Ririe, Idaho
Location in Jefferson County and the state of Idaho
Coordinates: 43°37′48″N 111°46′23″W / 43.63, -111.77306
Country	United States
State	Idaho
Counties	Jefferson, Bonneville
Area
- Total	0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²)
- Land	0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²)
- Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²)
Elevation	4,964 ft (1,513 m)
Population (2000)
- Total	545
- Density	1,869.5/sq mi (721.8/km²)
Time zone	Mountain (MST) (UTC-7)
- Summer (DST)	MDT (UTC-6)
ZIP code	83443
Area code(s)	208
FIPS code	16-67960
GNIS feature ID	0398047

Ririe is a city in Jefferson and Bonneville 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 545 at the 2000 census.

History

The city of Ririe was named for its first homesteader, 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 home to house his large family, which stands today. As more residents settled in the area, the common need for schools and churches help foster a community. However, Ririe was truly established in 1914, when the railroad was routed through the city as a way to transport crops. The small community of Shelton was absorbed by Ririe, but the Shelton Cemetery is still there (Moore).

Geography

Ririe is located at 43°37′48″N, 111°46′23″W (43.629998, -111.773012)^[1].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.3 square miles (0.8 km²), all of it land.

Culture

The economy of Ririe and the surrounding area is largely dependent on farming. The major crops are wheat, barley, alfalfa, and potatoes. In fact, up until recently, during the annual potato harvest season in September, school was let out for 2 weeks for "Spud vacation," allowing teenagers to help out in the labor-intensive work. The large majority of the city either farms their own land or works in some aspect of farm support, such as supplying farm equipment or coordinating crop buyers. In addition to farming, a large number of residents work at the Idaho National Laboratory (a.k.a. the Site), a regional division of the Department of Energy that focuses on nuclear energy and security technology.

Ririe is equidistant from 2 relatively larger cities--Idaho Falls and Rexburg--both about a half-hour away. These provide Ririe easy access to shopping, restaurants, entertainment, and other city amenities. Because of its unique location and tiny size, Ririe has been turned into a functional suburb, with little retail commerce of its own. There have been several business startup attempts in the city, most failing within the first year. It does have an independent school system, consisting of an Ririe Elementary School, Ririe Middle School, and Ririe High School. The city also includes a post office, senior citizen community center, community library, city park, and city cemetery. The several small-town businesses that have succeeded are loyally supported, including 3 gas stations, 2 convenience stores, a bank, 1 auto parts store, and 2 bars. Ririe also has its own community fire station, associated with Central Fire District, 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 overwhelming majority of the city count themselves as members, and 2 large church buildings serve as centers for many community activities. There is also a small Lutheran parish in the community with a handful of loyal members.

In terms of entertainment, Ririe, in the heart of the Rocky Mountains and on the edge of the Snake River, is a paradise of outdoor activities. Snowmobiling, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, hunting, and fishing are all popular. Heise Hot Springs, a local pool, provides year-round swimming. Kelly Canyon, a small ski resort with 4 chairlifts, offers day and night skiing in the winter.

Demographics

As of the census^[2] of 2000, there were 545 people, 191 households, and 131 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,869.5 people per square mile (725.6/km²). There were 211 housing units at an average density of 723.8/sq mi (280.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.76% White, 0.73% Native American, 4.59% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.62% of the population.

There were 191 households out of which 42.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.60.

In the city the population was spread out with 36.3% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 16.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,019, and the median income for a family was $30,000. Males had a median income of $26,250 versus $17,727 for females. The per capita income for the city was $10,578. About 12.7% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.9% of those under age 18 and 16.0% of those age 65 or over.

References

1. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
2. ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.

External links

• Ririe, Idaho is at coordinates 43°37′48″N 111°46′23″W / 43.629998, -111.773012 (Ririe, Idaho)Coordinates: 43°37′48″N 111°46′23″W / 43.629998, -111.773012 (Ririe, Idaho)
• Ririe genealogical site
• Ririe history and trivia
• Photographic art Project by Travis Lovell--Ririe: You Just Thought You Were Lost
• Map of Ririe from the Libre Map Project (3.82 MB)

v â€¢ d â€¢ e Municipalities and communities of Bonneville County, Idaho
County seat: Idaho Falls
Cities	Ammon | Idaho Falls | Iona | Irwin | Ririe | Swan Valley | Ucon
Unincorporated community	Osgood

v â€¢ d â€¢ e Municipalities and communities of Jefferson County, Idaho
County seat: Rigby
Cities	Hamer | Lewisville | Menan | Mud Lake | Rigby | Ririe | Roberts