Corporation of Ranson, more frequently known as Ranson (the name of its post office), is a town in Jefferson County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 2,951 at the 2000 census. The 2006 Census estimate claims Ranson's population is now 3,957, with a gain of just a little over 1,000 people since 2000.

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 Corporation of Ranson in Jefferson County, West Virginia, was officially incorporated in 1910. It was named in honor of Dr. James Ranson, a dentist and farmer living in the area. The 2006 Census estimate claims Ranson's population is 3,957, up just over 1,000 people since 2000.

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 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

Ranson is located at (39.298578, -77.861169).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.3 km² (0.9 mi²), all land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,951 people, 1,208 households, and 782 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,309.6/km² (3,402.8/mi²). There were 1,279 housing units at an average density of 567.6/km² (1,474.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 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. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.15% of the population.

There were 1,208 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% were married couples living together, 19.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the town the population was 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 were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $24,485, and the median income for a family was $30,676. Males had a median income of $26,719 versus $19,559 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,804. About 20.9% of families and 25.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.4% of those under age 18 and 14.5% of those age 65 or over.

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