The Town FilesRiva, Maryland
Community in Anne Arundel County · population 4,257 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $644,500
- Household income
- $176,094
- Jan low / Jul high
- 30° / 86°
- Snow a year
- 16 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 17
- Median age
- 42.7
Riva is a community of 4,257 people in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. The median home is worth $644,500, above the typical Maryland town ($412,300). It ranks better for families than 94% of Maryland towns, more seaside character than 93% of Maryland towns, more upscale than 90% of Maryland towns.
- #9 in The 19 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Maryland
- #9 in The 11 Most Affordable Seaside Small Towns in Maryland
- #11 in The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Maryland
- #12 in 25 Small Towns in Maryland With the Mildest Winters
- #14 in The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Maryland
- #17 in The 18 Best Affordable Small Towns for Remote Workers in Maryland
How Riva ranks
Percentile among Maryland towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Maryland towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Riva is worth $644,500, above the typical Maryland town ($412,300). Homes cost about 3.7 times the median household income of $176,094, which is more affordable than 57% of Maryland towns. Median rent is $1,875 a month. 96.9% of households own their home.
| Housing | Riva | Typical Maryland town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $644,500 | $412,300 |
| Median rent | $1,875 | $1,748 |
| Median household income | $176,094 | $108,677 |
| Home value ÷ income | 3.7× | 3.8× |
| Homeownership | 96.9% | 77.3% |
| Median year built | 1983 | 1980 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 1.9% | — |
Who lives in Riva
| People | Riva | Typical Maryland town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.7 | 40.2 |
| Age 65 and over | 22.0% | 16.4% |
| Under 18 | 26.1% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 51.4% | 39.4% |
| Below the poverty line | 1.1% | 7.1% |
| Veterans | 10.1% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 7.4% | — |
| Work from home | 24.9% | 17.4% |
| Average commute | 33.4 min | 31.4 min |
| Homes with broadband | 97.4% | 94.3% |
Weather in Riva
July highs average 86.0°F and January lows 29.8°F. About 44.0 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 15.8 inches of snow (typical Maryland town: 15.9 in). Expect about 20 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 56 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
17 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Riva since 1950, compared with 18 for the typical Maryland town. 1 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an EF2, struck on September 1, 2021 about 2.4 miles from the town center. The most recent was on July 31, 2025.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 28 times; the largest was 2.00 inches on June 2, 1998.
Severe weather in Anne Arundel County since 1996
Anne Arundel County has been included in 23 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, hurricane, snowstorm.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| January 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | EM-3634: Severe Winter Storm |
| March 26, 2020 | Biological | DR-4491: Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3430: Covid-19 |
| March 4, 2016 | Snowstorm | DR-4261: Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm |
| November 20, 2012 | Hurricane | DR-4091: Hurricane Sandy |
Jobs and pay in Anne Arundel County
Anne Arundel County had 288,447 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $79,546 a year. Unemployment was 1.8% in 2023; in Riva itself the ACS puts it at 1.2%.
Public schools in Riva
1 public school with 667 students, about 17.6 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davidsonville Elementary | K-5 | 667 | 17.6 |
Towns near Riva
- Edgewater, MD2.1 mi · 9,446 people · home $454,100
- Parole, MD3.6 mi · 17,877 people · home $533,500
- Annapolis, MD4.9 mi · 40,812 people · home $548,900
- Annapolis Neck, MD5.0 mi · 10,973 people · home $739,100
- Mayo, MD5.0 mi · 8,832 people · home $604,900
- Crofton, MD6.8 mi · 29,641 people · home $519,900
- Herald Harbor, MD7.4 mi · 2,869 people · home $598,600
- Bowie, MD8.0 mi · 58,329 people · home $459,300
Riva questions
Is Riva, Maryland a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Riva scores better for retirees than 89% of Maryland towns and quieter than 76%. 22.0% of residents are 65 or older (median age 42.7).
How much does a house cost in Riva?
The median owner-occupied home in Riva is valued at $644,500 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $176,094, so homes cost about 3.7 times income. Median rent is $1,875 a month.
What is the weather like in Riva?
July highs average 86.0°F and January lows 29.8°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 44.0 inches of precipitation a year and 15.8 inches of snow.
Does Riva get tornadoes?
17 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Riva since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was an EF2 on September 1, 2021. The typical Maryland town has had 18.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)