TUSCALOOSA COUNTY
County Offices
714 Greensboro Avenue
Tuscaloosa 205-349-3870
www.tuscco.com
Chamber of Commerce
2200 University Boulevard
Tuscaloosa 205-758-7588
www.tuscaloosachamber.com
Anchored by the All-America City of Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa County draws newcomers to the culture, sophistication, and charm of the New South.
Services
New residents to Tuscaloosa County will discover exceptional services in healthcare and education, which also serve as economic cornerstones for the region. The primary healthcare center for Western Alabama is the DCH Regional Medical Center. This 610-bed hospital operates a trauma center associated with its emergency department that serves all of west-central Alabama and is one of the busiest in the state. The medical center includes specialty units for pediatrics, orthopedics, cancer and cardiology, and intensive care units. Physicians are able to use the latest surgical techniques from microsurgery and laser surgery to laparoscopic surgery for reduced pain and faster recovery times. DCH Health System also operates Northport Medical Center in neighboring Northport. Veterans have the advantage of the 702-bed VA Medical Center Tuscaloosa, providing a wealth of healthcare services and specializations close to home.
The West Alabama Region is known as the “Capstone of Education” in Alabama, home to a nationally renowned teaching and research university. Offering more than 200 undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs, the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa is proud of its place in the acclaimed UA system. In addition to its respected public university, Tuscaloosa County offers the private liberal arts Stillman College with its 100-acre campus graced by stately magnolias. Shelton State Community College completes the comprehensive resources for higher education, expanding its specializations through the Alabama Fire College and the Center for Advanced Productivity. SSCC has also developed the West Alabama Center for Workforce Development and Training for Business and Industry, working closely with the regional industrial community to insure the continued growth of a vibrant economy.
Tuscaloosa County is efficiently linked to regional and national destinations, served by a network of federal highways, state highways, and the conjoined Interstates of 20 and 59. Interstate 359 spurs off from I-20/59 and leads northward toward the city of Tuscaloosa. West of downtown Northport on the north side of the Black Warrior River, Tuscaloosa Regional Airport serves a 10-county area in Western Alabama with first-rate facilities for corporate, private, and military aircraft.
Lifestyle
Tuscaloosa County offers a vibrant, progressive, and attraction-filled environment with every imaginable convenience and amenity is available in an affordable package. This area is brimming over with cultural sites and events that reflect its rich role in Alabama history as well as contemporary life. The Children’s Hands-On Museum of Tuscaloosa, the Murphy African-American Museum, the Alabama Museum of Natural History, the Paul Bryant Museum, and the Westervelt-Warner Museum of American Art are a few of the highlights. The small town of Moundville, only partially located in Tuscaloosa County, draws visitors to the exceptional Moundville Archaeological Park and the Jones Archeological Museum. Performances and events are often sponsored by the University of Alabama, and the region is home to dozens of talented groups and organizations. The Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra takes advantage of UA’s Moody Music Hall, while Theatre Tuscaloosa makes its home at the Bean-Browne Theater at Shelton State Community College. More intimate venues like the Marian Gallaway Theatre and the Allen Bales Theatre showcase a variety of audience-pleasing performances.
Tuscaloosa County appeals to residents of all ages and interests, from world-class barbecue restaurants that have been featured in national media to a pulsating collegiate nightlife. The eyes of the nation turn to Tuscaloosa each fall for the finest in gridiron action at the University of Alabama’s Bryant-Denny Stadium. Druid City Dragons professional basketball also draws enthusiastic crowds, although you don’t have to be a spectator to enjoy sports in Tuscaloosa County. Camping, hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, and nature study can all be enjoyed in pristine environments. World-class water sports are available in the area’s sparkling lakes and rivers, while golfers can tee up on gorgeous links. Sports fields and courts, swimming pools, lush public parks, tennis courts, fitness centers, and private sports clubs ensure opportunities for a healthy, active lifestyle.
Newcomers will find a wide range of housing styles and settings in welcoming small towns, new subdivisions with a country setting, or beautiful urban neighborhoods. Revitalized historic neighborhoods that recreate the charm of yesterday contrast with prestigious planned residential enclaves with the elegance of the English countryside. Sights of children playing while neighbors chat across picket fences are common along quiet, secluded streets covered by a canopy of towering trees. Waterfront properties, golf-course views, and luxurious condominiums add to the kaleidoscope of lifestyle choices. Wherever you settle in beautiful Tuscaloosa County, you’ll discover a quality of life that grows richer with each passing year.
Brookwood
Municipal Offices
205-556-1300
www.brookwoodalabama.com
Chamber of Commerce
205-758-7588
www.tuscaloosachamber.com
Drawing new residents to “A Wonderful Place to Live,” the small but rapidly growing town of Brookwood is situated in eastern Tuscaloosa County along Highway 216 and Interstate 59/20. Nestled between the thriving metropolitan centers of Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, the community offers a tranquil retreat from the traffic and pace of urban life among the tree-clad foothills of the Appalachians. One of the town’s central features is the large park near Town Hall, with first-class playgrounds, walking trail, picnic areas, tennis courts, ball fields, and volleyball courts. Students from kindergarten through high school never have to leave Brookwood to receive a quality public education. Popular pastimes include picnicking, fishing, boating, swimming, camping, and hunting. The Black Warrior River and Tannehill Historical State Park are both nearby. Housing ranges from well-kept older homes in quiet neighborhoods to vibrant new construction. Encompassed within the area’s brisk development, upscale residential homes and estates are graced by a new 18-golf course and practice greens.
Coker
Municipal Offices
205-333-8181
http://townofcoker.com
Chamber of Commerce
205-758-7588
www.tuscaloosachamber.com
Just eight miles west of Tuscaloosa on U.S. Highway 82, the small town of Coker was first established in 1900 but incorporated in 1999 as one of the county’s newest municipalities. The incorporation reflects the proud spirit of this close-knit community, where residents were concerned that Coker would be annexed by Northport or Tuscaloosa as a result of suburban sprawl. Coker is actually located west of Newport, which is west of Tuscaloosa. Newcomers will find the best of all worlds in Coker, where the chirp of crickets and the call of native birds replace the din of urban traffic. At the same time, the world-class cultural, healthcare, educational, and entertainment attractions in Tuscaloosa are only minutes from home. Although Coker is destined to grow along with its metropolitan neighbors, the town intends to protect its quality of life and rural charm.
Lake View Town
Municipal Offices
205-477-1999
http://lakeviewalabama.gov
Chamber of Commerce
205-758-7588
www.tuscaloosachamber.com
The sprawling town of Lake View is experiencing phenomenal growth, with a rate of 21 percent in 2005. New homes and beautiful new subdivisions are cropping up on yesterday’s open space, taking advantage of the tranquil rural atmosphere and the strategic location along Interstate 59/20. The town is actively working to accommodate the flood of newcomers with efficient services, and the county has already added a new middle school to the area. Lake View sprawls into Jefferson County and Bibb County as well as Tuscaloosa County. The town is only 15 miles west of Birmingham and 25 miles east of Tuscaloosa, which gives residents easy access to a wealth of urban amenities. Expanded shopping is available within a few minutes drive from home. Recreational opportunities abound in this naturally beautiful area, including camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, and hunting.
Northport
Municipal Offices
205-339-7000
www.cityofnorthport.org
Chamber of Commerce
205-758-7588
www.tuscaloosachamber.com
Attracting newcomers and visitors to historic charm, the delightful town of Newport lies west of rapidly growing Tuscaloosa. Proud of its designation as an All-American City, Northport claims a colorful past that is celebrated around every corner. The annual Victorian holiday celebration of Dickens Downtown features Theatre Tuscaloosa performing scenes from A Christmas Carol along with choirs, bands, an English Town Crier, and countless open house tours. Unique attractions include the barn-like Globe Restaurant, a popular restaurant in a former dry goods store that combines an English tavern with an international menu. Historic Downtown Northport surrounds shops, galleries, and restaurants with the quaint atmosphere of brick streets, ornate lighting, and picturesque landscaping. For contemporary amenities, close proximity to highly developed urban resources, and unrivaled historic charm, Northport stands in a class of its own.
Tuscaloosa
Municipal Offices
205-248-5311
www.tuscaloosa.com
Chamber of Commerce
205-758-7588
www.tuscaloosachamber.com
The hub of Tuscaloosa County has long been famous as a college town centered on the nationally acclaimed resources of the University of Alabama and collegiate football. Although the growing economy has strengthened and diversified in recent decades, the university still plays a vital role in the region’s cultural enrichment and appeal. Emerging as one of America’s most progressive communities, Tuscaloosa enjoys a panoramic location along the Black Warrior River. Private and public dollars are making possible the sweeping riverfront and downtown transformation that reflects the city’s commitment to a bright and prosperous future. More than 20 points of interest are scattered throughout the city, from a popular historic theater to dozens of lush parks, numerous galleries, wonderful museums, and grand antebellum homes. The Alabama Museum of Natural History, the Aliceville Museum, and the Fayette Art Museum are just a few of the premier venues. Beautiful golf courses, private sports clubs, country clubs, social and sports organizations, supervised recreational programs, and a wealth of sports facilities combine with riverfront and lakefront water-sport recreation set against a backdrop of natural beauty. Throughout the area, beautiful older homes along tree-shaded streets combine with handsome new construction and exclusive enclaves to crown the city’s first-rate amenities and attractions with affordable and attractive housing options.
Vance, Coaling
Vance Offices
205-553-8278
http://townofvance.weebly.com
Coaling Offices
205-507-0200
http://coalingalabama.com
Chamber of Commerce
205-758-7588
www.tuscaloosachamber.com
Vance invites new residents to discover “quality living in the heart of Alabama’s economic corridor.” This small town with its beautiful natural environment drew the national spotlight several years ago as the chosen site for an expansive assembly plant for Mercedes-Benz. Along with the nearby small town of Coaling, the community is undergoing the transformation that occurs in a sleepy small town when a major employer moves into the area. Spectacular new subdivisions like Logan Farms now provide a selection of luxurious new homes and estates that feature the finest in appointments and upgrades. Within the town, the Vance Civic Center serves as a focal point of governmental, social, and recreational activity. Sports facilities include basketball courts, a lighted tennis court, a walking track, and the Vance Ball Park for Dixie Youth sports. Local shops and services add to the quality of life, offering a convenient lifestyle wrapped in the pleasures of a rural setting.
