Editing Winfield, Alabama

{{short description|City in Alabama, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Winfield
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| image_skyline      = 
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = 
| image_seal         = Seal of Winfield, Alabama.png
| image_map          = File:Fayette County and Marion County Alabama Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Winfield Highlighted 0182992.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location in Fayette and Marion counties, Alabama
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Alabama|Counties]]
| subdivision_name   = [[United States]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Alabama]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Marion County, Alabama|Marion]], [[Fayette County, Alabama|Fayette]]
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = 
| leader_name        = 
| established_date   = 
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2021">{{cite web|title=2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2021_Gazetteer/2021_gaz_place_01.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=April 13, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_sq_mi   = 17.83
| area_land_sq_mi    = 17.78
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.05
| area_total_km2     = 
| area_land_km2      = 
| area_water_km2     = 
| elevation_ft       = 476
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=&g=1600000US0182992&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1| title=Winfield city, Alabama: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| access-date=April 13, 2022}}</ref>
| population_total   = 4845
| population_metro   = 
| population_density_sq_mi = 272.47
| population_density_km2 = 
| timezone           = [[Central Time Zone (North America)|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset         = -6
| coordinates        = {{coord|33|55|42|N|87|48|29|W|region:US-AL|display=inline}}
| timezone_DST       = CDT
| utc_offset_DST     = -5
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 35594
| area_code          = [[Area codes 205 and 659|205, 659]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 01-82992
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 0154009
| footnotes          = 
| website            = {{URL|www.winfieldcity.org}}
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| population_est     = 
| named_for          = [[Winfield Scott]]
}}
'''Winfield''' is a city in [[Marion County, Alabama|Marion]] and [[Fayette County, Alabama|Fayette]] counties in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Alabama]]. The population was 4,845 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref name="Census 2020"/> the second largest city in Marion County.

==History==
Winfield is a small city situated in northwest Alabama, {{convert|26|mi}} east of the [[Mississippi]] state line. It lies in the foothills of the [[Appalachian Mountain]] range which stretches from the deep South all the way to [[Canada]]. Long before the earliest settlers arrived, [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] hunted in the forest and fished in the streams of the region. This area was once the domain of the [[Chickasaw]] people. Although there were no known Native American settlements within the county, several sites were maintained as hunting camps.

The site was originally known simply as [[Luxapallila Creek|Luxapallila]], after the adjacent creek.<ref name="MarionCounty2000">{{cite book |author=|title=The Heritage of Marion County, Alabama|publisher=Heritage Publishing Consultants, County Heritage, & The Marion County Heritage|location=Clanton, Al.|year=2000|page=19 |edition=2 |language=en |isbn=1-891647-28-8}}</ref> Later, when settlers began to arrive in greater force, they called their community "Needmore".<ref name="MarionCounty2000"/> When it was incorporated in either 1887 or 1891,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-3071|title=Winfield}}</ref> the name was changed to "Winfield" in honor of General [[Winfield Scott]].<ref name="MarionCounty2000"/>

At the end of 2014, a secret meeting by the city council of Winfield, and by unanimous vote, symbolically declared [[God]] the owner of the city of Winfield.<ref name="H1">{{cite web|url=http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2015/01/reaction_mostly_positive_after.html|publisher=AL.com|title=City council declares God 'owns' City of Winfield; mayor says response mostly positive|date=January 6, 2015}}</ref>

==Geography and climate==

===Geography===
Winfield is located in southern Marion County at {{Coord|33|55|42|N|87|48|29|W|type:city}} (33.928258, -87.807990),<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> with a portion extending south into Fayette County. [[U.S. Route 43]] passes through the city, leading northwest {{Convert|6.5|mi}} to [[Guin, Alabama|Guin]] and south {{convert|18|mi}} to [[Fayette, Alabama|Fayette]]. [[Hamilton, Alabama|Hamilton]], the Marion County seat, is {{convert|20|mi}} northwest via US 43.

According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|17.9|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|0.04|sqmi|4}}, or 0.27%, are water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2021"/> The East Branch of [[Luxapallila Creek]] curves past the center of town, flowing southwest toward the [[Tombigbee River]] at [[Columbus, Mississippi]].

===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 {{convert|53.0|F}} and lows of {{convert|31.8|F}}. In July, the average daily high is {{convert|90.6|F}}, and the low is {{convert|69.2|F}}. Snowfall is infrequent in the area, with a yearly average of {{convert|0.5|in|1}}. The average yearly rainfall in Winfield is about {{Convert|52|in}}, 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]]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.

===December 2021 tornado===
Late in the evening hours of December 29, 2021, a line of strong to severe storms entered Alabama from Mississippi. At 6:27 PM, a tornado warning was issued for an area that included Winfield, [[Guin, Alabama|Guin]], [[Brilliant, Alabama|Brilliant]], [[Glen Allen, Alabama|Glen Allen]], [[Beaverton, Alabama|Beaverton]], [[Gu-Win, Alabama|Gu-Win]], Crews, Tucker, [[Bazemore, Alabama|Bazemore]], and [[Texas, Alabama|Texas]]. The storm caused damage on the outskirts of Winfield in the form of downed trees. At 6:46 PM, the tornado moved over downtown Winfield, causing a substantial amount of damage in the area. No injuries or fatalities were reported despite eight workers at a local pizza bar being trapped for about thirty minutes. The tornado was rated EF-1.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morgan |first=Leigh |date=December 30, 2021 |title=Alabama severe weather December 2021: Winfield possibly hit by tornado |url=https://www.al.com/news/2021/12/alabama-severe-weather-december-2021-possible-tornado-damage-in-winfield.html |access-date=December 30, 2021 |website=al |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=December 29, 2021 |title=Tornado damage confirmed around downtown Winfield |url=https://abc3340.com/news/local/tornado-damage-reported-around-downtown-winfield |access-date=December 30, 2021 |website=WBMA}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1900= 316
|1910= 419
|1920= 753
|1930= 1254
|1940= 1662
|1950= 2108
|1960= 2907
|1970= 3292
|1980= 3781
|1990= 3689
|2000= 4540
|2010= 4717
|2020= 4845
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 6, 2013}}</ref><br>2013 Estimate<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2013/SUB-EST2013-3.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013|access-date=June 3, 2014}}</ref>
}}

===2000 census===
At the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]] there were 4,540 people. The population density was {{convert|279.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,126 housing units at an average density of {{convert|131.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2000 census|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.<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
Of the 1,849 households 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 households were one person and 15.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.89.

The age distribution was 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% 65 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 household income was $31,317 and the median family income  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.

===2010 census===
At the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]] there were 4,717 people. The population density was {{convert|291.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,289 housing units at an average density of {{convert|141.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 92.9% White, 4.5% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.9% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. 2.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.<ref name="2010 census">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=August 2, 2015|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
Of the 1,984 households 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 30.6% of households were one person and 15.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.86.

The age distribution was 21.3% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 20.2% 65 or older. The median age was 43.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males.

The median household income was $34,617 and the median family income  was $43,692. Males had a median income of $38,250 versus $32,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,386. About 16.4% of families and 18.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 21.1% of those under age 18 and 24.4% of those age 65 or over.

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Winfield racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US0182992&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 11, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|4,223
|87.16%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|275
|5.68%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|8
|0.17%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|15
|0.31%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|3
|0.06%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|184
|3.8%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|137
|2.83%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 4,845 people, 1,627 households, and 1,242 families residing in the city.

==Culture==

===Festivals===
Mule Day is hosted on the fourth 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Winfield's Mule Day|url=http://winfieldsmuleday.com/}}</ref> The small carnival area is usually located along Kirkwood St. between [[U.S. Route 43]] and Midway Dr., a distance of about 460&nbsp;ft.).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/33.9272649,-87.8159033/33.9267589,-87.8172883/@33.9271009,-87.8165958,19z/am=t/data=!3m1!4b1!4m4!4m3!1m0!1m0!3e0|title=400-408 Kirkwood St to Winfield}}</ref> Others are small shops and games where food is sold (Vendor booths and food stands are set up throughout the town and are not part of the "carnival").  Celebrated since 1975,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/face/Article.jsp?id=h-3071|title=Winfield}}</ref> Mule Day has grown into a major event not only for the City of Winfield but also for the State of Alabama.

===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.

==Organizations==
The Traditional Confederate Knights are headquartered in Winfield. A division of the [[Ku Klux Klan]], the organization was listed as a hate group in a 2016 document by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref name="splc list">{{cite web |title=Active Hate Groups in the United States: Ku Klux Klan |url=https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/2016/active-hate-groups-united-states-2015 |website=Southern Poverty Law Center |access-date=March 20, 2019}}</ref>

==Notable people==
*[[W. Eugene Davis]], judge of the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/about-the-court/fifth-circuit-judges|title=Judges' Biographies|website=www.ca5.uscourts.gov|access-date=February 12, 2018}}</ref>
*[[Jimmy Miles]], award-winning country musician<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jimmymiles.net/|title=Jimmy Miles And The Southern Pride Band, Honkytonk Music|website=Jimmy Miles|access-date=February 12, 2018}}</ref>
*[[Johnny Micheal Spann]], an operative of the [[Central Intelligence Agency]] (CIA) and the first American killed in combat after the [[Operation Enduring Freedom|U.S. invasion of]] [[Afghanistan]]{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}
*[[The Dirty Clergy]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.noise11.com/news/the-dirty-clergy-prep-rattlesnake-and-debut-all-i-need-video-20160626|title=The Dirty Clergy Prep 'Rattlesnake' And Debut 'All I Need' #VIDEO|date=June 26, 2016|website=Australia's Music News Authority|access-date=August 11, 2016}}</ref> a national garage rock/pop band
*[[Trey Cunningham]], hurdler

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Coord|display=title|33.928258|-87.80799}}
*{{Official website|www.winfieldcity.org}}
*[https://digitalalabama.com/best-small-towns-in-alabama/winfield-alabama/25867/ Best Small Towns in Alabama]

{{Marion County, Alabama}}
{{Fayette County, Alabama}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Alabama]]
[[Category:Cities in Marion County, Alabama]]
[[Category:Cities in Fayette County, Alabama]]
[[Category:1897 establishments in Alabama]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1897]]