Ripplemead: Demographics & People
Census counts 294 people in Ripplemead, in 142 households. Population shrank 15.3% from 347 (2022) to 294 (2024). Median age 64.4 years. (19.0y older than Giles County; 26.6y older than Virginia). Population is 100% White (non-Hispanic). The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.00). 100% of households are family-led. County is gaining 608 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 37% adult obesity, 18% smoke.
- 2.1 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 0% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 15.3% from 347 (2022) to 294 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~250 (extrapolated at -7.6%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 199.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 16,787 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -15.3% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 347 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 294 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | shrinking |
| Population | 294 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 199 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 64.4y is 25.5 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y).
| Age Summary · Median age | 64.4 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 294 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 22.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 146.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 126 |
| Age Summary · Pct 18 To 34 | 7.5% |
| Age Summary · Pct 35 To 64 | 49.7% |
| Median age | 64.4 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 294 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.00 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 347 |
|---|---|
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 1 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 100.0% |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 100.0% (vs Virginia 53.8%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (4)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 203 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 91 |
| Share born in this state | 69.0% |
| Share born in another state | 31.0% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 31.0% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 250 |
Households & Family Composition
142 households. Averaging 2.4 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 100% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 147 families, 0% are married couples with children.
| Total families | 147 |
|---|---|
| Average household size | 2.36 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 11.9% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 87 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 39 |
| Family households | 142 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 100.0% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 142 households (vs Virginia 14,324) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. The surrounding county is gaining 608 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 15,040 |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 14,432 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 608 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 14 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 5.1% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 9 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | VA-09 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51071 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 071 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Giles |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 25.3% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 19.60 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 32.10 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51071 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Giles County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Small metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 721 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51071 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Giles County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 51.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 46.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 35.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 16,720 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 4.80 |
| Family Score · Schools | 7 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 1 |
| Family Score · Rating | fair |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 294, shrinking, retirement community, upper-middle, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 294 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Giles County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade