Rifton is a hamlet (and census-designated place) in Ulster County, New York, United States. The population was 481 at the 2020 census.
Rifton is home to the Woodcrest Bruderhof and is located near the western town line of the Town of Esopus on Route 213.
History
Rifton had its beginnings as a smattering of several hamlets and communities. Dashville hamlet was the first of the hamlets to be settled. By 1824, several mills had been built along the Wallkill by Ezekiel Eltinge. In 1861, Jeremiah W. Dimick bought the mill in Arnoldton and renamed the community Rifton Glen. Swartekill hamlet was so named because of its location on the Swartekill Creek where it meets the Wallkill; Dutch "swartekill" means "black river" in English. The hamlet was home to powder mills as early as 1865.
Geography
Rifton is located at (41.8375, -74.0378).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , all land.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 501 people, 207 households, and 133 families residing in the CDP. The population density was . There were 235 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the CDP was 94.61% White, 1.40% African American, 0.60% Native American, 0.60% Asian, 0.40% from other races, and 2.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.80% of the population.
In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 25.0% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.9 males. The comprehensive high school of the Kingston City district is Kingston High School.
Notable person
Sojourner Truth was given the name Isabella Baumfree when she was born to slaves on the Hardenbergh farm in Rifton, in what was then Swartekill hamlet.