Ruleville, Mississippi
Encyclopedia
Ruleville is a small city in the fertile Mississippi Delta
region in Sunflower County
, Mississippi
, United States
. The population was 3,234 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 2.5 square miles (6.5 km²), of which, 2.5 square miles (6.5 km²) of it is land and 0.39% is water.
Ruleville is about 15 miles (24.1 km) away from the Mississippi State Penitentiary
(Parchman).
of 2000, there were 3,234 people, 1,020 households, and 774 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,278.3 people per square mile (493.5/km²). There were 1,096 housing units at an average density of 433.2 per square mile (167.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.77% Black, 18.65% White, 0.43% Asian, 0.06% Native American, 0.03% from other races
, and 0.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.87% of the population.
1,020 households out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.5% were married couples
living together, 34.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.1% were non-families. 21.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.03 and the average family size was 3.55.
In the city the population was spread out with 31.3% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 23.0% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 80.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $21,351, and the median income for a family was $23,036. Males had a median income of $25,104 versus $21,063 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $11,664. About 29.5% of families and 36.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 47.7% of those under age 18 and 27.4% of those age 65 or over.
. Schools serving Ruleville and in Ruleville include Ruleville Central Elementary School, Ruleville Middle School, and Ruleville Central High School.
North Sunflower Academy
is in an unincorporated area
of Sunflower County, about 2 miles (3.2 km) north of Ruleville. The school originated as a segregation academy.
Delta State University
http://www.deltastate.edu is located ten miles away in neighboring Bolivar County, Mississippi
.
is in unincorporated
Sunflower County, between Ruleville and Drew
. The airport is jointly operated by the cities of Ruleville and Drew.
Ruleville is home to the John Wayne Museum, owned by Luster Bayless, founder of the American Costume Corporation and personal costume designer to John Wayne for over ten years.
The Ole Place Bed and Breakfast, owned by Luster Bayless.
The Quiver and Sunflower Rivers provide outdoor recreation options.
The North Sunflower Medical Center http://www.northsunflower.com/ both serves the health care needs of Ruleville, MS and also brings people into the community from neighboring counties. The Medical Center hosts a clinic open until midnight 7 days a week, hospital, two nursing homes, and home health care services.
Fannie Lou Hamer Park and Rule Park serve as community gathering places.
Mississippi Delta
The Mississippi Delta is the distinctive northwest section of the U.S. state of Mississippi that lies between the Mississippi and Yazoo Rivers. The region has been called "The Most Southern Place on Earth" because of its unique racial, cultural, and economic history...
region in Sunflower County
Sunflower County, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 34,369 people, 9,637 households, and 7,314 families residing in the county. The population density was 50 people per square mile . There were 10,338 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile...
, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 3,234 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Ruleville is located at 33°43′37"N 90°32′57"W (33.726883, -90.549191).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 city has a total area of 2.5 square miles (6.5 km²), of which, 2.5 square miles (6.5 km²) of it is land and 0.39% is water.
Ruleville is about 15 miles (24.1 km) away from the Mississippi State Penitentiary
Mississippi State Penitentiary
Mississippi State Penitentiary , also known as Parchman Farm, is the oldest prison and the only maximum security prison for men in the state of Mississippi, USA....
(Parchman).
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 3,234 people, 1,020 households, and 774 families residing in the city. 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 1,278.3 people per square mile (493.5/km²). There were 1,096 housing units at an average density of 433.2 per square mile (167.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.77% Black, 18.65% White, 0.43% Asian, 0.06% Native American, 0.03% 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 0.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.87% of the population.
1,020 households out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.5% 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, 34.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.1% were non-families. 21.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.03 and the average family size was 3.55.
In the city the population was spread out with 31.3% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 23.0% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 80.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $21,351, and the median income for a family was $23,036. Males had a median income of $25,104 versus $21,063 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 city was $11,664. About 29.5% of families and 36.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 47.7% of those under age 18 and 27.4% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The City of Ruleville is served by the Sunflower County School DistrictSunflower County School District
The Sunflower County School District is a public school district with its headquarters in the Sunflower County Courthouse in Indianola, Mississippi, and the educational services building along U.S. Route 49 West in Indianola...
. Schools serving Ruleville and in Ruleville include Ruleville Central Elementary School, Ruleville Middle School, and Ruleville Central High School.
North Sunflower Academy
North Sunflower Academy
North Sunflower Academy is a private school in unincorporated Sunflower County, Mississippi, in the Mississippi Delta area. The school is about north of Ruleville and about south of Drew. The school has grades Kindergarten through 12...
is in an unincorporated area
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
of Sunflower County, about 2 miles (3.2 km) north of Ruleville. The school originated as a segregation academy.
Delta State University
Delta State University
Delta State University, also known as DSU, is a regional public university located in Cleveland, Mississippi, United States, in the heart of the Mississippi Delta...
http://www.deltastate.edu is located ten miles away in neighboring Bolivar County, Mississippi
Bolivar County, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 40,633 people, 13,776 households, and 9,725 families residing in the county. The population density was 46 people per square mile . There were 14,939 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile...
.
Transportation
Ruleville-Drew AirportRuleville-Drew Airport
Ruleville-Drew Airport is an airport in unincorporated Sunflower County, between Drew and Ruleville. The airport is jointly operated by the cities of Drew and Ruleville....
is in unincorporated
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
Sunflower County, between Ruleville and Drew
Drew, Mississippi
Drew is a city in Sunflower County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 2,434 at the 2000 census. Drew, a rural community, is in the vicinity of several plantations and the Mississippi State Penitentiary, a Mississippi Department of Corrections prison for men.-Geography:Drew is located at...
. The airport is jointly operated by the cities of Ruleville and Drew.
Famous Rulevillians
- Fannie Lou HamerFannie Lou HamerFannie Lou Hamer was an American voting rights activist and civil rights leader....
, civil rights activist - Jimmy RogersJimmy RogersJimmy Rogers was an American Chicago blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player, best known for his work as a member of Muddy Waters' band of the 1950s.-Career:...
, Blues singer and musician
Festivals
Ruleville is home to the Annual Ruleville Fall Roast, a two-day community celebration that takes place in Rule Park in downtown Ruleville each September. The weekend's activities include local and regional musicians, a BBQ contest, a hog calling contest, fireworks show, and many vendors and craftsmen. This festival brings together all members of the community for fun, food, and fellowship.Area Attractions
Mississippi Blues Trail http://www.msbluestrail.org/blues_trail/ markers dot the Mississippi landscape, especially throughout the Mississippi Delta. In close proximity to Ruleville are the Blues Trail markers at Dockery Plantation, where blues artist Charlie Patton lived, the Peavine Railroad in Boyle, MS, the birthplace of BB King in Berclair, MS and many others.Ruleville is home to the John Wayne Museum, owned by Luster Bayless, founder of the American Costume Corporation and personal costume designer to John Wayne for over ten years.
The Ole Place Bed and Breakfast, owned by Luster Bayless.
The Quiver and Sunflower Rivers provide outdoor recreation options.
The North Sunflower Medical Center http://www.northsunflower.com/ both serves the health care needs of Ruleville, MS and also brings people into the community from neighboring counties. The Medical Center hosts a clinic open until midnight 7 days a week, hospital, two nursing homes, and home health care services.
Fannie Lou Hamer Park and Rule Park serve as community gathering places.