Riverdale is a city in Clayton County, Georgia, United States. The population was 15,129 in 2020. Riverdale is a suburb just south of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport and is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area.

History

The area now known as Riverdale was settled before the Civil War. Riverdale was founded in 1886, when the railroad was extended to that point. In 1908, the city was incorporated with the name Riverdale, named in honor of Mr. W.S. Rivers, the original owner of the town site who donated his land to the railroad company. Monroe Huie, a farmer, conceived a notion to supply wood to the local railway network. Whenever the train arrived to collect wood, it also delivered fertilizer to the region. As a result, the sales of fertilizer became the primary business endeavor in the area. Prior to the construction of the spur, fertilizer had to be transported in wagons from the nearby town of Jonesboro.

Geography

Riverdale is in western Clayton County, 12 mi south of downtown Atlanta and 6 mi northwest of Jonesboro, the county seat. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Riverdale has an area of 11.6 sqkm, of which 0.03 sqkm, or 0.22%, is water.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 15,129 people, 5,517 households, and 3,404 families residing in the city.

Parks and recreation

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

Government

The city is governed by a mayor and four council members. Each council member represents the entire city and is elected at-large. Council members come from the four wards that divide the city. The mayor and council appoint a city manager, who has oversight over five departments. They also further appoint a municipal judge and judges pro tempore to serve in the city's municipal court.

Education

Schools in Riverdale are in the Clayton County School System. Schools located in Riverdale include:

Infrastructure

Transportation

State highways

Main roads

These are roads with more than four lanes.

Minor roads

These are roads with two to four lanes. or other 785.

Interstate highway

Interstate 75 passes northeast of the city limits.

Transit

Two MARTA bus routes serve the city, including:

Notable people