Riviera, Texas
Riviera is a census-designated place in Kleberg County, Texas, United States. As of the 2022 census, it had a population of 758. It is located south of Kingsville on U.S. Route 77 and northeast of Falfurrias on Texas State Highway 285.
History
Riviera was founded in 1906 by Theodore Fredrick Koch, a land promoter. He purchased land from the King Ranch to sell to landseekers. He built a townsite along the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway and named it after the French Riviera. Koch ran a train from Chicago to Riviera twice a month to bring more people to the area. Riviera witnessed growth in its first few years, but a drought hit the area in 1915 and then a terrible hurricane hit the area in 1916. When U.S. Highway 77 was constructed, it helped the economy get back on its feet. Now its economy depends on farming. It is also the last stop for about to Raymondville, going south, so its gas stations and restaurants are used by many travelers heading in that direction.Education
Riviera is served by Riviera Independent School District.- Grades: 9-12 Kaufer High School
- Grades: PK–5 Nanny Elementary School
- Grades: 6-8 De la Paz Middle School
Demographics
Riviera first appeared as a census designated place in the 2010 U.S. census.| Race / Ethnicity | Pop 2010 | % 2010 | ||
| White alone | 180 | 161 | 26.12% | 26.44% |
| Black or African American alone | 1 | 7 | 0.15% | 1.15% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone | 0 | 2 | 0.00% | 0.33% |
| Asian alone | 1 | 4 | 0.15% | 0.66% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Other race alone | 1 | 1 | 0.15% | 0.16% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial | 0 | 4 | 0.00% | 0.66% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 506 | 430 | 73.44% | 70.61% |
| Total | 689 | 609 | 100.00% | 100.00% |