Central Falls, Rhode Island | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Seal | |
| Motto: "A City With A Bright Future" | |
 Location inProvidence County and the state ofRhode Island. | |
  Central Falls Location in the United States | |
| Coordinates:41°53′30″N71°23′28″W / 41.89167°N 71.39111°W /41.89167; -71.39111 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Rhode Island |
| County | Providence |
| Settled | 1675 |
| Incorporated | February 25, 1895 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-council |
| • Mayor | Maria Rivera |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.27 sq mi (3.30 km2) |
| • Land | 1.19 sq mi (3.09 km2) |
| • Water | 0.081 sq mi (0.21 km2) |
| Elevation | 85 ft (26 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 22,583 |
| • Density | 18,913.8/sq mi (7,302.64/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (Eastern) |
| ZIP Code | 02863 |
| Area code | 401 |
| FIPS code | 44-14140[4] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1218931[2] |
| Website | www.centralfallsri.us |
Central Falls is a city inProvidence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 22,583 at the2020 census. With an area of only 1.29 square miles (3.3 km2), it is the smallest[5] and most densely populated city in the smallest state, and the23rd most densely populated incorporated place in the United States. It is also one of only four incorporated places in New England that have a higher population density than the city ofBoston (ranking second, behind the Massachusetts city ofSomerville, aninner suburb of Boston). The city takes its name from awaterfall on theBlackstone River.
Central Falls went intoreceivership in May 2010,[6] then filed for bankruptcy on August 1, 2011.[7][8] After cutting jobs and services, it came out of bankruptcy in September 2012.[9]
BeforeEuropeans arrived, the area was home toNipmuc,Wampanoag andNarragansett peoples.
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Central Falls has historic significance as the site of a major battle duringKing Philip's War. It was here, on March 26, 1676, that Narragansett Indians ambushed Captain Michael Pierce and his Plymouth Colony troops who (with 20 Christian Wampanoag Indians) were pursuing them. Nearly all those ambushed were killed, including nine taken prisoner and later tortured to death at nearbyCumberland. A stone memorial marks the mass grave at the site known as "Nine Men's Misery".[10]
In the 18th century, Captain Stephen Jenks built a trip hammer and blacksmith shop along theBlackstone River, forming the nucleus of what eventually became Central Falls. Other manufacturers, including a chocolate maker, set up shop in the building, and the new village became known as Chocolateville.
In 1824, Jenks suggested the name Central Falls, thus giving the village its permanent name. Central Falls was incorporated as a town in 1730.
Originally, Central Falls was one of the many villages within the town ofSmithfield, but in 1871, having experienced a growth spurt, it split into three smaller towns: Smithfield,North Smithfield andLincoln. Central Falls then became part of the town of Lincoln. Lincoln experienced its own growth spurt, so in 1895 Lincoln split into two towns, giving rise to the city of Central Falls.
WhileQuakers made up the majority of the first European settlers in the area, they were soon followed by a diverse mix of immigrants fromIreland,Scotland andFrench Canada. By the 20th century, Central Falls had experienced its own population explosion and for a while was the nation's most densely populated city.
In 1922, Central Falls' textile mills were temporarily shut down by theNew England Textile Strike over an attempted wage cut and hours increase.[11][12]
In recent decades, a large number ofHispanic immigrants have resided in Central Falls. Central Falls has historically been an extremely diverse city, so much so that when the city celebrated its 100th anniversary with a parade in 1995, more than 100 countries were represented.
Central Falls is located at41°53′24″N71°23′33″W / 41.89000°N 71.39250°W /41.89000; -71.39250 (41.889863, −71.392606).[5]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km2), of which 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (6.20%) is water. It is drained by theBlackstone River.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 18,167 | — | |
| 1910 | 22,754 | 25.2% | |
| 1920 | 24,174 | 6.2% | |
| 1930 | 25,808 | 6.8% | |
| 1940 | 25,248 | −2.2% | |
| 1950 | 23,550 | −6.7% | |
| 1960 | 19,858 | −15.7% | |
| 1970 | 18,716 | −5.8% | |
| 1980 | 16,995 | −9.2% | |
| 1990 | 17,637 | 3.8% | |
| 2000 | 18,928 | 7.3% | |
| 2010 | 19,376 | 2.4% | |
| 2020 | 22,583 | 16.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[3] | |||
The2020 United States census counted 22,583 people, 7,700 households, and 4,315 families in Central Falls. The population density was 18,913.7 per square mile (7,302.6/km2). There were 8,191 housing units at an average density of 6,860.1 per square mile (2,648.7/km2).[13][14] The racial makeup was 27.93% (6,308)white orEuropean American (18.36%non-Hispanic white), 7.47% (1,687)black orAfrican-American, 2.32% (523)Native American orAlaska Native, 0.59% (134)Asian, 0.08% (17)Pacific Islander orNative Hawaiian, 39.14% (8,840) fromother races, and 22.47% (5,074) fromtwo or more races.[15]Hispanic orLatino of any race was 65.32% (14,752) of the population.[16]
Of the 7,700 households, 43.0% had children under the age of 18; 31.9% were married couples living together; 36.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 26.4% of households consisted of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[13] The average household size was 3.1 and the average family size was 3.7.[17] The percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher was estimated to be 5.2% of the population.[18]
28.4% of the population was under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31.4 years. For every 100 females, the population had 97.4 males.[13] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 98.8 males.[13]
The 2016-2020 5-yearAmerican Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $34,689 (with a margin of error of +/- $2,947) and the median family income was $36,928 (+/- $4,820). Males had a median income of $24,390 (+/- $2,861) versus $21,893 (+/- $3,074) for females.[19] The median income for those above 16 years old was $23,205 (+/- $2,867).[20] Approximately, 23.7% of families and 29.9% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 39.4% of those under the age of 18 and 17.8% of those ages 65 or over.[21][22]
As of the2010 U.S. census, Central Falls was the only majority-minority municipality in Rhode Island with 60.31 percent of its residents identifying as Hispanic/Latino with Puerto Ricans, Guatemalans, and Colombians making up the largest share among the ethnicity.[23]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, Central Falls had a median household income of $28,901 during the 2012-2016 estimates, making it the poorest municipality in Rhode Island.[24]
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 18,928 people, 6,696 households, and 4,359 families residing in the city. The population density was 15,652.0 inhabitants per square mile (6,043.3/km2). There were 7,270 housing units at an average density of 6,011.7 per square mile (2,321.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 57.16% White, 5.82% African American, 0.57% Native American, 0.68% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 28.35% from other races, and 7.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 47.77% of the population.
There were 6,696 households, out of which 38.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.4% weremarried couples living together, 21.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.38.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.2% under the age of 18, 11.8% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 15.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $22,628, and the median income for a family was $26,844. Males had a median income of $23,854 versus $18,544 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $10,825. About 25.9% of families and 29.0% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 40.8% of those under age 18 and 29.3% of those age 65 or over.
Residents are served by theCentral Falls School District. This school district is funded and appointed by theState of Rhode Island Department of Education.
In February 2010, the entire faculty and administrative staff of Central Falls High School was fired after the teachers' union refused to accept one of the "No Child Left Behind" options for restructuring failing schools. In accordance with NCLB legislation, schools deemed failing have four options to follow for restructuring. The superintendent chose the "turnaround model", which requires a district to fire the entire staff (teachers and administrators). They may rehire up to 50% of the teachers for the beginning of the next school year. The school has a graduation rate of around 50%, and 7% of 11th-graders were proficient in mathematics in 2009.[25] This school had been identified as one of the worst in the state. The teachers' union sued the school district, challenging the requirement that teachers reapply for their jobs.[26] TheObama administration sided with the school board. In May 2010, the teachers were rehired when they agreed to work the extra time required.[27]
As of the2000 U.S. census, 5.9% of Central Falls residents 25 and older have a bachelor's or advanced college degree.[28]
There has been at least one Catholic school in Central Falls since 1895. By 1908, there were three: St. Matthew's, Holy Trinity, and Notre Dame. In 1995, these three schools combined to create St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Academy, which is in the building originally serving St. Matthew's. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Academy is the only non-public school in Central Falls.
In theRhode Island Senate, Central Falls is in the 16th District, represented byDemocrat Jonathan Acosta. At the federal level, Central Falls is a part ofRhode Island's 1st congressional district, represented by DemocratGabe Amo.
The city has a mayor-council government led by Mayor Maria Rivera. The city council consists of five wards and is represented by Jonathan Acosta, Robert Ferri, Hugo Figueroa, Franklin Solano, and Jessica Vega.[29]
ThePawtucket Water Supply Board owns and operates the water system.[30]
On April 25, 2010, theProvidence Journal Bulletin ran an article detailing rampant fraud and corruption by Mayor Charles D. Moreau, outlining no-bid contracts and kickbacks from a high school friend, Michael G. Bouthillette, who was granted almost $2 million in overpriced property boarding fees. The article further states that Bouthillette gave him a $6,875 furnace for his home for only $6,000, which Moreau said he paid in cash. Bouthillette was a donor to Moreau's multiple reelection campaigns. These allegations and others are being investigated by theRhode Island State Police.[31]
Central Falls's government's financial straits worsened in the 2000s as the state cut money to cities and towns, andpensions and pensioner health insurance for city employees accumulated to the extent that the city government declared insolvency in May 2010 and went intoreceivership.[32] On August 1, 2011, Central Falls filed for bankruptcy underChapter 9, Title 11 of the United States Code. It made the filing as it grappled with an $80 million unfunded pension and retiree health benefit liability that was over five times its annual budget of $17 million.[needs update]
Like most othermajority-minority urban municipalities, Central Falls is overwhelmingly Democratic in presidential elections. No Republican has come remotely close to winning the city in over three decades, during which time voters have consistently backed Democratic nominees with lopsided majorities. In 2020, however, Donald Trump won a massive increase in the vote, mirroring his performance in other majority-Hispanic areas. Despite this, Joe Biden still won by an overwhelming percentage.
| Year | GOP | DEM | Others |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 34.3%1,265 | 63.4%2,335 | 2.3%84 |
| 2020 | 26.05%1,113 | 71.93%3,073 | 2.02%86 |
| 2016 | 15.51%657 | 80.12%3,394 | 4.37%185 |
| 2012 | 12.89%512 | 85.87%3,410 | 1.23%49 |
| 2008 | 16.97%661 | 81.95%3,191 | 1.08%42 |
| 2004 | 23.05%807 | 75.61%2,647 | 1.34%47 |
| 2000 | 17.57%611 | 79.07%2,750 | 3.36%117 |
| 1996 | 13.68%486 | 76.75%2,727 | 9.57%340 |
| 1992 | 23.39%955 | 55.57%2,269 | 21.04%859 |
| 1988 | 33.36%1,493 | 66.24%2,964 | 0.40%18 |
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