As of the census of 2000, there were 2,518 people, 517 households, and 332 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,046.6 people per square mile. There were 597 housing units at an average density of 248.1 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 44.64% White, 49.17% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 4.69% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.63% of the population. There were 517 households out of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.2% were married couples living together, 22.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.02. In the town, the population was spread out with 14.9% under the age of 18, 16.6% from 18 to 24, 44.5% from 25 to 44, 15.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 279.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 338.2 males. The presence of the Ridgeland Correctional Institution in the town limits heavily skews the sex ratio. The median income for a household in the town was $27,679, and the median income for a family was $37,647. Males had a median income of $21,900 versus $20,938 for females. The per capita income for the town was $7,394. About 20.0% of families and 24.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.7% of those under age 18 and 14.5% of those age 65 or over.
, the major north-south highway on the Eastern Seaboard, runs through Ridgeland. A trumpet interchange to a connecting road exists south of the town at Exit 18 north of Switzerland, though the main interchanges within the community are Exits 21 and 22.
, a principal route connecting Charleston, Savannah, and beyond, enters Ridgeland after passing through Switzerland. The road is known locally as Jacob Smart Boulevard and has an interchange with I-95 at Exit 22, which it joins in an overlap until Point South at Exit 33. The road is mainly four lanes wide, with some segments having a center turn lane, although it becomes a four-lane divided highway north of downtown Ridgeland before joining I-95 in the aforementioned overlap.
overlaps US 17 from northern Hardeeville, before veering west onto Third Street and then Grays Highway towards Augusta, Georgia, and Atlanta.
, Ridgeland's Main Street, runs eastward from its starting point at U.S. 321 in Tillman. Within Ridgeland it intersects U.S. 17, goes under I-95 at Exit 21, and continues eastward towards the hamlet of Old House at SC 462.
Rail
The CSX Railway's Charleston Subdivision currently operates both freight trains and passenger trains along the lines, but do not stop at Ridgeland. The line runs along the west side of US 17 until the south end of the I-95 overlap, where it then runs along Nuna Rock Road until it reaches Coosawhatchie.
