County of Riverside, CA

Our Mission and Responsibilities

The County Executive Office's mission is to support and implement board policies and priorities, provide organizational direction and leadership, and foster efficient and effective management of the county workforce and activities.

The Executive Office performs and ensures:

• Strategic planning
• Accountability to achieve excellence in public service
• Vital relationship-building and partnerships with residents and community leaders
• Development of an annual budget
• Execution of all resolutions and orders of our Board of Supervisors

Riverside County is located in Southern California and was founded on May 9, 1893. It is one of the fastest-growing regions in the state and is the 10th-most populous county in the United States.

Geography

• Location: The county stretches from the border with Arizona on the east to Orange County on the west. It also shares borders with San Bernardino County, San Diego County, and Imperial County.
• County seat: The city of Riverside serves as the county seat.
• Land area: Covering 7,206 square miles, Riverside County is roughly the size of the state of New Jersey. Its vast area means that parts of the county can be a three-hour drive from the county seat.
• Climate and landscape: The western portion of the county has a Mediterranean climate, while the central and eastern regions are primarily mountainous or desert.
• Geographic features: Prominent features include parts of Joshua Tree National Park and the Coachella Valley, home to desert resort cities like Palm Springs and Palm Desert.

Economy and demographics

• Economy: Between 2007 and 2011, many Los Angeles-area workers moved to the county for more affordable housing. It has since become a major part of the Greater Los Angeles Area.
• Population: The county had a population of 2,418,185 as of the 2020 Census.
• Higher education: It is home to numerous colleges and universities, including the University of California, Riverside, and Riverside City College.

History

• Indigenous people: Before European settlement, the area was the ancestral home of several Indigenous peoples, including the Cahuilla, Serrano, and Tongva.
• Origin of name: The county is named after the city of Riverside, which itself was named for its location near the Santa Ana River.
• Indian gaming: Following a 1987 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that favored local tribes in a dispute over bingo halls, the county became a center for Native American gaming enterprises.

Government and infrastructure

• Government: The county has a Council–CEO form of government, led by a Board of Supervisors.
• Law enforcement: The Riverside County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement services throughout much of the region.

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