Central Falls is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 22,583 at the 2020 census. With an area of only 1.29 square miles (3.3 km²), it is the smallest and most densely populated city in the smallest state, and the 23rd 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 of Boston (ranking second, behind the Massachusetts city of Somerville, an inner suburb of Boston). The city takes its name from a waterfall on the Blackstone River.

Central Falls went into receivership in May 2010, then filed for bankruptcy on August 1, 2011. After cutting jobs and services, it came out of bankruptcy in September 2012.

History
Geography
Demographics
- 2020 census
- 2010 census
Education
National historic places in Central Falls
Notable people
See also

History

Before Europeans arrived, the area was home to Nipmuc, Wampanoag and Narragansett peoples.

Broad Street c. 1908

U.S. Cotton Co. c. 1910

Central Falls has historic significance as the site of a major battle during King 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 nearby Cumberland, Rhode Island. A stone memorial marks the mass grave at the site known as "Nine Men's Misery".

In the 18th century, Captain Stephen Jenks built a trip hammer and blacksmith shop along the Blackstone 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 of Smithfield, but in 1871, having experienced a growth spurt, it split into three smaller towns: Smithfield, North Smithfield and Lincoln. 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.

While Quakers made up the majority of the first European settlers in the area, they were soon followed by a diverse mix of immigrants from Ireland, Scotland and French 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, it's textile mills were temporarily shutdown by the New England Textile Strike over an attempted wage cut and hours increase.

In recent decades, a large number of Hispanic 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.

Geography

Central Falls is located at 41°53′24″N 71°23′33″W / 41.89000°N 71.39250°W / 41.89000; -71.39250 (41.889863, −71.392606).

According to the United 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 the Blackstone River.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
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

2020 census

The 2020 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). The racial makeup was 27.93% (6,308) white or European American (18.36% non-Hispanic white), 7.47% (1,687) black or African-American, 2.32% (523) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.59% (134) Asian, 0.08% (17) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 39.14% (8,840) from other races, and 22.47% (5,074) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 65.32% (14,752) of the population.

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. The average household size was 3.1 and the average family size was 3.7. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 5.2% of the population.

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. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 98.8 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American 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. The median income for those above 16 years old was $23,205 (+/- $2,867). Approximately, 23.7% of families and 29.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.4% of those under the age of 18 and 17.8% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 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.

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.

Education

Central Falls High School

Residents are served by the Central Falls School District. This school district is funded and appointed by the State 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. 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. The Obama administration sided with the school board. In May 2010, the teachers were rehired when they agreed to work the extra time required.

As of the 2000 U.S. census, 5.9% of Central Falls residents 25 and older have a bachelor's or advanced college degree.

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.

National historic places in Central Falls

Central Falls Congregational Church
Central Falls Mill Historic District
Central Street School
Samuel B. Conant House
David G. Fales House
Benjamin F. Greene House
Holy Trinity Church
Jenks Park & Cogswell Tower
South Central Falls Historic District
St. Joseph Church
St. Matthew Church (now Holy Spirit Parish)
Valley Falls Mill
Valley Falls Mill, Office and Bath House

Notable people

Lincoln Carter Almond, 72nd Governor of Rhode Island; grew up in Central Falls
Michael Breault, game designer, editor and author; born in Central Falls
Malcolm Greene Chace, financier, head of Berkshire Fine Spinning Associates; born in Central Falls
Francis Condon, US congressman representing Rhode Island's 1st congressional district; born in Central Falls
Viola Davis, Academy Award-winning actress; grew up in Central Falls
James Diossa, politician, born in Central Falls
Carl Russell Fish, historian and professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison; born in Central Falls
Roland Hemond, executive for several Major League Baseball teams; born in Central Falls
Jack McGee, aviation pioneer; born in Central Falls
Glyn O'Malley, playwright; grew up in Central Falls
Charles Risk, US congressman representing Rhode Island's 1st congressional district; born in Central Falls
John Robitaille, US Army captain; unsuccessful politician Rhode Island gubernatorial candidate (2010); born in Central Falls
Max Surkont, baseball player, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox and Boston Braves; born in Central Falls

Central Falls, Rhode Island facts for kids

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