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Pawtucket, Rhode Island Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

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Pawtucket, Rhode Island is a small city in the state of Rhode Island. It is located in Providence County, just north of Providence and south of Woonsocket. The city has a population of 71,148 as of the 2020 census and spans 7.3 square miles.

Geographically, Pawtucket is relatively flat with some rolling hills and is bisected by the Blackstone River. The climate consists of four distinct seasons with typical New England weather, including cold winters and hot summers.

Pawtucket has a rich history that dates back to 1671 when it was founded by Samuel Slater as a mill town for textiles. It was later incorporated as a town in 1793 and eventually became a city in 1874. Over the years, Pawtucket has seen various waves of immigration from Europe, South America, and other parts of the United States which have helped to shape its culture today.

Politically, Pawtucket is part of Rhode Island’s 2nd congressional district which is held by Democratic Congressman James Langevin since 2001. The city also has its own mayor-council form of government with Donald Grebien serving as mayor since 2011.

The economy in Pawtucket consists mainly of small businesses such as restaurants, shops, and other service industries. The city also has many manufacturing jobs due to its history as an industrial center for textiles and other goods during the 19th century.

Pawtucket’s school system consists mostly of public schools with two high schools: Tolman High School and Shea High School; three middle schools; seven elementary schools; and two charter schools: Times2 Academy Charter School and Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy Charter School. Additionally there are several private schools such as Saint Raphael Academy Catholic High School and St Cecilia Catholic Elementary School that serve students from preschool through grade 8.

As far as landmarks go, there are many historical sites throughout the city such as Slater Mill Historic Site which was built in 1793 by Samuel Slater; the Looff Carousel at Slater Park which was built in 1895; Hope Artiste Village which was once an old mill complex; along with several other sites listed on the National Register Of Historic Places like Market Square Historic District or Goff Memorial Hall just to name a few!

Population: 72,958. Estimated population in July 2024: 73,742 (+1.1% change)
Males: 34,600 (47.4%), Females: 38,358 (52.6%)

Providence County

Demographics

Median resident age: 35.4 years
Median household income: $31,775
Median house value: $99,000

Population by Race

Races in Pawtucket:

  • White Non-Hispanic (69.1%)
  • Hispanic (13.9%)
  • Other race (10.7%)
  • Black (7.3%)
  • Two or more races (5.3%)
  • American Indian (0.8%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: Irish (13.8%), French (13.1%), Portuguese (11.6%), Subsaharan African (10.5%), English (7.7%), French Canadian (7.5%).

Elevation: 75 feet

Land area: 8.7 square miles

Population by Education

Pawtucket, Rhode Island is a small city located in Providence County. It is the fourth largest city in the state with a population of 71,148, according to the 2020 U.S. Census. The city is ethnically diverse, with a majority of white residents (55%) and significant Hispanic and African American populations (20% and 19%, respectively). Additionally, there are sizable numbers of Asian (3%), Native American (2%), and other races (1%) living in Pawtucket. The city has a median household income of $44,717, which is slightly lower than the national average of $61,937. The poverty rate for Pawtucket is 16%, which is slightly higher than the national average of 11%.

In terms of education levels, Pawtucket residents have an average high school graduation rate of 87%, slightly above the national average of 84%. The city also has a college enrollment rate of 17%, compared to the national average of 40%. In terms of employment, most Pawtucket residents are employed in service occupations such as health care workers and food service workers (25%). There are also sizable numbers employed in sales and office occupations (15%) as well as construction and extraction occupations (12%). Manufacturing remains an important part of the local economy with 10% employed in these industries.

For population 25 years and over in Pawtucket

  • High school or higher: 66.2%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.3%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 5.5%
  • Unemployed: 7.1%
  • Mean travel time to work: 21.7 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Pawtucket city

  • Never married: 32.1%
  • Now married: 46.6%
  • Separated: 3.0%
  • Widowed: 7.6%
  • Divorced: 10.7%

23.4% Foreign born (7.5% Africa, 7.3% Latin America, 6.9% Europe).

Population change in the 1990s: +528 (+0.7%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Pawtucket:

  • MEMORIAL HOSPITAL OF RHODE ISLAND (PROSPECT ST)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Pawtucket:

  • BUTLER HOSPITAL (about 3 miles; PROVIDENCE, RI)
  • MIRIAM HOSPITAL (about 3 miles; PROVIDENCE, RI)
  • ST JOSEPH HEALTH SERVICES OF RI (about 4 miles; NORTH PROVIDENCE, RI)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Pawtucket:

  • THEODORE FRANCIS GREEN STATE (about 12 miles; PROVIDENCE, RI; Abbreviation: PVD)
  • LAURENCE G HANSCOM FLD (about 42 miles; BEDFORD, MA; Abbreviation: BED)
  • GENERAL EDWARD LAWRENCE LOGAN INTL (about 42 miles; BOSTON, MA; Abbreviation: BOS)

Other public-use airports nearest to Pawtucket:

  • DOWNTOWN PROVIDENCE HELISTOP (about 5 miles; PROVIDENCE, RI; Abbreviation: RI9)
  • NORTH CENTRAL STATE (about 8 miles; PAWTUCKET, RI; Abbreviation: SFZ)
  • MANSFIELD MUNI (about 16 miles; MANSFIELD, MA; Abbreviation: 1B9)

Amtrak station near Pawtucket:

  • 5 miles: PROVIDENCE (100 GASPEE ST.). Services: ticket office, fully wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, snack bar, ATM, paid short-term parking, paid long-term parking, call for car rental service, taxi stand, public transit connection.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/Universities in Pawtucket:

  • SAWYER SCHOOL (Full-time enrollment: 515; Location: 101 MAIN ST; Private, for-profit)
  • NEWPORT SCHOOL OF HAIRDRESSING-MAIN CAMPUS (Full-time enrollment: 21; Location: 226 MAIN ST; Private, for-profit)
  • NEW ENGLAND TRACTOR TRAILER TRAINING SCHOOL (Location: 1 DUNNELL LN; Private, for-profit)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Pawtucket:

  • BROWN UNIVERSITY (about 4 miles; PROVIDENCE, RI; Full-time enrollment: 7,460)
  • JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY (about 5 miles; Providence, RI; Full-time enrollment: 8,218)
  • RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN (about 5 miles; PROVIDENCE, RI; Full-time enrollment: 2,086)
  • RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE (about 5 miles; PROVIDENCE, RI; Full-time enrollment: 6,208)
  • PROVIDENCE COLLEGE (about 6 miles; PROVIDENCE, RI; Full-time enrollment: 4,456)
  • BRYANT COLLEGE (about 10 miles; SMITHFIELD, RI; Full-time enrollment: 2,926)
  • COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF RHODE ISLAND (about 13 miles; WARWICK, RI; Full-time enrollment: 8,650)

Schools

Public high schools in Pawtucket:

  • WILLIAM E. TOLMAN HIGH (Students: 1,284; Location: 150 EXCHANGE STREET; Grades: 09 – 12)
  • SHEA HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,188; Location: 485 EAST AVENUE; Grades: 09 – 12)

Private high schools in Pawtucket:

  • ST RAPHAEL ACADEMY (Students: 548; Location: 123 WALCOTT STREET; Grades: 9 – 12)
  • BISHOP FRANCIS P KEOUGH H S (Students: 63; Location: 145 POWER ROAD; Grades: 9 – 12; Girls only)
  • VALLEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL (Students: 59; Location: 103 BACON ST; Grades: 3 – 12)

Biggest public primary/middle schools in Pawtucket:

  • JOSEPH JENKS JUNIOR HIGH (Students: 758; Location: 350 DIVISION STREET; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • ELIZABETH BALDWIN SCHOOL (Students: 737; Location: 50 WHITMAN STREET; Grades: PK – 05)
  • SAMUEL SLATER JUNIOR HIGH (Students: 709; Location: 281 MINERAL SPRING AVENUE; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • NATHANAEL GREENE SCHOOL (Students: 632; Location: 285 SMITHFIELD AVENUE; Grades: PK – 06)
  • GOFF JUNIOR HIGH (Students: 570; Location: 974 NEWPORT AVENUE; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • CUNNINGHAM SCHOOL (Students: 559; Location: 40 BALDWIN STREET; Grades: KG – 06)
  • POTTER-BURNS SCHOOL (Students: 542; Location: 973 NEWPORT AVENUE; Grades: KG – 06)
  • FALLON MEMORIAL SCHOOL (Students: 534; Location: 62 LINCOLN AVENUE; Grades: PK – 05)
  • HENRY J. WINTERS SCHOOL (Students: 478; Location: 481 BROADWAY; Grades: KG – 05)
  • CURVIN-MCCABE SCHOOL (Students: 460; Location: 466 COTTAGE STREET; Grades: KG – 06)

Private primary/middle schools in Pawtucket:

  • ST CECILIA SCHOOL (Students: 387; Location: 755 CENTRAL AVENUE; Grades: PK – 8)
  • ST LEO THE GREAT ELEM SCHOOL (Students: 300; Location: 723 CENTRAL AVENUE; Grades: KG – 8)
  • WOODLAWN CATHOLIC REGIONAL SCH (Students: 242; Location: 61 HOPE ST; Grades: KG – 8)
  • ST MARY SCHOOL (Students: 235; Location: 167 GEORGE STREET; Grades: PK – 8)
  • ST TERESA (Students: 229; Location: 140 WOOD HAVEN RD; Grades: KG – 8)
  • PAW TUCKET DAY NURSERY (Students: 137; Location: 25 THORNLEY ST; Grades: PK – KG)
  • DARLINGTON EARLY CHILDHOOD CTR (Students: 85; Location: 680 NEWPORT AVENUE; Grades: PK – KG)

Libraries

Library in Pawtucket:

  • PAWTUCKET PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $1,621,869; Location: 13 SUMMER STREET; 186,115 books; 2,284 audio materials; 4,446 video materials; 257 serial subscriptions)

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