Riviera, Texas
Census-designated place
Riviera Show map of Texas Riviera Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 27°17′55″N 97°48′54″W / 27.29861°N 97.81500°W / 27.29861; -97.81500
Country	United States
State	Texas
County	Kleberg
Area
• Total	9.59 km2 (3.70 sq mi)
• Land	9.55 km2 (3.69 sq mi)
• Water	0.04 km2 (0.02 sq mi)
Elevation	11 m (37 ft)
Population  (2010)
• Total	689
• Density	72.1/km2 (187/sq mi)
Time zone	CST
• Summer (DST)	CDT
ZIP code	78379
Area code	361
FIPS code	48-62468
GNIS feature ID	1345283

Riviera is a census-designated place and unincorporated community in Kleberg County, Texas, United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 689.^[1] It is located 15 miles (24 km) south of Kingsville on U.S. Route 77 (Future Interstate 69E) and 22 miles (35 km) 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 60 miles (97 km) 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.^[2]

• Grades: 7–12 Kaufer High School
• Grades: PK–6 Nanny Elementary School