As of the census^[1] of 2000, there were 12,478 people, 4,389 households, and 3,107 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,926.3 people per square mile (1,130.9/km²). There were 4,590 housing units at an average density of 1,076.4 per square mile (416.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 20.09% White, 67.42% African American, 0.30% Native American, 7.73% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 2.28% from other races, and 2.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.81% of the population.

There were 4,389 households out of which 44.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.3% were married couples living together, 25.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.2% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.32.

In the city the population was spread out with 32.5% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 36.1% from 25 to 44, 16.4% from 45 to 64, and 5.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 87.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,530, and the median income for a family was $42,323. Males had a median income of $30,802 versus $26,102 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,377. About 10.6% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.0% of those under age 18 and 18.8% of those age 65 or over.

History

The area now known as Riverdale was settled sometime before the Civil War. In 1887, a railroad, built from Atlanta and Fort Valley, passed through Riverdale. Farmers in the area provided wood for the railroad. In turn, the farmers would get fertilizer. As the railroad grew, it needed more land. Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Rivers donated their land in order for the railroad to grow, and their land grew to become one of the main stops on the railroad.

In 1908, the city was incorporated with the name Riverdale, named in honor of Mr. W.S. Rivers.^[4]

Politics

In recent years, Riverdale politics has been seen by many to be characterized by cronyism,^[5] mudslinging, conflicts of interest, and racial tensions.^[6]

The city is governed by a mayor and four council members who are elected at large. The city is managed by a city manager who has several direct reports from various city departments.

Over the years, the mayor and council had a colorful history. For more than a decade, only women have served as mayor. In addition, the city has also had a transgender council woman. Through approval and disapproval of her gender and politics, she made press on several occasions.

Transportation

State highways

• Georgia State Route 85 (Clark Howell Memorial Hwy)
• Georgia State Route 138 (Martin Luther King Jr. Hwy)
• Georgia State Route 139 (Main St./Riverdale Rd.)
• Georgia State Route 314 (Fayetteville Rd.)

Main roads

These are roads with more than four lanes.

• Gardenwalk Boulevard
• Lamar Hutcheson Parkway
• Pointe South Parkway
• Upper Riverdale Road

Minor roads

These are roads with two to four lanes

• Church Street
• Roberts Drive
• Taylor Road
• Valley Hill Road
• Bethsaida Road
• Helmer Road
• Thomas Road
• E. Fayetteville Road

Interstate

• I-75

·         exit 237A - Georgia State Route 85 south (southbound exit only)

Education

Schools in Riverdale are in the Clayton County School System.

• Elementary

·         Church St. Elementary

·         E.W. Oliver Elementary

·         Lake Ridge Elementary

·         Lewis Academy of Excellence

·         Harper Elementary

·         Pointe South Elementary

·         Riverdale Elementary

• Middle

·         Riverdale Middle

·         Sequoyah Middle

·         Pointe South Middle

·         Kendrick Middle

• High

·         Riverdale High

·         Charles R. Drew High School^[7]

Shopping

Riverdale's Main Shopping district is along S.R. 85, between S.R. 138 and Gardenwalk Blvd, with a number of Asian, Hispanic, and African cultural stores.

The city had been slated to develop a new “town center” since 2007. The plans to construct this public-private development came after the city received funds under the Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) from the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC).^[8] The city had abandoned plans to develop the new town center behind the Home Depot on Lamar Hutcheson Pkwy. due to questionable reasons. The city now plans to bring the new town center to Travon Wilson Memorial Park which the city owns. There has been a huge concern from the public about the current plans including: loss of public recreation space; the loss of the memorial to Travon Wilson, a young boy who was killed in the park in 2004; and the feasibility of the city to even commit to development or truly attract private development. The city had planned to begin the project late summer 2008. The new city hall and multipurpose center would have been developed first. City officials remain convinced that a halo effect will attract new business and revitalize the area surrounding the new town center.^{[citation needed]}

Parks

The city currently has three parks, all within a mile of each other:

• Travon D. Wilson Memorial Park on Church St. behind the Merchant Shopping Center.
• Church Park on Wilson Rd. behind the First Baptist Church of Riverdale.
• Banks Park on Main St. and West St. next to city hall.

References

1.       ^ ^{a b} "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.

2.       ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.

3.       ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31.

4.       ^ http://www.riverdalega.gov/index.aspx?nid=136

5.       ^ http://www.washblade.com/2007/10-19/news/national/11419.cfm

6.       ^ http://www.cviog.uga.edu/spotlight/news/item.php?id=160

7.       ^ http://blogs.ajc.com/clayton-talk/2009/03/30/charles-r-drew-high-school-will-set-the-bar-high/?cxntfid=blogs_clayton_talk

8.       ^ http://www.atlantaregional.com/html/323.aspx

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