In 2023, The Washington Post named it "the collegiest college town in America" due to its high ratio of students to non-students.

The college was coeducational from its inception and tried to provide practical as well as liberal education for students.

[5] The village was a hotbed of support for the abolition movement and during the American Civil War nearly 150 residents fought for the union.

[6] In 1888 the Celadon Terra Cotta Company was founded after the discovery of high-quality clay in the area.

The company grew over the next decade to become a leading producer of roof tile and architectural terra cotta.

[7] The new college recruited British ceramicist Charles Fergus Binns as a director and professor.

As a result of the college's prominence, Alfred remained a hub for ceramics even after the burning of the Celadon Terra Cotta Company's local factory in 1909.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2), all land.

The valley was originally called Kanakadea (or Canakadea, or other spellings) by Native Americans.

The hills greatly affect the weather in the region, which results in quick changes as well as different conditions in neighboring valleys.