Cottondale ZIP Codes — Tuscaloosa County, AL

There is one unique ZIP code in Cottondale, Alabama and it is 35453. Area code: 205.

ZIP codes

90.42

sq mi land

1.07

sq mi water

205

area code

Cottondale, AL ZIP code map

About Cottondale, AL

Cottondale is a charming city located in Alabama, specifically within Tuscaloosa County. With its rich Southern culture and friendly community, it offers a welcoming environment for both residents and visitors alike. Known for its proximity to the larger city of Tuscaloosa, Cottondale is an attractive area for those looking to enjoy a quieter lifestyle while still having access to urban amenities.

Location & geography

Cottondale is situated in West Alabama, just a short drive from the bustling city of Tuscaloosa, approximately 8 miles away. It is surrounded by other cities such as Northport to the northeast (about 9 miles), Vance to the east (about 11 miles), and Brookwood to the southeast (around 14 miles). The land area of Cottondale covers 180.84 square miles, with a small water area of 2.15 square miles that adds to the scenic landscape of the region.

Community & economy

The community in Cottondale is characterized by its small-town charm, making it an ideal place for families and individuals who appreciate a close-knit atmosphere. The local economy thrives on a variety of industries including retail, healthcare, and education, providing residents with a balanced lifestyle. Daily life in Cottondale is energized by its community events, local markets, and accessibility to recreational activities outdoors.

Transportation

Transportation in Cottondale is facilitated by several highways, including U.S. Route 11 and Interstate 20/59, making travel to nearby cities convenient. The nearest airport is the Tuscaloosa Regional Airport, which serves both private and some commercial flights. Public transit options are limited, so personal vehicles are typically the most common mode of transportation.

History

Cottondale was founded in the early 20th century and has historically been a hub for agriculture and manufacturing in the region. The city has witnessed significant growth over the decades, largely due to its strategic location near major roadways and the nearby city of Tuscaloosa. Notable events in its history include the development of local infrastructure that has supported its evolving economy.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Cottondale is that it is home to what many believe to be one of the first cotton gin factories in Alabama, showcasing its agricultural roots. Additionally, the city hosts various community festivals that celebrate its rich cultural heritage and foster camaraderie among residents.

ZIP codes for Cottondale, AL (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
35453	Cottondale	Tuscaloosa	View map

Demographics & statistics

12,130

Population

38.0

Median age

$69,949

Median household income

$29,857

Per capita income

$164,400

Median home value

$881

Median monthly rent

84.2%

Home ownership

13.6%

Poverty rate

7.6%

Unemployment

4,303

Housing units

17.1%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

500

Under 5

492

397

5–9

391

303

10–14

298

275

15–19

270

501

20–24

494

949

25–34

935

676

35–44

665

951

45–54

936

360

55–59

355

430

60–64

423

574

65–74

565

119

75–84

117

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	2,796	23.1%
18 and over	9,334	76.9%
65 and over	1,529	12.6%
Median age	38.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 65.1%

Black or African American 22.9%

Hispanic or Latino 4.3%

Two or more races 3.7%

Other race 2.1%

American Indian / Alaska Native 1.3%

Asian 0.6%

Group	Count	%
White	8,253	65.1%
Black or African American	2,902	22.9%
Hispanic or Latino	540	4.3%
Two or more races	471	3.7%
Other race	263	2.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	165	1.3%
Asian	76	0.6%

Household income

Under $10k 3.9%

$10k–$15k 2.5%

$15k–$25k 5.0%

$25k–$35k 11.3%

$35k–$50k 11.8%

$50k–$75k 21.3%

$75k–$100k 18.3%

$100k–$150k 15.6%

$150k–$200k 6.3%

$200k+ 4.1%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.9%
$10k–$15k	2.5%
$15k–$25k	5.0%
$25k–$35k	11.3%
$35k–$50k	11.8%
$50k–$75k	21.3%
$75k–$100k	18.3%
$100k–$150k	15.6%
$150k–$200k	6.3%
$200k+	4.1%
Median income	$69,949

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 14.7%

$50k–$100k 14.2%

$100k–$150k 13.1%

$150k–$200k 20.7%

$200k–$300k 23.4%

$300k–$500k 12.0%

$500k–$1M 1.6%

$1M+ 0.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$164,400
Median rent / month	$881
Owner occupied	84.2%
Renter occupied	15.8%
Vacant	12.9%
Single-family detached	65.3%
Large apartment buildings	4.3%
Mobile homes	22.2%
Median rooms	5.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.89

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	2.2%
2010–2019	9.3%
2000–2009	26.4%
1990–1999	18.8%
1980–1989	9.0%
1970–1979	15.6%
1960–1969	9.6%
1950–1959	7.9%
1940–1949	1.0%
1939 or earlier	0.2%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.3%
1 bedroom	2.4%
2 bedrooms	16.1%
3 bedrooms	64.6%
4 bedrooms	14.4%
5+ bedrooms	2.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.6%
1 vehicle	21.1%
2 vehicles	40.8%
3 or more	37.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	21.7%
Electricity	74.1%
Propane / LP gas	3.4%
Wood	0.4%
No fuel used	0.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,538	58.4%
Cohabiting couple	411	9.5%
Male householder, no spouse	604	13.9%
Female householder, no spouse	795	18.3%
Households with children under 18	1,701	39.1%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,109	25.5%
Average household size	2.78

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	28.2%	27.1%
Married	57.8%	53.2%
Separated	0.2%	1.7%
Widowed	2.4%	5.0%
Divorced	11.4%	12.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.4%

Some HS, no diploma 8.2%

HS graduate 40.8%

Some college, no degree 18.2%

Associate's degree 12.3%

Bachelor's degree 9.8%

Graduate / professional 7.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	88.4%
Bachelor's or higher	17.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	102	4.2%
Kindergarten	207	8.5%
Elementary school	997	40.8%
High school	474	19.4%
College / grad school	661	27.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 27.2%

Education & healthcare 26.8%

Construction 9.1%

Professional & management 7.3%

Retail trade 7.1%

Finance & real estate 4.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 4.1%

Transportation & utilities 3.7%

Public administration 3.4%

Other services 2.8%

Agriculture & mining 2.2%

Wholesale trade 1.3%

Information 0.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	33.5%
Service	11.3%
Sales & office	18.7%
Natural resources & construction	12.9%
Production & transportation	23.7%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	80.7%
Government	14.9%
Self-employed	4.5%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	92.1%
Carpool	5.0%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.1%
Other means	0.4%
Avg commute (minutes)	27.6

Poverty

All people 13.6%

Under 18 years 15.6%

18 and over 13.0%

Married-couple families 10.0%

Female-led households 20.2%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	29.8%
Retirement income	22.9%
Supplemental Security	9.7%
Cash public assistance	2.3%
Food stamps / SNAP	12.0%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	39.0%
High cholesterol	33.1%
Heart disease	6.6%
Stroke	3.2%
Asthma	9.8%
Arthritis	28.9%
Kidney disease	2.8%
Pulmonary disease	8.4%
Cancer	5.8%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.5%
No physical activity	30.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	39.1%
Fair or poor health	18.5%
Poor mental health	17.7%
Poor physical health	12.2%
No health insurance	17.1%
Visited doctor (checkup)	73.7%
Visited dentist	62.2%
Cholesterol screening	89.1%
Teeth loss	16.4%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	637	6.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	16.6%
Under 18	7.9%
18–64 years	15.2%
65 and over	39.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	73.0%
Public insurance	32.7%
Uninsured under 19	3.3%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	11,138	91.8%
Spanish	192	1.7%
Other Indo-European	160	1.4%
Asian & Pacific Islander	23	0.2%
Other languages	9	0.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	11,850	97.7%
Born in same state	11,745	96.8%
Born in different state	9,318	76.8%
Foreign born	105	0.9%
Naturalized citizen	280	2.3%
Not a US citizen	131	46.8%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	1,816	15%
Italian	1,631	13.4%
French	1,366	11.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	58	0.5%
Irish	16	0.1%
Polish	14	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	35.8%
Internet access	95.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Cottondale, AL have?

Cottondale, AL has one ZIP code: 35453. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.