Ripley, California
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ripley | |
|---|---|
 Location in Riverside County, California | |
  Ripley Location within the state of California  Ripley Ripley (the United States) | |
| Coordinates: 33°31′26″N 114°39′11″W / 33.52389°N 114.65306°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Riverside |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.701 sq mi (4.405 km2) |
| • Land | 1.701 sq mi (4.405 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) 0% |
| Elevation | 249 ft (76 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 538 |
| • Density | 316/sq mi (122/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP codes | 92272 |
| Area code | 760 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2583122 |
Ripley is a census-designated place community in east Riverside County. It is located along State Route 78 (SR78) between Palo Verde and Blythe. The area is mostly agricultural lands irrigated by Colorado River water. The elevation is 249 feet (76 m).[2] The population was 538 at the 2020 census, down from 692 at the 2010 census.
Ripley was established in 1920 when the California Southern Railroad (unrelated to the railroad linking Barstow and San Diego) was extended from Blythe. The townsite was named to dedicate former Santa Fe Railway president Edward Payson Ripley.[4] The town aimed to be a resort location until it was damaged by a flood that swept part of the valley in 1922. Today, a water tower remains as a landmark in town.[5]
Ripley is near the site of a 1974 fatal bus wreck.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP covers an area of 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2), all of it land. Alongside Blythe and Palo Verde, Ripley is located in the Palo Verde Valley.
Official U.S. Geological Survey NAD27 coordinates for the community are 33°31′31″N 114°39′19″W / 33.52528°N 114.65528°W. It is within area code 760 and has its own ZIP Code: 92272.
Climate
This area has a large amount of sunshine year round due to its stable descending air and high pressure. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Ripley has a desert climate, abbreviated "Bwh" on climate maps.[6]
Situation
The area is largely irrigated agriculture. Farms in the area include operations owned by David Brown and Sons, Lawrence Chaffin Farms, and Red River Farms. The Metropolitan Water District has made an agreement with the United States Bureau of Reclamation to fallow land in the area in order to conserve water. Farmers will be paid not to grow crops so that the water can be used for other purposes. The area is served by Palo Verde Irrigation District and formerly the Arizona and California Railroad. The railroad's Blythe Division track ends just west of Ripley.
