Census: Tuscaloosa County Population Grew 16% Since 2010

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The first round of data is in for the 2020 Census, showing Tuscaloosa County's population in 2020 had grown to 227,036, which is up 16.6% from the last Census in 2010. In terms of overall population, Tuscaloosa County edged out Shelby County for the No. 6 spot among Alabama's 67 counties.

The percentage of growth for the county far exceeded the statewide average of 5.1%, while also outpacing Jefferson (2.5%), Mobile (0.4%) and Montgomery (-0.2%) counties.

Conversely, Baldwin County saw its population grow a stunning 27% from 2010 to 2020. The results also showed Huntsville to be Alabama's most populous city, finally overtaking Birmingham as years of speculation that it eventually would.

In looking at the City of Tuscaloosa, Mayor Walt Maddox said the official population for the city, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, came out to 99,600 in 2020, with the count starting two weeks after more than 20,000 students had left Tuscaloosa for the summer.

"Even with this challenge, we grew by 10 percent," Maddox said on Twitter Thursday, before going on to explain that city officials were worried that Tuscaloosa's population might drop below its number reflected in the 2010 Census.

However, Maddox said in working with the Alabama Department of Commerce and the University of Alabama, the 10,000 on-campus students were automatically counted toward the city's population.

The mayor went on to express his hope that the Census will take into account university cities and their unique circumstances.

What's more for Tuscaloosa County, the City of Northport also saw its population grow by 33% during the last 10 years.

Census totals are central to the reapportionment process, with Alabama policymakers now gearing up for the process. Officials will reconsider district lines for the state's congressional districts and school board seats, along with seats in the State Senate and House of Representatives.

Public hearings are required during the process, with Tuscaloosa's set for Sept. 7 at 9 a.m. in the Bean-Brown Theater at Shelton State Community College, as Patch previously reported.

In addition to redrawing district lines, Tuscaloosa County previously pointed out that 2020 Census data will also be used to determine how the county's share of $13 billion in federal funds for schools, hospitals, roads, public works, and other programs. While the dates for public hearings are set, lawmakers were first given local data on Thursday.

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