Springfield was originally called Burns, and under the latter name was platted in 1877 when the railroad was extended to that point. It was renamed in 1881 after either Springfield, Massachusetts. or a nearby spring.
As of the census of 2010, there were 2,152 people, 913 households, and 558 families living in the city. The population density was. There were 1,015 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 0.8% White, 95% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.6% of the population. There were 913 households of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were married couplesliving together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.9% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.88. The median age in the city was 46.8 years. 22.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.4% were from 25 to 44; 25.7% were from 45 to 64; and 26.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.6% male and 52.4% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,215 people, 897 households, and 562 families living in the city. The population density was 1,223.9 people per square mile. There were 968 housing units at an average density of 534.9 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 98.33% White, 0.32% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.63% from other races, and 0.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.99% of the population. There were 897 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.7% were married couples living together, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.3% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 3.03. In the city, the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 22.4% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 27.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.2 males. The median income for a household in the city was $34,643, and the median income for a family was $41,071. Males had a median income of $30,000 versus $21,779 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,977. About 2.5% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.
