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Cranston is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island with a population of 80,387 as of the 2020 census. Cranston is the third largest city in Rhode Island after Providence and Warwick.

History

Cranston was originally inhabited by the Narragansett Native American tribe. In 1638, Roger Williams acquired the land from the Narragansett sachems Canonicus and Miantonomi and called it Pawtuxet. Providence was founded in 1636 by Williams on lands adjacent to the northern boundaries of Pawtuxet.

In 1754, the township was split into two towns - Cranston and Scituate. Cranston was named for Samuel Cranston, the governor of Rhode Island from 1698 to 1727. Cranston was incorporated as a city in 1910.

For more information on the history of Cranston, visit the Cranston, Rhode Island Wikipedia page.

Population

According to the 2020 census, Cranston has a population of 80,387 people. This makes it the third largest city in Rhode Island after Providence (179,335) and Warwick (80,977). The racial makeup of Cranston is:

• White: 80.5%
• Black or African American: 6.4%
• Asian: 6.1%
• Hispanic or Latino: 15.6%

Cranston saw its peak population in 1970, when it reached 85,098 residents. The population declined in the late 20th century but has rebounded slightly in recent years.

Government

Cranston has a Mayor-Council form of government. The day-to-day operations are handled by the City Administrator. The City Council consists of 9 members. The current Mayor of Cranston is Kenneth Hopkins.

The address for Cranston City Hall is:

For more information on Cranston's government, visit the City of Cranston's official website.

Economy

Cranston has a diverse economic base. Major industries include education, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and financial services. Top employers in the city include:

• Citizens Bank - 1,200 employees
• CVS Caremark - 900 employees
• Electric Boat - 625 employees
• AAA Southern New England - 525 employees
• Amica Mutual Insurance Co. - 525 employees

For more on Cranston's economy and top employers, visit the Cranston Chamber of Commerce website.

Education

Cranston public schools are operated by Cranston Public Schools district. The district operates 9 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 2 high schools. There are approximately 10,400 students in the district.

Cranston is also home to several private schools, including:

• St. Mary School - Bay View
• St. Paul School
• Bishop Hendricken High School

Transportation

Cranston is served by Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) buses. Routes include:

• 11 Broad Street
• 20 Elmwood Avenue
• 21 Reservoir Avenue
• 30 Arlington/Oaklawn

The nearest airport is T.F. Green Airport, located in Warwick. Amtrak trains also stop at the Providence Station.

Landmarks

Cranston City Hall

The Cranston City Hall is located at 869 Park Avenue. It was built in 1931 and is an example of Art Deco architecture. City Hall houses the city's administrative offices and City Council chambers.

GPS Coordinates: 41.776053979188236, -71.47746768462288

Cranston Street Armory

The Cranston Street Armory is a historic building located at 205 Cranston Street. It was built in 1907 and designed in the Colonial Revival style. It served as an armory for the Rhode Island Militia and National Guard. Today it is home to the Cranston Public Library.

GPS Coordinates: 41.78047197918931, -71.46085478462147

Cranston Print Works

The Cranston Print Works is a historic textile mill complex located on Park Avenue. It operated from the mid-19th century to 1967. Today, the complex has been redeveloped into residential lofts.

GPS Coordinates: 41.77342917918888, -71.48357768462224

Parks and Recreation

Cranston has over 1,200 acres of parkland and open space. Major parks include:

• Bain Middle School
• Cranston Veterans Memorial Ice Rink
• Edgewood Highlands

The Parks and Recreation department offers programs for youths and adults including sports leagues, educational programs, and senior activities.

For more information, visit the Parks and Recreation department website.

Facebook

Follow the latest news and events in Cranston by liking the City of Cranston Facebook page.

Sports

The Cranston Western Little League has been operating youth baseball in Cranston since 1954. Visit the CWLL website for more information.

Tourism

Major attractions in Cranston include:

• Garden City Center - Large shopping mall and entertainment complex
• Mulligan's Island - Mini golf destination
• Skateland - Roller skating rink

For more tourism information, visit the Cranston Tourism Office website.

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