Tuscaloosa had 114,316 residents on July 1, 2025, the Census Bureau estimates, up from 99,600 at the 2020 census. It is Alabama's fifth-largest city.
Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Every figure on this page comes from the U.S. Census Bureau and is linked to its source. Census Bureau customer line: 1-800-923-8282. Updated when the bureau publishes new figures.
The City of Tuscaloosa had an estimated 114,316 residents on July 1, 2025, according to the Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 city and town population estimates. That makes Tuscaloosa the fifth-largest city in Alabama, behind Huntsville, Mobile, Birmingham and Montgomery. The bureau’s QuickFacts page for Tuscaloosa gathers the headline numbers.
Where the numbers come from
- Population counts: the 2010 census and 2020 census
- Yearly estimates: Vintage 2025 estimates, for July 1 of each year
- Age, income, housing: American Community Survey 2020-2024, five-year profile
- Questions: Census Bureau, 1-800-923-8282
Growth since 2010
| 2010 census | 2020 census | July 2025 estimate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Tuscaloosa | 90,468 | 99,600 | 114,316 |
| Tuscaloosa County | 194,656 | 227,036 | 241,368 |
| Northport | 23,330 | 31,125 | 31,648 |
Tuscaloosa grew 10.1% between the 2010 and 2020 censuses and has added about 14,700 people since the 2020 count, a gain of 14.8%. Measured from the bureau’s April 2020 estimates base, Tuscaloosa added 13,315 people through July 2025, the second-largest gain of any Alabama city after Huntsville. Mobile, Birmingham and Montgomery all lost population over the same years.
Tuscaloosa County grew 16.6% from 2010 to 2020 and another 6.3% from the 2020 census to July 2025. Northport, about four miles north across the Black Warrior River, grew 33.4% between the censuses but only 1.7% since 2020.
The city year by year
The estimates jumped by about 5,000 from 2020 to 2021, then rose by 900 to 1,500 a year. In the latest year, July 2024 to July 2025, the city added just 105 people.
Who lives in Tuscaloosa
From the 2020-2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates, which are averages over five years and carry a margin of error:
| Measure | Tuscaloosa | Tuscaloosa County | Northport | Alabama |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population (ACS) | 111,038 | 237,552 | 31,218 | 5,086,768 |
| Median age | 27.2 | 32.8 | 36.8 | 39.3 |
| Households | 42,257 | 90,052 | 12,401 | 1,997,247 |
| Average household size | 2.30 | 2.47 | 2.45 | 2.48 |
| Median household income | $51,464 | $66,231 | $80,913 | $63,999 |
| People below the poverty level | 25.1% | 16.8% | 12.3% | 15.6% |
| Adults 25+ with a bachelor’s degree or higher | 39.4% | 32.1% | 38.2% | 28.4% |
Tuscaloosa is young: its median age of 27.2 is 12 years below the state’s. The city is home to the University of Alabama, Stillman College and Shelton State Community College, the city notes.
Housing
| Measure | Tuscaloosa | Tuscaloosa County | Northport | Alabama |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homes occupied by their owners | 42.9% | 61.4% | 62.2% | 70.2% |
| Median value of owner-occupied homes | $255,500 | $248,700 | $282,600 | $209,900 |
| Median gross rent | $1,055 | $1,037 | $982 | $1,007 |
Most Tuscaloosa households rent: only 42.9% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners, against 70.2% statewide. For current home values, see Tuscaloosa home prices.
What this means for you
- Tuscaloosa is Alabama’s fifth-largest city, and growth has slowed to a near standstill in the latest estimate.
- Renters outnumber owners in the city.
- This page will be updated when the bureau publishes its next estimates.
More guides: moving to Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa schools guide and Tuscaloosa history and landmarks.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Tuscaloosa, Alabama?
The Census Bureau estimates Tuscaloosa had 114,316 residents on July 1, 2025. The 2020 census counted 99,600 and the 2010 census 90,468.
Is Tuscaloosa the fifth-largest city in Alabama?
Yes. In the bureau’s 2025 estimates Tuscaloosa ranks fifth, behind Huntsville, Mobile, Birmingham and Montgomery.
Is Tuscaloosa growing?
Yes, but more slowly now. The city added about 5,000 people from July 2020 to July 2021, then 900 to 1,500 a year, and just 105 from July 2024 to July 2025, by Census Bureau estimates.
What is the median age in Tuscaloosa?
27.2 years in the Census Bureau’s 2020-2024 American Community Survey, compared with 32.8 for Tuscaloosa County and 39.3 for Alabama.
What is the median household income in Tuscaloosa?
$51,464 in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey, compared with $66,231 for Tuscaloosa County, $80,913 for Northport and $63,999 for Alabama.
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