Ridgeland, South Carolina
Encyclopedia
Ridgeland is a town in Jasper County, South Carolina
, United States
. The population was 2,518 at the 2000 census. It has been the county seat
of Jasper County since its formation in 1912, prior to which it was in Beaufort County
. As defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, Ridgeland is included within the Ridgeland Urban Cluster (2000 pop.: 3,585) and the larger Hilton Head Island
–Beaufort
Micropolitan Statistical Area
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.3 km²), of which, 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²) of it is land and 0.41% is water.
of 2000, there were 2,518 people (2,612 in 2004 estimate), 517 households, and 332 families residing in the town. The population density
was 1,046.6 people per square mile (403.4/km²). There were 597 housing units at an average density of 248.1 per square mile (95.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 44.64% White, 49.17% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 4.69% from other races
, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.63% of the population.
There were 517 households out of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.2% were married couples
living together, 22.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the town the population was spread out with 14.9% under the age of 18, 16.6% from 18 to 24, 44.5% from 25 to 44, 15.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 279.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 338.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $27,679, and the median income for a family was $37,647. Males had a median income of $21,900 versus $20,938 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $7,394. About 20.0% of families and 24.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.7% of those under age 18 and 14.5% of those age 65 or over.
A class action lawsuit to stop the use of photo enforcement in Ridgeland was filed in federal court on December 20, 2010.http://stromlawcriminalattorneys.com/565/strom-law-firm-files-class-action-lawsuit-over-speeding-tickets-issued-by-the-town-of-ridgeland/.
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 2,518 at the 2000 census. It has been the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Jasper County since its formation in 1912, prior to which it was in Beaufort County
Beaufort County
Beaufort County may refer to:In Australia* Beaufort County, Western Australiain the United States:* Beaufort County, North Carolina* Beaufort County, South Carolina...
. As defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, Ridgeland is included within the Ridgeland Urban Cluster (2000 pop.: 3,585) and the larger Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Hilton Head Island or Hilton Head is a resort town in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. It is north of Savannah, Georgia, and south of Charleston. The island gets its name from Captain William Hilton...
–Beaufort
Beaufort, South Carolina
Beaufort is a city in and the county seat of Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. Chartered in 1711, it is the second-oldest city in South Carolina, behind Charleston. The city's population was 12,361 in the 2010 census. It is located in the Hilton Head Island-Beaufort Micropolitan...
Micropolitan Statistical Area
Hilton Head Island-Beaufort micropolitan area
The Hilton Head Island–Beaufort Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in South Carolina, anchored by the town of Hilton Head Island and the city of Beaufort....
.
Geography
Ridgeland is located at 32°29′N 80°59′W (32.4828, -80.9818).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.3 km²), of which, 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²) of it is land and 0.41% is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,518 people (2,612 in 2004 estimate), 517 households, and 332 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,046.6 people per square mile (403.4/km²). There were 597 housing units at an average density of 248.1 per square mile (95.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 44.64% White, 49.17% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 4.69% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.63% of the population.
There were 517 households out of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 22.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the town the population was spread out with 14.9% under the age of 18, 16.6% from 18 to 24, 44.5% from 25 to 44, 15.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 279.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 338.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $27,679, and the median income for a family was $37,647. Males had a median income of $21,900 versus $20,938 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $7,394. About 20.0% of families and 24.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.7% of those under age 18 and 14.5% of those age 65 or over.
Mobile Speed Cameras
The town of Ridgeland is the first municipality in the nation to implement mobile speed cameras. This is along Interstate 95 through the Ridgeland municipal limits. It is about 8 miles long. The goal of the mobile cameras is to send tickets to offenders who go 11 mph over the speed limit in the 70 mph zone; however, South Carolina law only authorizes summons which are delivered within one hour. Many motorists have claimed in online forums that the camera system over estimates speed by 2 miles per hour. An officer is sometimes present to process tickets from the side of the road. Bail for violations ranges from around $120 to almost $450, depending on the speed. However, the state of South Carolina currently explicates the ban of traffic photo enforcement of any kind unless there is a "declared statewide emergency".A class action lawsuit to stop the use of photo enforcement in Ridgeland was filed in federal court on December 20, 2010.http://stromlawcriminalattorneys.com/565/strom-law-firm-files-class-action-lawsuit-over-speeding-tickets-issued-by-the-town-of-ridgeland/.