Tuscaloosa, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Tuscaloosa, Alabama had a total population of 111,038, the 5th largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $51,464, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Tuscaloosa is the 5th largest city in Alabama with a population of 111,038.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 39.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Alabama.
Tuscaloosa Quick Facts
How Tuscaloosa Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,699 | 111,038 | +3.1% |
| Median household income | $48,536 | $51,464 | +6.0% |
| Median home value | $236,600 | $255,500 | +8.0% |
How Tuscaloosa Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Tuscaloosa Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Tuscaloosa County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northport | 31,218 | $80,913 | 12.3% | $282,600 |
| Moundville | 3,754 | $73,036 | 17.6% | $189,700 |
| Holt | 3,629 | $48,675 | 20.7% | $126,900 |
| Brookwood | 2,706 | $81,394 | 7.5% | $188,300 |
| Cottondale | 2,632 | $44,877 | 32.0% | $139,200 |
| Coaling | 2,573 | $81,370 | 3.7% | $228,000 |
| Vance | 2,105 | $94,545 | 7.3% | $225,400 |
| Woodstock | 1,218 | $73,438 | 14.1% | $195,800 |
| Coker | 1,058 | $55,313 | 14.0% | $200,700 |
Cities Similar to Tuscaloosa
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | 80,594 | $63,668 | $364,800 | 64.1% | 25.4% |
| Dothan | 71,514 | $55,792 | $194,000 | 27.6% | 19.3% |
| Hoover | 92,642 | $109,253 | $412,200 | 62.6% | 5.1% |
| Montgomery | 197,494 | $56,811 | $161,900 | 33.8% | 21.5% |
| Mobile | 203,416 | $53,558 | $193,300 | 32.0% | 18.4% |
Population Overview
Tuscaloosa is a major urban center located in Alabama, within Tuscaloosa County. The total population is 111,038. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tuscaloosa is 27.2 years. This is 31% lower than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Tuscaloosa is $51,464. This is 20% lower than the state median of $63,999. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.1%. This is 61% higher than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.7%. This is 64% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $255,500. Housing costs are 22% higher than the state median of $209,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 42.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% lower than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Tuscaloosa is White (non-Hispanic), making up 48.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 40.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (40.4% vs 25.6%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.5% vs 1.4%).
Education
39.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Tuscaloosa in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 39% higher than the state rate of 28.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.6%. Notably, 18.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tuscaloosa, Alabama is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Alabama state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 592 Census-designated places in Alabama. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Tuscaloosa, Alabama?
Tuscaloosa, Alabama has a population of 111,038 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tuscaloosa, AL?
The median household income in Tuscaloosa is $51,464, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Tuscaloosa, AL?
The poverty rate in Tuscaloosa is 25.1%. This means approximately 24,467 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tuscaloosa, Alabama?
Tuscaloosa's population is 48.9% White, 40.4% Black, 5.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tuscaloosa, AL?
The median home value in Tuscaloosa is $255,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is Tuscaloosa, Alabama?
39.4% of adults (25+) in Tuscaloosa hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.