Fyffe, Alabama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fyffe, Alabama
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Fyffe
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Location of Fyffe in DeKalb County, Alabama.
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Alabama | |
| County | DeKalb | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 4.97 sq mi (12.87 km2) | |
| • Land | 4.97 sq mi (12.87 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) | |
| Elevation | 1,280 ft (390 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 967 | |
| • Density | 194.68/sq mi (75.16/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) | |
| ZIP code |
35971
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| Area code(s) | 256 | |
| FIPS code | 01-28672 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 2406534 | |
Fyffe is a town located in DeKalb County, Alabama, United States. It became an official town in 1956. At the 2020 census, about 967 people lived there. Fyffe is found on top of a place called Sand Mountain.
Contents
Discovering Fyffe's Past
Fyffe was started in the 1880s. The name "Fyffe" was likely suggested by the Postal Service when the town's post office opened. A high school was built soon after, in 1917.
In 1959, Fyffe hosted a special event called the National Sacred Harp Singing Convention. This was a meeting where Sacred Harp musicians from all over the area came to sing. A famous music expert named Alan Lomax even recorded many of their performances.
On April 27, 2011, a very powerful tornado, called an EF5 tornado, hit the area. It started in Lakeview, causing damage to small buildings and trees. As it moved, it became stronger, causing major damage to homes and other buildings in Fyffe. The tornado then continued to Rainsville, where it caused even more damage.
Where is Fyffe Located?
Fyffe is located at 34°26′49″N 85°54′24″W / 34.446899°N 85.906590°W. The town is along State Route 75. It is southwest of Rainsville and Shiloh. Fyffe is near the eastern edge of Sand Mountain.
The town covers a total area of about 4.4 square miles (11.4 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Who Lives in Fyffe?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1960 | 230 | — | |
| 1970 | 311 | 35.2% | |
| 1980 | 1,305 | 319.6% | |
| 1990 | 1,094 | −16.2% | |
| 2000 | 971 | −11.2% | |
| 2010 | 1,018 | 4.8% | |
| 2020 | 967 | −5.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2013 Estimate |
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In 2010, Fyffe had a population of 1,018 people. There were 418 homes in the town. Most of the people living in Fyffe were non-Hispanic white (93.7%). There were also small percentages of African American, Native American, Asian, and other races. About 1.3% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
In 2000, there were 971 people living in Fyffe. About 23.9% of the population was under 18 years old. The average age in the town was 37 years.
Learning and Sports in Fyffe
Fyffe is home to Fyffe High School, whose sports teams are known as the "Red Devils." This school is part of the DeKalb County School System. For the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, Fyffe High will be a 3A school. The current Principal is Tim McCollum.
Fyffe High School Football Success
The Fyffe High School football team is very famous for being a strong team. They have been led by Coach Paul Benefield. The team has won many state championships in recent years. They won in 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023. Many people think they are one of the most dominant teams in Alabama's Class 2A history.
Basketball and Cheerleading Achievements
The Fyffe High School basketball team also won a state championship in 2021. This team was led by Coach Neil Thrash, who has since retired. Fyffe High School's cheerleaders are also very successful. They have won 11 state championships in both 2A and 3A categories between 2012 and 2023.
The girls' varsity basketball team was also very strong in the late 1980s and 1990s. Led by coach Mike Cochran, these teams won state championships in 1986, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, and 2000.
Fun Facts and Festivals in Fyffe
Fyffe is known for some interesting events in its history.
UFO Sightings in Fyffe
On February 11 and 12, 1989, people in Fyffe reported seeing UFOs. More than fifty people called the Fyffe Police Department to report these sightings. At that time, the town had less than two thousand residents. A comedian named Bill Hicks even mentioned these sightings in his album "Relentless."
The Annual UFO Festival
To remember these famous UFO sightings, Fyffe hosts an annual UFO (Unforgettable Family Outing) Festival every August. This festival is a lot of fun! It features hot air balloon rides that people can enjoy. There is also musical entertainment and outdoor games for everyone.
Famous People from Fyffe
- Lowell Barron, an Alabama state senator
- Vestal Goodman, a Southern Gospel singer and a founder of the Happy Goodman Family
- Charlie Long, a former professional football player
- Frank O. Slater, a Navy sailor who died in World War II; the ship USS Slater was named in his honor
- Bobby Wood, a Tennessee state representative
See also
In Spanish: Fyffe para niños
