Ruffin, North Carolina

Ruffin is an unincorporated community located in Rockingham County, North Carolina, United States.^[1]

Ruffin
Unincorporated community
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
Country	United States
State	North Carolina
County	Rockingham
Named after	Thomas Ruffin
Population
• Estimate  (2023)	501
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Code	27326
Area codes	336, 743

In 2023, the population estimate was 501.^[2]

Geography

Ruffin is located northeast of Reidsville, North Carolina, and southwest of Danville, Virginia, near US 29 (future Interstate 785).

Neighboring communities and municipalities include Reidsville, Eden, Pelham, Casville, and Wentworth.

The ZIP Code for Ruffin is 27326.^[3]

History

With the completion of the Piedmont Railroad by the Confederate Government in 1864, the village of Ruffin experienced steady growth. Subsequently, Ruffin became an important center of trade for both Rockingham and Caswell counties. Yet, substantial growth and commerce were to elude Ruffin. Instead, the prosperity found a home in the nearby community of Reidsville. There is speculation that growth in Ruffin was doomed because the local landowners wanted the community to remain rural and undeveloped. Consequently, a booming town could not materialize.^{[citation needed]}

Ruffin is home to the first established volunteer fire department within Rockingham County. Residents produce tobacco, vegetables and strawberries. Previously, the area also had a gold mine. Churches in the community include Ruffin United Methodist Church and Ruffin-Stacey Baptist Church.

Incorporation (1887-1897)

From 1887 to 1897, Ruffin was incorporated with its own mayor. The last mayor of Ruffin was Victor M. Holderby, who was an active member of the Ruffin Methodist Episcopal Church.^{[citation needed]}

Namesake

The community is named after Thomas Ruffin (1787–1870) an American jurist and Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court from 1829 to 1852 and again from 1858 to 1859. He was Chief Justice of that Court from 1833 to 1852. He lived in the community for a short while.^[4]

Climate

Winter in Ruffin is cool and wet. The average high temperature in January is 47 °F (8 °C).

Summer in Ruffin is hot and humid. The average high temperature in July is 88 °F (31 °C).

2018 tornado

On April 15, 2018, Ruffin was struck by an EF1 tornado. The tornado was part of a larger outbreak across the southeastern United States.^[5]