Ridgeway: Demographics & People
Ridgeway is home to 1,051 people, in 320 households. Population shrank 2.9% from 1,082 (2022) to 1,051 (2024). Median age 40.1 years. (7.6y younger than Henry County; 2.3y older than Virginia). Children under 18 are 37% of the population. Population is 53% White (non-Hispanic) and 45% Black. The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.52). 68% of households are family-led. County is gaining 1,187 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 43% adult obesity, 23% smoke.
- 3.3 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 32% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 103 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 2.9% from 1,082 (2022) to 1,051 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~1,021 (extrapolated at -1.4%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 981.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 50,948 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -2.9% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 1,082 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 1,051 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | declining |
| Population | 1,051 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 981 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 40.1y is 1.2 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 37% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 40.1 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 36.6% |
| Age Summary · Character | established |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 1,051 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 385 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 76.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 441.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 149 |
| Population under 18 | 385 |
| Median age | 40.1 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 1,051 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.52 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.
| White residents | 635 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 425 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 49 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 52.3% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | moderately diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 3 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 57.3% |
| Black population | 44.6% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 53.0% (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 (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 0.4% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 0% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 587 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 457 |
| Share born in this state | 55.9% |
| Share born in another state | 44.1% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 43.5% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.4% |
| Naturalized citizens | 0.3% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 11 |
Households & Family Composition
320 households. Averaging 3.6 people each — larger than the U.S. average of 2.5. 68% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 202 families, 23% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 404 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 202 |
| Married couples with children | 47 |
| Single-parent households | 3 |
| Average household size | 3.59 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 5.2% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 112 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 83 |
| Family households | 219 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 68.4% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 320 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. 2.4% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 1,187 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 2.4% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 42,285 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 41,098 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 1,187 |
| 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 | 39 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 3.6% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 9 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51089 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 089 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Henry |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 18.8% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 15.60 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 22.40 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51089 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Henry County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Micropolitan |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 1,587 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51089 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Henry County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 45.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 39.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 24.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 50,557 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 2.00 |
| Family Score · Schools | 2 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 36.6% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 1,051, declining, established, upper-middle, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 1,051 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Henry County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade