Cranston, Rhode Island: Difference between revisions

| leader_name = [[Kenneth J. Hopkins]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]])

| leader_name1 = {{Plain list|
* Jessica M. Marino ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])<br/>
* Robert J. Ferri (D)<br/>
* Nicole Renzulli (R)<br/>
* Lammis J. Vargas (D)<br/>
* Aniece Germain (D)<br/>
* John P. Donegan (D)<br/>
* Richard D. Campopiano (R)<br/>
* Christopher G. Paplauskas (R)<br/>Matthew
* R.Daniel ReillyWall (RD)

| coordinates = {{coordCoord|41|46|N|71|27|W|region:US-RI_type:city(83,000)|display=inline,title}}

| postal_code = 02823, 02831, 02905, 02907, 0290902909–02910, 02910, 02920, 0292102920–02921

| area_footnotes = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory |url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer/5/query?where=STATE='44'&outFields=NAME,STATE,PLACE,AREALAND,AREAWATER,LSADC,CENTLAT,CENTLON&orderByFields=PLACE&returnGeometry=false&returnTrueCurves=false&f=json|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref>

'''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>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/cenpop/statecenters.txt |title=Geography Program |access-date=December 4, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705075500/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/cenpop/statecenters.txt |archive-date=July 5, 2013}}</ref> Cranston is a part of the [[Providence metropolitan area]].

Cranston was named one of the "100 Best Places to Live" in the United States by ''[[Money (magazine)|Money]]'' magazine in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2006/snapshots/PL4419180.html |title=MONEY Magazine: Best places to live 2006: Cranston, RI snapshot |publisher=Money.cnn.com |access-date=December 11, 2009}}</ref> Cranston ranked 36th on the list of "America's 50 Best Cities to Live" in a 2014 survey done by 24/7 Wall St247wallst.com.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://247wallst.com/special-report/2014/09/17/americas-50-best-cities-to-live/5/ |title=America's 50 Best Cities to Live|publisher=247wallst.com |access-date=September 17, 2014}}</ref>

Many Italian- Americans in Cranston are descended from immigrants of [[Itri|Itri, Italy]] who settled mainly in the Knightsville section of Cranston during the early 1900s.<ref name="FuocoLothrop1998">{{cite book|last1=Fuoco|first1=Joe|last2=Lothrop|first2=A. J.|title=Knightsville and Silver Lake|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2TxyUErwVsYC|year=1998|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=978-0-7524-1229-0}}</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>{{Cite news|url=http://cranstononline.com/stories/set-for-110th-year-st-marys-feast-renews-focus-on-religious-roots,104068|title=Set for 110th year, St. Mary's Feast renews focus on religious roots|last=Kittredge|first=Daniel|work=Cranston Herald|language=en-US|access-date=October 26, 2019}}</ref> In 2000, Cranston and Itri became sister cities.<ref name=cranstonheralditri>{{Cite news|url=http://cranstononline.com/stories/mayor-of-itri-greeted-warmly-given-key-to-cranston,138614|title=Mayor of Itri greeted warmly, now he has the city key|last=Schiff|first=Pam|work=Cranston Herald|language=en-US|access-date=October 26, 2019}}</ref>

For many years, Cranston was the third-largest city in Rhode Island, after [[Providence, Rhode Island|Providence]] and [[Warwick, Rhode Island|Warwick]], both of which it borders., However,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>{{cite web |title=Rhode Island Population Density City Rank |url=http://www.usa.com/rank/rhode-island-state--population-density--city-rank.htm |website=USA.com |access-date=January 5, 2023}}</ref> a major factor contributing to its growth has been a large and semi-ruralsemirural section west of [[Interstate 295 (Rhode Island–Massachusetts)|Interstate 295]], which has seen a high volume of housing development in recent years; Warwick has significantly less open land available for development.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Parker |first1=Paul Edward |title=Cranston takes 'friendly rivalry' with Warwick up a notch |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/2018/05/25/cranston-passes-warwick-to-become-second-largest-city-in-ri/12134586007/ |access-date=January 5, 2023 |work=The Providence Journal |date=May 25, 2018}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|29.9|sqmi|km2}}, of which, {{convert|28.6|sqmi|km2}} of it is land and {{convert|1.4|sqmi|km2}} of it (4.54%) is covered by water.

ItThe iscity occupies roughly three percent of Rhode Island's total land mass.<ref name="Treadwell">{{cite news | url=http://www.politifact.com/rhode-island/statements/2016/apr/10/hilary-treadwell/rhode-island-small-not-small/ | title=Rhode Island is small, but not that small | newspaper=Tampa Bay Times | date=April 10, 2016 | access-date=April 11, 2016 | author=Tempera, Jacqueline |editor=Phipps, Peter}}</ref>

As of the [[2010 US Census]], there were 80,387 people livingresided in the city. The racial makeup of the village was 81.93% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 5.26% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.32% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 5.17% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.06% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 4.6% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.66% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]]Hispanics or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]Latinos of any race were 10.83% of the population.

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 1990, there were 79,269 people, 30,954 households, and 20,243 families livinglived in the city of Cranston. The [[population density]] was 2,774.6 persons per square mile (1,071.3/km²). There wereThe 32,068 housing units athad an average density of {{convert|1,122.5|/sqmi|/km2|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 89.19% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 3.69% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.30% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 3.28% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.93% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.57% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]]Hispanics or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]Latinos of any race were 4.56% of the population.

ThereOf werethe 30,954 households, out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-not families. About 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41, and the average family size was 3.01.

In the city, the populationage distribution was spread out, with 21.6% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females of age 18 or over, there were 92.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $44,108, and the median income for a family was $55,241. Males had a median income of $40,031 versus $28,279 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,978. About 5.6 of families and 7.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 8.6% of those under the age of 18 and 8.5% of those ages 65 or older.

The first auto race track in the country, [[Narragansett Park (1867–1924)|Narragansett Park]],{{efn|Not to be confused with [[Narragansett Park]], a [[Thoroughbred]] horse track, located in [[Pawtucket, RI]], which closed in 1978.}} 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>

[[Sprague Mansion]], an 18th-century homestead, is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://riroads.com/members/sprague.htm |title=Sprague Mansion, Cranston, RI |publisher=Riroads.com |access-date=December 11, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20060326233840/http://riroads.com/members/sprague.htm |archive-date=March 26, 2006 }}</ref> The [[Thomas Fenner House]], built around 1677, is one of the [[List of the oldest buildings in Rhode Island|oldest houses in Rhode Island]]. [[Edgewood Yacht Club]] whichhas islong nopopular longeramong standinglocal wassailors aand notableis structure on the National Register ofa Historichistoric Placeslandmark located on the Providence River.

|+ '''Cranston city vote<br /> by party in presidential elections'''<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://elections.ri.gov/elections/preresults/index.php | title=Rhode Island Board of Elections: Previous Election Results | access-date=April 9, 2021 | archive-date=April 21, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421011935/https://elections.ri.gov/elections/preresults/index.php | url-status=dead }}</ref>

The City of Cranston operates under a [[Mayor–council government|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>{{Cite web |title = R.I. Gen. Laws |url website=webserver.rilin.state.ri.us |url=http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE17/17-1/17-1-2.HTM|website=webserver.rilin.state.ri.us |access-date = September 30, 2021}}</ref> Terms for elected officials begin on the first Monday in January of the year following their election.<ref>{{Cite web |title = Municode Library |website=www.municode.com |url = https://www.municode.com/library/ri/cranston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CH_CH2ELELOF_S2.01GEEL|website = www.municode.com|access-date = October 3, 2015}}</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 Citycity Councilcouncil Presidentpresident is Jessica M. Marino, a city-wide representative and first woman to hold the office.<ref>{{Cite news| last = Bartlett| first = Emma| title = Inauguration makes in-person return for 2023| work = Cranston Herald| accessdate = January 3, 2023| date = December 27, 2022| url = https://cranstononline.com/stories/inauguration-makes-in-person-return-for-2023,188395}}</ref> Ward 1 Councilmember Lammis J. Vargas is the Vice President. The council elected for the 2023-2025 term hashad a 5-4 Democratic majority, but, after a special election to replace a vacated GOP seat, the council achieved a 6-3 Democratic majority.

The current mayor, Kenneth J. Hopkins, was sworn in on January 4, 2021, following his election to a four-year term in November 2020. Hopkins succeeded Mayor [[Allan Fung]], the state's first Asian-American mayor, who served four terms from 2009 to 2021. {{as of|2012}}, mayors may be elected to no more than two consecutive four-year terms.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title = Municode Library |urlwebsite=www.municode.com |url= https://www.municode.com/library/ri/cranston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CH_CH2ELELOF_S2.03ELOFAYCO|website = www.municode.com|access-date = July 14, 2017}}</ref>

In presidential elections, Cranston is reliably Democratic, as no Republican presidential nominee has won the city in over three decades.

Four [[freeway]]s travel through Cranston: [[Interstate 95 in Rhode Island|I-95]], [[I-295 (RI)|I-295]], [[RI 10]] (the Huntington Expressway), and [[RI 37]]. Other state-numbered roads in Cranston are [[U.S. Route 1 in Rhode Island|U.S.US 1]], [[US 1A (Providence)|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]] <!-- (RIPTA) --> 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. However, 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.

* [[SethQuahog, MacFarlaneRhode Island]], creatorthe primary setting of the [[animated sitcom]] ''[[Family Guy]]'', saidis inmodeled anafter interviewCranston withaccording a news program on [[WNAC-TV]], Channel 64 in Providence, thatto the townshow's namedcreator "[[Quahog,Seth Rhode Island|QuahogMacFarlane]]" in the show is modeled after Cranston, Rhode Island.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Family Guy writer at Bryant |journal=[[The Providence Journal]] }}</ref>

=== Citations =References==

* {{Wikivoyage|Cranston-inline}}

* [{{Official|https://www.cranstonri.gov/ City website]}}