Nestled among the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains as they descend into the coastal plains, Tuscaloosa County is the second largest county in Alabama with an area of 1,340 square miles and a population of 150,000+.

The Black Warrior River flows through the county named after a Choctaw Creek Indian Chief whose name was Tuskaloosa - which means "Black Warrior". Home to Choctaw and Cherokee Indians, nearby Moundville was a center of Native American culture. In the 1500s Hernando de Soto and his men marched through the state and brought an end to Chief Tuscaloosa during the Battle of Mauvila.

Tuscaloosa became an
incorporated town in 1819 and in 1826 did a short 20-year stint as the state capital. During this time, huge water oaks lined the streets of Tuscaloosa which led to the city's nickname of "The Druid City." In 1820, The University of Alabama was established by the General Assembly and opened its doors in 1831. Just a few decades later, only four of the orginal 14 campus buildings made it through the "Last Great Unpleasantness" known to many as the Civil War.

Six incorporated cities are located in Tuscaloosa County; Brookwood, Northport, Tuscaloosa, Vance, Coaling and Lakeview. And a wide variety of attractions can be enjoyed throughout West Alabama.

Combining the best of the Old South and the New South, Tuscaloosa offers Southern Hospitality with an international flavor thanks to the University of Alabama (with students from more than 60 countries) and our two sister cities of Narashino, Japan and Schorndorf, Germany. Tuscaloosa, Alabama - home to the University of Alabama, Stillman College and Shelton State Community College - it's a great place to live, come on in and see why.

To make your next move easier, check out Patty Sturgis' Special Relocation Information Package, below, designed for anyone moving to the area. It's a great place to start!