Woonsocket, Rhode Island facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Woonsocket
City
City of Woonsocket
Woonsocket's city hall
Seal
Motto(s):  "A City on the Move"
Location in Providence County and the state of Rhode Island
Country	United States
State	Rhode Island
County	Providence
Incorporated (town)	1867
Incorporated (city)	1888
Government
• Type	Mayor-council
Area
• Total	7.93 sq mi (20.55 km2)
• Land	7.75 sq mi (20.06 km2)
• Water	0.19 sq mi (0.48 km2)
Elevation	194 ft (59 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	43,240
• Density	5,582.24/sq mi (2,155.42/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (Eastern)
ZIP Code	02895
Area code(s)	401
FIPS code	44-80780
GNIS feature ID	1219339
Website	www.woonsocketri.org

Woonsocket is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. It is the sixth largest city in the state, with about 43,240 people living there in 2020. Woonsocket is Rhode Island's northernmost city. It is located just south of the Massachusetts state line. The city is part of the larger Providence metropolitan area.

Woonsocket is home to the main office of CVS Health, a big company that provides pharmacy services. You can also find Landmark Medical Center and the Museum of Work and Culture here. The American-French Genealogical Society is also located in Woonsocket.

History of Woonsocket

Before European settlers arrived in the 1600s, the Woonsocket area was home to three Native American tribes. These were the Nipmuc, Wampanoag, and Narragansett tribes. In 1661, Roger Williams bought the land from the "Coweset and Nipmucks." He called the area Niswosakit in a letter.

The name "Woonsocket" might come from other Native American names. For example, Woonksechocksett means "fox country." Wannashowatuckqut means "at the fork of the river." Another idea is that the city was named after Woonsocket Hill in nearby North Smithfield.

How Woonsocket Grew into a City

Woonsocket Falls Village started in the 1820s. It grew quickly during the Industrial Revolution. The Blackstone River provided lots of water power. This made the area perfect for textile mills. In 1831, Edward Harris built his first textile mill in Woonsocket.

Woonsocket became a town in 1867. Three villages from the town of Cumberland joined together. These were Woonsocket Falls, Social, and Jenckesville. In 1871, three more industrial villages from Smithfield were added. These were Hamlet, Bernon, and Globe. This created the city's current borders. Woonsocket officially became a city in 1888.

Immigration and Culture

The growth of factories brought many immigrants to Woonsocket. Most of them were Québecois and French-Canadians. In 1899, a group called the Union Saint-Jean-Baptiste d’Amérique chose Woonsocket for its main office. This was because many French-Canadians lived in the area.

By 1913, Woonsocket had one of the largest populations of French or French-Canadian people in the country. By the time the local textile industry closed during the Great Depression, about 75 percent of the people were French-Canadian. French newspapers were printed, and many people spoke French in public. Even in 1980, 70% of Woonsocket's population had French-Canadian roots.

Woonsocket in the 20th Century

During the Great Depression, Woonsocket's textile factories almost stopped working. But the economy got better during World War II. The city became a big center for making fabric for the war, including military uniforms.

After the war, Woonsocket's economy changed. Manufacturing decreased, and other businesses grew. These included retail stores, technology, and financial services. In the early 1980s, Woonsocket faced high unemployment.

Since 1979, Woonsocket has hosted Autumnfest. This is an annual cultural festival that happens on Columbus Day weekend. It takes place at World War II Veteran's Memorial State Park. It is one of the city's most popular events.

• 

  Woonsocket from the East, 1886 engraving

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  Woonsocket Medical Corporation, founded in 1839 by Dr. Seth Arnold

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  Woonsocket in 1855

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  Woonsocket, 1886 engraving

Geography and Climate

Woonsocket covers about 8.0 square miles (20.5 square kilometers). Most of this is land, and a small part is water. The Blackstone River flows through Woonsocket.

The city is next to Blackstone and Bellingham in Massachusetts. It also borders Cumberland and North Smithfield in Rhode Island.

Woonsocket's Weather

Woonsocket has a humid continental climate. This means it has four clear seasons. Winters can be cold, with warm days and very cold nights. Summers are usually warm and humid.

People of Woonsocket

Population Facts (2020)

In 2020, Woonsocket had 43,240 people living in 18,287 households. About 27.8% of households had children under 18. The average household had 2.5 people.

About 21.9% of the population was under 18 years old. About 14.5% were 65 years or older. The median age was 37.2 years.

Arts and Culture

Historic Places to Visit

Many buildings and areas in Woonsocket are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites. Here are some of them:

Famous People from Woonsocket

Movies Filmed in Woonsocket

Woonsocket has been a location for several movies. These include Lost in Woonsocket (2007), Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009), and The Purge: Election Year (2016).

Images for kids

• 

  Woonsocket District Courthouse, built in 1894

See also

In Spanish: Woonsocket (Rhode Island) para niños