Home to the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa stands tall as a college football mecca. The Crimson Tide football team has stomped its way to 18 national titles, raising the profile of the school and its home city. While the university is undeniably the radiant center of the city, Tuscaloosa has much more to offer than the gridiron and grades. A thriving downtown business scene draws in residents from across the region, while major businesses like Mercedes-Benz have invested heavily in West Alabama. “The coolest thing I’ve seen in Tuscaloosa over the last 10 or so years has been the exponential growth and investment that the public has made in Tuscaloosa,” says Ashley Crites, executive director of the Office of Urban Development for the city of Tuscaloosa. “We’ve been able to create special places that people want to come back to.”
University students take pride in being part of the city of Tuscaloosa.
Hang out in Downtown Tuscaloosa and have a great time.
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New construction for a growing Tuscaloosa population
Tuscaloosa’s population has grown steadily over the past 10 years, from about 95,000 in 2014 to over 110,000 today. The increasing population has resulted in more new housing, including French-Country-style homes in high-end subdivisions near Lake Tuscaloosa and townhomes built within walking distance of downtown. While the median single-family home in Tuscaloosa sells for $260,000, luxury condos near the Crimson Tide’s Bryant-Denny Stadium go between $1 million and $3 million at the high end of the market. Ranch-style homes throughout the rest of the city start closer to the mid-$100,000s and go up to $300,000.
Explore the tudor style homes in Downtown Tuscaloosa.
Craftsman style homes are a charming part of the Townes of North River.
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Dual enrollment programs in Tuscaloosa City Schools
Serving roughly 11,000 students, Tuscaloosa City Schools earns an overall rating of B from Niche. The district offers a robust dual enrollment program, allowing some high school students to take free classes at the University of Alabama, Shelton State Community College or Stillman College. Students can also attend private schools including A-rated Tuscaloosa Academy or A-minus-rated Holy Spirit Catholic School. The University of Alabama, the state’s flagship college, sits in the heart of the city. Over 40,000 students attend the school, which has experienced explosive growth over the last two decades, thanks in no small part to its national exposure and massive success on the football field. The university also doubles as the city’s largest employer. Stillman College, a historically black institution, calls West Tuscaloosa home, while Shelton State Community College also serves the city.
Northridge Middle School teaches Tuscaloosa kids to do their best.
Northridge High School encourages Tuscaloosa students to do their best.
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College football at Bryant-Denny Stadium
Fall Saturdays in Tuscaloosa are dominated by college football. The Alabama Crimson Tide packs over 100,000 fans into the newly christened Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium, and even more take part in tailgating festivities. Traffic can be an issue on gamedays around the city and especially near campus. Set on the banks of the Black Warrior River, the 15-acre Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater is western Alabama’s largest outdoor theater, host to country music artists and the city’s annual July 4th celebration. Local actors perform at downtown’s newly renovated Bama Theatre, while the state’s oldest museum, the Alabama Museum of Natural History, exhibits ancient fossils and more. The Kentuck Art Festival, traditionally held in nearby Northport, will take place at Snow Hinton Park in Tuscaloosa for the first time ever in 2024.
Enjoy the sights and sounds of University Area.
Visit the University of Alabama near Forest Lake.
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Bars and restaurants in thriving downtown Tuscaloosa
Downtown Tuscaloosa serves as a focal point for the community, with locally owned restaurants, bars and boutiques lining University Boulevard. “Downtown has had its ebbs and flows,” Crites says. “But now, we’re in a place where downtown is vibrant and thriving, and people want to be down here.” Further east on Unversity Boulevard, the bar and restaurant district known as “the Strip” serves students and gameday crowds alike adjacent to the university campus. On the southeast side of campus, shopping centers coalesce around McFarland Boulevard, including University Mall and Tuscaloosa Midtown Village. Meanwhile, chain eateries and retail stores sit off Skyland Boulevard.
Take a walk and enjoy all that the strip has to offer in Tuscaloosa.
Sit outside and chat with friends at World of Beer in Tuscaloosa.
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Elevating Tuscaloosa’s city parks
The city’s Elevate Tuscaloosa initiative has focused efforts on parks and recreation, investing more than $500 million in improving existing parks and creating new green spaces. One such park is the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk, which follows the southern bank of the Black Warrior River for 4 miles. Sokol Park also received enhancements, including the city’s largest inclusive playground. Lake Tuscaloosa is located north of the Black Warrior River and locals enjoy recreation on the water. “Folks love fishing from motorboats, kayaking and wakeboarding on Lake Tuscaloosa, which at 6,000 acres is the city’s largest lake,” says Richard Rush, the executive director for strategic communications for the City of Tuscaloosa. Meanwhile, the University of Alabama Arboretum’s trails run through 60 acres of forests and gardens.
Take a walk at the Park at Manderson Landing.
Watch the boats go by from the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk in Downtown Tuscaloosa.
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I-20 cuts through Tuscaloosa
The main route through West Alabama, Interstate 20 is situated in the southern portion of Tuscaloosa. Interstate 359 allows access to downtown from I-20, while McFarland Boulevard runs toward campus. Birmingham is about 60 miles east down I-20, where Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport offers flights to 20 destinations. While public transit infrastructure lags behind most major cities, the Tuscaloosa Transit Authority offers bus services for the area. The DCH Regional Medical Center is located just east of campus, while a Mercedes-Benz plant — the city’s second-largest employer with about 6,000 jobs — is 15 miles east in Vance. Plans to expand transportation services to new areas and add bike lanes and walkways are ongoing.
Important to know
While crime in Tuscaloosa is higher than the national average, the violent crime rate has declined over the last four years. In December 2023, the last month that data was available from the FBI, the Tuscaloosa Police Department reported 185 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 120. Meanwhile, TPD reported 249 nonviolent offenses per 100,000 residents, compared to a national average of 180. Tuscaloosa’s climate is standard for the Deep South, with hot, humid summers and mild winters. In 2011, parts of the city were devastated by an EF4 tornado that killed 44 people. The area has mainly rebounded, but the storm caused about $2.4 billion dollars worth of damage across Alabama. Since then, storm shelters and siren-warning systems have become the norm. “Locals definitely have to watch out for tornadoes,” says Rush. Additionally, flash flooding is a reality for residents living near the Black Warrior River. According to West Alabama’s Regional Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, the city is pushing forward with efforts to upgrade its stormwater infrastructure.
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