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East Providence, Rhode Island

Coordinates: 41°48′49″N 71°22′12″W / 41.81361°N 71.37000°W / 41.81361; -71.37000
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East Providence, Rhode Island
City
City of East Providence
World War I Memorial and Taunton Plaza
World War I Memorial and Taunton Plaza
Flag of East Providence, Rhode Island
Flag
Official seal of East Providence, Rhode Island
Seal
Location in Providence County and the state of Rhode Island.
Location in Providence County and the state of Rhode Island.
East Providence is located in Rhode Island
East Providence
East Providence
Location in Rhode Island
Coordinates: 41°48′49″N 71°22′12″W / 41.81361°N 71.37000°W / 41.81361; -71.37000
Country United States
State Rhode Island
CountyProvidence County
Incorporated (town)1862
Incorporated (city)1958
Government
 • TypeMayor-council
 • MayorRoberto DaSilva
 • City CouncilRobert Britto: Ward 1 (Council President)
Robert Rodericks: At-Large (Council Vice-President): Ward 1
Anna M. Sousa: Ward 2
Nathan Cahoon: Ward 3
Ricardo Mourato: Ward 4
Area
[1]
 • Total16.61 sq mi (43.01 km2)
 • Land13.28 sq mi (34.41 km2)
 • Water3.32 sq mi (8.60 km2)
Elevation
[2]
62 ft (19 m)
Population
 (2020)[3]
 • Total47,139
 • Density3,548.55/sq mi (1,370.08/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (Eastern)
ZIP code
02914, 02915, 02916
Area code401
FIPS code44-22960[4]
GNIS feature ID1219590[2]
Websiteeastprovidenceri.net

East Providence is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 47,139 at the 2020 census, making it the fifth-largest city in the state.

Geography[edit]

East Providence is located between the Providence and Seekonk Rivers on the west and the Seekonk area of Massachusetts on the east. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.6 square miles (43 km2), of which, 13.4 square miles (35 km2) of it is land and 3.2 square miles (8.3 km2) of it (19.33%) is water.

The following villages are located in East Providence:[5]

Governance[edit]

City Hall
Police station, Waterman Avenue
Fire station, 913 Broadway

The city of East Providence is governed by an elected mayor and a five-member city council, with the mayor and counselors elected every four years. City council members are elected one each from four wards and one elected at-large.

Executive branch[edit]

The mayor is both the ceremonial leader of the city and the chief executive officer. The mayor runs the daily operations of the city, enforces the charter and ordinances of the city and appoints all department heads except the city clerk. The current mayor of East Providence is Roberto DaSilva, who took office on January 9, 2019.

Until January 9, 2019, the day-to-day operations were managed by a professional city manager appointed by the city council, and the mayor was the president of the city council, acting ceremonially.

Legislative branch[edit]

The city council sets all city ordinances, sets the budget of the city (with recommendation from the mayor) and provides legislative oversight for city operations.

The city council elects a council president and council vice-president to preside over meetings. The city council also appoints the city clerk.

Up until 2019, The city council served two-year terms, and the city council oversaw the entire city government under a council-manager system.

As of 2019, the members of the East Providence City Council are:

  • Robert Rodericks—At-Large (council vice-president)
  • Robert Britto—Ward 1 (council president)
  • Anna Sousa—Ward 2
  • Nathan Cahoon—Ward 3
  • Ricardo Mourato—Ward 4

Judicial branch[edit]

The city of East Providence has a municipal court, which hears cases regarding violations of municipal ordinances, housing code violations and minor traffic violations. The city also has a probate court, which handles estates, name changes, guardianships and related matters. Judges for both courts are appointed by the mayor with confirmation by the city council for a term of two years.

Education governance[edit]

The city also has an elected school committee, elected for two-year terms by the same ward system as the city council. The school committee has broad authority to manage the school system, including setting all school system policies, setting the school system budget (within the general appropriation by the city, state and federal government) as well as selecting and overseeing the Superintendent of Schools.

Other boards and commissions[edit]

The city has an appointed library board of trustees which governs the city's library system and various other appointed governing and advisory boards and commissions.

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18702,668—
18805,05689.5%
18908,42266.6%
190012,13844.1%
191015,80830.2%
192021,79337.9%
193029,99537.6%
194032,1657.2%
195035,87111.5%
196041,95517.0%
197048,20714.9%
198050,9805.8%
199050,380−1.2%
200048,688−3.4%
201047,037−3.4%
202047,1390.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[6][3]

2020 census[edit]

The 2020 United States census counted 47,139 people, 21,050 households, and 11,510 families in East Providence. The population density was 3,548.6 per square mile (1,370.1/km2). There were 22,196 housing units at an average density of 1,670.9 per square mile (645.1/km2).[7][8] The racial makeup was 77.38% (36,474) white or European American (75.66% non-Hispanic white), 5.4% (2,547) black or African-American, 0.42% (199) Native American or Alaska Native, 2.11% (996) Asian, 0.04% (17) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 4.83% (2,277) from other races, and 9.82% (4,629) from two or more races.[9] Hispanic or Latino of any race was 7.06% (3,328) of the population.[10]

Of the 21,050 households, 23.0% had children under the age of 18; 39.0% were married couples living together; 33.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 35.5% of households consisted of individuals and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[7] The average household size was 2.3 and the average family size was 3.1.[11] The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 25.3% of the population.[12]

16.7% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 22.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 112.5 males.[7] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 116.4 males.[7]

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $63,158 (with a margin of error of +/- $3,857) and the median family income was $88,973 (+/- $7,921). Males had a median income of $47,414 (+/- $3,540) versus $37,833 (+/- $2,442) for females.[13] The median income for those above 16 years old was $42,543 (+/- $2,745).[14] Approximately, 5.9% of families and 9.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.3% of those under the age of 18 and 11.4% of those ages 65 or over.[15][16]

2000 census[edit]

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 48,688 people, 20,530 households, and 12,851 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,632.1 inhabitants per square mile (1,402.4/km2). There were 21,309 housing units at an average density of 1,589.6 per square mile (613.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 86.49% White, 5.02% African American, 0.46% Native American, 1.15% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.80% from other races, and 4.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.89% of the population.

Portuguese Bodo de Leite parade on Orchard Street

There were 20,530 households, out of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.7% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,108, and the median income for a family was $48,463. Males had a median income of $34,342 versus $26,423 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,527. About 6.3% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.7% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those aged 65 or over.

Ancestry[edit]

The population has large immigrant communities from Portugal, the Azores, Madeira and Cape Verde. Approximately 24% of East Providence residents report Portuguese ancestry, followed by Irish at 18%, and Italian with 11%.[17]

Education[edit]

A.B. Hennessey School on Fort Street

East Providence has 13 public and 5 non-public schools:

Public schools[edit]

Elementary[edit]

  • Agnes B. "Hennessey"
  • Alice M. "Waddington" – built 1954
  • Emma G. "Whiteknact"
  • James R.D. "Oldham"
  • Kent Heights
  • Myron J. "Francis" - built 1989
  • Orlo Avenue School
  • Silver Spring

Middle schools[edit]

  • Edward R. Martin Middle School – built 1977
  • Riverside Middle School

High school[edit]

Non-public elementary and junior-high schools[edit]

  • St. Mary "Bayview" Academy
  • Sacred Heart School
  • St. Margaret School
  • Ocean State Montessori School
  • The Gordon School
  • Providence Country Day (P.C.D.).

Non-public high schools[edit]

  • St. Mary "Bayview" Academy
  • Providence Country Day (P.C.D.).

Music and Arts[edit]

  • On September 2, 1977, The Beach Boys performed before an audience of 40,000 at Narragansett Park in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, which remains the largest concert audience in Rhode Island history. The City of East Providence provided parking in the area next to Narragansett Park. On August 9, 2017, a commemoration ceremony produced by Al Gomes and Connie Watrous of Big Noise took place in East Providence with The Beach Boys, along with East Providence Mayor James Briden and Assistant Mayor Robert Britto, who gave The Beach Boys the coveted Key to the City. The street where the concert stage formerly stood at 510 Narragansett Park Drive in Pawtucket, RI was officially renamed to "Beach Boys Way".[18][19][20][21]

Health and Medicine[edit]

Bradley Hospital

Bradley Hospital, the nation's first psychiatric facility exclusively for children, was founded in 1931. It is a teaching hospital for the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.[22]

National Register of Historic Places listings in East Providence[edit]

Media[edit]

Newspaper[edit]

Weekly[edit]

  • The East Providence Post

Monthly[edit]

  • The East Providence Reporter

Radio[edit]

AM[edit]

  • 1110/WPMZ: Spanish-language “Poder”.

Notable people[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: East Providence, Rhode Island
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "Census Population API". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. ^ RIGIS Villages data layer Archived 2006-05-09 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  8. ^ "Gazetteer Files". Census.gov. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  9. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  10. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  11. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  12. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  13. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  14. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  15. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  16. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  17. ^ "East Providence, RI Zip Code Map & Characteristics". Zip Atlas. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  18. ^ Gomes, Al; Watrous, Connie; Labonte, Tim (August 9, 2017). "The Beach Boys Street Commemoration Ceremony". Big Noise Projects – via YouTube.
  19. ^ Gomes, Al; Watrous, Connie (June 1, 2024). "The Beach Boys and Big Noise Complete Projects". Big Noise Official Website.
  20. ^ Markgraf, Diandra (September 5, 2017). "Pawtucket celebrates Beach Boys Way". The Valley Breeze. Archived from the original on February 17, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  21. ^ Smith, Andy (August 8, 2017). "In '77 Beach Boys Headlined R.I.'s Largest Concert". The Providence Journal. Archived from the original on February 19, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  22. ^ "Bradley Hospital". Lifespan. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  23. ^ Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who. 1963.
  24. ^ Anonymous. "Claudia Jordan". Miss USA. Miss Universe L.P., LLLP. Retrieved June 27, 2013.

Further reading[edit]

  • Our Heritage: A History of East Providence, Joseph Conforti

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to East Providence, Rhode Island.
Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article "East Providence".
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