About Tuscaloosa County
Home of the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa County was created in 1816 and is named after the Choctaw Indian Chief Tushkauloosa, which, translated, means "black warrior." Hernando DeSoto discovered the area in 1540. Its county seat, Tuscaloosa, was the state capital from 1826 to 1845.
The county has a population of 171,159. More than 69 percent of adults have completed high school and 20 percent hold at least a bachelor's degree. The county has 27 elementary schools, ten middle schools, seven high schools, six private schools, one two-year college and two four-year colleges.
Tourist attractions include University of Alabama football, the Paul "Bear" Bryant Museum, the Kentuck Art Festival, Dickens Downtown, International City Fest and Tuscaloosa Christmas Afloat.
Principal agricultural products in Tuscaloosa County include hay, corn, cotton, soybeans, wheat and snapdragons. Major companies include Mercedes-Benz USA International, JVC, Uniroyal-Goodrich and Phifer Wire Products.
