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Ripley, Mississippi facts for kids

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Ripley, Mississippi
Tippah County Courthouse
Tippah County Courthouse
Flag of Ripley, Mississippi
Flag
Official seal of Ripley, Mississippi
Seal
Location of Ripley, Mississippi
Location of Ripley, Mississippi
Ripley, Mississippi is located in the United States
Ripley, Mississippi
Ripley, Mississippi
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Mississippi
County Tippah
Area
 • Total 11.46 sq mi (29.67 km2)
 • Land 11.43 sq mi (29.60 km2)
 • Water 0.03 sq mi (0.07 km2)
Elevation
476 ft (145 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 5,462
 • Density 477.87/sq mi (184.51/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
38663
Area code(s) 662
FIPS code 28-62600
GNIS feature ID 2404621

Ripley is a city located in Tippah County, Mississippi, in the United States. It is the main town, also known as the county seat, of Tippah County. In 2020, about 5,462 people lived there.

Ripley is famous for being the home of Colonel William Clark Falkner. He was the great-grandfather of two well-known authors, William Faulkner and John Faulkner. Colonel Falkner's life in Ripley even inspired a character in William Faulkner's books!

This area of North Mississippi is also special for music. It's known as the birthplace of a type of music called hill country blues.

About Ripley's Location

Ripley is located in the northern part of Mississippi. The city covers an area of about 11.5 square miles (29.7 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a very small part being water.

People Living in Ripley

Tippah County Cooperative - NARA - 280388
Ripley, (1938)

Over the years, Ripley's population has grown. In 1860, there were 683 people. By 2020, the population had increased to 5,462 residents.

Who Lives in Ripley?

The people living in Ripley come from different backgrounds.

  • About 57.5% of the people are White.
  • Around 27.1% are Black or African American.
  • About 11.8% are Hispanic or Latino.
  • A smaller number of people are Native American, Asian, or from other mixed backgrounds.

In 2020, there were 5,462 people living in Ripley. These people lived in 1,735 households, which means groups of people living together.

Education in Ripley

Students in Ripley attend schools run by the South Tippah School District. The schools in the city include Ripley Elementary School for younger students, Ripley Middle School for middle grades, and Ripley High School for older students.

Culture and Fun in Ripley

Historic Places to See

US Post Office, Old Ripley Tippah County, MS
The old Ripley Post Office, part of the historic district, is also listed separately on the National Register of Historic Places

The central part of Ripley has a special area called the Ripley Historic District. This area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's important for its history. The old Ripley Post Office, shown in the picture, is part of this historic district.

First Monday Trade Day

Ripley is home to a very old and popular event called the First Monday Trade Day. It happens on the weekend before the first Monday of every month. It's one of the oldest outdoor flea markets in the United States! It started a long time ago in the early 1900s. Today, you can find it south of Ripley along Highway 15.

William Faulkner Festival

Every year in early November, Ripley hosts a William Faulkner Festival. During this festival, people can take a walking tour to see historic places connected to the famous author, William Faulkner.

Famous People from Ripley

Many notable people have connections to Ripley:

  • John Grisham: A very popular author who went to Ripley Elementary School.
  • Jim Miller: A professional football player who punted for the San Francisco 49ers.
  • Carroll Roberson: An award-winning gospel music artist who lives in Ripley.
  • Kendall Simmons: A professional football player who was an offensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
  • Robert Bruce Smith, IV: A newspaper columnist for the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.
  • Thomas Spight: A former U.S. Representative.
  • Lee Yancey: A State Senator.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Ripley (Misisipi) para niños

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