Editing Ripley, West Virginia

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Ripley, West Virginia
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Ripley West Virginia.jpg
|imagesize                = 250px
|image_caption            = North Court Street in downtown Ripley in 2007
|image_flag               = Flag of Ripley, West Virginia.svg
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = File:Jackson County West Virginia Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Ripley Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Ripley in Jackson County, West Virginia.
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             =

<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = {{flag|United States}}
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = {{flag|West Virginia}}
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in West Virginia|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Jackson County, West Virginia|Jackson]]

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = City Council/Mayor
|leader_title             = Mayor
|leader_name              = Carolyn L. Rader
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = 
|established_date         =

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_54.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 8.51
|area_land_km2            = 8.23
|area_water_km2           = 0.28
|area_total_sq_mi         = 3.29
|area_land_sq_mi          = 3.18
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.11

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
|population_est           = 3064
|pop_est_as_of            = 2021
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021">{{cite web |title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |website=Census.gov |publisher=US Census Bureau |access-date=3 July 2022}}</ref>
|population_total         = 3074
|population_density_km2   = 383.96
|population_density_sq_mi = 994.33

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset               = -5
|timezone_DST             = EDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -4
|elevation_footnotes      = 
|elevation_m              = 187
|elevation_ft             = 614
|coordinates              = {{coord|38|49|16|N|81|42|51|W|region:US-WV|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 25271
|area_code                = [[Area code 304|304]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 54-68596<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=31 January 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 1545757<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=31 January 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=15 October 2007}}</ref>
|website                  = {{Official website|http://www.cityofripley.org/}}
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021"/>
}}
'''Ripley''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Jackson County, West Virginia|Jackson County]], [[West Virginia]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=7 June 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The population was 3,074 at the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]].<ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021"/>

==History==
[[File:JacksonCountyWVCourthouse.jpg|thumb|left|Jackson County Courthouse in 2012]]
Ripley was originally owned and settled by William, John, and Lewis Rodgers. They received a grant of {{convert|400|acre|km2}} in 1768 where "Sycamore Creek joins Big Mill Creek" (the current site of Ripley). The land was later sold to Jacob (and Ann) Starcher, most probably in 1803. Jacob Starcher erected a grist mill in 1824 and laid out the town in 1830, naming it in honor of Harry Ripley, a young minister who was to be married, but drowned in Big Mill Creek, about one and a half miles north of the town, shortly before the ceremony took place.<ref name="OBrienJCHS">O'Brien, Winnifred E. 1979. ''Early Settlers and their Contributions to Jackson County and its County Seat Ripley, West Virginia''. Ripley: Jackson County Public Library.<br>- Jackson County Historical Society. 1982. ''The Emergence of Jackson County and of Ripley, Its Seat of Justice''. Jackson County Historical Society: Ripley, West Virginia.</ref>

When Jackson County was formed in 1831, the residents of the county could not decide where to locate the county seat. The people who lived along the Ohio River near the Ravenswood settlement favored that location. The people who lived farther inland objected. The Virginia General Assembly appointed an independent commission to make the final decision which selected Ripley. In 1832, the Starchers donated {{convert|8|acre|m2}} of land to the county, {{convert|2|acre|m2}} for the location of the county courthouse and jail, and six for the general use of the new county (a public school and a cemetery were later located on the land). The town was chartered by the Virginia General Assembly in 1832.<ref name="OBrienJCHS"/>

The post office was established in 1832 with the name Jackson Court House. The name was shortened in 1893 to Jackson. In 1897, the name became Ripley.<ref>"Postmaster Finder" at United States Postal Service. Retrieved 15 January 2017.</ref>

During the [[American Civil War]], Ripley remained under the control of the Union except for a brief incursion by the Confederate General [[Albert G. Jenkins]] in September 1862.

The last public [[hanging]] in West Virginia took place in Ripley in 1897, when John Morgan was hanged for murder. The spectacle prompted the [[West Virginia Legislature]] to ban public executions soon after.<ref>''West Virginia Blue Book''. This hanging is said to have taken place at the now located Ripley High School. [http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Educational/publications/pub.cfm Published annually] by the Clerk's Office of the [[West Virginia Senate]].<br>- {{cite book| last= Flesher Bolovan |first= Carolyn |editor= Ken Sullivan| title= The West Virginia Encyclopedia |year= 2006 |publisher= West Virginia Humanities Council |location=Charleston, West Virginia |isbn= 0-9778498-0-5 |pages= 618 |chapter=Ripley}}</ref>

==Geography==
Ripley is located at {{Coord|38|49|16|N|81|42|51|W|type:city}} (38.821078, -81.714264),<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=23 April 2011|date=12 February 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> along [[Mill Creek (western West Virginia)|Mill Creek]].<ref>{{cite book| title= West Virginia Atlas & Gazetteer |year=1997 |publisher= [[DeLorme]] |location=Yarmouth, Me. |isbn= 0-89933-246-3 |pages= 33}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|3.28|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|3.17|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.11|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=24 January 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=25 January 2012}}</ref>

===Climate===
{{Weather box
 | width       = auto
 | collapsed   = yes
 | single line = yes
 | location    = Ripley, West Virginia (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1941–present)
 | Jan record high F  = 80
 | Feb record high F  = 81
 | Mar record high F  = 89
 | Apr record high F  = 95
 | May record high F  = 97
 | Jun record high F  = 102
 | Jul record high F  = 107
 | Aug record high F  = 103
 | Sep record high F  = 102
 | Oct record high F  = 95
 | Nov record high F  = 86
 | Dec record high F  = 82
 | year record high F = 

|Jan avg record high F = 66.9
|Feb avg record high F = 70.0
|Mar avg record high F = 77.8
|Apr avg record high F = 85.4
|May avg record high F = 88.8
|Jun avg record high F = 91.6
|Jul avg record high F = 94.0
|Aug avg record high F = 92.9
|Sep avg record high F = 91.0
|Oct avg record high F = 83.9
|Nov avg record high F = 76.7
|Dec avg record high F = 67.8
|year avg record high F = 94.9

 | Jan high F = 43.7
 | Feb high F = 47.8
 | Mar high F = 57.1
 | Apr high F = 69.8
 | May high F = 77.8
 | Jun high F = 84.7
 | Jul high F = 88.3
 | Aug high F = 87.2
 | Sep high F = 81.6
 | Oct high F = 70.2
 | Nov high F = 58.1
 | Dec high F = 47.8
 | year high F = 67.8
 | Jan mean F = 32.8
 | Feb mean F = 35.8
 | Mar mean F = 43.7
 | Apr mean F = 54.7
 | May mean F = 63.9
 | Jun mean F = 71.7
 | Jul mean F = 75.8
 | Aug mean F = 74.3
 | Sep mean F = 68.1
 | Oct mean F = 56.1
 | Nov mean F = 45.1
 | Dec mean F = 37.2
 | year mean F = 54.9
 | Jan low F = 21.8
 | Feb low F = 23.8
 | Mar low F = 30.3
 | Apr low F = 39.6
 | May low F = 50.0
 | Jun low F = 58.7
 | Jul low F = 63.3
 | Aug low F = 61.5
 | Sep low F = 54.5
 | Oct low F = 42.0
 | Nov low F = 32.1
 | Dec low F = 26.5
 | year low F = 42.0

|Jan avg record low F = 2.9
|Feb avg record low F = 6.7
|Mar avg record low F = 15.1
|Apr avg record low F = 26.0
|May avg record low F = 35.4
|Jun avg record low F = 47.4
|Jul avg record low F = 54.7
|Aug avg record low F = 52.6
|Sep avg record low F = 42.7
|Oct avg record low F = 29.5
|Nov avg record low F = 18.9
|Dec avg record low F = 11.8
|year avg record low F = -0.7

 | Jan record low F  = -28
 | Feb record low F  = -17
 | Mar record low F  = -11
 | Apr record low F  = 11
 | May record low F  = 23
 | Jun record low F  = 35
 | Jul record low F  = 39
 | Aug record low F  = 35
 | Sep record low F  = 27
 | Oct record low F  = 14
 | Nov record low F  = 0
 | Dec record low F  = -17
 | year record low F = 
 | precipitation colour   = green
 | Jan precipitation inch = 3.14
 | Feb precipitation inch = 3.26
 | Mar precipitation inch = 4.23
 | Apr precipitation inch = 3.77
 | May precipitation inch = 4.44
 | Jun precipitation inch = 4.95
 | Jul precipitation inch = 4.88
 | Aug precipitation inch = 3.85
 | Sep precipitation inch = 3.75
 | Oct precipitation inch = 3.12
 | Nov precipitation inch = 2.99
 | Dec precipitation inch = 3.66
 | year precipitation inch = 46.04
 | unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
 | Jan precipitation days  = 12.9
 | Feb precipitation days  = 11.7
 | Mar precipitation days  = 13.4
 | Apr precipitation days  = 13.0
 | May precipitation days  = 13.3
 | Jun precipitation days  = 12.0
 | Jul precipitation days  = 11.3
 | Aug precipitation days  = 10.2
 | Sep precipitation days  = 8.7
 | Oct precipitation days  = 9.3
 | Nov precipitation days  = 10.3
 | Dec precipitation days  = 13.3
 | year precipitation days = 139.4
 | Jan snow inch = 6.3
 | Feb snow inch = 1.4
 | Mar snow inch = 1.4
 | Apr snow inch = 0.0
 | May snow inch = 0.0
 | Jun snow inch = 0.0
 | Jul snow inch = 0.0
 | Aug snow inch = 0.0
 | Sep snow inch = 0.0
 | Oct snow inch = 0.0
 | Nov snow inch = 0.2
 | Dec snow inch = 2.3
 | year snow inch = 11.6
 | unit snow days = 0.1 in
 | Jan snow days  = 2.7
 | Feb snow days  = 1.7
 | Mar snow days  = 0.7
 | Apr snow days  = 0.0
 | May snow days  = 0.0
 | Jun snow days  = 0.0
 | Jul snow days  = 0.0
 | Aug snow days  = 0.0
 | Sep snow days  = 0.0
 | Oct snow days  = 0.0
 | Nov snow days  = 0.1
 | Dec snow days  = 1.6
 | year snow days = 6.8
 | source = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]<ref name="NOWData">{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=rlx
|title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = November 13, 2023}}</ref><ref name="NCEI">{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00467552&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = November 13, 2023}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1870= 226
|1880= 425
|1890= 417
|1900= 579
|1910= 591
|1920= 580
|1930= 669
|1940= 759
|1950= 1813
|1960= 2756
|1970= 3244
|1980= 3464
|1990= 3023
|2000= 3263
|2010= 3252
|2020= 3074
|estyear=2021
|estimate=3064
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021"/>
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=4 June 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2010 census===
At the 2010 [[census]],<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=24 January 2013}}</ref> there were 3,252 people, 1,476 households and 854 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1025.9|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. There were 1,614 housing units at an average density of {{convert|509.1|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 98.2% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.2% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.4% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.3% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 0.9% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.5% of the population.

There were 1,476 households, of which 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.1% were non-families. 39.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.81.

The median age was 46.1 years. 19.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.7% were from 25 to 44; 26.2% were from 45 to 64; and 25% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 44.6% male and 55.4% female.

===2000 census===
At the 2000 [[census]],<ref name="GR2" /> there were 3,263 people, 1,423 households and 893 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was 1,056.3 per square mile (407.7/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 1,543 housing units at an average density of 499.5 per square mile (192.8/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the city was 98.22% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.06% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.06% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.21% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.37% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.07% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.64% of the population.

There were 1,423 households, of which 23.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.2% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.78.

19.2% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 25.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.4 males.

The [[median household income]] was $25,861 and the median income for a family was $37,027. Males had a median income of $29,531 and females $20,881. The [[per capita income]] was $15,451. About 12.1% of families and 16.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 21.5% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.

==Culture==
Ripley claims to host the "Biggest Small Town [[Independence Day (United States)|Fourth of July]] Celebration" in the United States.<ref name="June 7, 2012">{{cite web|title=Ripley Fourth of July|url=http://www.ripley4thofjuly.us/}}</ref> On 4 July 2002, then President [[George W. Bush]] gave a public speech at the town's courthouse.<ref>[https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2002/07/20020704-3.html White House press release, 4 July 2002]</ref>

==Education==
Ripley is served by the Jackson County School District. Schools located in Ripley are:
*[[Ripley High School (Ripley, West Virginia)|Ripley High School]] (grades 9 through 12)
*Ripley Middle School (grades 6 through 8)
*Ripley Elementary School (grades PreK through 5)
*Fairplain Elementary School (grades PreK through 5)
*Jackson County Center of [[West Virginia University at Parkersburg]]
*Ripley Christian Academy

==Media==
===Radio===
*WVRP (90.7 FM)-- Public Radio
*[[WCEF]] (98.3 FM)-- Country

==Notable people==
*[[Dee Caperton Kessel]], First Lady of West Virginia, member of the [[West Virginia House of Delegates]] from the 23rd district and [[Miss West Virginia]] 1964
*[[Kane Davis]], [[Major League Baseball]] pitcher<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=daviska01|title = Kane Davis Stats|website=Baseball Almanac|access-date=21 December 2012}}</ref>
*[[Charles C. Lanham]], member of the [[West Virginia Senate]] from the [[West Virginia's 4th Senate district|4th district]]<ref>[https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/charles-c-lanham/article_e54e3cfb-8a8e-5863-ba89-157daace2a04.html Charles C. Lanham - obituary], ''Charlestown Gazette-Mail'', [[McLovin]] 17 December 2015.</ref>
*[[Warren Miller (West Virginia Congressman)|Warren Miller]], U.S. Representative from [[West Virginia's 4th congressional district|West Virginia’s 4th district]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M000761|title=MILLER, Warren, (1847 - 1920)|work=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress|access-date=21 December 2012 }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

{{Jackson County, West Virginia}}
{{West Virginia municipalities}}
{{West Virginia county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in West Virginia]]
[[Category:County seats in West Virginia]]
[[Category:Cities in Jackson County, West Virginia]]
[[Category:1830 establishments in Virginia]]