Tuscaloosa County was created on February 6, 1818 from lands ceded by the Creek and Choctaw nations [1]. Its name probably comes from Tuskaloosa, a Mississippian chieftain killed in 1540 by forces led by Hernando de Soto. The seat is Tuscaloosa, which was also the state capital from 1826 to 1845, and the 2020 estimate was 208,854 residents across 1,336 square miles.
| Created | February 6, 1818 |
|---|---|
| Seat | Tuscaloosa (designated 1819) |
| Population, 2020 | 208,854 (estimate) |
| Area | 1,336 square miles |
| Largest sector | Education, health care and social assistance (29.1%) |
| Universities | University of Alabama, Stillman, Shelton State |
History
The county seat moved to Newton in 1822 and returned to Tuscaloosa in 1826, and the present courthouse dates to 1964. Farming of wheat, corn and oats dominated the 1800s, with coal mining and timber also important, and hydroelectric power in the early 1900s spurred industry [1].
Economy
Manufacturing of automotive parts, electronics, plastics and chemicals is concentrated along the Interstate 20/59 Industrial Corridor, and the county has attracted investment from German and Japanese companies. Healthcare and education account for roughly 30 percent of non-agricultural jobs, and manufacturing employed 14.7 percent of workers in 2020 [1].
Education and places
The University of Alabama received its charter in 1827 and opened in 1831 with 52 students. Besides Tuscaloosa, the county includes Northport and Coaling. Attractions include Lake Lurleen State Park, Moundville Archaeological Park, Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park, the Alabama Museum of Natural History, the Paul W. Bryant Museum and the Mercedes-Benz Visitor Center in Vance [1]. See Moundville.
Formation and name
Tuscaloosa County was established on February 6, 1818, before Alabama became a state, and is named for the sixteenth-century Muskogean paramount chief Tuskaloosa, whose name combines Choctaw words roughly meaning warrior and black.[2]
Geography and population
The county lies in west-central Alabama between the Appalachian Highlands and the Gulf Coastal Plain, with a total area of 1,351 square miles including about 30 of water. It had 227,036 residents in 2020, making it the fifth largest in the state, and a 2025 estimate of 241,368. Tuscaloosa is the county seat and forms a conurbation with Northport; other communities include Brookwood, Coker, Holt and Vance.[2]
Economy and history
The University of Alabama, founded in 1831, is the largest employer. Mercedes-Benz announced its first North American assembly plant here in 1993, and it opened in 1995. Tuscaloosa was Alabama’s capital from 1826 to 1846, Union troops burned the university campus near the end of the Civil War, and an EF4 tornado struck the city in 2011, killing at least 44 people.[2]
Recreation
The Black Warrior River runs through the county, and recreation sites include Lake Tuscaloosa, part of the Talladega National Forest, and Lake Lurleen State Park.[2]
FAQs
When was it created? February 6, 1818.
What is the seat? Tuscaloosa.
Sources
More in Human Geography
Key facts
- Population 208,8541
Quick checkWhen was Tuscaloosa County created?Show answer
February 6, 1818.
Sources
- Encyclopedia of Alabama. Tuscaloosa County. n.d. (accessed 2026-11-10)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 10, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue