Tuscaloosa County, Alabama

County Distress Index: Serious · 72.1 | 237,373 people · 18th most distressed in Alabama
American Default Research

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Tuscaloosa County, AL shows significant household financial distress with a score of 72.1 — 313th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Alabama, it ranks 18th of 67 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Tuscaloosa County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 98.8 — worse than roughly 99% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 98.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 99
Housing Cost Burden 85.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 88
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 89
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 53
Homeownership Rate 90
Consumer Credit Distress 76.1
Debt in Collections 77
Medical Debt 47
Auto Loan Delinquency 90
Credit Card Delinquency 89
Uninsured Rate 37
Subprime Credit Population 87
Economic Vitality 48.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 37
Rent-to-Income Ratio 67
Business Formation Rate 46
House Price Change (YoY) 56
Structural Poverty 38.2
Unemployment Rate 4
Poverty Rate 83
Income vs. State Median 21
Child Poverty Rate 76
Disability Rate 23
Transfer Income Dependency 31

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Tuscaloosa County
Tuscaloosa County, AL 72.1 Serious —
Bibb County, AL 75.0 Serious +3.0
Greene County, AL 72.9 Serious +0.8
Jefferson County, AL 72.2 Serious +0.1
Hale County, AL 72.1 Serious +0.1
Pickens County, AL 69.6 Serious -2.5
Walker County, AL 62.6 Elevated -9.4
Fayette County, AL 61.9 Elevated -10.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Tuscaloosa County
Highlands County, FL 72.1 Serious 0.0
Walker County, TX 72.1 Serious +0.0
Wichita County, TX 72.2 Serious +0.1
Comanche County, OK 71.9 Serious -0.2
Ector County, TX 72.3 Serious +0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Tuscaloosa County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Tuscaloosa County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Tuscaloosa County.

CITY OF TUSCALOOSA - OFFICE OF COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES
Tuscaloosa
205-248-5080 Website
Financial CounselingFinancial CounselingFair HousingHomeless/Displacement
COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS OF WEST ALABAMA, INC.
Tuscaloosa
205-469-0397 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFinancial Counseling

See all counselors in Alabama →

Find an Attorney

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-392-5660

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Tuscaloosa County residents at no cost.

Legal Services Alabama 1-866-456-4995
Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-392-5660

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Alabama →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Tuscaloosa County, Alabama?

    Tuscaloosa County has a County Distress Index score of 72.1 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 313th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 18th in Alabama out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Tuscaloosa County?

    The primary driver of distress in Tuscaloosa County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 98.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Tuscaloosa County compare to neighboring counties?

    Tuscaloosa County (72.1) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Bibb County, AL (75.0); Greene County, AL (72.9); Jefferson County, AL (72.2).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Serious zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Tuscaloosa County's score of 72.1 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

  • What data sources power Tuscaloosa County's CDI score?

    Tuscaloosa County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Tuscaloosa County?

    Tuscaloosa County, Alabama has a population of approximately 237,373 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.