Ringgold, Louisiana facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ringgold, Louisiana
Town
Town of Ringgold
Downtown Ringgold
Seal
Location in Bienville Parish, Louisiana
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Country	United States
State	Louisiana
Parish	Bienville
Area
• Total	2.32 sq mi (6.01 km2)
• Land	2.31 sq mi (6.00 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation	279 ft (85 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	1,379
• Rank	BV: 2nd
• Density	595.68/sq mi (229.96/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code(s)	318
FIPS code	22-64905

Ringgold is a town in the U.S. state of Louisiana, in the western half of Bienville Parish. The town of Ringgold is named for United States Army Major Samuel Ringgold. The population of Ringgold was 1,495 at the 2010 census, and 1,370 at the U.S. Census Bureau's 2019 estimates, down from 1,601 in 2018. The 2020 U.S. census estimates program recorded a population of 1,336, though the census established a population of 1,379. It is the second largest incorporated municipality in Bienville Parish by population.

Geography

Ringgold is located in western Bienville Parish at 32°19′35″N 93°17′1″W / 32.32639°N 93.28361°W / 32.32639; -93.28361 (32.326475, -93.283588).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.3 square miles (6.0 km²), all land.

Demographics

Since the downturn of the lumber and oil industry, Ringgold has struggled with a declining population. According to the 2020 United States census, there were 1,379 people, 605 households, and 414 families residing in the town. Per the 2018 American Community Survey, there were 764 total housing units and 605 occupied housing units. At the census of 2000, there were 1,660 people, 636 households, and 410 families residing in the town. The population density was 715.3 people per square mile (276.3/km²). There were 749 housing units at an average density of 322.8 per square mile (124.7/km²).

In 2018, the median income in the town was $19,475 and the mean income was $31,650. Ringgold had a median rent of $415 from 2014-2018. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated approximately 46.5% of the population lived at or below the poverty line. Approximately 8.0% of the population had a bachelor's degree or higher, and the town had a 36.5% employment rate. The median income for a household in the town was $15,326 in 2000, and the median income for a family was $21,563. Males had a median income of $25,000 versus $15,625 for females. The per capita income for the town was $9,817. About 36.5% of families and 38.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 48.9% of those under age 18 and 33.3% of those age 65 or over.

Of the 636 households in 2000, out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.4% were married couples living together, 26.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. A tabulated 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.13. In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.9% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 21.1% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 77.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 68.0 males.

In 2018, the racial makeup of the town in 2018 was 35.0% White (34.2% non-Hispanic white), 63.7% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 1.7% from two or more races. Ringgold had an average of 72.7 males per 100 females aged 18 and older, and 49.1 males per 100 females aged 65 and older. At the 2000 census, the racial makeup of the town was 43.92% White, 55.30% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.06% Asian, and 0.42% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 0.54% of the population. Since 2020, there has been a predominant Black or African American population, followed by non-Hispanic whites.

According to Sperling's BestPlaces, roughly 75% of the local population are religious, with Christianity being the dominant religion. The largest Christian group in Ringgold are Baptists, spread among the Southern Baptist Convention, independent Baptist churches, and the Progressive National Baptist Convention. Hebrew Missionary Baptist Church is the founding headquarters of the Louisiana Progressive Baptist State Convention, established by Henry F. Johnson, Jr. Methodists were the second largest, dominated by the United Methodist Church, followed by Catholics and other Christians.

Gallery

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  Ringgold corporate limits sign

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  Ringgold Town Hall

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  A glimpse of downtown Ringgold

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  Ringgold School Complex

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  Defunct Ringgold Clinic, begun by Dr. V. W. Fletcher (1893-1960) and later operated by physicians Eichelberger and Bell, is still located across from the site of the former Conger Funeral Home in Ringgold.

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  The First Baptist Church of Ringgold at the entrance to Mill Street downtown

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  First United Methodist Church in Ringgold

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  Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Ringgold

Economy

Since Operation Meltdown, the election of Milton Vining and Freddie Peterson, and a new city council, the town worked to reduce poverty, crime, and attract local business. As of 2020, the town's economy is stimulated by convenience stores, banks, Dollar General, SuperValu, Christus, and small businesses.

Education

Bienville Parish School Board operates the following public schools in Ringgold:

• Ringgold Elementary School
• Ringgold High School (grades 6-12)

Notable people

• Stephen A. Caldwell, educator, principal at Ringgold High School, 1911-1914.
• Barbara Colley, romance and mystery novelist from New Orleans, born in Ringgold and reared in Minden.
• William M. "Bill" Conly, Sr. (1938-2017), regional folk, gospel, bluegrass, and Celtic musician and songwriter; Ringgold native and a forester with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
• John Thurman Hunter Jr. (1931 - 2016; stage name Long John Hunter), blues guitarist, was born in Ringgold.
• Billy McCormack, Baptist pastor from Shreveport, director and vice president of the Christian Coalition of America; born in Bienville Parish and interred at Providence Cemetery in Ringgold.
• Garnie W. McGinty, Louisiana historian.
• Duvall Cortez Wimberly, born in Ringgold, president of American Ex–Prisoners of War.

See also

In Spanish: Ringgold (Luisiana) para niños