The town was incorporated in 1993 in order to keep the residents from being annexed by other neighboring communities.

Prior to that time it had been part of Winfield Township as an unincorporated town.

In 2014 Winfield formed a Marshal department for public safety and law enforcement duties, prior to that time police protection services were provided by the Lake County Sheriff's Department.

[7] As of the census[8] of 2010, there were 4,383 people, 1,427 households, and 1,144 families living in the town.

16.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 2,298 people, 692 households, and 581 families living in the town.

12.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

Students attend nearby Crown Point High School.