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Ridgeway, Virginia facts for kids

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Ridgeway, Virginia
Location of Ridgeway, Virginia
Location of Ridgeway, Virginia
Country United States
State Virginia
County Henry
Area
 • Total 0.95 sq mi (2.47 km2)
 • Land 0.95 sq mi (2.47 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
948 ft (289 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 742
 • Estimate 
(2019)
693
 • Density 725.65/sq mi (280.21/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code
24148
Area code(s) 276
FIPS code 51-67208
GNIS feature ID 1473206

Ridgeway is a small town located in Henry County, Virginia, in the United States. In 2010, about 742 people lived there. Ridgeway is part of the larger Martinsville area.

One exciting thing about Ridgeway is its closeness to Martinsville Speedway. This famous NASCAR racetrack is just a short distance away, between Ridgeway and the city of Martinsville.

History of Ridgeway

Early Explorers and Land Survey

Long ago, in 1728, a group of surveyors led by William Byrd II traveled through the area where Ridgeway is now. They were mapping the border, called the "dividing line," between Virginia and North Carolina. You can find a historic marker about their journey about three miles south of Ridgeway on U.S. Route 220.

Historic Buildings in Ridgeway

Two important and old homes in Ridgeway are Belleview and Ingleside. These buildings are so special that they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are protected because of their historical importance.

Geography and Location

Ridgeway is located in the southern part of Henry County. Its exact coordinates are 36°34′45″N 79°51′36″W / 36.57917°N 79.86000°W / 36.57917; -79.86000.

Major Roads and Nearby Cities

U.S. Route 220 runs along the western side of Ridgeway. If you go north on this road, you'll reach Martinsville in about 8 miles. If you continue further, you'll get to Roanoke, which is about 59 miles away. Traveling south on U.S. Route 220 will take you to Greensboro, North Carolina, about 40 miles away.

Virginia State Route 87 goes right through the middle of Ridgeway. This road leads southeast about 8 miles to Eden, North Carolina.

Waterways Around Ridgeway

Ridgeway covers about 0.95 square miles (2.47 square kilometers) of land. There are no large bodies of water within the town itself.

The northern part of Ridgeway is drained by Marrowbone Creek and Reds Creek. These creeks flow into the Smith River. The Smith River then joins the Dan River. The southern part of town is drained by Matrimony Creek, which also flows into the Dan River.

People of Ridgeway

Population Changes Over Time

The number of people living in Ridgeway has changed over the years. Here's a quick look at the population from different census counts:

  • 1890: 236 people
  • 1900: 332 people
  • 1910: 393 people
  • 1920: 320 people
  • 1930: 359 people
  • 1940: 422 people
  • 1950: 440 people
  • 1960: 524 people
  • 1970: 624 people
  • 1980: 858 people
  • 1990: 752 people
  • 2000: 775 people
  • 2010: 742 people
  • 2019 (estimated): 693 people

Who Lives in Ridgeway?

Based on the 2000 census, there were 775 people living in Ridgeway. Most residents were White (about 79.87%), with African American people making up about 16.00% of the population. There were also smaller groups of Asian people and people from other backgrounds. About 2.32% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.

The average age in Ridgeway in 2000 was 39 years old. About 25.4% of the people were under 18 years old.

Notable People from Ridgeway

Ridgeway has been home to several interesting people, including:

  • George Clanton: An electronic musician.
  • Jeff Hensley: A NASCAR driver.
  • Jimmy Hensley: Another NASCAR driver.
  • Roscoe Reynolds: A former state senator for Virginia.
  • Rodney Sawyers: A NASCAR driver.
  • Scott Vernon: The person who started The Sustainable Homestead Institute.

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Ridgeway (Virginia) para niños

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