Ripley, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ripley, West Virginia
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North Court Street in downtown Ripley in 2007
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Location of Ripley in Jackson County, West Virginia.
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  West Virginia |
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| County | Jackson | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | City Council/Mayor | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 3.29 sq mi (8.51 km2) | |
| • Land | 3.18 sq mi (8.23 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.11 sq mi (0.28 km2) | |
| Elevation | 614 ft (187 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,074 | |
| • Estimate
(2021)
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3,064 | |
| • Density | 994.33/sq mi (383.96/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | |
| ZIP code |
25271
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| Area code(s) | 304 | |
| FIPS code | 54-68596 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 1545757 | |
Ripley is a city in West Virginia, United States. It is the county seat of Jackson County. Being a county seat means it's the main town where the county government offices are located. In 2020, about 3,074 people lived in Ripley.
Contents
History of Ripley
How Ripley Got Started
Ripley's story began in 1768 when three brothers, William, John, and Lewis Rodgers, received a large piece of land. This land was about 400 acres (1.6 square kilometers) where Sycamore Creek meets Big Mill Creek. This is where Ripley is today!
Later, around 1803, the Rodgers brothers sold the land to Jacob and Ann Starcher. Jacob Starcher was important because he built a grist mill in 1824. A grist mill grinds grain into flour. In 1830, he planned out the town.
Who Was Harry Ripley?
The town was named after a young minister named Harry Ripley. He was supposed to get married, but sadly, he drowned in Big Mill Creek. This happened not far from the town before his wedding.
Becoming the County Seat
When Jackson County was created in 1831, people couldn't agree on where the county government should be. Some wanted it near the Ohio River, close to Ravenswood. Others who lived further inland disagreed. To solve this, the Virginia General Assembly chose a special group to decide. They picked Ripley!
In 1832, the Starchers gave 8 acres (about 32,000 square meters) of land to the county. Two acres were for the courthouse and jail. The other six acres were for public use, like a school and a cemetery. Ripley officially became a town in 1832.
Changes to the Post Office Name
The town's post office opened in 1832 and was first called "Jackson Court House." In 1893, the name was shortened to "Jackson." Finally, in 1897, it was changed to "Ripley," which it remains today.
Ripley During the Civil War
During the American Civil War, Ripley stayed under the control of the Union (the northern states). However, for a short time in September 1862, a Confederate General named Albert G. Jenkins came through the town.
Modern History Notes
In 2008, former President Bill Clinton visited Ripley. He gave a speech at the fire station to support his wife, Hillary Clinton, when she was running for president.
Geography of Ripley
Where is Ripley Located?
Ripley is located at coordinates 38.821078 degrees North and 81.714264 degrees West. It sits along a waterway called Mill Creek.
Size of the City
The city of Ripley covers a total area of about 3.28 square miles (8.5 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 3.17 square miles (8.2 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.11 square miles (0.28 square kilometers), is water.
People in Ripley (Demographics)
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 226 | — | |
| 1880 | 425 | 88.1% | |
| 1890 | 417 | −1.9% | |
| 1900 | 579 | 38.8% | |
| 1910 | 591 | 2.1% | |
| 1920 | 580 | −1.9% | |
| 1930 | 669 | 15.3% | |
| 1940 | 759 | 13.5% | |
| 1950 | 1,813 | 138.9% | |
| 1960 | 2,756 | 52.0% | |
| 1970 | 3,244 | 17.7% | |
| 1980 | 3,464 | 6.8% | |
| 1990 | 3,023 | −12.7% | |
| 2000 | 3,263 | 7.9% | |
| 2010 | 3,252 | −0.3% | |
| 2020 | 3,074 | −5.5% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 3,064 | −5.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population in 2010
In 2010, there were 3,252 people living in Ripley. These people lived in 1,476 households, and 854 of those were families. The city had about 1,026 people per square mile (396 per square kilometer).
Most of the people in Ripley were White (98.2%). A small number were African American (0.2%), Asian (0.4%), or from other backgrounds. About 0.5% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Households and Families
About 24.7% of households had children under 18 living with them. Many households (42.8%) were married couples. Some households (11.8%) had a female head without a husband, and 3.3% had a male head without a wife. About 39.2% of all households were individuals living alone.
The average household had 2.12 people, and the average family had 2.81 people. The average age of people in Ripley was 46.1 years old.
Culture and Celebrations
Fourth of July Celebration
Ripley is famous for its "Biggest Small Town Fourth of July Celebration." People come from all over to enjoy the festivities. On July 4, 2002, then-President George W. Bush even gave a speech at the town's courthouse during the celebration.
Education in Ripley
Ripley is part of the Jackson County School District. Here are some of the schools located in Ripley:
- Ripley High School (for grades 9 through 12)
- Ripley Middle School (for grades 6 through 8)
- Ripley Elementary School (for grades Pre-Kindergarten through 5)
- Fairplain Elementary School (for grades Pre-Kindergarten through 5)
- Jackson County Center of West Virginia University at Parkersburg (a college campus)
- Ripley Christian Academy (a private school)
Media in Ripley
Radio Stations
Ripley has a few radio stations:
- WVRP (90.7 FM) – This is a public radio station.
- WCEF (98.3 FM) – This station plays country music.
Notable People from Ripley
Many interesting people have come from Ripley, including:
- Dee Caperton Kessel: She was the First Lady of West Virginia and also a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates. She was even crowned Miss West Virginia in 1964!
- Kane Davis: A professional baseball player who pitched in Major League Baseball.
- Charles C. Lanham: He served as a member of the West Virginia Senate.
- Warren Miller: He represented West Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Images for kids
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North Court Street in downtown Ripley in 2007
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The flag of Ripley, West Virginia
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Location of Ripley in Jackson County, West Virginia.
See also
In Spanish: Ripley (Virginia Occidental) para niños
