Compared with other cities in Southern California, real estate prices in Riverside are significantly lower than those in adjacent counties. This has led to steady growth in Riverside. Consequently, this has also contributed to heavy traffic as residents from Riverside commute to job centers in Orange County and Los Angeles.
In the 2000s, Riverside has been listed by various research groups as having some of the United States' most severe air pollution and congestion. Smart Growth America lists Riverside as the most sprawling city in the nation. However, according to the United States Bureau of the Census, the corresponding Riverside-San Bernardino urbanized area had a population density of 3,400 per square mile in 2000, slightly above that of Portland, Oregon, which is often cited as an example of having contained urban sprawl (suburbanization). Riverside is also the 20th most congested city in the United States because of traffic, this has decreased though, Riverside used to be before number 20.
These Statistics are from 2000 and need to be updated to 2007 via the U.S. Census Bureau Website
There were 93,405 occupied households out of which 44.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.0% were non-families, 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.6% had someone living alone 65 or older. The average household size was 3.15 and average family size 3.70.
As of the census of 2000, the population density was 3,267.2 people per square mile (1,261.5/km²). There were 85,974 housing units at an average density of 1,100.8/sq mi (425.0/km²). It is noteworthy that Riverside has the largest population of Mexican-Americans concentrated in any one city located in the Inland Empire, totaling nearly 150,000.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.1% under the age of 18, 12.9% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $41,66, and the median income for a family was $47,254. Males had a median income of $36,920 versus $28,328 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,882. About 11.7% of families and 15.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.9% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.
Riverside is served by three major freeways, the I-215, the State Route 60, and the State Route 91. These three freeways meet in north-eastern Riverside at the rebuilt 60/91/215 interchange that was completed in late 2007.
The constant construction on Riverside freeways has taken its toll on Riverside's image. The area near the 60/91/215 interchange had a reputation as being one of the worst interchanges in the nation due to its location in a turn, continued construction, short exit time, and other factors.
The city contains two Metrolink commuter rail stations, Riverside-Downtown and Riverside-La Sierra. Both are served by the Inland Empire-Orange County and 91 Lines, and the Downtown station is served by the Riverside Line on weekdays, and the San Bernardino Line on weekends.
Local bus service is provided by the Riverside Transit Agency Service is relatively limited, though this is common for the region. Recently, the agency proposed a new Bus Rapid Transit route to travel along the current Route 1 from the University of California to Corona. The project was due in the summer of 2005, and as of writing is still stalled in the planning stages.
Riverside Municipal Airport (FAA designator: RAL) has a 5,400-foot (1,600 m) runway.