Historically, this region was rural, with the farming communities of Fruitvale, Rosedale, and Greenacres.

The area incorporated by the city is primarily residential and retail, including some commercial.

[1] It will employ a building policy where residential, commercial, and retail spaces will be constructed closely together to allow for easy access by foot.

Its design will emulate a main street, similar to The Grove in Los Angeles.

[3] Riverlakes Ranch also contains the Northwest Promenade, a shopping center nearly a mile long that contains anchors such as Walmart, Target, The Home Depot, Office Depot, Ross Dress for Less, Kohl's, Best Buy, Petco, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Cost Plus World Market.