Ridgeway is a town in southeast Fairfield County, South Carolina, United States. As of the 2020 census, Ridgeway had a population of 266. It is part of the Columbia, South Carolina metropolitan statistical area.

History

Blink Bonnie, Camp Welfare, Century House, Hunter House, Mount Hope, Ridgeway Historic District, Ruff's Chapel, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Valencia, Vaughn's Stage Coach Stop, and the Monroe Wilson House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

Ridgeway is located in southeastern Fairfield County. U.S. Route 21 passes through the towns, leading north to Great Falls and south to Columbia. South Carolina Highway 34 leads west to Interstate 77 and east to Lugoff. Winnsboro, the county seat, is to the northwest via SC 34.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Ridgeway has a total area of , all land.

Demographics

As of the 2000 census, 328 people, 138 households, and 96 families were residing in the town. The population density was . The 157 housing units had an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 60.37% White, 37.50% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.30% from other races, and 1.52% from two or more races.

Of the 138 households, 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 18.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were not families. About 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the town, the age distribution was 23.5% under 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.2 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 78.0 males.

The median income in the town for a household was $36,250 and for a family was $49,375. Males had a median income of $35,833 versus $25,469 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,884. About 24.1% of families and 25.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.1% of those under 18 and 34.2% of those 65 or over.

Education

Ridgeway has a public library, a branch of the Fairfield County Library.

Notable people

  • Mamie "Peanut" Johnson, professional baseball pitcher.
  • Alex Sanders, politician and professor.
  • Lil Ru, rapper.

References

  • Town of Ridgeway official website