Central Falls, Rhode Island

Central Falls, Rhode Island
Motto: 
"A City With A Bright Future"
Location in Providence County and the state of Rhode Island.
Central Falls
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 41°53′30″N 71°23′28″W / 41.89167°N 71.39111°W / 41.89167; -71.39111
Country United States
State Rhode Island
CountyProvidence
Settled1675
IncorporatedFebruary 25, 1895
Government
 • TypeMayor-council
 • MayorMaria Rivera
Area
 • Total
1.27 sq mi (3.30 km2)
 • Land1.19 sq mi (3.09 km2)
 • Water0.081 sq mi (0.21 km2)
Elevation
85 ft (26 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
22,583
 • Density18,913.8/sq mi (7,302.64/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (Eastern)
ZIP Code
02863
Area code401
FIPS code44-14140
GNIS feature ID1218931
Websitehttps://www.centralfallsri.gov/

Central Falls is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 22,583 at the 2020 census. With an area of only 1.29 square miles (3.3 km2), it is the smallest and most densely populated city in the smallest state, and the 23rd most densely populated incorporated place in the United States.

It is one of only four incorporated places in New England that have a higher population density than the city of Boston, ranking second, behind the Massachusetts city of Somerville, an inner suburb of Boston. The city takes its name from a waterfall on the Blackstone River.

Central Falls went into receivership in May 2010, then filed for bankruptcy in August 2011. After cutting jobs and services, it came out of bankruptcy in September 2012.