Tuscaloosa County, Alabama

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Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
Map
Location in the state of Alabama
Alabama's location in the U.S.
Statistics
Founded	February 6, 1818^[1]
Seat	Tuscaloosa
Largest city	Tuscaloosa
Area - Total - Land - Water	1,351 sq mi (3,499 km²) 1,324 sq mi (3,429 km²) 27 sq mi (70 km²), 1.99%
Population - (2007) - Density	171,159 124/sq mi (48/km²)
Website: www.tuscco.com

Tuscaloosa County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. ^[1] It is named in honor of the Choctaw chief Tuskalusa.^[1] In 2007, the population was recorded as 171,159.^[1] In 2000, the population was 164,875.

The county is the second-largest in the state in terms of area (trailing only Baldwin County) and sixth-largest in terms of population (behind Jefferson, Mobile, Madison, Montgomery,and Shelby counties).

Its seat and largest city is Tuscaloosa, the former state capital from 1826 to 1845.^[1] It is also the largest county in the Tuscaloosa, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area.

1 History
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 Government
5 Education
6 Constructions
7 Municipalities and census-designated places
8 Notes
9 External links

[edit] History

Tuscaloosa County was established on February 6, 1818. Tourist attractions have included University of Alabama football, the Paul "Bear" Bryant Museum, the Kentuck Art Festival, Dickens Downtown, International City Fest, and Tuscaloosa Christmas Afloat.^[1]

Principal agricultural products in Tuscaloosa County have included crops of hay, corn, cotton, soybeans, wheat and snapdragons.^[1] Major companies in the county have included JVC, Mercedes-Benz USA International, Uniroyal-Goodrich, and Phifer Wire Products.^[1]

[edit] Geography

Tuscaloosa County is located in the west central part of the state, in the region commonly known as West Alabama. The county straddles the boundary between the Appalachian Highlands and the Gulf Coastal Plain and consequently boasts a diverse geography. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,500 km² (1,351 square miles). Nearly 1,324 square miles (3,430 km²) of it is land, and 27 square miles (70 km²) of it (1.99%) is water.

[edit] Major highways

[edit] Rail

[edit] Adjacent counties

Walker County (northeast)
Jefferson County (east)
Bibb County (southeast)
Hale County (south)
Greene County (southwest)
Pickens County (west)
Fayette County (northwest)

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^[2] of 2000, there were 164,875 people, 64,517 households, and 41,677 families residing in the county. The population density was 48 persons/km² (124/sq mi). The population core of the county lies in Tuscaloosa-Northport conurbation (including Coaling, Coker, and Holt CDP). The combined 2000 Census population of this area (not including their undesignated suburban census areas) is 103,367, accounting for 62.7% of the county in population, while only accounting for 6.9% in area. Consequently, the population density of the central population core is 439 persons/km² (1137 persons/sq mi), while the density of the county outside the central population core is 17 persons/km² (44 persons/sq mi).

There were 71,429 housing units at an average density of 54/sq mi (21/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 68.12% White, 29.31% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.92% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.56% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. Nearly 1.29% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 64,517 households, out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 47.20% were married couples living together, 14.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.40% were non-families. 28.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42, and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.40% under the age of 18, 16.50% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 20.80% from 45 to 64, and 11.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,436, and the median income for a family was $45,485. Males had a median income of $34,807 versus $24,128 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,998. About 11.30% of families and 17.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.50% of those under age 18 and 13.20% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Government

Tuscaloosa is served by several elected state officials. Tuscaloosa is served by the following elected state officials: two District Court Judges, six Circuit Court Judges, and the District Attorney.

The current District Court Judges are:

Judge Joel Chandler
Judge Jim Guin

The current Circuit Court Judges are:

Judge Scott Donaldson, Presiding Judge
Judge Michael Bradley Almond
Judge John England
Judge Charles Malone
Judge Phillip Lisenby
Judge Hershel Hamner

The current Sheriff is Ron Abernathy.

The chief law enforcement officer of Tuscaloosa County, which comprises the Sixth Judicial Circuit is:

Thomas M. Smith, District Attorney

[edit] Education

The Tuscaloosa County School System serves students in the county outside the city limits of Tuscaloosa. The system has been in operation since 1871. The system is managed by a Board of Education, composed 7 members elected by district by the voter of the county outside the limits of the City of Tuscaloosa, a Superintendent who is appointed by the board to manage the day-to-day operations of the system. As of the 2005-2006 school year 16,318 students were enrolled by the system. There are 16 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, 5 high schools and the Tuscaloosa Regional Detention Center and Sprayberry Regional Eduational Center for gifted and special needs children. Currently four new schools are scheduled to open August 2008.

The Tuscaloosa City School System serves students who live in the City of Tuscaloosa.