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Fieldale, Virginia

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Fieldale is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Henry County, Virginia, United States. It is part of the Martinsville Micropolitan Statistical Area, known historically for its textile industry presence.

Key moments

  • 1902Fieldale was founded as a mill town by Marshall Field & Company, a Chicago-based retail giant, to house workers for its textile manufacturing operations.
  • 1910The community's first textile mill, Fieldale Mills, began production, becoming the economic backbone of the area for much of the 20th century.
  • 1980sDecline in the U.S. textile industry led to downsizing and eventual closure of Fieldale Mills, impacting the local economy significantly.
  • 2010Fieldale was designated a census-designated place (CDP) by the U.S. Census Bureau, with a recorded population of 1,945.
  • 2020The 2020 Census recorded a population of 1,853 for the Fieldale CDP, reflecting a slight decrease from the previous decade.

Historical Economic Identity

Fieldale's origins as a company town tied to the textile industry shaped its development and community structure for over a century. The legacy of Marshall Field & Company's investment is visible in the town's original layout, housing, and infrastructure, which were designed to support mill workers and their families.

Post-Industrial Transition

Following the decline of textile manufacturing, Fieldale has faced challenges in economic diversification. The community has sought to reinvent itself through small business development and leveraging its proximity to Martinsville, which has a focus on motorsports and advanced manufacturing.

Demographic Characteristics

Fieldale's population has remained relatively stable in recent decades, with a mix of long-term residents and newcomers. The community retains a strong sense of local identity, rooted in its industrial past and tight-knit neighborhood connections.

Fieldale is a census-designated place (CDP) in Henry County, Virginia, United States. As of the 2020 census, Fieldale had a population of 852.[3] It is part of the Martinsville Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The area was first settled in 1770 by planter George Waller, an officer in the state militia who was later promoted to Colonel, and his wife Ann Winston (Carr), first cousin of statesman Patrick Henry, as a protected ford across the Smith River.[4] The local militia trained on Col. Waller's acreage.[5] The settlement was subsequently known as Waller's Ford for over a century. A Virginia Historical Highway Marker unveiled in September 2017 marks the location of Col. Waller's plantation.[6] In 1916, Marshall Field & Company purchased the site from the Waller heirs and established Fieldcrest Mills, the town of Fieldale, and an 8500 sqft company clubhouse, all completed in 1919.

The Fieldale Historic District, Marshall Field and Company Clubhouse, and Virginia Home are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[7]

Geography

Fieldale is located at 36.69972°N, -79.93944°W (36.699850, −79.939482).[8]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.2 km2), all land.

Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 929 people, 420 households, and 275 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 575.6 people per square mile (222.8/km2). There were 473 housing units at an average density of 293.1/sq mi (113.4/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.20% White, 1.83% African American, 0.11% Pacific Islander, and 0.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.08% of the population.

There were 420 households, out of which 21.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.78.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 20.3% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 24.0% who were 22 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $23,450, and the median income for a family was $30,845. Males had a median income of $25,278 versus $18,472 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $12,919. About 19.4% of families and 22.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.5% of those under age 18 and 18.8% of those age 65 or over.

External links

  • History of Fieldale, Waller's Ford, and Marshall Field Clubhouse
  • History from Fieldale Heritage Festival
  • National Register of Historic Places nomination form for Marshall Field clubhouse; includes history of town on pp. 7–10
  • Waller Home in 1930, myhenrycounty.com

References

  1. U.S. Census website United States Census Bureau, retrieved 2008-01-31^
  2. —^
  3. 2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) United States Census Bureau, 2021, retrieved March 12, 2026^
  4. Address Delivered by The Honorable Sam Rayburn at the Dedication of the Marker over the Graves of His Great-Great Grandfather Col. George Waller and his wife Ann Winston Carr, Oakwood Cemetery, Martinsville, Virginia, May 6, 1951^
  5. Waller Home in 1930, MyHenryCounty.com^
  6. Waller's Ford, Notes on Virginia, Virginia Department of Historic Resources^
  7. {{NRISref|version=2010a}}^
  8. US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990 United States Census Bureau, 2011-02-12, retrieved 2011-04-23^