Cities with "River" in Their Name
Rivers were the original American infrastructure. Before roads were cut and railways laid, the river was the highway — carrying canoes, flatboats, steamers, and barges loaded with goods from the interior to the coast. Towns built beside rivers had access to power, transport, water, and food. It was rarely a coincidence when a settlement sat at a river bend, a confluence, or a ford. And when settlers named those towns, many simply named what they saw.
Quick Stats
By the Numbers
Top 10 States by City Count
Cities by U.S. Region
Most Common Name Patterns
| City Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Riverside | 46 |
| Riverdale | 31 |
| Riverview | 30 |
| Riverton | 25 |
| River Oaks | 12 |
| Riverbend | 12 |
| Township of Riverside | 10 |
| Riverwood | 9 |
Notable Cities
The most historically and culturally significant cities on this list.
Riverside, Arizona
Birthplace of the California citrus industry and Mission Inn
Riverside ignited California's citrus revolution when Brazilian navel orange cuttings were planted here in the 1870s, sparking a statewide agricultural boom. The Mission Inn Hotel — a Spanish Mission Revival landmark built over 30 years — has hosted every U.S. president since William Taft. Riverside sits at the base of the Box Springs Mountains in the Inland Empire.
How far is Riverside from me? →Riverdale, Arkansas
Northern Chicago suburb with strong railroad history
Riverdale is a south suburban Chicago community that grew as a railroad and manufacturing town in the late 19th century. It sits along the Calumet River, which historically connected Chicago's steel mills and industrial facilities to Lake Michigan. The area reflects the broader story of industrial migration to Chicago's south suburbs.
How far is Riverdale from me? →River Falls, Alabama
Wisconsin college town on the Kinnickinnic River, trout fishing capital
River Falls is home to the University of Wisconsin–River Falls and sits on the Kinnickinnic River, one of Wisconsin's premier trout streams. The "Kinni" draws fly anglers from across the Midwest for its cold, clear waters and wild brown and brook trout. The city has served as the summer training camp for the Kansas City Chiefs since 1991.
How far is River Falls from me? →River Rouge, Michigan
Historic Ford River Rouge Complex, once the world's largest factory
River Rouge is home to the Ford River Rouge Complex, the mammoth industrial facility Henry Ford designed to control every step of auto production under one roof. At its 1930s peak, iron ore went in one end and a finished car rolled out every 49 seconds. Diego Rivera painted famous murals depicting the plant, now displayed at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
How far is River Rouge from me? →