Central Falls, RI Demographics

A map of Central Falls's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Hispanic	15,686	14,752	69.1%	65.3%
White	3,421	4,146	15.1%	18.4%
Black	2,196	1,337	9.7%	5.9%
Multiracial	1,052	1,498	4.6%	6.6%
Native American/Other	333	729	1.5%	3.2%
Asian	13	121	0.1%	0.5%

Central Falls, Rhode Island has an estimated population of 22,701, a less than 1% change from the 22,583 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 69.1% Hispanic, 15.1% White, 9.7% Black, 4.6% Multiracial, 1.5% Native American/Other, and 0.1% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Central Falls, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Central Falls has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is less diverse than Rhode Island overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Central Falls, that probability was 53.1% in 2020 and 48.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Central Falls is ranked the 8th most populous place in Rhode Island, out of 36 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Central Falls was ranked the 8th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Central Falls's White Population

3,421 residents of Central Falls, or 15.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Central Falls is significantly lower than in Rhode Island overall, where 68% of the population is White. Central Falls ranks 36th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Central Falls's White population has declined by an estimated 17.5%. White residents' share of Central Falls's population has decreased from 18.4% to 15.1%.

Central Falls is less White than neighboring Pawtucket (46.3% White), Valley Falls (77.6% White), North Seekonk (77.2% White), Providence (33.1% White), and East Providence (72.8% White).

Central Falls's Black Population

2,196 residents of Central Falls, or 9.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Central Falls is slightly higher than in Rhode Island overall, where 4.9% of the population is Black. Central Falls ranks 5th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Central Falls's Black population has grown by an estimated 64.2%. Black residents' share of Central Falls's population has increased from 5.9% to 9.7%.

Central Falls is more Black than neighboring Valley Falls (6.6% Black), North Seekonk (1.3% Black), and East Providence (5.9% Black). Central Falls is less Black than neighboring Pawtucket (11% Black), and Providence (10.2% Black).

Central Falls's Asian Population

13 residents of Central Falls, or 0.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Central Falls is slightly lower than in Rhode Island overall, where 3.5% of the population is Asian. Central Falls ranks 26th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Central Falls's Asian population has declined by an estimated 89.3%. Asian residents' share of Central Falls's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.1%.

Central Falls is less Asian than neighboring Pawtucket (1.2% Asian), Valley Falls (0.5% Asian), North Seekonk (1.8% Asian), Providence (6.2% Asian), and East Providence (2.6% Asian).

Central Falls's Hispanic Population

15,686 residents of Central Falls, or 69.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Central Falls is significantly higher than in Rhode Island overall, where 17.7% of the population is Hispanic. Central Falls ranks 1st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Central Falls's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 6.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Central Falls's population has increased from 65.3% to 69.1%.

Central Falls is more Hispanic than neighboring Pawtucket (26.8% Hispanic), Valley Falls (9.2% Hispanic), North Seekonk (8.6% Hispanic), Providence (45.3% Hispanic), and East Providence (9.4% Hispanic).

Central Falls's Native American/Other Population

333 residents of Central Falls, or 1.5% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Central Falls is comparable to the share in Rhode Island overall, where 1% of the population is Native American/Other. Central Falls ranks 3rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Central Falls's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 54.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of Central Falls's population has decreased from 3.2% to 1.5%.

Central Falls is more Native American/Other than neighboring Valley Falls (0.2% Native American/Other). Central Falls is less Native American/Other than neighboring Pawtucket (2.5% Native American/Other), North Seekonk (3.9% Native American/Other), Providence (1.6% Native American/Other), and East Providence (2.6% Native American/Other).

Central Falls's Multiracial Population

1,052 residents of Central Falls, or 4.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Central Falls is comparable to the share in Rhode Island overall, where 4.9% of the population is Multiracial. Central Falls ranks 4th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Central Falls's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 29.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Central Falls's population has decreased from 6.6% to 4.6%.

Central Falls is more Multiracial than neighboring Providence (3.6% Multiracial). Central Falls is less Multiracial than neighboring Pawtucket (12.1% Multiracial), Valley Falls (6% Multiracial), North Seekonk (7% Multiracial), and East Providence (6.7% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.