Population 22,917 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Central Falls
Household size in Central Falls
| Period | Central Falls | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.91 | 2.53 | 2.52 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.96 | 2.54 | 2.52 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.10 | 2.53 | 2.53 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.83 | 2.49 | 2.49 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.08 | −0.05 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Central Falls average 2.83 people, above the national 2.65, so families with children are more common here. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 2.91, as it has nationally. Of the 43 Rhode Island cities with 5,000+ people, only two have larger households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Central Falls
| Period | Central Falls | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.9 | 39.5 | 39.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 29.8 | 40.5 | 40.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 31.0 | 41.4 | 41.4 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 32.1 | 41.7 | 41.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.2 | +2.2 | +2.2 | +2.3 |
Central Falls is young: half of its residents are under 32.1, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young families with children. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 30.9, mirroring the country. Only one other Rhode Island city with 5,000+ people is younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Central Falls
| Period | Central Falls | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.4% | 12.5% | 12.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 28.0% | 12.4% | 12.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 24.4% | 11.9% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 23.2% | 12.1% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.7 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head 23.2% of households in Central Falls, well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 2.2 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Central Falls has the highest share of single-parent households of any Rhode Island city with 5,000+ people.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Central Falls
Renters in Central Falls
| Period | Central Falls | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 75.3% | 37.0% | 37.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 72.9% | 39.0% | 39.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 79.9% | 38.6% | 39.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 74.6% | 36.8% | 36.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.7 pts | −0.1 pts | −1.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in Central Falls: 74.6% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among homeowners, 29.0% have no mortgage at all, well below the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged down 0.7 points, even as the national share rose. No other Rhode Island city with 5,000+ people has a higher share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Central Falls
| Period | Central Falls | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.9% | 10.3% | 11.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.1% | 10.5% | 11.4% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.8% | 10.7% | 12.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.0% | 7.9% | 9.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −6.9 pts | −2.4 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Central Falls is close to the national rate: 9.0% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. Vacancy has fallen 6.9 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Central Falls
| Period | Central Falls | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1938 | 1959 | 1957 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1938 | 1959 | 1958 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1942 | 1960 | 1959 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1950 | 1962 | 1961 | 1980 |
| Change | +12 | +3 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in Central Falls is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1950, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1938 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the center, the oldest in the northeast. Only two of the 43 Rhode Island cities with 5,000+ people have older homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Central Falls
| Period | Central Falls | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $758 | $928 | $941 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $784 | $974 | $988 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $843 | $1,103 | $1,123 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,189 | $1,439 | $1,448 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$432 | +$511 | +$507 | +$606 |
Rent in Central Falls runs $1,189 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $432 a month since 2006–10, up 57%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 33.2% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the northeast; the highest are in the west.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Central Falls
Bachelor's degrees in Central Falls
| Period | Central Falls | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.2% | 28.5% | 30.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.1% | 29.6% | 31.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 8.2% | 32.4% | 34.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 11.2% | 35.2% | 37.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +3.9 pts | +6.7 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Central Falls: 11.2% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 3.9 points, in line with the national trend. No other Rhode Island city with 5,000+ people has a lower share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Central Falls
| Period | Central Falls | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 51.6% | 82.1% | 83.2% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 53.8% | 83.9% | 84.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 64.7% | 87.5% | 88.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 60.6% | 88.3% | 89.4% | 89.3% |
| Change | +9.0 pts | +6.2 pts | +6.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
About four in ten adults in Central Falls never finished high school, well above the national share: only 60.6% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma is up 9.0 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Central Falls has the lowest share of high school graduates of any Rhode Island city with 5,000+ people.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Central Falls
| Period | Central Falls | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.8% | 8.5% | 8.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 13.6% | 10.0% | 9.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.1% | 5.5% | 5.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.5% | 5.8% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.3 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Central Falls: 7.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Of the 43 Rhode Island cities with 5,000+ people, only three have higher unemployment. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Central Falls compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Falls | 2.83 | 32.1 | 23.2% | 74.6% | 9.0% | 1950 | $1,189 | 11.2% | 60.6% | 7.5% |
| Pawtucket | 2.55 | 37.7 | 17.4% | 49.6% | 8.0% | 1948 | $1,243 | 22.7% | 82.4% | 7.3% |
| Valley Falls | 2.64 | 40.9 | 16.0% | 32.9% | 6.0% | 1960 | $1,428 | 27.1% | 86.2% | 3.2% |
| Lincoln | 2.57 | 46.0 | 12.2% | 26.8% | 3.7% | 1969 | $1,210 | 45.9% | 91.5% | 7.0% |
| Rumford | 2.26 | 46.4 | 7.7% | 35.4% | 4.5% | 1955 | $1,144 | 39.7% | 89.8% | 5.7% |
| Providence area | 2.49 | 41.7 | 12.1% | 36.8% | 7.9% | 1962 | $1,439 | 35.2% | 88.3% | 5.8% |
| North Providence | 2.33 | 39.8 | 13.1% | 35.3% | 6.3% | 1960 | $1,438 | 35.1% | 92.7% | 4.6% |
| Seekonk | 2.64 | 45.2 | 8.8% | 13.1% | 6.2% | 1969 | $1,997 | 42.9% | 92.9% | 5.7% |
| Cumberland | 2.58 | 46.0 | 6.3% | 20.5% | 8.3% | 1982 | $1,457 | 53.8% | 97.2% | 2.6% |
| East Providence | 2.31 | 43.9 | 12.0% | 45.6% | 7.6% | 1955 | $1,307 | 27.4% | 84.0% | 4.4% |
| Attleboro | 2.63 | 40.7 | 13.3% | 33.8% | 7.5% | 1971 | $1,560 | 34.9% | 90.8% | 4.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Eden, NC · Stoneham, MA · Stanwood, WA · South San Jose Hills, CA · South Burlington, VT · Socastee, SC · Siloam Springs, AR · Short Pump, VA · Shiloh, PA · Seymour, TN
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Central Falls. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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