Riverside, California Population 2023

Riverside was first founded during the 1800s, and it is most known for its role within California’s citrus industry.

Riverside Population Statistics

The most common religion observed throughout Riverside is Christianity, with many Eastern Orthodox, Protestant and Catholic churches located throughout the area. There are also Mormons, Jews, Hindus, and Buddhists, as well as other organizations such as the Inland Empire Atheists and Agnostics.

The city’s economy is based around light-industry and the manufacturing sector. Engineering, technology, and banking are also important. The citrus industry still contributes to the economy but has declined in recent years. The top employer in the city is the County of Riverside, which employs nearly 12,000 residents.

Riverside Population Growth

Riverside, throughout its history, has seen steady growth in population. Between the first censuses in 1890 and 1900, the city’s population grew by over 70%. By the 1970s, the city had over 100,000 inhabitants. By the 1990s, the city had over 200,000 residents. It reached another population milestone in 2010 when its population exceeded 300,000. Recent estimates show that since the last official population in 2010, the community has grown by almost 7%, indicating that while growth has slowed, it will continue on a steady upward trajectory into the future.

The Serrano and Cahuilla people first inhabited the site of what is now Riverside. The first official record of the area was recorded in the 1770s following the exploration of Juan Bautista De Anza. It was officially founded much later, however, in 1869, although some sources claim that it wasn’t founded until the 1870s. It was in 1873 that seedless oranges from Brazil were planted, and Riverside’s temperate climate and other conditions were found to be favorable for growing the oranges, leading to a thriving citrus industry. Less than ten years later, close to half of the 500,000 citrus trees in the state were located in Riverside.

By 1900, Riverside’s thriving industry, combined with refrigerated railroad cars and irrigation systems made Riverside the richest city in the country. It was during this time that the Glenwood Tavern was established. This hotel, which was later renamed the Mission Inn, was visited by many presidents. The city throughout the years continued to grow as many people moved here because of the beautiful homes and prosperous economy.