Winfield, Alabama
Encyclopedia
Winfield is a city in Marion
county in the U.S. state
of Alabama
. The population was 4,540 at the 2000 census, the second largest city in Marion County.
state line. It lies in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountain range which stretches from deep south all the way to Maine
. This area has an interesting history. Long before the earliest settlers arrived, Indian tribes hunted in the forest and fished in the streams and along and around Winfield. The town was originally called Needmore, but when it was incorporated in about 1897, the name was changed to Winfield in honor of General Winfield Scott
. This area was once the Chickasaw
Indian domain. Although there were no known Indian settlements within the county, several sites were maintained as hunting camps.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.3 square miles (42.2 km²), of which 16.2 square miles (42 km²) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) (0.31%) is water.
The spring and fall months are pleasant but variable, but cold fronts frequently bring strong to severe thunderstorm
s and occasional tornado
es to the region. The fall season features less rainfall and fewer storms, as well as lower humidity than the spring, but is also a secondary severe weather season.
of 2000, there were 7,622 people (US Census). The population density
was 279.9 people per square mile (108.1/km²). There were 2,126 housing units at an average density of 131.1 per square mile (50.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.56% White
, 4.21% Black
or African American
, 0.20% Native American
, 0.22% Asian
, 0.20% from other races
, and 0.62% from two or more races. 1.19% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 1,849 households out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.4% were married couples
living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 20.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 87.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,317, and the median income for a family was $38,545. Males had a median income of $32,734 versus $21,184 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,814. About 11.1% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.6% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.
Marion County, Alabama
Marion County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Marion County was created by an act of the Alabama Territorial General Assembly on February 13, 1818. The county is located in the northwestern part of the state, bounded on the west by the state of Mississippi. It encompasses . Marion County...
county in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. The population was 4,540 at the 2000 census, the second largest city in Marion County.
History
Winfield is a small city situated in Northwest Alabama some 30 miles from the MississippiMississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
state line. It lies in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountain range which stretches from deep south all the way to Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
. This area has an interesting history. Long before the earliest settlers arrived, Indian tribes hunted in the forest and fished in the streams and along and around Winfield. The town was originally called Needmore, but when it was incorporated in about 1897, the name was changed to Winfield in honor of General Winfield Scott
Winfield Scott
Winfield Scott was a United States Army general, and unsuccessful presidential candidate of the Whig Party in 1852....
. This area was once the Chickasaw
Chickasaw
The Chickasaw are Native American people originally from the region that would become the Southeastern United States...
Indian domain. Although there were no known Indian settlements within the county, several sites were maintained as hunting camps.
Geography
Winfield is located at 33°55′42"N 87°48′29"W (33.928258, -87.807990).According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.3 square miles (42.2 km²), of which 16.2 square miles (42 km²) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) (0.31%) is water.
Climate
Winfield has a subtropical climate characterized by hot, humid summers, mild winters, and abundant rainfall during the late winter and spring. January sees average daily high temperatures of 53.0 °F (11.7 °C) and lows of 31.8 °F (−0.1 °C). In July, the average daily high is 90.6 °F (32.6 °C) and the low is 69.2 °F (20.7 °C). Snowfall is infrequent in the area, with a yearly average of 0.5 inch (1 cm). The average yearly rainfall in Winfield is about 52 inches (1330 mm), with March being the wettest month and October the driest.The spring and fall months are pleasant but variable, but cold fronts frequently bring strong to severe thunderstorm
Thunderstorm
A thunderstorm, also known as an electrical storm, a lightning storm, thundershower or simply a storm is a form of weather characterized by the presence of lightning and its acoustic effect on the Earth's atmosphere known as thunder. The meteorologically assigned cloud type associated with the...
s and occasional tornado
Tornado
A tornado is a violent, dangerous, rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud. They are often referred to as a twister or a cyclone, although the word cyclone is used in meteorology in a wider...
es to the region. The fall season features less rainfall and fewer storms, as well as lower humidity than the spring, but is also a secondary severe weather season.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 7,622 people (US Census). The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 279.9 people per square mile (108.1/km²). There were 2,126 housing units at an average density of 131.1 per square mile (50.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.56% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 4.21% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.20% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.22% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.20% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.62% from two or more races. 1.19% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 1,849 households out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 20.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 87.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,317, and the median income for a family was $38,545. Males had a median income of $32,734 versus $21,184 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $15,814. About 11.1% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.6% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.
Festivals
Mule Day is hosted on the 4th Saturday in September each year, and has been termed "One of the top 20 events in the Southeast" by Travel and Tourism magazine. The keynote event is a horse parade through the downtown of the city, but there is also live entertainment, car shows and a diverse venue of homemade baked goods sold in a farmers market setting. One of the most popular events amongst most elementary and middle schoolers is the Mule Day carnival. Many rides are included in this certain event. Others are small shops and games where food is sold. The most popular ride is the "Bullet." Celebrated for over a quarter of a century, Mule Day has grown into a major event not only for the City of Winfield but also for the State of Alabama. Drawing crowds of over 25,000 each year, Mule Day features a variety of activities that appeal to any palate.Sports
Winfield also has a consistently winning football program coached by Danny Adams (2003-current). Ever since he has taken over at the helm, his teams have had a 46-6 record. In 2004 the Winfield Pirates made it to the state championship for the first time everMuseum
Winfield is the location of The Car Nut Club Museum which is dedicated to preserving history with a focus on the automoble The Museum also conducts many programs and events such as the annual Quilt Show which is the largest in Marion County held the 2nd weekend in April. The Museum also conducts the annual Lou Carter Art Fest which offers the opportunity for artists from throughout the region to display their work. These are just a few of the programs and events offered by the Museum for people of all ages. The Museum also operates a gift shop and maintains a quilters guild. The Museum is located at 161 Bankhead Hwy in the heart of downtown Winfield. For more information call the Museum at 205-487-4833.The Pastime Theater
The Pastime Theater is a historical theater built in 1937 and recently renovated for use as a performing arts center. This facility offers cultural events which benefit Winfield and outlying communities.Notable natives
- Johnny Micheal SpannJohnny Micheal SpannJohnny Micheal "Mike" Spann was a paramilitary operations officer in the Central Intelligence Agency's Special Activities Division. Spann was the first American killed in combat during the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.-Early life:Johnny Micheal Spann was originally from the small town of...
, an operative of the Central Intelligence AgencyCentral Intelligence AgencyThe Central Intelligence Agency is a civilian intelligence agency of the United States government. It is an executive agency and reports directly to the Director of National Intelligence, responsible for providing national security intelligence assessment to senior United States policymakers...
(CIA) and the first American killed in combat after the U.S. invasion of AfghanistanAfghanistanAfghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
.