The town was originally named Equity. The name was changed to Ryley on November 1, 1908. The village was named after George Urquhart Ryley, Grand Trunk Pacific Railway Land Commissioner at the time.
The Post Office opened on April 1, 1907.

YEAR	POPULATION
1911	110
1921	202
1931	236
1941	323
1951	406
1961	469
1971	438

*
1908


1910

*
1956