Fyffe, Alabama

Fyffe, Alabama
Town
Fyffe

Location of Fyffe in DeKalb County, Alabama.
Coordinates: 34°26′48″N 85°54′23″W / 34.44667°N 85.90639°W / 34.44667; -85.90639Coordinates: 34°26′48″N 85°54′23″W / 34.44667°N 85.90639°W / 34.44667; -85.90639
Country United States
State Alabama
County DeKalb
Area[1]
 • Total 4.41 sq mi (11.41 km2)
 • Land 4.41 sq mi (11.41 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation 1,289 ft (393 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 1,018
 • Estimate (2017)[2] 1,018
 • Density 231.05/sq mi (89.21/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code 35971
Area code(s) 256
FIPS code 01-28672
GNIS feature ID 0150246
Website www.fyffecitylimits.com

Fyffe is a town in DeKalb County, Alabama, United States. It was incorporated in 1956.[3] At the 2010 census the population was 1,018. Fyffe is located atop Sand Mountain.

History

Fyffe was founded in the 1880s.[3] The origin of the name "Fyffe" is obscure, though it was apparently suggested by the Postal Service when the post office was established.[4][3] A high school was established shortly afterward in 1917.[3]

In 1959, Fyffe hosted the National Sacred Harp Singing Convention, a gathering of Sacred Harp musicians from around the region. Noted musicologist Alan Lomax recorded many of the performances at the convention.[3]

An EF4 tornado struck this city on April 27, 2011, touching down in Lakeview, initially causing structural damage to small buildings and snapping trees. It grew in intensity, causing major structural damage to several homes and buildings before moving on to Rainsville, where damage was even more extensive.

Geography

Fyffe is located at 34°26′49″N 85°54′24″W / 34.446899°N 85.906590°W / 34.446899; -85.906590.[5] The town is situated along State Route 75, southwest of Rainsville and Shiloh, near the eastern edge of Sand Mountain.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.4 square miles (11 km2), all land.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1960230—
197031135.2%
19801,305319.6%
19901,094−16.2%
2000971−11.2%
20101,0184.8%
Est. 20171,018[2]0.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
2013 Estimate[7]

As of the 2010 census Fyffe had a population of 1,018. There were 418 households. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 93.7% non-Hispanic white, 0.3% African American, 1.5% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 1.1% from some other race, 2.5% from two or more races and 1.3% Hispanic or Latino or any race.[8]

As of 2000, there are 971 people, 411 households, and 286 families residing in the town. The population density is 220.5 inhabitants per square mile (85.2/km²). There are 458 housing units at an average density of 40.2 persons/km² (104.0 persons/mi²). The racial make-up of the town is 94.03% White, 0.93% African American, 1.24% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.13% from other races, and 2.37% from two or more races. 1.85% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 411 households out of which 30.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% are married couples living together, 11.4% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 30.2% are non-families. 28.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.36 and the average family size is 2.84.

In the town, the population is spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females, there are 85.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 85.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $30,298, and the median income for a family is $31,908. Males have a median income of $30,385 versus $18,636 for females. The per capita income for the town is $13,713. 21.6% of the population and 13.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 33.6% are under the age of 18 and 19.9% are 65 or older.

Government

Fyffe has a Mayor/Council form of government.

Education

Fyffe High School, home of the "Red Devils," is a member of the DeKalb County School System.

The Fyffe High School football team, led by Coach Paul Benefield, won state championships in 2014 and 2016.

Arts and culture

The town of Fyffe was the location of UFO sightings on Friday and Saturday, February 11–12, 1989. More than fifty people (at a time when the town of less than two thousand residents) called the Fyffe Police Department to report sightings on two separate occasions.[9] This was later discussed and ridiculed by late comedian Bill Hicks on his album (and video) "Relentless".[10]

As a way of remembering the UFO sightings, Fyffe is home to an annual UFO (Unforgettable Family Outing) Festival every August and features hot air balloon rides available to the public as well as musical entertainment and outdoor games.[9]

Notable people

References

  1. ↑ "2017 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved Jul 7, 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Claire Wilson, "Fyffe," Encyclopedia of Alabama, 2 November 2012.
  4. ↑ Smith Katie (Jun 17, 1984). "Names often lend special air to places". Gadsden Times. pp. B1. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  5. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  6. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013". Archived from the original on May 22, 2014. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
  8. ↑ 2010 general profile of population and housing characteristics of Fyffe from the US census
  9. 1 2 The History of the Fyffe, Alabama UFO Sightings and the Purpose of the UFO Days Festival, yahoo.com
  10. ↑ Fyffe - Bill Hicks:Relentless Quotes, subzin.com
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