C) on 4.4 days.[59]While rain is abundant (January and February are on average the wettest months), measurable snowfall is rare, with most years receiving none and the average seasonal snowfall amounting to 0.7 inches (1.8 cm).[59]Spring usually lasts from late-February to mid-May, becoming drier as the season progresses. Summers last from mid-May to mid-September, and the July daily average temperature is 81.7 °F (27.6 °C). There are 71–72 days of 90 °F (32 °C)+ highs annually and 3.5 days of 100 °F (38 °C)+ highs.[59]The latter part of summer tends to be drier. Autumn, which spans from mid-September to early December, tends to be similar to spring in terms of temperature and precipitation.[60]Due to its relative distance from the Gulf moderation, the annual temperature range averages 84 °F (47 °C) between a summer high of 100 °F (38 °C) and a winter low of 16 °F (−9 °C).[61]The 1991–2020 normals had the warmest summer night averaging 77 °F (25 °C) and the coldest winter day at 35 °F (2 °C).[61]Ice days are very infrequent, but tend to occur a few times per decade.

The highest recorded temperature at the Tuscaloosa Regional Airport was 107 °F (42 °C) on July 29, 1952 and August 10, 2007, and the lowest recorded temperature was −1 °F (−18 °C) onJanuary 21, 1985.[62]

Climate data for Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Tuscaloosa Regional Airport), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1948–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 82
(28) 		86
(30) 		88
(31) 		94
(34) 		98
(37) 		105
(41) 		107
(42) 		107
(42) 		104
(40) 		101
(38) 		89
(32) 		82
(28) 		107
(42)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 74
(23) 		78
(26) 		84
(29) 		87
(31) 		93
(34) 		97
(36) 		99
(37) 		99
(37) 		96
(36) 		90
(32) 		81
(27) 		75
(24) 		100
(38)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 55.7
(13.2) 		60.2
(15.7) 		68.3
(20.2) 		75.5
(24.2) 		83.0
(28.3) 		89.2
(31.8) 		91.6
(33.1) 		91.2
(32.9) 		87.0
(30.6) 		76.9
(24.9) 		65.6
(18.7) 		57.9
(14.4) 		75.2
(24.0)
Daily mean °F (°C) 45.7
(7.6) 		49.6
(9.8) 		56.9
(13.8) 		63.8
(17.7) 		72.2
(22.3) 		79.1
(26.2) 		81.9
(27.7) 		81.5
(27.5) 		76.3
(24.6) 		65.2
(18.4) 		54.2
(12.3) 		48.0
(8.9) 		64.5
(18.1)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 35.7
(2.1) 		38.9
(3.8) 		45.5
(7.5) 		52.0
(11.1) 		61.3
(16.3) 		69.0
(20.6) 		72.3
(22.4) 		71.7
(22.1) 		65.6
(18.7) 		53.4
(11.9) 		42.8
(6.0) 		38.2
(3.4) 		53.9
(12.2)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 18
(−8) 		23
(−5) 		28
(−2) 		37
(3) 		47
(8) 		60
(16) 		66
(19) 		65
(18) 		54
(12) 		38
(3) 		28
(−2) 		23
(−5) 		16
(−9)
Record low °F (°C) −1
(−18) 		5
(−15) 		12
(−11) 		29
(−2) 		36
(2) 		45
(7) 		54
(12) 		53
(12) 		37
(3) 		23
(−5) 		10
(−12) 		2
(−17) 		−1
(−18)
Averageprecipitationinches (mm) 4.97
(126) 		5.37
(136) 		4.82
(122) 		5.00
(127) 		3.64
(92) 		4.67
(119) 		4.17
(106) 		4.36
(111) 		3.40
(86) 		3.54
(90) 		4.52
(115) 		5.06
(129) 		53.52
(1,359)
Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) 10.3 10.8 10.8 8.9 9.4 9.9 11.1 10.7 7.6 8.7 8.8 10.7 117.7
Source:NOAA[59][63]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18401,949—
18503,50079.6%
18603,98914.0%
18701,689−57.7%
18802,41843.2%
18904,21574.3%
19005,09420.9%
19108,40765.0%
192011,99642.7%
193020,65972.2%
194027,49333.1%
195046,39668.8%
196063,37036.6%
197065,7733.8%
198075,21114.3%
199077,7593.4%
200077,9060.2%
201090,46816.1%
202099,60010.1%
2022 (est.)110,602[6]11.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[64]
2020 Census[5]
Map of racial distribution in Tuscaloosa, 2020 U.S. census. Each dot is one person:⬤White⬤Black⬤Asian⬤Hispanic⬤Multiracial⬤Native American/Other

2020 census[edit]

Tuscaloosa, Alabama – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[65] Pop 2010[66] Pop 2020[67] % 2000 % 2010 2020
Whitealone (NH) 41,667 47,574 47,663 53.48% 52.59% 47.85%
Black or African Americanalone (NH) 33,164 37,417 40,867 42.57% 41.36% 41.03%
Native AmericanorAlaska Nativealone (NH) 119 190 147 0.15% 0.21% 0.15%
Asianalone (NH) 1,159 1,659 2,352 1.49% 1.83% 2.36%
Pacific Islanderalone (NH) 15 19 47 0.02% 0.02% 0.05%
Other racealone (NH) 60 74 454 0.08% 0.08% 0.46%
Mixed race or Multiracial(NH) 630 830 2,632 0.81% 0.92% 2.64%
Hispanic or Latino(any race) 1,092 2,705 5,438 1.40% 2.99% 5.46%
Total 77,906 90,468 99,600 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the2020 census,there were 99,600 people, 40,817 households, and 19,203 families residing in the city.[68]Thepopulation densitywas 1,609.1 inhabitants per square mile (621.3/km2) There were 47,465 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 47.85% White, 41.03% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 2.36% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, and 2.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.46% of the population.

In 2023, the City of Tuscaloosa secured an updated count for the 2020 Census, after proving an undercount of at least 1,100 University of Alabama Students who were residing temporarily off-campus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Census Bureau accepted the review, bringing the official 2020 Tuscaloosa population count to over 100,000 residents.[69]

2010 census[edit]

As of the2010 census,there were 90,468 people, 36,185 households, and 17,592 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,502.8 inhabitants per square mile (580.2/km2). There were 40,842 housing units at an average density of 678.4 per square mile (261.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 53.8%White,41.5%BlackorAfrican American,0.2%Native American,1.8%Asian,0.0%Pacific Islander,1.5% fromother races,and 1.1% from two or more races. 3.0% of the population wereHispanicorLatinoof any race.

There were 36,185 households, out of which 20.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 28.5% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 51.4% were non-families. 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city, 17.4% of the population was under the age of 18, 31.9% was from 18 to 24, 22.0% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.8% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,874, and the median income for a family was $49,588. Males had a median income of $36,231 versus $30,552 for females. Theper capita incomefor the city was $21,042. About 17.0% of families and 29.8% of the population were below thepoverty line,including 32.5% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census[edit]

As of the2000 census,there were 77,906 people, 31,381 households, and 16,945 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,385.2 inhabitants per square mile (534.8/km2). There were 34,857 housing units at an average density of 619.8 per square mile (239.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 54.09%White,42.73%BlackorAfrican American,0.16%Native American,1.49%Asian,0.02%Pacific Islander,0.63% fromother races,and 0.87% from two or more races. 1.40% of the population wereHispanicorLatinoof any race.

There were 31,381 households, out of which 23.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.0% were married couples living together, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.0% were non-families. 35.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city, 19.8% of the population was under the age of 18, 24.5% was from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,731, and the median income for a family was $41,753. Males had a median income of $31,614 versus $24,507 for females. Theper capita incomefor the city was $19,129. About 14.2% of families and 23.6% of the population were below thepoverty line,including 25.3% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over.

Religion[edit]

The Islamic Center of Tuscaloosa

The city of Tuscaloosa is home to many places of worship to which people from the surrounding area of West Alabama may come; the predominant denomination is Southern Baptist. Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church is one of three Catholic churches. First Presbyterian Church is the place of worship for many American and German residents in Tuscaloosa. There are also Presbyterian Church in America congregations in the city. First Baptist Church, Calvary Baptist Church, Alberta Baptist Church, Emmanuel Baptist Church, and First African Baptist Church are five of the many Baptist churches in Tuscaloosa. Holy Cross Lutheran Church is a church reflecting on the Evangelical Lutheran community of Tuscaloosa. There is the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Tuscaloosa. The University Church of Christ has both a campus ministry and a prison ministry.[70]St. Gregory the Theologian Eastern Orthodox Church is the only Orthodox church in West Alabama. Its congregation is made up of Russians, Greeks, Romanians, Arabs, Eastern Europeans, and converts to Eastern Christianity. Some of the oldest churches in Tuscaloosa are St. John's Roman Catholic Church (founded c. 1845), Christ Episcopal Church (c. 1828), and First Baptist Church (c. 1818).

Tuscaloosa is also home to many non-Christians as well. A Jewish community worships at the Chabad of Tuscaloosa as well as at Temple Emanu-El and the Hillel B'nai B'rith Center, both located on the University of Alabama campus. The Hindu Mandir Temple and Cultural Center is also found in Tuscaloosa. Muslims comprise a small percentage of the population and worship at an Islamic center located near the university campus. There is also a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Economy[edit]

Bank of Tuscaloosa Plaza

Although higher education is the bedrock of Tuscaloosa's economy, it has diverse sectors of manufacturing and service. 25% of the labor force in theTuscaloosa Metropolitan Statistical Areais employed by the federal, state and local governments; 16.7% in manufacturing; 16.4% in retail trade and transportation; 11.6% in finance, information, and private enterprise; 10.3% in mining and construction; and 9.2% in hospitality. Education and healthcare account for 7.2% of the area's workforce, with the remainder employed in other services.[71][72]

The city's industrial and manufacturing base includesBFGoodrich Tire Manufacturing,GAF Materials Corporation,Hunt Refining Company,JVC America,Nucor Steeland Phifer Wire.

A significant contributor to the city's economy is theMercedes-BenzU.S. International assembly plant nearVancein Tuscaloosa County, 20 miles (32 km) east of downtown Tuscaloosa, which employs approximately 4,400 (as of 2020). It opened in 1995 and began assembling the R-Class Grand Sport Tourer in 2005. From 2006–2015 it produced theGL-Classvehicles; and since 1998 and 2015 respectively, has produced theGLS-ClassandGLE-CLASS.Plants that supply components to Mercedes-Benz are also in the area.

The Westervelt Company, a land resources and wildlife management company, has its headquarters in Tuscaloosa. Originally the Gulf State Paper Corporation, founded in 1927, it sold its pulp and paperboard operations to theRock-Tenn CompanyofNorcross, Georgiain 2005 and was restructured to form Westervelt.

Healthcare and education are cornerstones of Tuscaloosa's service sector, which includes the University of Alabama,DCH Regional Medical Center,Bryce Hospital, the William D. Partlow Developmental Center, and the Tuscaloosa United States Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Arts and culture[edit]

Libraries and museums[edit]

Tuscaloosa Public Library – Brown branch

TheTuscaloosa Public Libraryis a joint city-county agency with nearly 200,000 items and approximately 47,000 registered patrons (28% of the county's population).[citation needed]There are currently three branches: the Main branch, on Jack Warner Parkway; the Weaver-Bolden branch, in western Tuscaloosa; and the Brown branch in suburban Taylorville.

The University of Alabama, Stillman College and Shelton State Community College also have libraries open to the public for non-circulation use.

Tuscaloosa Public Library – Jack Warner Parkway branch

Museums in Tuscaloosa are located all over town, but are primarily concentrated in the downtown area or on the campus of UA. Museums that are downtown include CHOM: the Children's Hands-On Museum of Tuscaloosa and the Murphy African-American Museum. TheAlabama Museum of Natural Historyand thePaul W. Bryant Museumare located on the UA campus. Additional museums and galleries are found across the river inNorthport.The Jones Archaeological Museum is located 15 miles (24 km) south of Tuscaloosa at theMoundville Archaeological ParkinMoundville.

Performing arts[edit]

Bama Theatre
Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center

Tuscaloosa is home to several performing arts organizations. Though some are affiliated with UA or Shelton State, several are independent organizations, including the Tuscaloosa Community Theater and Shakespeare troupe The Rude Mechanicals. These various organizations cooperate and coordinate their operations through theArts and Humanities Council of Tuscaloosa County.[73]The Arts Council also operates the Bama Theatre.

TheBama Theatreis a 1,094-seat proscenium theatre located in downtown Tuscaloosa and is operated by The Arts and Humanities Council.[74]The Bama Theatre was built between 1937 and 1938 under theNew Deal-eraPublic Works Administrationas amovie palace.At the time of its construction in 1938, it was the only air-conditioned building in Tuscaloosa. The theatre was renovated as a performing arts center in 1976 and housed the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra and Theatre Tuscaloosa troupe until those groups moved into their own facilities.

Today, the Bama Theatre is the residence of the Tuscaloosa Children's Theatre Company and the Tuscaloosa Community Dancers.[75]Additionally, it hosts the Arts Council's Bama Art House movie series.[76]The Bama Theatre hosts a Jewish Film Festival in the spring, as well as several traveling film festivals. Additionally, the Bama Theatre has recently been serving as a concert venue, hosting recent performances byJoan Baez,Aimee Mann,theDrive-By Truckers,Umphrey's Mcgee,Ryan Adams,Chuck Leavelland many other performing artists.

The Frank Moody Music Building on the UA campus holds a 1000-seat Concert Hall and a 140-seat Recital Hall. The Concert Hall features a three-story-tall, 5,000-pipeHoltkamporgan and frequently hosts concerts and other musical events. The Recital Hall features a Schlickerorganthat was crafted in Buffalo, New York. TheTuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra,in its 35th year, is based at the Moody Music Building and is conducted by Adam Flatt.

Also on the UA campus, Rowand-Johnson Hall holds the Marian Gallaway Theatre, a 305-seatproscenium theater,the Allen Bales 170-seatthrust theatre,and the 600-seat Morgan Auditorium. These facilities primarily host university-sponsored performing arts shows, such as Dance Alabama and the university's theater productions.

The Sandra Hall-Ray Fine Arts Centre on the Shelton State campus holds the Bean-Brown Theatre, a 450-seat proscenium theater, and the 100-seat Alabama Power Foundation Recital Hall.

Tuscaloosa is also home to the Alabama Choir School.[77]

Coleman Coliseum

Coleman Coliseum is a 15,383-seat multipurpose arena that serves as the city of Tuscaloosa's municipal civic center. Because the City of Tuscaloosa does not have a civic center, the demand for events grew rapidly and the coliseum doubled its capacity in the 1970s. In the 1990s, marquee concerts and events that the arena had seen in the previous two decades grew scarce as the facility became more outdated and mostly devoted to Crimson Tide athletic events. In the hope that the university could pull more events at the facility, the coliseum underwent a significant renovation in 2005, costing over $24 million.

The coliseum has hosted a diversity of events includingcommencement exercises,a visit by PresidentRonald Reagan,alumni gatherings, student convocations, concerts, operas, ballets, appearances by political figures,WCW Saturday Night,etc.Travis Trittfilmed his "Bible Belt"country music video there. Some of the stars who have performed on its stages includeThe Rolling Stones,Elvis Presley,Elton John,Grateful Dead,Tom Petty,Led Zeppelin,Ray Charles,Jimi Hendrix,Bob Dylan,Alan Jackson,Reba McEntire,Jay Leno,Hank Williams, Jr.,Daughtry,andB.o.B.

Tuscaloosa Amphitheater

In December 2010, construction on theTuscaloosa Amphitheaterofficially wrapped up with the dedication ceremony taking place days after. The 7,470 capacity Tuscaloosa Amphitheater is blocks away from the downtown district and sits at the end of the Riverwalk on the banks of the Black Warrior River. Since its dedication ceremony in March 2011, a variety of performers have played there includingJohn Legend,The Lumineers,Flo Rida,Nelly,TLC,ZZ Top,ODESZA,Mary J. Blige,Kenny Chesney,Widespread Panic,Steely Dan,Jeff Dunham,Jill Scott,andFun.The amphitheater has held events such as the Blues and Brews Music Festival and a pro bo xing match.

On November 7, 2023 during a Foreigner concert at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, the City of Tuscaloosa announced that the venue would be renamed the Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater in recognition of the company's long-standing sponsorship, support and impact on the region.[78][79]

The Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater is home to the City of Tuscaloosa's annual Fourth of July Celebration on the River event. This free, family-friendly event features games and activities, a live performance by theTuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra,and fireworks over the Black Warrior River.[80]

Festivals and events[edit]

Before each football game is a massive gathering at the UA Quad, where people gather starting on Friday fortailgatingand the University of Alabama holds pep rallies on the Gorgas library steps. The Quad has hosted ESPN'sCollege Gamedayseveral times and also is a place to meet Alabama football legends on game day and perform the "Elephant Stomp" (a pre-game parade) to Bryant–Denny Stadium with the Alabama mascot "Big Al"and theMillion Dollar Band.

Other annual city events worth noting are:

  • Live at the Plaza – The City of Tuscaloosa's Live at the Plaza concert series is held annually on summer Friday nights at Government Plaza in downtown Tuscaloosa. This family-friendly event includes a wide variety of live, local music; a kids' zone; food trucks and vendors; and more.[81]
  • SakuraFestival – The Sakura festival celebrates the symbolic moment when a cherry blossom petal detaches itself to float earthward, which reminds one of the paradoxically fleeting, yet enduring, nature of life. Every March Tuscaloosa celebrates its ties with Japan and its Sister City of Narashino City. This festival features a Haiku Contest.
  • Kentuck Festival of Arts – This annual event takes place during the third week in October near the banks of theBlack Warrior Riverin Historic Downtown Northport. This nationally recognized event brings in visitors and artists from all over the United States. As several hundred talented artists bring their creations, several thousand visitors come to pay tribute to their skills. Those crowds come not only for the art, but also for the artistry of the days of old. Several artisans provide live demonstrations of blacksmithing, furniture making, quilting, and potting. There are music acts performing on stages and many varied foods available. In February, 2024, Kentuck and the City of Tuscaloosa announced the relocation of the 2024 Kentuck Festival of the Arts to Snow Hinton Park in Tuscaloosa.[82]
  • Moundville Native American Festival – This annual festival takes place at the Moundville Archaeological Park. Native American performing artists, craftspeople, and musicians entertain and educate visitors about the rich culture and heritage that makes Southeastern Indians unique. Visitors can look forward to learning about the society and culture that existed there 800 years ago.
  • Dickens Downtown – An annual Victorian holiday celebration known as Dickens Downtown takes place on the first Tuesday night in December in Downtown Northport. Dickens is a community supported gathering to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas involving Theatre Tuscaloosa performing scenes from "A Christmas Carol", local choirs, the 5th Alabama Regimental Band, a real English Town Crier, father Christmas, and business and neighborhood open houses. As the area comes alive with characters and props straight from 'A Christmas Carol', local shops offer hot cocoa and cookies.[83]
  • Druid City Arts Festival - Since 2010, the DCAF has been held at Government Plaza downtown in the first week of April every year. The annual open-air festival is free for anyone to attend and hosts vendors from around the state of Alabama and the country that display art, amateur and professional alike, that is available for purchase in tents scattered throughout the plaza. Attendees can travel from tent to tent admiring and buying available pieces, food, and other trinkets from vendors. There's a dedicated Kids Zone where sidewalk chalking takes place, and there's usually free musical performances held under the pavilion in the center of the plaza. The festival celebrated its 10th anniversary on April 5 and 6, 2019; it was also the festival's first two-day event, which is usually held for just one day a year.[84][85]

Points of interest[edit]

Notable points of interest in the city of Tuscaloosa include:

Bama Belleriverboat
TheAlabama Museum of Natural History

Sports[edit]

Bryant–Denny Stadium

Tuscaloosa is known for its collegiate athletics—particularly the University ofAlabama Crimson Tide footballteam. The University of Alabama also currently fields championship-caliber teams in baseball, golf, women's gymnastics, and softball. These teams play in athletics facilities on the university campus, includingBryant–Denny Stadium(capacity of 102,000+),Coleman Coliseum(formerly Memorial Coliseum),Sewell-Thomas Stadium,Rhoads Stadium,Foster Auditoriumand theOl' Colony Golf Complex.

Stillman Collegefields teams in football, men's and women's basketball, baseball and softball, among other sports, although the school discontinued the football program after completing the 2015 season. In the past decade, Stillman has gone through a series of renovations, including a new football stadium,Stillman Stadium.

Previous professional teams calling Tuscaloosa home included theWorld Basketball Association'sDruid City Dragonsin 2006, andTuscaloosa Warriorsfootball team in 1963, with both folding after one season.

In 2008, Tuscaloosa hosted the USA Olympic Triathlon trials for the Beijing Games.[12]

World renowned putter company T.P. Mills Co. was founded and is located in Tuscaloosa.

Tuscaloosa is also the birthplace and home of Deontay Wilder. He is a professional boxer that held the WBC Heavyweight Title from 2015 to 2020, making 10 successful title defenses. He is still active and boasts a record of 43 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw with 42 wins coming by way of KO.

Parks and recreation[edit]

Entering the River District in downtown

Tuscaloosa County Parks and Recreation Authority, known by the acronym PARA, is a county agency that receives a large amount of its funding from the city, and operates several parks and activity centers within the city. PARA is known for its participation in work therapy programs with the local United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Additional public recreational sites are owned and maintained by the University of Alabama and federal agencies such as Corps of Engineers.

TheUniversity of Alabama Arboretumis located on 60 acres (243,000 m2) of land at the intersection of Veterans Memorial Parkway and Pelham Loop Road, adjacent to the VA Hospital. The arboretum's primary emphasis is on Alabama's native flora and fauna. It includes 2.5 miles (4.0 km) of walking trails through nativepiney woodsand oak-hickory climax forest, a wildflower garden containing more than 250 species, ornamental plants, an experimental garden, aboggarden, an open-air pavilion, and a children's garden. Two greenhouses contain collections of orchids, cacti, and tropical plants.

Capitol Park, Tuscaloosa at 6th Street and 28th Avenue is home to the ruins of the former state capitol building orState Housefrom 1826 to 1845.[86]It was later used by the Alabama Central Female College and burned down in 1923.

Other parks in Tuscaloosa include the Randall Family Park and Trailhead, Parker-Haun Park, the Western Riverwalk, Veterans Memorial Park, Tuscaloosa River Walk, the Park at Manderson Landing, J. Oviatt Bowers Park, Snow Hinton Park, Monnish Park, Annette N. Shelby Park, Kaulton Park, Palmore Park, and many others.

Government[edit]

Current City Council Members
District Representative Serving Since
1 Matthew Wilson 2021
2 Raeven Howard 2020
3 Norman Crow 2021
4 Lee Busby 2019
5 Kip Tyner 1997
6 John Faile 2021
7 Cassius Lanier 2021

Tuscaloosa has a strong-mayor variantmayor-council form of government,led by a mayor and a seven-member city council. The mayor and council members are elected concurrently for four-year terms. The mayor is elected by the city at-large while council members are elected to single-member districts. Neither the mayor nor the members of the city council is term-limited. All elected offices are nonpartisan. Elections take place in years following presidential election years, with run-off elections taking place six weeks later if necessary. Terms begin immediately after election. The most recent municipal elections were held in 2021.

The mayor is the chief executive and administrative officer of the city. His main duty is to oversee the day-to-day operation of city departments pursuant to executing policy enacted by the city council or, in the absence of any council policy, his own discretion. His other duties include preparing an operating budget each year for approval by the city council and acting as ambassador of the city. The mayor also presides over city council meetings but votes only in case of ties. The current Mayor of Tuscaloosa isWalter Maddox,who was elected to office in September 2005. Prior to Maddox, Alvin A. DuPont had served as mayor for 24 years.

Previous members of City Council include District 1 - Bobby E. Howard (2005), Burrell Odom (2013); District 2 - Harrison Taylor (1993); District 3 - the same; District 4 - Lee Garrison (1997), Matt Calderone (2013); District 5 - the same; District 6 - Bob Lundell (2005); District 7 - William Tinker, III (2005).

List of mayors of Tuscaloosa, Alabama
  • William R. Bolling, 1828[87]
  • John Owen, 1828
  • Wm. R. Smith, 1837
  • Robt. S. Inge, 1837
  • D. Henry Robinson, 1842
  • Robert Blair, 1844–1848, 1859–1861, 1872
  • James L. Childress, 1849
  • Joseph C. Guild, 1850–1854
  • David Woodruff, 1855
  • L. S. Skinner, 1856–1858
  • Robert Lacey, 1862
  • Jesse E. Adams, 1863
  • Obediah Berry, 1864–1865, 1873, 1877–1878
  • Joseph C. Guild, 1866
  • S. B. Smith, 1867
  • John S. Garvin, 1867
  • Josiah J. Pegues, 1868
  • T. F. Samuel, 1869–1871
  • John J. Harris, 1874–1876
  • William C. Jemison, 1879–1886
  • ?
  • John C. Pearson, circa 1931[88]
  • ?
  • Luther Davis, circa 1937[89]
  • ?
  • J. S. Robertson, circa 1952[89]
  • J. Hal McCall, 1953–1956[89]
  • George Van Tassel, 1956–1969[90]
  • C. Snow Hinton, Jr., 1969–1976[91]
  • Ernest W. "Rainy" Collins, 1976–1981[92]
  • Alvin P. DuPont, 1981–2005[93]
  • Walter Maddox,September 2005–present

The city council acts as the legislative body of the city. It is powered by state law to consider policy and enact law and to make appointments to city boards. The council also considers the budget proposed by the mayor for approval. The majority of work in the council is done by committee. These committees usually consist of three council members, one of whom will be chairman, and relevant non-voting city employees.

Tuscaloosa, as the largest county seat in western Alabama, serves a hub of state and federal government agencies. In addition to the customary offices associated with the county courthouse, namely two district court judges, six circuit court judges, the district attorney and the public defender, several Alabama state government agencies have regional offices in Tuscaloosa, such as the Alabama Department of Transportation and the Alabama State Troopers (the state police).

Tuscaloosa is in the federal jurisdiction of theUnited States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.There is a courthouse in Tuscaloosa simply called the Federal Courthouse. Several federal agencies operate bureaus out of the courthouse.

Federally, Tuscaloosa is split between the 4th and 7th Congressional Districts, which are represented byRobert Aderholt(R) andTerri Sewell(D), respectively. In addition, Alabama's senior senator until 2023,Richard Shelby(R), is a resident of Tuscaloosa.

On the state level, the city is split among the 5th, 21st, and 24th Senate districts and 62nd, 63rd, and 70th House districts in the Alabama State Legislature.

In December 2009, construction on thenew federal courthouseof Tuscaloosa began. The $67 million building was the centerpiece of a major downtown urban renewal project. According to information released by the General Services Administration, the building is 129,000 square feet (12,000 m2) with parking. It houses the U.S. District Court, U.S. Bankruptcy Court and Social Security Administration office.

The Northern District of Alabama has only one facility suitable for holding a major criminal trial in Huntsville. However, Huntsville lacks the facilities for safely moving criminal suspects in and out of the building safely. Tuscaloosa's new federal courthouse will anchor the federal structure for the whole Northern District of Alabama.[94]

Government buildings in Tuscaloosa
  • A view of the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse as seen from Greensboro Avenue
    Tuscaloosa County courthouse
  • A view of the Tuscaloosa Federal Courthouse as seen University Blvd
    Tuscaloosa Federal Courthouse
  • A view of the Municipal Court Building
    The Alvin P. DuPont Municipal Court building
  • Tuscaloosa City Hall
    Tuscaloosa City Hall

Education[edit]

Higher education[edit]

Denny Chimeson the University of Alabama quad

The University of Alabama is the largest university in the state of Alabama in terms of enrollment. Enrolling approximately 40,000 students[95]on a 1,970 acres (8.0 km2) campus, UA has been a part of Tuscaloosa's identity since it opened its doors in 1831.Stillman College,which opened in 1875, is ahistorically blackliberal arts college enrolling approximately 1,200 students on a 105 acres (0.42 km2) campus. Additionally,Shelton State Community College,one of the largest community colleges in Alabama, is located in the city. The school enrolls around 4,000 students from all backgrounds and income levels.

Primary and secondary education[edit]

TheTuscaloosa City School Systemserves the city. It is overseen by the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education, which is composed of eight members elected by district and a chairman elected by a citywide vote. The Board appoints a Superintendent to manage the day-to-day operations of the system. Operating with a $100 million budget, the system enrolls approximately 10,300 students. The system consists of 24 schools: 13 elementary schools (12 zoned and 1 magnet), 6 middle schools (5 zoned and 1 magnet), 3 high schools (Paul W. Bryant High School,Central High SchoolandNorthridge High School), and 2 specialty schools (the Tuscaloosa Center for Technology, a vocational school, and Oak Hill School for special needs students). In 2002, the system spent $6,313 per pupil, the 19th highest amount of the 120 school systems in the state.[96]

The Tuscaloosa County School System serves the county excluding the city. It is overseen by the Tuscaloosa County Board of Education, which is composed of seven elected members. The Board appoints a Superintendent to lead the school system. The system enrolls approximately 18,000 students which are served utilizing a budget of approximately $180 million. The school system consists of 34 schools—6 high schools, 8 middle schools and 19 elementary schools. It also provides services for special needs students at Sprayberry Education Center. In 2013 the school system hired its first minority superintendent of Hispanic/Latin origin who is also only the second female.

Tuscaloosa is also served by several private schools, both secular and religious, includingTuscaloosa Academy,American Christian Academy,Holy Spirit Catholic School,North River Christian Academy, the Capitol School, and Tuscaloosa Christian School (in neighboring Cottondale).

From 1923 to 2011, the state-runWilliam D. Partlow Developmental Centerhas served theintellectually disabled,offering these citizens a public education as well as seeing to their other needs.

Weekend education[edit]

Previously the Tuscaloosa Saturday School, aweekend Japanese educational program,provided Japanese language instruction for Japanese citizen children and other children in the area.[97]

Media[edit]

See also:List of television stations in Alabama,List of radio stations in Alabama,andList of newspapers in Alabama
Former headquarters of theTuscaloosa Newsas seen from the Riverwalk

The Tuscaloosa Newsis the major daily newspaper serving the city.The Tuscaloosa Newsalso publishes several websites andTuscaloosa Magazine.The primary news website is tuscaloosanews.[98]Tidesports focuses on University of Alabama sports.The Tuscaloosa Newsoffices were located west of downtown on a bluff overlooking the Black Warrior River. In October 2023, Mayor Walt Maddox announced that the formerNewsoffice building is slated to be razed to make way for a new municipal recreation center.[99]

The Planet Weeklyis the largest of the severalalternative weekly newspaperspublished in the area. Additionally, each of the three colleges in the area are served by student-published periodicals, the largest beingThe Crimson White,the independent, student-run newspaper of the University of Alabama and one of severalUA-affiliated student publications.

Kids Life Magazineis a free publication which focuses on family friendly events in the Tuscaloosa area.

Tuscaloosa is part of the Birmingham-Tuscaloosa-Anniston television market, which is the 40th largest in the nation.[100]All major networks have a presence in the market.WCFT 33is the ABC affiliate,WIAT 42is the CBS affiliate,WBRC 6is the Fox affiliate,WVTM 13is the NBC affiliate,WBIQ 10is the PBS affiliate,WTTO 21is the CW affiliate,WABM 68is the MyNetworkTV affiliate andWVUA-CD 7is the This TV affiliate. WVUA-CD is the only station that originates its broadcast in Tuscaloosa; it is owned by the University of Alabama and its studios are part of UA's Digital Media Center.

Tuscaloosa is the 234th largest radio market in the nation.[101]In January 2007, of the top-ten-rated radio stations, two were urban, three were country, two were contemporary, and one each was gospel, oldies, and talk radio.[102]

Tuscaloosa serves as home base toAlabama Public Radio,the state's largest public-radio network. APR's main studios are housed at the University of Alabama, and the flagship signal,WUAL-FM,originates from a transmitter south of town. WUAL serves Tuscaloosa, portions of the Birmingham metro area and several counties of west-central Alabama. The University of Alabama also housesWVUA-FM,a 24/7 college radio station run completely by students.Clear Channel CommunicationsandTownsquare Mediaboth own and operate a cluster of radio stations in Tuscaloosa, that form the majority of the market.

NOAA Weather RadiostationKIH60broadcasts weather and hazard information for Tuscaloosa and the surrounding vicinity.

Infrastructure[edit]

The Tuscaloosa VA Hospital

Health and medicine[edit]

DCH Regional Medical Centeris the main medical facility in Tuscaloosa. Operated by the publicly controlled DCH Healthcare Authority, the 610-bed hospital opened in 1916 as the Druid City Infirmary.[103]The emergency department at DCH operates a trauma center (but it is not verified as one by theAmerican College of Surgeons,however) that serves all of west central Alabama and is one of the busiest in the state.[104]The DCH Healthcare authority also operates Northport Medical Center in neighboringNorthport.

Other major medical centers in Tuscaloosa include the 702-bed Veterans Affairs Medical Center-Tuscaloosa, the 422-bed Bryce Hospital, Mary S. Harper Geriatric Psychiatry Center, and Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility.

Transportation[edit]

TheTuscaloosa Amtrak Stationin 2003. The station is located one mile south of downtown Tuscaloosa.

Tuscaloosa is connected to other parts of the country via air, rail, road and sea. The city lies at the intersection of several highways, including threefederal highways(US 11,US 43,andUS 82), three Alabama state highways (SR 69,SR 215,andSR 216) and two duplexed (conjoined)Interstates(I-20/I-59).Interstate 359spurs off from I-20/I-59 and heads northward, ending in downtown Tuscaloosa.

Tuscaloosa also contains one toll road on the Black Warrior Parkway (I-20/I-59), charging $1.25 for automobiles, and one toll bridge (Black Warrior Parkway bridge).

Rail[edit]

Amtrakprovides passenger rail service to Tuscaloosa though theCrescentline, which connects the area to major cities along the east coast from New York City to New Orleans.Tuscaloosa stationis situated at 2105 Greensboro Avenue, one mile (1.6 km) south of downtown.Norfolk Southern RailwayandAlabama Southern Railroadprovide freight services to the area.KCSpreviously provided service to the area before leasing its lines toWatcoin July 2005.[105]

Bus[edit]

Greyhound Bus Linesprovides passenger bus service to Tuscaloosa. TheTuscaloosa Transit Authorityoperates the Tuscaloosa Trolley System. The Tuscaloosa Trolley provides local public bus transportation with four fixed routes that operate Monday through Friday from 5:00 am to 6:00 pm. The trolley's paint job is an illusion; it is an El Dorado Transmark RE bus, painted to look like a trolley.[106]

Airport[edit]

The Tuscaloosa National Airport (KTCL) is 3.5 miles northwest of Tuscaloosa in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. Owned and operated by the City of Tuscaloosa, the airport is an FAA-designated National General Aviation Airport and Part 139 Certified. Tuscaloosa National Airport covers 826 acres at an elevation of 170’ including two runways: Runway 4/22 is 6,499’ x 150’ and 12/30 is 4,000’ by 100’. Primary services provided by the airport include supporting annual collegiate athletic charters, freight charters in support of the local automotive and industrial community, flight training, transient operations, game day operations, aircraft maintenance, medical services and military flights. The Tuscaloosa National Airport provides an overall $48.6 million annual economic impact for the region.[107]

Major highways[edit]

Tuscaloosa is served by many major highways, includingI-20,I-59,andU.S. Route 82.I-20/59 run west to east through the southern part of the city, leading northeast 58 mi (93 km) to Birmingham and southwest 96 mi (154 km) to Meridian, Mississippi. US 82 runs northwest to southeast through the city, locally known as McFarland Boulevard, and leads southeast 103 mi (166 km) to Montgomery, Alabama and northwest 59 mi (95 km) to Columbus, Mississippi. Many other state and local highways run through the city as well, in addition to a tolled bypass on the western side of the city connecting those coming from the west on US 82 to I-20/59 without going through the main part of the city.

Port of Tuscaloosa[edit]

The Port of Tuscaloosa is a river port located in the City of Tuscaloosa and administered by the Alabama StatePort Authority.

TheCrimson Whiteon the Black Warrior River

The Black Warrior River is bounded along nearly its entire course by a series oflocksand dams. They form a chain of narrow reservoirs, providing aids to navigation and barge handling as well ashydroelectric powerand drinking water. The Black Warrior River watershed is a vital river basin entirely contained within Alabama, America's leading state for freshwaterbiodiversity.Near Tuscaloosa, the river flows out of the rockyCumberland Plateauand enters the sandy EastGulf Coastal Plain.Barge transportation in and out of the Port of Tuscaloosa and other commercial navigation make the Black Warrior a silent giant in the state of Alabama's economy. Although the Port of Tuscaloosa is a small one, it is one of the larger facilities on the Black Warrior River atwaterwaymile marker338.5. There are no railway connections at this port as they primarily concentrate on the shipment of drybulk commodities,includinglignite,coal andcoal coke.The federal government and the City of Tuscaloosa share the ownership of the Port of Tuscaloosa; the operation of the port is leased out to Powell Sales and has been run by them since 1997.

At waterway mile marker 343.2 on the opposite side of the river is a steel company with its own tracks at the rear of the plant connecting with theKansas City Southern Railroadfor barge shipments of iron and steel products such asingots,bars, rods, steel slabs, plates and coils. Tuscaloosa Steel Corporation was one of the first U.S. steel companies to implement the Steckel Mill Technology.

The Port of Tuscaloosa grew out of the system of locks and dams on the Black Warrior River built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1890s. Its construction opened up an inexpensive transportation link to the Gulf seaport of Mobile, Alabama that stimulated the mining and metallurgical industries of the region that are still in operation.[108]

TheArmy Corps of Engineershas maintained a system of locks and dams along the Black Warrior River for over a century to allow navigability all the way up to Birmingham.[109]Barge traffic thus routinely runs through Tuscaloosa to the Alabama State Docks at Mobile, Alabama. Via theTenn-Tom Waterway,the city is connected to the Ohio River valley and beyond.

Notable people[edit]

(B)denotes that the person was born there.

Arts and entertainment[edit]

Politics[edit]

  • Robert J. Bentley,dermatologist and elected governor of Alabama in 2010
  • Abdurrahim El-Keib,interim prime minister of Libya (2011–2012); lived in Tuscaloosa while a professor at University of Alabama
  • Walter Flowers,reared in Tuscaloosa, United States Congressman, served on committee that voted for impeachment of PresidentRichard Nixon
  • Lewis McAllister,Tuscaloosa businessman and firstRepublicanto serve in Mississippi House of Representatives sinceReconstruction,1962-1968
  • Robert Morrow,chairman of Republican Party of Travis County, Texas, considered aconspiracy theorist,born in Tuscaloosa c. 1964
  • Condoleezza Rice,lived in Tuscaloosa as a child while her father taught atStillman College
  • Richard C. Shelby,U.S. senator, chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and Chairman of the United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
  • Margaret Tutwiler,former resident of Tuscaloosa, served in three presidential administrations, former ambassador to Kingdom of Morocco, under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs in State Department
  • Lurleen Wallace,born in Tuscaloosa, former governor of Alabama
  • Coleman Young,born in Tuscaloosa, served as mayor of Detroit from 1974 to 1993

Sports[edit]

Other[edit]

Sister cities[edit]

The Tuscaloosa Sister Cities Commission was formed in 1986. The city currently hassister cityrelationships with cities in three countries:[116][117]

Gallery[edit]

  • Tuscaloosa National Airport
    Tuscaloosa National Airport
  • Tuscaloosa River Walk park along the Black Warrior River
    Tuscaloosa River Walk park along theBlack Warrior River
  • Building formerly housing Bryce Hospital and now owned by the University of Alabama
    Building formerly housing Bryce Hospital and now owned by the University of Alabama
  • DCH Medical Tower
    DCH Medical Tower
  • The abandoned McFarland Mall in 2014
    The abandonedMcFarland Mallin 2014
  • The old AmSouth Bank building downtown
    The oldAmSouth Bankbuilding downtown
  • The Alston building downtown
    The Alston building downtown
  • The old Tuscaloosa Federal Courthouse building. It now hosts the central office of the Tuscaloosa County Board of Education.
    The old Tuscaloosa Federal Courthouse building. It now hosts the central office of the Tuscaloosa County Board of Education.
  • Veterans Memorial Park
    Veterans Memorial Park
  • Kudzu downtown
    Kudzudowntown
  • Rare snowfall downtown
    Rare snowfall downtown
  • Rare snowfall at Government Plaza, downtown. The central gazebo was renamed to Bicentennial Square on December 13, 2018, Tuscaloosa's 199th birthday.
    Rare snowfall at Government Plaza, downtown. The central gazebo was renamed to Bicentennial Square on December 13, 2018, Tuscaloosa's 199th birthday.
  • Northwood Lake in 2007
    Northwood Lake in 2007
  • Hugh R. Thomas Bridge
    Hugh R. Thomas Bridge
  • Mile marker 0 of Interstate 359 in 2003
    Mile marker 0 of Interstate 359 in 2003
  • A view of "The Strip" during the 2005 football season. The Strip is adjacent to the University of Alabama main campus and Bryant-Denny Stadium.
    A view of "The Strip" during the 2005 football season. The Strip is adjacent to the University of Alabama main campus and Bryant-Denny Stadium.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

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Bibliography[edit]

See also:Bibliography of the history of Tuscaloosa, Alabama

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toTuscaloosa, Alabama.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide forTuscaloosa.
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