Winnsboro is a city in Franklin and Wood counties in northeastern Texas, United States, north of Tyler. The population was 3,434 at the 2010 census, down from 3,584 at the 2000 census. Settlement of Winnsboro began in the 1850s with a post office established between 1854 and 1855.
Geography
Winnsboro is located in northeastern Wood County and southwestern Franklin County at . It is in Northeast Texas. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which is land and, or 0.40%, is covered by water. The city center and about three-quarters of its area are in Wood County, with the remainder in Franklin County. Texas State Highway 11 passes through the city as Broadway Street, leading east to Pittsburg and northwest to Sulphur Springs. Highway 37 crosses Highway 11 in the center of town, leading north to Mount Vernon and southwest to Mineola. Tyler is south via Highway 37 and U.S. Route 69.
As of the census of 2010, there were 3,584 people, 1,300 households, and 813 families residing in the city. The population density was 973.9 people per square mile. There were 1,491 housing units at an average density of 405.1 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 85.71% White, 8.90% African American, 0.75% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 2.73% from other races, and 1.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.8% of the population. There were 1,300 households out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.9% were married couplesliving together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 23.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.91. In the city, the population was spread out with 19.9% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 24.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 109.6 males. The median income for a household in the city was $25,690, and the median income for a family was $37,286. Males had a median income of $25,972 versus $18,036 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,612. About 11.3% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.6% of those under age 18 and 15.3% of those age 65 or over.
It was announced on June 13, 2012, that a criminal investigation had been launched against the Winnsboro Police Department by the FBI. As a result, the Wood County District Attorney suspended prosecution of all cases from that department. The investigation into the police department centered on allegations that two officers planted drugs on people, then arrested them on drug charges. A civil lawsuit was filed by Jason Brummell, who said officers planted drugs in his vehicle during a 2008 traffic stop. Brummell filed the lawsuit in 2009 against the city of Winnsboro, the Winnsboro police chief, and three officers. Dustin Swann, also of Pittsburg, filed a similar suit. Both lawsuits have since been settled by the city. In addition to these allegations, there have been four separate civil suits dating back to 2008 detailing similar complaints - that Winnsboro officers falsified reports. According to a statement, Police Chief J.L Miller said he stood by his officers 100%. Additionally, Mayor Carolyn Jones, speaking on behalf of the city council, said they supported the department as well.
