$140,110Average Value$117Average Price per Sq Ft25Homes For Sale
West Tuscaloosa’s prominent past
When Tuscaloosa was originally incorporated in 1819, the city consisted of the land east of what is now Martin Luther King Boulevard. But the town ran into delays in laying out the city grid, opening the door for the city of Newtown — which was incorporated one year later and sat directly to Tuscaloosa’s west — to grow more quickly. For a few years Newtown looked like it might take over as the economic hub of West Alabama, even becoming the county seat in 1822, until Alabama moved its state capital to Tuscaloosa in 1826. Newtown was absorbed into Tuscaloosa not long after. What was once Newtown is now part of the larger West Tuscaloosa neighborhood. “As you start to go from downtown towards the west side of Tuscaloosa, across Martin Luther King Boulevard, you start to see some of the oldest neighborhoods in town, and they have a really proud history,” says Ashley Crites, executive director of the Office of Urban Development for the city of Tuscaloosa. “The Newtown area was really prominent in its day.” While reminders of its past remain, West Tuscaloosa today offers more affordable housing compared to other areas in a community with pride in its history.
Enjoy a mix of rural and suburban life in West Tuscaloosa.
Small homes add simplistic charm to West Tuscaloosa.
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More affordable ranch homes across West Tuscaloosa
West Tuscaloosa has some homes that reflect its rich history, specifically in what was once Newtown and the area near the now-defunct country club. A select few Classical-style historic homes like the Carson House date from before the Civil War and almost never hit the market, while cottages from the mid-20th century front what used to be a golf course and sell between the mid-$100,000s to the mid-$200,000s. The neighborhood’s remaining homes were generally built in the second half of the 20th century and are more often rented than owner-occupied. Ranch-style homes can go from as low as $30,000 to near $200,000 based on renovation and maintenance status. The average home value in West Tuscaloosa is over $100,000 less than the average for the Tuscaloosa metro area.
Enjoy the homes of West Tuscaloosa on a bright sunny day.
Find a cute ranch style home in West Tuscaloosa.
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Tuscaloosa City Schools education
Students in West Tuscaloosa attend Tuscaloosa City Schools, with many starting their education at Martin Luther King, Jr., Elementary School, which receives a C-minus grade from Niche. They then move on to Westlawn Middle School, also graded a C-minus, before heading to C-rated Central High School. Central High offers the International Baccalaureate program, which nearly 10% of students at the school participate in. For post-secondary education, students can attend Stillman College, a historically Black institution in West Tuscaloosa, while the University of Alabama sits 2 miles away and enrolls nearly 40,000 students as the state’s flagship university.
Kids love to learn at Central High School.
West Lawn Middle School enjoys teaching kids in Tuscaloosa.
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Expanding the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk
Set along the Black Warrior River, the Country Club of Tuscaloosa was once a West Tuscaloosa landmark. However, the club ran into financial difficulties in the 2000s and was eventually bought by investors for redevelopment. The club currently still sits abandoned, but the city is working with the investors to utilize the former club in connecting the neighborhood more fully with downtown. One such development was the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk. “The country club property owner is working to create a really special place for this community,” Crites says. “But the City of Tuscaloosa was able to invest $10 million in creating a one-mile expansion of the Riverwalk into West Tuscaloosa to continue to make those connections.” The neighborhood also has plenty of more traditional parks as well: West End Park and Freeman Park each have playgrounds, while Freeman Park also has a public pool. Kids can run around the splash pad at Palmore Park, which also offers walking trails and a skate park.
Let the kids play on the playground at the Western Riverwalk in West Tuscaloosa.
Skate all day at Palmore Park in West Tuscaloosa.
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Barbecue ribs at Thomas Rib Shack
West Tuscaloosa mainly has residential and industrial areas, but the neighborhood does have a few staple restaurants such as Thomas Rib Shack. The barbecue joint has served up a traditional “meat and two” as well as its famous ribs since 1990. Residents can buy essentials at the neighborhood’s Walgreens or CVS, while Piggly Wiggly offers groceries. For a night out, locals can head to downtown Tuscaloosa and its restaurants, like Jalapeno’s Downtown Cocina.
Find out why the food is famous at Thomas Rib Shack in West Tuscaloosa.
Enjoy a meal with friends at Nick's in West Tuscaloosa.
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Short commutes to West Tuscaloosa manufacturers
Residents of West Tuscaloosa don’t have to go far for work, as much of the area along the Black Warrior River is industrial in nature, with manufacturing facilities and refineries. Meanwhile, downtown Tuscaloosa is adjacent to the neighborhood, though the area is more accessible via car than walkable. Interstate 359 cuts through West Tuscaloosa and heads north to Northport or south to Interstate 20. The main artery through West Alabama, I-20 leads 60 miles east from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham. Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is the closest major airport, with flights to hubs like Dallas/Fort Worth and Atlanta. Amtrak offers trains from its station in West Tuscaloosa to Birmingham or southwest to New Orleans, a 7-hour journey.
Crime
While West Tuscaloosa’s overall CAP Index Crime Score of 6 out of 10 is slightly higher than the national average of 4, its score for violent crimes is higher, reaching 8 out of 10. However, community organizations such as Mind Changers hold events bringing local youth together to support their growth. The McDonald Hughes Community Center offers after-school programs and the Weaver-Bolden Branch of the Tuscaloosa Public Library has free programs for people of all ages to help keep the community safe for all.
Environmental concerns
In 2007, Hunt Refining agreed to a settlement with the Justice Department and the Environmental Protection Agency to resolve alleged violations of the Clean Air Act, including at the company’s West Tuscaloosa refinery. Despite recent pollution controls, the EPA still considers much of West Tuscaloosa a potential environmental justice concern. Air toxics and wastewater discharge indices are at or above the 90th percentile nationally.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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Parks in this Area
Queen City Park
Harmon Field
Capitol Park
Monnish Park
Western Riverwalk
Van De Graaff Park and Arboretum
Robert Cardinal Park
Palmore Park
Burrell Odom Park
West Tuscaloosa Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in West Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa sell after 62 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in West Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa over the last 12 months is $129,750, down 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Discover the perfect opportunity to build your dream home just minutes from downtown Tuscaloosa! This flat lot offers convenience and lifestyle, located only 5 minutes from the heart of the city and close to the popular River Walk. Enjoy quick access to dining, shopping, and entertainment while still having a quiet spot to create your ideal home. With its prime location and level terrain, this
Charming 3-bedroom, 1-bath home located in a well-established, quiet neighborhood. This move-in ready home features fresh paint throughout and brand-new flooring in the kitchen, dining, and living areas. The bathroom has been updated with a new shower, an accent wall in the living room, and the kitchen includes a new sink, adding modern touches to this cozy home. Enjoy a spacious backyard with
Beautifully renovated brick home in Tuscaloosa for under 150k! This 3 bedroom home has new LVP flooring throughout, freshly painted both inside and out, new stainless steel appliances, subway tile backsplash, and so much more. This home is move in ready and at a price that won't break the bank! Come see this home today!
If your looking for Tuscaloosa apartment rentals near UA with over-the-top amenities, come live at The Crimson. We feature a great lounge pool, 24-hour fitness center, 24-hour computer center, free indoor tanning making us the ideal spot to call home while attending college. Plus, we are a quick drive or complimentary Tide Ride shuttle trip to campus. The Crimson also provides a great Students
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Lou Hill,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
16,959
Median Age
36
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$27,007
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$41,139
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
82.3%
College Graduates
13.4%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.2%
% Population in Labor Force
53.8%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
57''
Average Winter Low Temperature
37°F
Average Summer High Temperature
94°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
29/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
6/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
