Ripley is a city in Tippah County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 5,395 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Tippah County.[2]

Ripley, Mississippi
Tippah County Courthouse
Tippah County Courthouse
Flag of Ripley, Mississippi
Official seal of Ripley, Mississippi
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
Coordinates: 34°43′57″N 88°56′49″W / 34.73250°N 88.94694°W / 34.73250; -88.94694
CountryUnited States
StateMississippi
CountyTippah
Government
 • MayorMr. Jon Grisham
Area
 • Total11.46 sq mi (29.67 km2)
 • Land11.43 sq mi (29.60 km2)
 • Water0.03 sq mi (0.07 km2)
Elevation
499 ft (152 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total5,462
 • Density477.87/sq mi (184.51/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
38663
Area code662
FIPS code28-62600
GNIS feature ID0691645
WebsiteCity website

Colonel William Clark Falkner, great-grandfather of authors William Faulkner and John Faulkner, was a prominent resident of Ripley in the mid to late-19th century. W.C. Falkner's exploits in and around Ripley served as the model for Faulkner's character of Colonel John Sartoris.

Ripley is located in the Hills region of North Mississippi, an important region for the birth of American music. The area is known as the birthplace of the hill country blues.

Geography

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Ripley is located at 34°43′57″N 88°56′49″W / 34.73250°N 88.94694°W / 34.73250; -88.94694 (34.732363, -88.947055).[3]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.5 square miles (30 km2), of which 11.5 square miles (30 km2) is land and 0.04-square-mile (0.10 km2) (0.35%) is water.

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1860683
1870422−38.2%
188063750.9%
1890574−9.9%
190065313.8%
191076717.5%
192085611.6%
19301,46871.5%
19402,01137.0%
19502,38318.5%
19602,66812.0%
19703,48230.5%
19804,27122.7%
19905,37125.8%
20005,4782.0%
20105,395−1.5%
20205,4621.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[4]
 
Ripley, (1938)

2020 census

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Ripley Racial Composition[5]
Race Num. Perc.
White 3,140 57.49%
Black or African American 1,482 27.13%
Native American 9 0.16%
Asian 9 0.16%
Other/Mixed 178 3.26%
Hispanic or Latino 644 11.79%

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 5,462 people, 1,735 households, and 1,100 families residing in the city.

2000 census

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As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 5,478 people, 2,174 households, and 1,441 families residing in the city. The population density was 476.8 inhabitants per square mile (184.1/km2). There were 2,334 housing units at an average density of 203.1 per square mile (78.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 75.65% White, 19.90% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.34% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.91% of the population.

There were 2,174 households, out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.5% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,728, and the median income for a family was $31,174. Males had a median income of $26,275 versus $20,160 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,979. About 18.3% of families and 21.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.7% of those under age 18 and 21.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education

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The City of Ripley is served by the South Tippah School District. The Ripley school system includes Ripley Elementary School, Ripley Middle School and Ripley High School.

Culture

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Historic district

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

The Ripley Historic District in central Ripley is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

First Monday Trade Day

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Ripley is the home of the First Monday Trade Day held the weekend prior to the first Monday of every month. It is one of the oldest outdoor flea markets in the United States. It started around the turn of the 20th century at the old square but is now held south of Ripley along Highway 15 across from the Tippah County Fair Grounds. It has seen publicity by various news channels over the years for its tolerance of a controversial live animal market housed at the back edge of the trading grounds.[7]

William Faulkner Festival

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There is an annual walking tour of historic William Faulkner sites during Ripley's annual Faulkner Festival in early November. But it is not celebrated widely throughout Ripley.[8][9]

Notable people

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References

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  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  4. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  5. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  6. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  7. ^ "Home » Ripley's First Monday Trade Day". Firstmonday.ripley.ms. November 15, 2014. Archived from the original on January 1, 2017. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  8. ^ "Faulkner Heritage Festival". Mainstreet.ripley.ms. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  9. ^ "Col. William Clark Falkner Tour Stops". Goo.gl. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
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