Ririe, Idaho
Encyclopedia
Ririe is a city in Bonneville
and Jefferson
counties (mostly Jefferson) in the eastern part of the U.S. state
of Idaho
. It is part of the Idaho Falls, Idaho
Metropolitan Statistical Area
. The population was 656 at the 2010 census.
A large fire during the early 1980s destroyed much of the southern half of the town, but since then, the Elementary School/High School complex, an athletic field and an LDS Stake Center have been built in the area. Since 2007, nearly a thousand acres (4 km²) have been annexed into the town, ostensibly in anticipation of future development.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²), all of it land.
(a.k.a. "the Site"), a regional division of the Department of Energy
that focuses on nuclear energy
and security technology. Others work in various occupations in the surrounding communities.
Ririe is one of only three cities in Idaho situated astride county lines. Ririe is approximately equidistant from three larger cities--Idaho Falls
, Rexburg
, and Rigby
, each about a half-hour away. These communities provide Ririe residents easy access to shopping, restaurants, entertainment, and other city amenities.
Because of its unique location and small size, Ririe has become, in effect, a "bedroom" community with little retail commerce of its own. There have been several startup business attempts in the city, most failing within the first year or two. In addition to the several local grain elevators, the few small-town businesses that have succeeded are loyally supported. These include three gas stations, three restaurants, two convenience stores, a bank, an auto parts store, an auto repair shop, a metal design and fabrication shop, and two bars. The city also includes a post office, a senior citizen community center, a community library, a city park, and a community cemetery.
The community has a small independent school system, consisting of Ririe Middle School and a newly-renovated and enlarged Ririe Elementary School and Ririe High School
complex. Ririe also has its own community fire station, which provides volunteer EMS and fire-fighting to the area.
The predominant religion, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is ubiquitous in city culture. The majority of city residents identify themselves as members, and two large church buildings serve as centers for many community activities. There is also a small non-denominational church in the community supported by a handful of loyal members.
Based in the heart of the Rocky Mountains
and near the south fork of the Snake River
, a large number of outdoor activities are available, including snowmobiling, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, hunting, boating and fishing. Heise Hot Springs, a local recreation area, provides facilities for golfing, camping and year-round swimming. The Kelly Canyon
Ski Area, a small ski resort with 4 chairlifts, offers day and night skiing in the winter.
of 2010, there were 656 people, and 239 households in the city. The population density
was 2,186.6 people per square mile (820/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.28% White, 1.06% Native American, 6.40% from other races
, and 6.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.65% of the population.
Bonneville County, Idaho
Bonneville County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2010 census, the county had a population of 104,234. Its county seat and largest city is Idaho Falls...
and Jefferson
Jefferson County, Idaho
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. The county was established in 1913, and was named after Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. President. As of the 2000 Census the county had a population of 19,155 . The county seat and largest city is Rigby...
counties (mostly Jefferson) in the eastern part of the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
. It is part of the Idaho Falls, Idaho
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Idaho Falls is a city in and the county seat of Bonneville County, Idaho, United States, and the largest city in Eastern Idaho. As of the 2010 census, the population of Idaho Falls was 56,813, with a metro population of 130,374....
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Idaho Falls metropolitan area
The Idaho Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in eastern Idaho, anchored by the city of Idaho Falls...
. The population was 656 at the 2010 census.
History
The city of Ririe was named for one its first homesteaders, David Ririe. A Utah resident, Ririe settled in the area in 1888, and began cultivating a small claim of land. In 1891, Joseph Lovell and his family settled on an adjoining area and began farming. That winter, however, Joseph died of illness, leaving his family alone and isolated. David Ririe helped the widowed family to establish their farm, and eventually married one of the Lovell daughters, Leah Ann. The families flourished in the area, and David eventually built a large stone house, which stands today, to house his large family. As more residents settled in the area, the common need for schools and churches help foster a community. However, the city of Ririe was formally established in 1914. That year the railroad was routed through the city and Ririe was given its name by railroad officials. The small community of Shelton was absorbed by Ririe, but several buildings and sites continue to bear the Shelton name, such as the Ririe-Shelton Cemetery.A large fire during the early 1980s destroyed much of the southern half of the town, but since then, the Elementary School/High School complex, an athletic field and an LDS Stake Center have been built in the area. Since 2007, nearly a thousand acres (4 km²) have been annexed into the town, ostensibly in anticipation of future development.
Geography
Ririe is located at 43°37′48"N 111°46′23"W (43.629998, -111.773012).According to the United States Census Bureau
United 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 city has a total area of 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²), all of it land.
Culture
Ririe and its surrounding area are largely dependent on a farming economy. The major crops grown in the area are wheat, barley, alfalfa, and potatoes. Many community residents either farm their own land or work in some aspect of farm support, including supplying farm equipment, coordinating crop buyers, etc. In addition to those who farm, many residents work at the Idaho National LaboratoryIdaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory is an complex located in the high desert of eastern Idaho, between the town of Arco to the west and the cities of Idaho Falls and Blackfoot to the east. It lies within Butte, Bingham, Bonneville and Jefferson counties...
(a.k.a. "the Site"), a regional division of the Department of Energy
United States Department of Energy
The United States Department of Energy is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government concerned with the United States' policies regarding energy and safety in handling nuclear material...
that focuses on nuclear energy
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...
and security technology. Others work in various occupations in the surrounding communities.
Ririe is one of only three cities in Idaho situated astride county lines. Ririe is approximately equidistant from three larger cities--Idaho Falls
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Idaho Falls is a city in and the county seat of Bonneville County, Idaho, United States, and the largest city in Eastern Idaho. As of the 2010 census, the population of Idaho Falls was 56,813, with a metro population of 130,374....
, Rexburg
Rexburg, Idaho
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 17,257 people, 4,274 households, and 2,393 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,534.4 people per square mile . There were 4,533 housing units at an average density of 928.4 per square mile...
, and Rigby
Rigby, Idaho
Rigby is a small city in and the county seat of Jefferson County, Idaho, United States. The population was 2,998 at the 2000 census.The larger "Rigby area" includes such outlying unincorporated communities as Annis, Garfield, Grant, Labelle, and Clark...
, each about a half-hour away. These communities provide Ririe residents easy access to shopping, restaurants, entertainment, and other city amenities.
Because of its unique location and small size, Ririe has become, in effect, a "bedroom" community with little retail commerce of its own. There have been several startup business attempts in the city, most failing within the first year or two. In addition to the several local grain elevators, the few small-town businesses that have succeeded are loyally supported. These include three gas stations, three restaurants, two convenience stores, a bank, an auto parts store, an auto repair shop, a metal design and fabrication shop, and two bars. The city also includes a post office, a senior citizen community center, a community library, a city park, and a community cemetery.
The community has a small independent school system, consisting of Ririe Middle School and a newly-renovated and enlarged Ririe Elementary School and Ririe High School
Ririe High School
Ririe High School is a public high school in Ririe, Idaho.Historically, it is notable for being the first school in USA history to sue to withdraw from a County School District...
complex. Ririe also has its own community fire station, which provides volunteer EMS and fire-fighting to the area.
The predominant religion, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is ubiquitous in city culture. The majority of city residents identify themselves as members, and two large church buildings serve as centers for many community activities. There is also a small non-denominational church in the community supported by a handful of loyal members.
Based in the heart of the Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
and near the south fork of the Snake River
Snake River
The Snake is a major river of the greater Pacific Northwest in the United States. At long, it is the largest tributary of the Columbia River, the largest North American river that empties into the Pacific Ocean...
, a large number of outdoor activities are available, including snowmobiling, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, hunting, boating and fishing. Heise Hot Springs, a local recreation area, provides facilities for golfing, camping and year-round swimming. The Kelly Canyon
Kelly Canyon
Kelly Canyon is an alpine ski area in eastern Idaho, in the Targhee National Forest. Northeast of Idaho Falls, it straddles the county line in the southeastern corner of Jefferson County and also in southern Madison County. The ski area opened in 1957, founded by E. Bud Johnson.The summit is at an...
Ski Area, a small ski resort with 4 chairlifts, offers day and night skiing in the winter.
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 2010, there were 656 people, and 239 households in the city. 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 2,186.6 people per square mile (820/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.28% White, 1.06% Native American, 6.40% 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 6.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.65% of the population.