Corporation of Ranson, West Virginia
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Corporation of Ranson, more frequently known as Ranson (the name of its post office), is a town located in Jefferson County, West Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 2,951.
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History
The Charles Town Mining, Manufacturing, and Improvement Company played an instrumental role in creating this new town. In 1890, the company bought 850 acres (3.4 km²) adjoining the western and northern corporate limits of Charles Town and commissioned D.G. Howell, a civil engineer and architect, to lay out the town. The largest tract of land purchased was from the Ransom family. The City of Ranson in Jefferson County, West Virginia, was officially established in 1910. It was named in honor of Dr. James Ranson, a dentist and farmer living in the area.
The early growth and development of Ranson reflects the late 19th century boom of the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding areas associated with the rise of the railroads, mining, and manufacturing. Some of the companies that located in Ranson early on included the the Hotel Powhatan, the Goetz Saddlery, the Shenandoah Brass and Iron Works, the Elemer E. Beachley Saw and Planing Mill, the John Farrin Boiler and Machine Shop, and the Vulcan Road Machine Company. In 1936, the town of Ranson purchased the building that formerly housed the Charles Town Mining, Manufacturing, and Improvement Company and set up the town offices within it. Today, Ranson is a thriving community that blends a developing commercial district housing major corporations with rapidly growing residential neighborhoods.
Geography
WVMap-doton-CorporationOfRanson.PNG
Location of Corporation of Ranson, West Virginia
Ranson is located at 39°17'55" North, 77°51'40" West (39.298578, -77.861169)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.3 km² (0.9 mi²). 2.3 km² (0.9 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 2,951 people, 1,208 households, and 782 families residing in the town. The population density is 1,309.6/km² (3,402.8/mi²). There are 1,279 housing units at an average density of 567.6/km² (1,474.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 81.80% White, 14.61% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.12% from other races, and 1.93% from two or more races. 3.15% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,208 households out of which 32.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% are married couples living together, 19.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% are non-families. 26.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.44 and the average family size is 2.93.
In the town the population is spread out with 26.1% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 85.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $24,485, and the median income for a family is $30,676. Males have a median income of $26,719 versus $19,559 for females. The per capita income for the town is $12,804. 25.2% of the population and 20.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 34.4% of those under the age of 18 and 14.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.