Roger Williams founded Providence in 1636 after his banishment from Massachusetts for "new and dangerous ideas." Providence was incorporated as a city in 1831 and became Rhode Island's sole state capital in 1900. In Providence, one witnesses the artful blend of the past and present--rich in architectural, educational, and social significance. Atop the magnificent white marble State House, the bronze "Independent Man" champions the cause for which Providence was founded--religious liberty and individual freedom. The fine, restored 18th century homes along Benefit Street are only a short stroll from Brown University, the seventh oldest American college. The first Baptist Church in America, a national historic landmark built in 1775, and the Arcade, the nation's first enclosed shopping mall are only part of this living story. While a more recent architectural gem is includes the Rhode Island School of Design, founded in 1877 and recognized as one of the nation's foremost art schools. Providence, a city of over 150,000 people, is located in southeastern New England, at the head of Narragansett Bay on the Atlantic seacoast. Providence is the business, financial, government and cultural hub of a metropolitan area of over 1,000,000 persons. Providence's economic assets include accessibility to excellent transportation facilities, including the Port of Providence, with its 40-foot channel, a high concentration of skilled workers, and six colleges and universities. Providence's major manufacturing industries: metals, machinery, textiles, jewelry, and silverware were established by 1830 and helped attract the international immigrants that have shaped Providence's neighborhoods. At the turn of the 20th century, Providence boasted the world's largest tool factory (Brown and Sharpe), file factory (Nicholson File), engine factory (Corliss Steam Engine Company), screw factory (American Screw), and silverware factory (Gorham). Today Providence is one of the largest centers of jewelry design and manufacture in the United States. Major employers in Providence include over a half dozen hospitals, Citizens and Fleet banks, the Diocese of Providence, state government, and a diverse range of manufacturing and service companies. New ideas and economic initiatives flow outward from Providence's many colleges. The culinary school at Johnson and Wales University has helped Providence claim some of the best restaurants in New England. Current interfaces between universities and business include the Center for Cellular Medicine at Brown University and the Center for Design and Business at Bryant College and the Rhode Island School of Design. Providence has taken on the name "The Renaissance City" in the 1990s as new office buildings, apartments, hotels, the Rhode Island Convention Center, Waterplace Park, and the Fleet Skating Rink liven the Downcity District. The Providence Place Mall, with 150 department stores, speciality stores and restaurants opened in 1999. Downcity Providence also includes an Arts and Entertainment District where artists are encouraged to combine their homes, studios, and galleries. Providence fabric of historic architecture has been enhanced through the renovation of buildings including the Providence Foundry and the Shepherd's Building. Providence is successfully integrating its history into its future to create a dynamic, livable city.
Government in Providence, Rhode Island
Providence was Established in 1636, Incorporated in 1832 Providence Form of Government: Fifteen member City Council headed by Mayor. Providence Council Meetings: The First and third Thursday at 7:30 pm. First Thursday in July and August. Providence Fiscal Year Begins: July 1
ProvidenceCity Hall 25 Dorrance Street Providence, Rhode Island 02903 FAX: 274-8240 Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Providence General Demographic Characteristics
Providence Population: The population count for The City of Providence as of April 1, 2005, was 173,618. This represented a 8.02% increase (12,890 persons) from the 1990 population of 160,728.
Providence Rank: In 2005 Providence ranks First in population among Rhode Island's 39 cities and towns.
Providence Median Age: In 2005 the median age of the population in Providence was 28.1.
Providence Age Distribution: In 2005, 73.9% or 128,341 persons residing in Providence were 18 years of age or older. 111,493 were 21 and over, 20,829 were 62 and over, and 18,155 were 65 and over.
Providence Population Density: The 2005 population density of Providence is 9,402 persons per square mile of land area. Providence contains 18.47 square miles of land area (47,828,598 Sq. meters) (11,818.80 acres) and 2.06 square miles of water area (5,347,070 square meters) (1,318.4 acres).
Providence Housing Units: The total number of housing units in the The City of Providence as of April 1, 2005, was 67,915. This represented an increase of 1,121 units from the 66,794 housing units in 1990. Of the 67,915 housing units 5,526 were vacant. 343 of the vacant units were for seasonal of recreational use.
Providence Households: In 2005, there are 62,389 households in Providence with an average size of 2.56 persons. Of these, 35,859 were family households with an average family size of 3.33 persons.
Providence Race: > Providence Total Population of One Race: 163,063 > Providence White Population: 94,666 > Providence Black of African American: 25,243 > Providence American Indian and Alaska Native: 1,975 > Providence Asian Population: 10,432 > Providence Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 270 > Some Other Race in Providence : 30,477 > Providence Total Population of two or More Races: 10,555 > Providence Hispanic or Latino: In 2005, 52,146 persons of Hispanic origin resided in Providence. This represented 30.0% of the population. An increase of 27,164 or 108.7% from the 1980 Hispanic population of 24,982.
