Rive-de-Gier is a commune in the Loire department in central France. In 2020, with a population of 15,086 inhabitants and an area of 7.3 km², the population density is 2,058 inhabitants per km² It was an important center of Loire coal mining basin, glass making and iron and steel manufacture in the 19th century. In the late 20th century the town lost most of its heavy industries.