Johnston, RI

Johnston Town Hall.

Johnston is a town in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 28,195 at the 2000 census. One of Rhode Island's earliest houses, a stone-ender called the Clemence Irons House (1691) is open as a museum in Johnston.^[1] Johnston was incorporated on March 6, 1759 and was named for the Honorable August Johnston, colonial attorney general at the time. ^[2]

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 28,195 people, 11,197 households, and 7,725 families residing in the town. The population density was 459.9/km² (1,191.4/mi²). There were 11,574 housing units at an average density of 188.8/km² (489.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.66% White, 0.65% African American, 0.13% Native American, 1.08% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.89% of the population.

There were 11,197 households out of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.9% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the town the population was spread out with 20.9% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 88.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $43,514, and the median income for a family was $54,837. Males had a median income of $40,210 versus $29,314 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,440. About 6.8% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.0% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.

In 2000, 46.7% of Johnston residents identified as being of Italian heritage. This was the highest percentage of Italian Americans of any municipality in the country.[2]

History

The following information is from the Johnston Historical Organization Website. The town of Johnston, Rhode Island was established in 1759. The town originally formed an integral part of Providence, but was incorporated into a separate township in on March 6th of that year. Its name was given in honor of the Hon. August Johnston, the attorney-general of the Colony at that time. Amid the stirring scenes of the past, and the strange events that have crowded themselves into the last century and a half, Johnston has played no unimportant part, and her record bears honorable comparison with that of her sister towns. Upon all questions of importance, either political, industrial, religious, or educational, she has ever been prompt and active, and her influence by no means powerless. It is, therefore, a pleasant and profitable task to trace the progress of this thriving township from its rude beginning to its present completeness.

Food

Johnston has several late night food stands. The two most famous stands are "Firehouse" and "Mr. V's". Most stands are open late into the night, some not closing until 3 a.m.

Other Johnston delicacies include:

• "Realis"
• "Lombardi's 1025 Club" (Closing in Jan. 2008)
• "Atwood Grille"
• "Luigis"
• "China Jade"
• "J&D's Family Restaurant".
• "Pat Orlando's"
• "Anthony's Italian Cucina"
• "Taso's"
• "D'Palmieri's Bakery" (Closed due to Fire)
• "Divozzi Bakery"
• "Aunties Deli & Bakery"
• "Brewed Awakenings"
• "Contempo Coffees" (Closed and for sale)
• "The Java Joint"
• "Homerun Subs"
• "Il Piccolo Restaurante"
• "Lighthouse Restaurant"
• "The Little Inn"
• "Ribs & Company"
• "Rosa Mia Pizza"
• "Ronzio Pizzeria"
• "Sundaes Ice Cream Stand"
• "Wings To Go"

Some exclusive Rhode Island delicacies, that are in or close to Johnston include:

• "Del's Frozen Lemonade"
• "A&W Hamburgers and Rootbeer"
• "LaSalle Bakery"
• "Pastry Land Bakery"

Education

Members of the JHS Marching band on their yearly trip to "The Big E"! The Band purchased their new marching uniforms with no help from the School Committee.

Brand new Saf-T liner C2 Buses!

• Johnston Senior High School (Rhode Island)
• Johnston Public Schools Home
• The Johnston School Committee

Superintendent of Schools: Margaret Iacovelli

The Johnston Public School System has 6 Elementary Schools:

• Graniteville Elementary School
• Brown Avenue Elementary School
• Sarah Dyer Barnes Elementary School
• Thornton Elementary School
• George E. Calef Elementary School
• Winsor Elementary School

The Johnston Public School System has 1 Middle School:

• Nicholas A. Ferri Middle School - Home of the "FMS" Jaguars
• Nicholas A. Ferri Middle School is a High Performing school.

The Johnston Public School System has 1 High School:

• Johnston Senior High School - Home of the "JHS" Panthers
• Johnston Senior High School is a 2005 Rhode Island Department of Education Regents' Commended School.

-Recently, the Johnston School Committee has decided to close both Graniteville, and Calef Elementary schools. Students affected by the closures have been transferred to Brown Avenue Elementary School, and Winsor Elementary School. This decision has resulted in overcrowded classrooms, and impacted the way these two schools are operated.

-Johnston Students are now riding brand new Saf-T Liner buses to school, built by ThomasBuilt, and hosted as part of Durham School Services.

-Members of the Johnston Senior High School band, in the picture above, pose during their annual trip to the Eastern States Exposition Fest in Springfield Massachusetts. Instrumental Band has been removed from the curriculum at the Ferri Middle School. Students from the High School and Middle School are helping to fight this decision made by the School Committee.

T.V. News and Newspaper

Local Rhode Island and Massachusetts TV News Channels!

• The town of Johnston's official newspaper is called "The Johnston Sunrise". This paper is complimentary, and can be found in many Johnston businesses. Visit Johnston Sunrise.

• A new monthly magazine has been founded over the Summer of 2007. This paper, called "The Johnston Guide", is mailed to every home in the town, once a month.

• The official paper of the State of Rhode Island, is called "The Providence Journal", nick-named "Projo". Visit Projo.

• WJAR NBC News Channel 10 broadcasts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The news station is set in Cranston, Rhode Island.

• WLNE ABC 6 Rhode Island News Channel broadcasts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

• WPRI Fox Providence Eyewitness News Channel broadcasts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. They are known for their "News Chopper 12" Helicopter.

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Neighborhoods

• Thornton. This neighborhood includes part of Cranston.
• Graniteville
• Hughesdale
• Morgan Mills
• Manton
• Simmonsville
• Pocasset
• West End
• Belknap
• Olneyville-Merino. (Before it was annexed to Providence in 1898.)

External links

• Official website
• NBC 10 School Budget Cuts News Spot
• Johnston High School Home Page
• Johnston Historical Organization

Coordinates: 41°49′N, 71°29′W

References

1. ^ [1]
2. ^ Johnston Historical Society: Johnston History

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