Tuscaloosa, AL

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2020 Population

251,878

0.477% 1-year growth

US Senator

Richard Shelby

Republican Party

US Senator

Tommy Tuberville

Republican Party

2020 Median Age

34.6

0.581% 1-year increase

2020 Poverty Rate

18.9%

1.4% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$50,871

0.919% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$165,800

3.95% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

111,965

3.26% 1-year growth

About

In 2020, Tuscaloosa, AL had a population of 252k people with a median age of 34.6 and a median household income of $50,871. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Tuscaloosa, AL grew from 250,681 to 251,878, a 0.477% increase and its median household income grew from $50,408 to $50,871, a 0.919% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Tuscaloosa, AL are White (Non-Hispanic) (57.7%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (35.9%), White (Hispanic) (2.16%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (1.38%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (1.17%).

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

97.7% of the residents in Tuscaloosa, AL are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Tuscaloosa, AL are The University of Alabama (10,365 degrees awarded in 2020), Shelton State Community College (747 degrees), and Stillman College (96 degrees).

In 2020, the median property value in Tuscaloosa, AL was $165,800, and the homeownership rate was 65%.

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

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

About the photo: Lake Harris Spillway

Photo by Richard Nix

Population & Diversity

Tuscaloosa, AL is home to a population of 252k people, from which 97.7% are citizens. As of 2020, 3.26% of Tuscaloosa, AL residents were born outside of the country (8.21k people).

In 2020, there were 1.61 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (145k people) in Tuscaloosa, AL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 90.3k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 5.44k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.7%

2020 Citizenship

97.6%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 97.7% of Tuscaloosa, AL residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Tuscaloosa, AL was 97.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Tuscaloosa, AL

White (Non-Hispanic)
145k ± 182
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
90.3k ± 562
White (Hispanic)
5.44k ± 728

3.65%

Hispanic Population

9.19k people

3.65% of the people in Tuscaloosa, AL are hispanic (9.19k people).

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

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
47,080 ± 5,301 people
Guatemala
12,910 ± 2,786 people
India
10,249 ± 2,483 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Alabama was Mexico, the natal country of 47,080 Alabama residents, followed by Guatemala with 12,910 and India with 10,249.

Foreign-Born Population

3.26%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

8.21k people

3.43%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

8.6k people

As of 2020, 3.26% of Tuscaloosa, AL residents (8.21k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Tuscaloosa, AL was 3.43%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
4,098 ± 427
Gulf War (2001-)
3,095 ± 546
Gulf War (1990s)
2,354 ± 584

Tuscaloosa, AL has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.32 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Tuscaloosa, AL employs 112k people. The largest industries in Tuscaloosa, AL are Manufacturing (17,222 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (16,495 people), and Educational Services (15,534 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($150,455), Utilities ($71,963), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($65,542).

Males in Alabama have an average income that is 1.44 times higher than the average income of females, which is $44,111. The income inequality in Alabama (measured using the Gini index) is 0.458, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

112k

2020 Value

± 3,080

3.26%

1 Year growth

± 3.52%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Tuscaloosa, AL grew at a rate of 3.26%, from 108k employees to 112k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Tuscaloosa, AL, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (11,850 people), Sales & Related Occupations (10,947 people), and Management Occupations (10,252 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Tuscaloosa, AL.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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

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

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Industries

Employment by Industries

112k

2020 Value

± 3,080

3.26%

1 Year growth

± 3.52%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Tuscaloosa, AL grew at a rate of 3.26%, from 108k employees to 112k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Tuscaloosa, AL, are Manufacturing (17,222 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (16,495 people), and Educational Services (15,534 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Tuscaloosa, AL, though some of these residents may live in Tuscaloosa, AL and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$40,598

Median earning men ± $1,343

$27,207

Median earning women ± $1,348

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2020 are Wholesale Trade ($62,601), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($57,409), and Public Administration ($54,912).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2020 are Public Administration ($44,926), Wholesale Trade ($41,020), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($40,018).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Alabama. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

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

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

1,645
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
1,145
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
1,024
Retail Trade

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

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$3.63M
Manufacturing
$1.33M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$418k
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

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

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Alabama to other states, or from other states to Alabama.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Alabama product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $52.4B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($22.9B) and Base metals ($20.4B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Alabama products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Alabama.

$282B

2020 Value in Alabama

$539B

Projected 2050 Value in Alabama

91.3% growth

In 2020, total outbound Alabama trade was $282B. This is expected to increase 91.3% to $539B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Alabama trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Alabama to other states, or from other states to Alabama.

Most Common Trade Partners

Georgia
$31.7B
Florida
$21.3B
Tennessee
$14.3B

In 2020, the top outbound Alabama domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Georgia with $31.7B, followed by Florida with $21.3B and Tennessee and $14.3B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Alabama shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

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

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

Senators Elections

US Senators from Alabama

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

Richard Shelby

Senator from Alabama

Assumed office on January 3, 1987
Until 1994, Richard Shelby won election to the Senate as a member of the Democratic Party.

Tommy Tuberville

Senator from Alabama

Assumed office on January 3, 2021

Richard Shelby and Tommy Tuberville are the senators currently representing Alabama.

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

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

US Representatives Elections

US Representatives from Alabama

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

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

Education

In 2020, universities in Tuscaloosa, AL awarded 11,230 degrees. The student population of Tuscaloosa, AL in 2020 is skewed towards women, with 18,050 male students and 24,291 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Tuscaloosa, AL are White (8,496 and 78%), followed by Black or African American (1,286 and 11.8%), Hispanic or Latino (509 and 4.67%), and Two or More Races (297 and 2.73%).

The largest universities in Tuscaloosa, AL by number of degrees awarded are The University of Alabama (10,365 and 92.3%), Shelton State Community College (747 and 6.65%), and Stillman College (96 and 0.855%).

The most popular majors in Tuscaloosa, AL are General Marketing & Marketing Management (639 and 5.69%), General Business Administration & Management (618 and 5.5%), and General Finance (602 and 5.36%).

The median tuition costs in Tuscaloosa, AL are $9,548 for private four year colleges, and $10,780 and $30,250 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2020 in Tuscaloosa, AL, the percentage of applicants admitted was 79.6%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 20.4%. The number of students enrolled in 2020 was 42,341 (42.6% men and 57.4% women).

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

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2020 there were 42,341 students enrolled in Tuscaloosa, AL, 42.6% men and 57.4% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 30,573 records, of which 56.5% were women and 43.5% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Marketing & Marketing Management
560 degree-majors awarded
General Business Administration & Management
431 degree-majors awarded
General Finance
577 degree-majors awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Tuscaloosa, AL was General Marketing & Marketing Management with 560 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

The University of Alabama
10,365 degrees awarded
Shelton State Community College
747 degrees awarded
Stillman College
96 degrees awarded

In 2020, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was The University of Alabama with 10,365 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2020, 4,760 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Tuscaloosa, AL, which is 0.736 times less than the 6,470 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 8,496 degrees mean that there were 6.61 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 1,286 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

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

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($10,780) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2020.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,744) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2020.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($2,034) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2020, 0.875% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.825% of women were in the same situation.

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

Educational Attainment

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

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2020 were High School or Equivalent (1.18M), Some college (900k), and Secondary Education (638k).

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

Housing & Living

The median property value in Tuscaloosa, AL was $165,800 in 2020, which is 0.721 times smaller than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $159,500 to $165,800, a 3.95% increase. The homeownership rate in Tuscaloosa, AL is 65%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.4%.

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

Median household income in Tuscaloosa, AL is $50,871. In 2020, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Tuscaloosa, AL was Shelby County, AL with a value of $78,889, followed by Madison County, AL and Limestone County, AL, with respective values of $66,887 and $64,270.

Housing

Property

$165,800

Median Property Value 2020

±$3,117

$59,221

Median Property Taxes

±$1,814

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

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

Rent vs Own

65%

Homeownership

2020

68.6%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2020

In 2020, 65% of the housing units in Tuscaloosa, AL were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 65.6%.

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

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2020, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Tuscaloosa, AL was Shelby County, AL with a value of $78,889, followed by Madison County, AL and Limestone County, AL, with respective values of $66,887 and $64,270.

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

Household Income

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

$50,871

Median Household Income

± $1,644

91.1k

Number of Households

± 2,404

In 2020, the median household income of the 91.1k households in Tuscaloosa, AL grew to $50,871 from the previous year's value of $50,408.

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

Wage Distribution

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

0.458

2020 Wage GINI in Alabama

0.459

2019 Wage GINI in Alabama

In 2020, the income inequality in Alabama was 0.458 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.32% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Alabama was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Alabama in comparison to the national average.

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

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (82.9%)
Carpooled (10.2%)
Worked At Home (4.6%)

In 2020, 82.9% of workers in Tuscaloosa, AL drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (10.2%) and those who worked at home (4.6%).

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

Commute Time

24.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Tuscaloosa, AL have a shorter commute time (24.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 1.9% of the workforce in Tuscaloosa, AL have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

18.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Tuscaloosa, AL (45.3k out of 240k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

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

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

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

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

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

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

Health

92.3% of the population of Tuscaloosa, AL has health coverage, with 51.7% on employee plans, 15.2% on Medicaid, 10.3% on Medicare, 13.7% on non-group plans, and 1.42% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Alabama was $7,281 in 2014. This is a 4.07% increase from the previous year ($6,996).

Primary care physicians in Alabama see 1534 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.583% decrease from the previous year (1543 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2005 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 923 patients per year.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Alabama. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Alabama, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1,534 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Alabama

Primary care physicians in Alabama see an average of 1,534 patients per year. This represents a 0.583% decrease from the previous year (1,543 patients).

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

Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Alabama across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2020, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24% under 18 years, 26.8% between 18 and 34 years, 35% between 35 and 64 years, and 14.2% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.6% were men and 52.4% were women.

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

Uninsured People

7.68%

Uninsured

51.7%

Employer Coverage

15.2%

Medicaid

10.3%

Medicare

13.7%

Non-Group

1.42%

Military or VA

Between 2017 and 2018, the percent of uninsured citizens in Tuscaloosa, AL declined by 12.7% from 8.8% to 7.68%.

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