Best Community #35: Feisty Contender

Best Community #35: Feisty Contender

North Providence

Suffering this year from political scandals, this small and feisty community hangs on to and even celebrates its intense Rhode Island culture. And small it is. North Providence, is in fact, the smallest town by area (5.8 square miles) in the smallest state. This is a nuanced claim (the city of Central Falls is Rhode Island's smallest municipality and Warren holds the title for smallest town in the smallest county of the smallest state). But beyond the little, North Providence has the eighth-highest population of Rhode Island's 39 cities and towns, and the second-highest of the state's towns after Coventry. You got all that?

In the 2011 rankings, North Providence was not the sweet deal one might expect, coming in 29th overall in Affordability rankings, and yet only 32nd overall in Education rankings. In terms of economic condition, the small town sat in the state's bottom five at 36th.

North Providence by the numbers

Established: 1636
Population: 32,078
Median household income: $47,751
Median housing price: $177,000

2011 Best Communities rankings

Overall ranking: 35
Affordability ranking: 29
Education ranking: 32
Economic condition ranking: 36
Safety ranking: 20
Arts & Culture ranking: 20

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History in a nutshell:

Feisty from the start, North Providence was separated from Providence after a group of farmers, unhappy with Providence’s government, petitioned the general assembly to form their own town. On June 13, 1765, the general assembly approved the request and North Providence was formed. However, due to four separate annexations, North Providence saw areas of its land re-annexed to Providence and Pawtucket. Although it is one of the state’s smallest communities, it is a bustling residential area with a population a little over 32,000. It is a very accessible area with major highways connecting it to the rest of the state. Most of North Providence’s residents work outside of their community but residential growth is still in the rise.

Famous residents:

Ernie DiGregorio, former NBA player
Jim Gilchrist, founder of the controversial Minuteman Project
Danielle Lacourse, Miss Rhode Island USA 2007, first runner-up at Miss USA 2007
Zellio Toppazzini, NHL - AHL hockey player, Rhode Island Reds Player of the Century, Providence College Head Coach
Bob Giammarco, former Providence radio talk show host and elected official in Cranston

Additional research by Nate Holterman