Riga, New York
Encyclopedia
Riga is a town
in Monroe County
, New York
, United States
. The population was 5,590 at the 2010 census.
The Town of Riga is southwest of the City of Rochester on the western border of the county. Locally, the town's name is pronounced RYE-ga, instead of REE-ga like the capital
of Latvia
.
, the town has a total area of 35.3 square miles (91.4 km²), of which, 35.2 square miles (91.2 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.37%) is water.
Riga is bordered on the north by the town of Ogden
, on the east by the town of Chili
, on the west by Genesee County
, and on the south by Genesee County and the town of Wheatland
. Interstate 490
crosses the town.
of 2000, there were 5,437 people, 1,969 households, and 1,518 families residing in the town. The population density
was 154.6 people per square mile (59.7/km²). There were 2,018 housing units at an average density of 57.4 per square mile (22.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.26% White, 0.72% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.09% from other races
, and 1.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.92% of the population.
There were 1,969 households out of which 39.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.9% were married couples
living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.9% were non-families. 18.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the town the population was spread out with 28.3% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $58,842, and the median income for a family was $65,106. Males had a median income of $47,083 versus $31,202 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $23,590. About 3.3% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.3% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.
The Riga area was originally part of Ontario County, set up by the State Legislature in 1789. It later became part of Genesee County. The first organized town between the Genesee River
and Lake Erie
was Northampton. In 1802, Northampton was divided into Leicester, Batavia, Southampton, Northampton, and East and West Pultney - after Sir William Pultney. In 1808 East and West Pultney became East and West Riga, and in 1809 the Town of Riga was formed.
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
in Monroe County
Monroe County, New York
Monroe County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 744,344. It is named after James Monroe, fifth President of the United States of America. Its county seat is the city of Rochester....
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 5,590 at the 2010 census.
The Town of Riga is southwest of the City of Rochester on the western border of the county. Locally, the town's name is pronounced RYE-ga, instead of REE-ga like the capital
Riga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
of Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 35.3 square miles (91.4 km²), of which, 35.2 square miles (91.2 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.37%) is water.
Riga is bordered on the north by the town of Ogden
Ogden, New York
Ogden is a town in Monroe County, New York, USA. The population was 19,856 at the 2010 census.The Erie Canal passes through the Town of Ogden.-Geography:...
, on the east by the town of Chili
Chili, New York
Chili is a town in Monroe County, New York, USA. The population was 28,625 at the 2010 census. It is a suburb of the city of Rochester.The Town of Chili was established in 1822 from part of the Town of Riga....
, on the west by Genesee County
Genesee County, New York
Genesee County is a county located in Western New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 60,079. Its name is from the Seneca Indian word Gen-nis'-hee-yo meaning "The Beautiful Valley." Its county seat is Batavia.- History :...
, and on the south by Genesee County and the town of Wheatland
Wheatland, New York
Wheatland is a town in Monroe County, New York, United States. The population was 4,775 at the 2010 census. The town is home to Genesee Country Village and Museum.The Town of Wheatland is located in the southwest part of the county....
. Interstate 490
Interstate 490 (New York)
Interstate 490 is an auxiliary Interstate Highway that serves the city of Rochester, New York, in the United States. It acts as a northerly alternate route to the New York State Thruway , leaving it at exit 47 in the town of Le Roy and rejoining the highway at exit 45 in the town of...
crosses the town.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 5,437 people, 1,969 households, and 1,518 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 154.6 people per square mile (59.7/km²). There were 2,018 housing units at an average density of 57.4 per square mile (22.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.26% White, 0.72% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.09% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.92% of the population.
There were 1,969 households out of which 39.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.9% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.9% were non-families. 18.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the town the population was spread out with 28.3% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $58,842, and the median income for a family was $65,106. Males had a median income of $47,083 versus $31,202 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $23,590. About 3.3% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.3% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.
History
In the 18th century, the lands of present day Riga were part of the "Mill Seat Tract" deeded by Native Americans to Phelps and Gorham. Soon thereafter, Robert Morris of Philadelphia acquired the land and sold it to the Sir William Pultney's estate in England.The Riga area was originally part of Ontario County, set up by the State Legislature in 1789. It later became part of Genesee County. The first organized town between the Genesee River
Genesee River
The Genesee River is a North American river flowing northward through the Twin Tiers of Pennsylvania and New York. The river provided the original power for the Rochester area's 19th century mills and still provides hydroelectric power for downtown Rochester....
and Lake Erie
Lake Erie
Lake Erie is the fourth largest lake of the five Great Lakes in North America, and the tenth largest globally. It is the southernmost, shallowest, and smallest by volume of the Great Lakes and therefore also has the shortest average water residence time. It is bounded on the north by the...
was Northampton. In 1802, Northampton was divided into Leicester, Batavia, Southampton, Northampton, and East and West Pultney - after Sir William Pultney. In 1808 East and West Pultney became East and West Riga, and in 1809 the Town of Riga was formed.
Government
The town is governed by a Town Board consisting of a Town Supervisor and four Council members, all elected by registered town voters.Communities and locations in Riga
- ChurchvilleChurchville, New YorkChurchville is a village in Monroe County, New York, United States. According to the 2000 census, the population is 1,887. The village is named after Samuel Church, an early settler....
– The Village of Churchville in the northwest part of the town on Route 33New York State Route 33New York State Route 33 is an east–west state highway in western New York in the United States. The route extends for just under from NY 5 in Buffalo in the west to NY 31 in Rochester in the east. It is, in fact, the only state highway that directly connects both cities, although...
. - Churchville Park – A park in the northwest part of the town.
- Five Points – A location east of Riga on Route 33B.
- Riga (or Riga Center) – The hamlet of Riga is on Route 33ANew York State Route 33ANew York State Route 33A is an east–west state highway mostly located in Monroe County, New York, in the United States. The route is just over long and serves as an alternate route of NY 33 between the town of Bergen in Genesee County and the city of Rochester in Monroe County...
.