1st Advantage MortgageTuscaloosa County households have a median income of $66,231 and median rent of $1,037 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Alabama before sharing details.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Tuscaloosa County
- Tuscaloosa County housing compared with Alabama
- Paychecks and income spread in Tuscaloosa County
- The Tuscaloosa County job picture
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Tuscaloosa County
- Regional comparison for Tuscaloosa County
- Tuscaloosa County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Before borrowing in Tuscaloosa County
- Debt-to-income at Tuscaloosa County's medians
- Steps before you apply in Tuscaloosa County
- Who licenses lenders for Tuscaloosa County residents
- More guides for Tuscaloosa County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Tuscaloosa County
With an estimated 237,552 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Tuscaloosa County ranks 5th of 67 in Alabama for population. Packed into 1,321 square miles, that is close to 180 residents for every square mile of land. It is one of the counties that make up the Tuscaloosa, AL metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Of the 8 Census places inside Tuscaloosa County, Tuscaloosa leads by population with about 111,038; 6 of the 8 are incorporated.
Tuscaloosa County housing compared with Alabama
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,037 in Tuscaloosa County versus $1,007 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 51% of renter households here. With a median value of $248,700, a typical Tuscaloosa County house costs 3.8 times what the median household earns in a year. 61% of Tuscaloosa County households own their home and 39% rent. Median construction year: 1992.
| Measure | Tuscaloosa County | Alabama | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,037/mo | $1,007/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $248,700 | $209,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 61% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 51% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 24% | n/a |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Paychecks and income spread in Tuscaloosa County
Tuscaloosa County households have a median income of $66,231 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 11th of 67 in Alabama.
| Households earning | Tuscaloosa County | +/- vs Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.6% | -0.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.5% | -0.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.8% | +1.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.2% | -0.6 pts |
Some 28% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 32% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 16.8% of Tuscaloosa County residents in poverty, against 15.6% across Alabama. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Tuscaloosa County median.
The Tuscaloosa County job picture
Education and health care employs 29% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 16%. Education and health care stands out: 29% of workers here, versus 23% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Tuscaloosa County averages 5.8% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.7%). 11% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Tuscaloosa County | Gap to Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 29.2% | +6.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.7% | +1.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.6% | -1.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.4% | +1.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.7% | -2.3 pts |
| Construction | 6.4% | -0.5 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Tuscaloosa County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Tuscaloosa County
The table lists the 8 largest of 8 Census places in Tuscaloosa County, by population. Together all 8 hold about 158,917 people, so roughly 33% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $101,487 at the median in Lake View, $44,877 in Cottondale. Median rent ranges from $935 in Cottondale to $1,676 in Lake View. None of the 8 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa | city | 111,038 | $51,464 | $1,055 | 4 mi |
| Northport | city | 31,218 | $80,913 | $982 | 5 mi |
| Lake View | city | 4,063 | $101,487 | $1,676 | 23 mi |
| Holt | CDP | 3,629 | $48,675 | $1,012 | 5 mi |
| Brookwood | town | 2,706 | $81,394 | $1,097 | 12 mi |
| Cottondale | CDP | 2,632 | $44,877 | $935 | 8 mi |
| Coaling | city | 2,573 | $81,370 | $1,254 | 13 mi |
| Coker | town | 1,058 | $55,313 | $1,353 | 10 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Regional comparison for Tuscaloosa County
Six nearby counties, 30 to 40 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. None of the six report a higher median household income than Tuscaloosa County; Walker County is highest at $56,509 and Greene County lowest at $29,200.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa County | - | $66,231 | $1,037/mo | 61% |
| Bibb County, AL | 30 mi | $52,541 | $733/mo | 79% |
| Fayette County, AL | 33 mi | $49,488 | $667/mo | 78% |
| Pickens County, AL | 33 mi | $46,274 | $648/mo | 76% |
| Walker County, AL | 37 mi | $56,509 | $756/mo | 76% |
| Hale County, AL | 38 mi | $39,250 | $715/mo | 74% |
| Greene County, AL | 40 mi | $29,200 | $432/mo | 62% |
Tuscaloosa County residents: age, schooling, coverage
32% of Tuscaloosa County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 6.7%, against 9.2% for Alabama.
| Indicator | Tuscaloosa County | All of Alabama | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.8 | 39.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 32.1% | 28.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.5% | 11.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.7% | 9.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.8% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.4% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 16.8% | 15.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.8% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Tuscaloosa County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 27.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 44.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.2% |
| 60+ min | 6.0% |
Before borrowing in Tuscaloosa County
A few patterns in the Tuscaloosa County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Rent squeeze. 51% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
Debt-to-income at Tuscaloosa County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Tuscaloosa County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,519 before taxes
- 19% goes to median rent ($1,037)
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,336 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Tuscaloosa County's.
Steps before you apply in Tuscaloosa County
A short checklist for Tuscaloosa County borrowers:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Alabama borrowers.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Who licenses lenders for Tuscaloosa County residents
The Alabama State Banking Department is the place to verify any lender's Alabama license. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: Alabama guide.
More guides for Tuscaloosa County
The Alabama guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tuscaloosa County a high-income county?
Its $66,231 median ranks 11th of 67 Alabama counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Tuscaloosa County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,037 a month; 51% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
What are the biggest places in Tuscaloosa County?
By population: Tuscaloosa, Northport, Lake View, Holt, Brookwood. The county has 8 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Tuscaloosa County or elsewhere in Alabama, the same rules apply.
Who regulates personal lenders for Tuscaloosa County residents?
The Alabama State Banking Department licenses consumer lenders in Alabama; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.