Ridgeway, Virginia

History

Approximately three miles south of Ridgeway in Henry County on U.S. Route 220 is a Virginia State historic marker noting the passing of the surveying party of William Byrd II, who moved through the area in 1728 on his expedition to survey the dividing line between Virginia and North Carolina.

Belleview and Ingleside are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

Ridgeway is located in southern Henry County at (36.579148, −79.860078). U.S. Route 220 passes through the west side of the town, leading north 8 mi to Martinsville and 59 mi to Roanoke; and south 40 mi to Greensboro, North Carolina. Virginia State Route 87 passes through the center of Ridgeway and leads southeast 8 mi to Eden, North Carolina.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Ridgeway has a total area of 2.5 sqkm, all land. The north side of Ridgeway drains via Marrowbone Creek and Reds Creek to the Smith River, a tributary of the Dan River, while the south side of town drains to Matrimony Creek, also a tributary of the Dan River.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 775 people, 310 households, and 221 families living in the town. The population density was 825.3 people per square mile (318.3/km2). There were 327 housing units at an average density of 348.2 per square mile (134.3/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 79.87% White, 16.00% African American, 2.45% Asian, 1.03% from other races, and 0.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.32% of the population.

There were 310 households, out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.4% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.4% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 28.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $34,196, and the median income for a family was $39,500. Males had a median income of $27,109 versus $21,146 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,054. About 12.1% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.0% of those under age 18 and 15.3% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

• George Clanton, electronic musician
• Jeff Hensley, NASCAR driver
• Jimmy Hensley, NASCAR driver
• Roscoe Reynolds, Virginia state senator
• Rodney Sawyers, NASCAR driver
• Scott Vernon, Founder of The Sustainable Homestead Institute

References

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
2. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
3. (October 25, 2007). "US Board on Geographic Names". [[United States Geological Survey]].
4. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Ridgeway town, Virginia". U.S. Census Bureau.
5. {{NRISref
6. (February 12, 2011). "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". [[United States Census Bureau]].
7. (May 24, 2020). "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau.
8. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov.