Cranston, Rhode Island

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Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement

Cranston, formerly known as Pawtuxet, is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The official population of the city in the 2020 United States Census was 82,934, making it the second-largest city in the state. The center of population of Rhode Island is located in Cranston.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Cranston is a part of the Providence metropolitan area.

The Town of Cranston was created in 1754 from a portion of Providence north of the Pawtuxet River. After losing much of its territory to neighboring towns and the city of Providence, Cranston itself became a city on March 10, 1910.

History

Much of the land was purchased by Roger Williams from the Narragansett Indians in 1638 as part of the Pawtuxet Purchase, and the first settler in the area was William Arnold, who was followed shortly by William Harris, William Carpenter, and Zachariah Rhodes.<ref name=CranstonRevisited2014>Template:Cite book</ref> Stephen Arnold, a brother-in-law of Rhodes and William Arnold, built a gristmill on the Pawtuxet Falls, and laid out the Arnold Road (modern-day Broad Street) connecting it to the Pequot Trail leading to Connecticut. Arnold's son Benedict Arnold became the first governor of Rhode Island under the charter of 1663. Residents were unable to agree upon a name for a new town for decades, and the Town of Cranston was eventually created by the General Assembly in 1754 from a portion of Providence north of the Pawtuxet River. Historians debate whether the town was named after Governor Samuel Cranston, the longest-serving Rhode Island governor, or his grandson Thomas Cranston, who was serving as speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives at the time that the town was created.Template:Cn In the early 1770s, town meetings were held at the taverns of Caleb Arnold and Nehemiah Knight, where residents voted in favor of a resolution opposing the British Parliament's Coercive Acts; the town heavily supported the Patriot cause during the Revolutionary War. The town lost much of its territory to neighboring towns and the city of Providence over the 19th century, and Cranston became a city on March 10, 1910.<ref>Steven Frias, Cranston and Its Mayors: A History (The History Press, 2011) pg. 10-20</ref><ref>Historic District Commission "History of Cranston" http://www.cranstonri.com/generalpage.php?page=94 Template:Webarchive</ref>

Many Italian Americans in Cranston are descended from immigrants of Itri, Italy, who settled mainly in the Knightsville section of Cranston during the early 1900s.<ref name="FuocoLothrop1998">Template:Cite book</ref> Cranston is known for the St. Mary's Feast, inspired by the Feast of the Madonna della Civita celebrated in Itri. Since 1905, the St. Mary's Feast has been a week-long festival celebrated in July in Cranston with vendors, a carnival, fireworks, and a religious procession from St. Mary's Church on Sunday.<ref name=cranstonheraldstmaryfeast>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2000, Cranston and Itri became sister cities.<ref name=cranstonheralditri>Template:Cite news</ref>

For many years, Cranston was the third-largest city in Rhode Island, after Providence and Warwick, both of which it borders, but in 2017, it surpassed Warwick to take second place. Though Cranston's overall population density was already much greater than the geographically larger Warwick,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> a major factor contributing to its growth has been a large and semirural section west of Interstate 295, which has seen a high volume of housing development in recent years; Warwick has significantly less open land available for development.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Flood of 2010

The Pawtuxet River overflowed in March 2010 after an overwhelming amount of rain. This caused many major sites to be shut down and repaired, such as the Warwick Mall, Contour Dental Laboratories, and the CLCF Building.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert (4.54%) are covered by water. The city occupies roughly three percent of Rhode Island's total land mass.<ref name="Treadwell">Template:Cite news</ref>

These neighborhoods and villages are located in Cranston:

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Demographics

Template:US Census population

2020

The 2020 United States census counted 82,934 people, 32,676 households, and 19,522 families in Cranston. The population density was 2,925.9 per square mile (1,129.7/km2). The 34,182 housing units had an average density of 1,205.9 per square mile (465.6/km2).<ref name=:2020>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The racial makeup was 68.14% White (65.66% non-Hispanic White), 5.65% Black or African American, 0.58% Native American or Alaska Native, 6.99% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 9.99% from other races, and 8.59% (7,126) from two or more races.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Hispanic or Latino of any race was 18.17% (15,067) of the population.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Of the 32,676 households, 27.9% had children under 18, 43.7% were married couples living together, and 31.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present; 30.0% of households consisted of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 or older.<ref name=:2020/> The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 3.2.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher was estimated to be 25.0% of the population.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The city's age distribution was 19.0% under 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 or older. The median age was 41.2 years. For every 100 females, the population had 104.9 males.<ref name=:2020/> For every 100 females 18 and older, there were 106.4 males.<ref name=:2020/>

The 2016–2020 five-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $74,425 (with a margin of error of +/- $3,217) and the median family income was $89,180 (+/- $3,837). Males had a median income of $51,447 (+/- $2,606) versus $35,032 (+/- $2,123) for females.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The median income for those above 16 years old was $42,882 (+/- $1,971).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Approximately, 4.1% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.2% of those under the age of 18 and 8.8% of those ages 65 or over.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The most common Hispanic background in Cranston is Dominican American and Puerto Rican, reflective of Rhode Island's Latino population as a whole. Also, a relatively large Cambodian American population is centered around Park and Pontiac Avenues in the center of the city. Italian Americans are still the predominant ethnicity throughout Cranston, numbered at 38% of the population. This gives Cranston one of the largest Italian-American communities in the United States, similar to neighboring Johnston and North Providence, Rhode Island.Template:Citation needed

Economy

Companies with corporate headquarters in Cranston include jewelry maker Alex and Ani and Coastway Community Bank.Template:Fact The first Del's Lemonade stand was opened in Cranston in 1948.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Arts and culture

Sites

Howard Prison in Cranston, Template:Circa

The first automobile race track in the country, Narragansett Park,Template:Efn located off Park Avenue, opened at present-day Stadium Ball Field in 1867 as a trotting track.<ref>Crazy Good: The True Story of Dan Patch, the Most Famous Horse in America by Charles Leerhsen</ref>

The Budlong Pool, located at 198 Aqueduct Road, off Reservoir Avenue (part of RI 2), is the city's only public pool. Budlong, which is much larger than an Olympic-sized swimming pool, was built in the 1930s as a Works Progress Administration project.<ref name="Projo20230908" /> The pool was closed in 2019 after an architect's report stated that the pool was "close to the end of its serviceable life” and would cost $2 million to repair.<ref name="Projo20230908" /> The pool has since become a subject of political debate in the city. Mayor Ken Hopkins proposed in 2023 to completely replace the aging structure with a new, $3.5-million redesign, which at 7,000 square feet, would be one-third the current size.<ref name="Projo20230908" /> About 2,000 Cranston residents signed a petition opposing the project.<ref name="Projo20230908">Template:Cite news</ref>

Sprague Mansion, an 18th-century homestead, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Thomas Fenner House, built around 1677, is one of the oldest houses in Rhode Island. Edgewood Yacht Club has long been popular among local sailors, and is an historic landmark located on the Providence River.

Sports

Little League

  • 1996 United States Champions (CWLL)
  • 2015 New England Champions (CWLL)

Government

Template:See also

Cranston city vote
by party in presidential elections<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Year GOP DEM Others
style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Democratic|2024 style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Republican|45.67% 18,638 style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Democratic|51.88% 21,168 2.45% 1000
style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Democratic|2020 style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Republican|42.22% 17,313 style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Democratic|56.12% 23,039 1.71% 701
style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Democratic|2016 style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Republican|43.30% 15,934 style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Democratic|50.99% 18,763 5.70% 2,099
style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Democratic|2012 style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Republican|37.20% 13,008 style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Democratic|61.16% 21,388 1.64% 574
style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Democratic|2008 style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Republican|37.72% 13,981 style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Democratic|60.76% 22,520 1.51% 561
style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Democratic|2004 style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Republican|40.95% 14,471 style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Democratic|57.54% 20,331 1.51% 532
style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Democratic|2000 style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Republican|31.00% 10,420 style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Democratic|63.09% 21,204 5.90% 1,984
style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Democratic|1996 style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Republican|26.71% 9,098 style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Democratic|61.37% 20,901 11.92% 4,059
style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Democratic|1992 style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Republican|31.45% 12,450 style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Democratic|46.96% 18,589 21.59% 8,549
style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Democratic|1988 style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Republican|46.33% 17,129 style="text-align:center"; Template:Party shading/Democratic|53.32% 19,711 0.35% 128

The Rhode Island Department of Corrections has its headquarters and its adult prison facilities in Cranston.<ref>"Contact Us Template:Webarchive." Rhode Island Department of Corrections. Retrieved on December 7, 2009.</ref> The Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families operates the Rhode Island Training School (RITS), a juvenile correctional facility, in Cranston. The Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles is headquartered in Cranston.<ref>"DLLR's Division of Workforce Development and Adult LearningTemplate:Dead link." Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. Retrieved on August 23, 2010.</ref>

The City of Cranston operates under a mayor-council form of government. General city elections are held on the first Tuesday next after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Terms for elected officials begin on the first Monday in January of the year following their election.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The City Council consists of nine members: six representing each of the City wards, and three city-wide representatives. Council members are elected to a two-year term, and are limited to five consecutive two-year terms.<ref name=":0"/> The current Cranston city council president is Daniel Wall.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The council elected for the 2025–2027 term has a 5–4 Democratic majority.

The current mayor, Kenneth J. Hopkins, was sworn in on January 6, 2025, following his re-election to a second four-year term in November 2024. Hopkins succeeded Mayor Allan Fung, the state's first Asian-American mayor, who served four terms from 2009 to 2021. Template:As of, mayors may be elected to no more than two consecutive four-year terms.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref>

In the Rhode Island Senate, Cranston is split into four senatorial districts, all represented by Democrats: Todd M. Patalano (District 26), Hanna M. Gallo (District 27), Lammis J. Vargas (District 28), and Matthew LaMountain (District 31). The city is divided into all or parts of nine Rhode Island House of Representatives districts, including Districts 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 41, and 42. At the federal level, Cranston is a part of Rhode Island's 2nd congressional district and is currently represented by Democrat Seth Magaziner.

In presidential elections, Cranston is reliably Democratic, as no Republican presidential nominee has won the city in over three decades. Donald Trump was the first Republican since George W. Bush in 2004 to cross 40%, as well as having the best showing in 2024.

Education

The school district is Cranston School District.<ref>Template:Cite web - Text list</ref>

Public high schools:

Public middle schools: Template:Div col

  • Western Hills Middle School
  • Hugh B. Bain Middle School
  • Park View Middle School
  • Hope Highlands Middle School

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Public elementary schools: Template:Div col

  • Arlington Elementary School
  • Chester Barrows Elementary School
  • William R. Dutemple Elementary School
  • Eden Park Elementary School
  • Edgewood Highlands Elementary School
  • Garden City Elementary School
  • Gladstone Elementary School
  • Glen Hills Elementary School
  • Oak Lawn Elementary School
  • Orchard Farms Elementary School
  • George J. Peters Elementary School
  • Edward S. Rhodes Elementary School
  • Stadium Elementary School
  • Stone Hill Elementary School
  • Daniel D. Waterman Elementary School
  • Woodridge Elementary School

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Other public schools:

  • Cranston Area Career And Technical Center

Private schools:

School committee

The Cranston School Committee consists of seven nonpartisan members, six representing each of the city wards and one city-wide representative. Committee members are elected at city general elections to a two-year term, and Template:As of, members are limited to five consecutive two-year terms.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The current Cranston School Committee chairperson is Domenic F. Fusco, Jr., the Ward 3 representative.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Four freeways travel through Cranston: I-95, I-295, RI 10 (the Huntington Expressway), and RI 37. Other state-numbered roads in Cranston are US 1, US 1A, RI 2, RI 5, RI 12, RI 33, RI 51, RI 115, and RI 117.

Cranston is served by Rhode Island Public Transit Authority buses. Amtrak's Northeast Corridor passes through, but has no station in the city. The MBTA's Providence/Stoughton Line also passes through, but does not include a station in Cranston, but a station stop has been proposed. Currently, the nearest MBTA stations are in Providence and Warwick at T.F. Green Airport, the former which is also served by Amtrak.

Notable people

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Sister cities

Friendship cities

See also

Notes

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References

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Template:Providence County, Rhode Island Template:US state navigation box Template:Narragansett Bay Template:Greater Boston Template:Northeast Megalopolis Template:Authority control

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