Best Community #27: Up and Comer

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

GoLocalProv Best Communities Team

Lincoln

While the Capital City grabs much of the national spotlight, a quiet up and comer to the north has been making a few headlines of its own, lately. Ranked #63 in 2008 by CNN/Money Magazine as one of the Best Places to Live and Launch, Lincoln demonstrates its ambition to be not only an expansive area for RI families to settle, but a smart place for young companies to set up shop.

Lincoln remains reasonably affordable, as its 21st place Affordability Ranking demonstrates, and it placed in the top 15 statewide for Education Rankings (#14). The town also placed in the Top 20 in Rhode Island for Arts & Culture outlets. Room for improvement: Lincoln's Economic Condition Ranking is below the mid-line at #28, as is its Safety Ranking.

Lincoln by the numbers

Established: 1650
Population: 21,105
Median household income: $69,494
Median housing price: $241,000

2011 Best Communities rankings

Overall ranking: 27
Affordability ranking: 21
Education ranking: 14
Economic condition ranking: 28
Safety ranking: 28
Arts & Culture ranking: 18

History in a nutshell:

Lincoln was incorporated as a Rhode Island town when it was set off from Smithfield in 1871, but the earliest settlers arrived in Lincoln in the early 1650’s. Central Falls used to be a part of Lincoln until it was taken away and incorporated as its separate city in 1895. Since Lincoln’s establishment, limestone quarrying was a major source of industry. Lincoln was also an integral mill town in the early 19th century with many factories running along the path of the Blackstone River. The manufacturing of jewelry, silverware, and primary metals remains a source of income for Lincoln today. World-famous Cross Pens also calls Lincoln its home.

Additional research by Nate Holterman

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Comments:

Doug Allen

8:10am on Thursday, June 23, 2011

Thanks for keeping Lincoln low on this list. This way we keep our town the way we want it, and all those who read this website think Lincoln is a lousy place to live. Not sure of how you figured this all out, but thanks again. And nice research. All you have to do is ask any Lincolnite who lives in their neighborhood that's famous and you'd get a name. The town where those who want to be treated like the folk next door choose to live. Whatever. We have low taxes and good schools. Works for me.

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