Foster Auditorium, The University of Alabama · Photo: Ttownfeen · Public domainAmong U.S. towns with similar household incomes, Tuscaloosa is healthier than 59%
Tuscaloosa differs from Alabama on 17 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 8 better, 9 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Tuscaloosa. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Tuscaloosa is healthier than 28%. Against the 6,291 towns with similar household incomes ($39K–$64K), it’s healthier than 59%. Health Grade ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Tuscaloosa
3 in 10 adults worry about having enough food (28.7%), vs 19.2% across Alabama. No reliable transportation (15.6% vs 9.8%) and utility shut-off threats (14.2% vs 9.6%) are higher too. 22.6% of adults receive SNAP, vs 14% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Tuscaloosa looks healthier next to Alabama than next to the country
It’s healthier than 52% of the 187 Alabama towns we grade, but 28% of towns nationwide. Much of Alabama scores low on these measures. Health Grade ↓
Dental care lags in Tuscaloosa
51.7% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 56.9% across Alabama. Among those 65 and older, 19.1% have lost all their teeth (Alabama 15.4%). Checkups ↓
Cancer and heart disease are less common in Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa runs below Alabama on five chronic conditions, most of all cancer (5.1% vs 8.2%), heart disease (5.4% vs 7.3%) and arthritis (22.6% vs 30.3%). A young population is part of it: only 13% of residents are 65 or older (Alabama 18%). Conditions ↓
Written from the CDC, Medicare and HRSA data on this page. CDC PLACES 2025 release: modeled estimates for adults, not counts; “higher” and “lower” mean the Alabama figure falls outside Tuscaloosa’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to B−.
What’s behind Tuscaloosa’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Tuscaloosa is healthier than 28% of U.S. towns, #91 of 187 in Alabama. Physical distress holds the grade up (fewer adults with frequent physical distress than 62% of U.S. towns); mental distress pulls it down (better than 4%).
Health estimates follow income closely across the country: towns with higher household incomes usually score higher (a correlation of 0.77 across 21,157 graded towns). Tuscaloosa’s median household income is $51,464; among the 6,291 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($39K–$64K), it’s healthier than 59%, more than its income alone would suggest.
Few Alabama towns score lower on these estimates than towns elsewhere, so within the state Tuscaloosa is healthier than 52% of graded towns, against 28% nationally.
Where Tuscaloosa compares well: arthritis, 22.6% (U.S. 25.3%); cancer, other than skin cancer, 5.1% (U.S. 7.9%); coronary heart disease, 5.4% (U.S. 6.4%).
At 114,316 residents, Tuscaloosa is graded like any town, from one citywide estimate; its rank among the 395 U.S. cities over 100,000 is the fairer comparison.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
22.6% of Tuscaloosa adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14% across Alabama.
Keeping up with care
Share of Tuscaloosa adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Alabama.
Out of every 100 Tuscaloosa adults…
Tuscaloosa runs below AL on 8 of 12 conditions and above it on 1. Tap one to see it as people.
Only 13% of Tuscaloosa residents are 65 or older, vs 18% across Alabama. Heart disease, COPD and arthritis run low partly because the town is young.
Care in and near Tuscaloosa
2 hospitals and 1 community health center in Tuscaloosa, plus the nearest just outside it.
Hospitals: Medicare overall star ratings, 1–5. Community health centers charge on a sliding scale by income. Distances are straight-line from the center of Tuscaloosa; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas (a “population” designation covers specific residents, such as those with low incomes).
Everyday habits, side by side with Alabama
Share of adults, with the Alabama figure marked.
58 miles of trails across 52 parks and preserves
How Tuscaloosa adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Tuscaloosa runs above Alabama.
2 in 5 Tuscaloosa adults feel lonely. A hello is a start.
Groups are the easiest way in: a walking group, a book club, your street.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.
Tuscaloosa and the towns around it
Tuscaloosa’s Health Grade ranks 4th of 6 graded towns around it.
Nearby towns are shaded from CDC’s estimates for their ZIP codes, or CDC’s own figure for cities and villages.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa | C | 42.6% | 12% | 14.7% | CDC place |
| Holt | D− | 52.1% | 19.5% | 21.8% | CDC place |
| Northport | B | 40.1% | 11.7% | 13% | CDC place |
| Cottondale | C− | 44.7% | 14.8% | 16.7% | CDC place |
| Vance | B | 39.8% | 9.5% | 14.7% | CDC place |
| Brookwood | B− | 40.4% | 10.3% | 15.7% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Tuscaloosa adults live with a disability (Alabama 36.5%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Tuscaloosa
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Tuscaloosa is better than Alabama on 8 and worse on 9; on the rest, the Alabama figure falls inside Tuscaloosa’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Tuscaloosa | AL | U.S. | vs AL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 24.2%21.6–26.8 | 22.8% | 19.4% | About the same |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 13.4%11.9–15 | 14.2% | 13% | About the same |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 21.3%19–23.6 | 17.2% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 42.6%36.9–48.3 | 39.4% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 12%10.6–13.4 | 14.8% | 12% | Better |
| High blood pressure | 37.6%34.1–41 | 43.3% | 34.4% | Better |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 35.2%31.8–38.6 | 40.7% | 37.1% | Better |
| Arthritis | 22.6%20.2–25 | 30.3% | 25.3% | Better |
| Asthma | 11%9.7–12.3 | 10% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 5.1%4.6–5.6 | 8.2% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 5.4%4.9–6 | 7.3% | 6.4% | Better |
| COPD | 6.8%6.1–7.5 | 8% | 6.3% | Better |
| Stroke | 3.5%3.2–3.8 | 4.1% | 3.4% | Better |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 19.1%15.9–22.4 | 15.4% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 14.7%12.7–16.6 | 15.1% | 11.8% | About the same |
| No exercise outside work | 29.1%25.2–32.9 | 28.7% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 15.1%12.5–18 | 14.1% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 42.5%37.1–47.9 | 39.1% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 11.5%9.9–13.2 | 9.9% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 79.8%76.6–82.9 | 80.4% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 51.7%47.9–55.4 | 56.9% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 77.7%75.3–80 | 85.8% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 71.6%69.3–73.7 | 78% | 76.5% | Worse |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 67.3%62.6–71.7 | 67% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 78.4%71.9–84 | 77.9% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 26.5%23.1–30.1 | 23.3% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 37.7%33.3–42.5 | 35.4% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 25.9%22.6–29.6 | 24.8% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 28.7%25.6–31.7 | 19.2% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 19.3%17–21.7 | 13.9% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 14.2%12.6–16 | 9.6% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 15.6%13.9–17.3 | 9.8% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 22.6%20.1–25.1 | 14% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 39%34.9–43 | 36.5% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 14.7%13.1–16.4 | 17.1% | 13.6% | Lower |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 21.1%18.8–23.3 | 16.1% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 6.2%5.5–7 | 8.2% | 6.7% | Lower |
| Vision difficulty | 7.4%6.7–8 | 6% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 12.4%11.2–13.7 | 9.8% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 4.8%4.4–5.2 | 4.6% | 3.8% | About the same |
Each figure is the share of adults 18+ unless the label says otherwise; small numbers after it are CDC’s likely range (95% interval). “About the same” means the Alabama figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Tuscaloosa
Is Tuscaloosa a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Tuscaloosa is healthier than 28% of U.S. towns: ≈ C for health, #91 of 187 in Alabama. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Tuscaloosa?
CDC estimates 42.6% of adults have obesity, likely between 36.9% and 48.3%, against 39.4% across Alabama and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Tuscaloosa?
DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, 1.9 miles in a straight line from Tuscaloosa’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
How many people in Tuscaloosa have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 11.5% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 9.9–13.2%), against 9.9% across Alabama.
How accurate are these numbers?
They’re modeled estimates: CDC applies national survey answers to each area’s age, sex, race and education mix, so they describe who lives in Tuscaloosa more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to B−.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Tuscaloosa.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Alabama figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. The Health Grade is our own summary of CDC’s estimates, not an official rating. Ages: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Town boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau. This page isn’t medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.