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Bank Street Fall River
Massachusetts›Bristol County
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Fall RiverMA

Trash day: look up yours
5 bordering townsMap →
Photo: Marcbela (Marc N. Belanger) · Public domain
Photo of Fall River

Fall River, MA · Photo: Marcbela (Marc N. Belanger) · Public domain · Source ↗

Population
95,298
2025 Census estimate · +1.4% since 2020
Typical home
$448K
+2.1% in a year
Household income
$57K
median
Median age
39.3
years
Jobs based here
35,566
Balanced
TownGrade
D−
#280 of 282 in MA

Is Fall River a good place to live?

Fall River grades D− overall, 280th of 282 graded towns in Massachusetts, mostly because of schools and safety. Its public schools trail 92% of Massachusetts towns on state tests and graduation. Its crime rate is higher than 89% of U.S. towns, with 751 violent crimes reported to the FBI in 2025. What it does well: it has 95 miles of trail and 37% conserved land. History is its standout character grade: an A+, better than 99% of U.S. towns, with 109 places on the National Register. Fall River’s violent crime rate is 7.9 per 1,000 residents, against 1.4 in Massachusetts’ towns and 1.6 across U.S. towns. Only 3 of Massachusetts’ 321 towns score lower on health. Its National Register listings include U.s.s. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. (Dd-850) and USS MASSACHUSETTS (BB-59) National Historic Landmark.

StrongestA+HistoryAOutdoorsAWalkabilityWeakestDSchoolsDSafetyC−HealthC−Cost of livingCJobs & income

What makes Fall River stand out

Where Fall River beats most towns, and one thing worth knowing.

U.s.s. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. (Dd-850)
HistoryA+
Settled in 1670
A history going back 356 years.
Conserved land & trails
OutdoorsA
36.6% conserved land
Biggest place to walk: Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve Land, 26.4 mi of trail.
Fall River schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Henry Lord Community SchoolK–8817
William S GreenePK–5733
Carlton M. Viveiros Elementary SchoolK–5712
Worth knowing · SchoolsD
On state tests and graduation
NCES · EDFacts.
U.s.s. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. (Dd-850)
U.s.s. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. (Dd-850) · National Register of Historic Places
Fall River’s story

356 years in pictures

U.s.s. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. (Dd-850) is one of 5 National Historic Landmarks here, the National Register’s top tier. Its 109 National Register listings are more than in 99% of Massachusetts towns with a listing.

Census counts: 1,296 in 1810, 94,000 in 2020. The archive holds 18 old photos and papers going back to 1780 and 6 maps from 1888 on.

  • 1670Fall River is settled
Explore the history →

How Fall River grades

Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Massachusetts), ordered by how far Fall River is from typical.

How grading works

WalkabilityEPA walkability 14.5 of 20; 16.4% of households have no car; 5.4% of workers walk, bike or ride transitAOpen →SchoolsDOpen →SafetyDOpen →HealthLess healthy than 84% of U.S. towns; Southcoast Hospitals Group 2.8 miles awayC−Open →Hazard riskFEMA risk higher than 23% of U.S. communities; inland flooding tops the listA−Open →Cost of livingTypical home $448K, 5.1 years of the Providence metro’s $87K median household incomeC−Open →Jobs & income$57K median household income; 35,566 jobs based hereCOpen →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
OutdoorsAOpen →HistoryA+Open →Civic life1.2 library visits per resident; 2 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsD−Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
Climate–Open →Housing market29 days on market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 39.3; 16% of adults have a four-year degree–Open →

How TownRatings grades towns →

Nearby attractions

USS Massachusetts and 90 more within 40 miles

Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Fall River. Close and well known come first.

All 264 attractions →
in town MuseumUSS MassachusettsBig draw27 mi Stadium & arenaGillette StadiumBig draw20 mi MuseumThe Breakersin town MuseumBattleship Cove16 mi Ancient siteHMS Endeavourin town MuseumUSS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr.
Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits

USS Massachusetts: USN, Public domain · Gillette Stadium: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0 · The Breakers: UpstateNYer, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Battleship Cove: Electroengie at English Wikipedia, Public domain · HMS Endeavour: Samuel Atkins (c.1760-1810), Public domain · USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr.: "Official U.S. Navy Photograph, Released, U.S. Naval Photographic Center, U.S. N, Public domain

Getting set up

Moving to Fall River: who provides what

Who provides power, water and the rest in Fall River, and how to reach them.

The full setup list →
PowerNational Grid33.7¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterFall River Water DepartmentNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet4 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpBy addressTown’s hauler · day by addressTown site
SchoolsFall River School DistrictWhich school depends on your addressNCES
Register to voteOnlineIn Massachusetts you can register online until 10 days before Election Day, in person until 10 days before Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 10 days before).vote.gov
Who runs elections hereFall River Election CommissionThe town itself; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jun 2023
ZIP codes02720, 02721, 02724, 0272302720 33% · 02721 30% · 02724 19% · 02723 17%Census 2020

EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.

The data

Ordered by what stands out in Fall River.

Fall River keeps more of its land conserved than most of Massachusetts and trades workers with New Bedford and other neighbors, but it reports violent crime at about twice the Massachusetts rate.

OutdoorsA

Fall River has set aside nearly a third of its land for conservation

Its 9,366 conserved acres are a larger share of the town than in 90% of Massachusetts towns.

95 miles of trail in 30 parks and preserves. The trail density in Fall River is 2.4 miles per square mile. The biggest place to walk is Watuppa Reservation, 3,429 acres with 21.2 miles of trail.

#88for trails in MA
36.6%
conserved · 9,366 of 25,607 acres
95 mi
of trails · 2.4 per sq mi
Biggest places to walkTrailsAcres
1. Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve Land26.4 mi2,794
2. Freetown-Fall River State Forest23.2 mi1,851
3. Watuppa Reservation21.2 mi3,429
Full pageFall River’s outdoors pageOpen the page
Trail map95 miles of trail, mappedPick a walk26.4 miles of trail · Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve LandConserved land36.6% conserved · 9,366 acres protectedQuestions“Where can I hike in Fall River?”

Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US

SchoolsD

Fall River earns a D for schools

Each of its 3 graded neighbors has a higher School Grade than its D, Freetown highest at B+.

Its public schools are run by the Fall River school district. Two of its 30 schools are below, each with why it’s listed.

8%of MA districts it outscoresDSchool Grade
SchoolLevelStudentsLetter
Henry Lord Community SchoolLargest public elementary schoolGrades K–8Grades K–8817D
B M C Durfee HighLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12Grades 9–122,642C−
Full pageFall River’s schools pageOpen the page
The districtsFall RiverVs. the neighborsBehind its 3 graded neighborsEvery school30 schools · Henry Lord Community SchoolQuestions“Are Fall River’s schools good?”

NCES · EDFacts · graded within MA on state tests and graduation

SafetyD

Fall River earns a D for safety

Violent crime runs at 7.9 per 1,000 residents, about twice the Massachusetts rate; the Safety Grade counts each violent crime four times, so this weighs most on its D. Each of the 3 graded towns on its borders reports less crime per resident, from Freetown (B−) to Westport (A−).

Fall River’s property crime rate is 15.2 per 1,000 residents. Fall River reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 89% report less.

11%of U.S. towns report more crimeDSafety Grade

Violent crime per 1,000 residents

Fall River7.9
Massachusetts3
U.S.3.3

Property crime per 1,000 residents

Fall River15.2
Massachusetts10.4
U.S.15.5
11th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
2nd
percentile among MA towns
751
violent crimes reported in 2025
1,436
property crimes reported in 2025
Full pageFall River’s safety reportOpen the page
Violent crime by type7.9 violent crimes per 1,000Crime over the yearsDown since 2023Vs. the neighborsBehind its 3 graded neighborsQuestions“Is Fall River, MA safe?”

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police

HealthC−

A larger share of adults in Fall River smoke cigarettes than in the typical Massachusetts or U.S. town

All 3 graded neighbors score healthier than its C−, from Westport (B+) to Freetown (A−).

21% of adults smoke cigarettes in Fall River. Among 279 Massachusetts towns, just 7 have a higher share of adults who get no exercise outside work than Fall River. 38% of adults sleep under 7 hours in Fall River.

16%healthier than U.S. townsC−Health Grade
Fall RiverMassachusetts townsU.S. towns
Smoke cigarettes (CDC PLACES)21%11%14%
Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES)22%16%17%
Frequent physical distress (CDC PLACES)18%12%14%
Fair or poor health (CDC PLACES)27%15%19%
32 measures vs. Massachusetts
0 better9 too close to call23 worse
What stands outFall RiverMA
More adults facing food insecurity23.5%12.4%
More smokers21.3%11.3%
More adults facing a utility shut-off12.5%7%
Southcoast Hospitals Group
2.8 mi away · emergency room
None
primary care, dental or mental-health shortage
1st
percentile among MA towns
Full pageFall River’s health reportOpen the page
Everyday habitsMore smokersHospitals & doctors nearby2.8 miles to an ER · Southcoast Hospitals GroupHow adults are doingMore adults in fair or poor healthEvery CDC estimateBetter than MA on 0 of 32

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA

HousingCost of living grade C−

Fall River stands out in Massachusetts and nationally, with fewer of its households who own their home

Its typical home is the least expensive on its borders; Somerset is next at $510K.

35% of Fall River households own their home. The typical Fall River home is worth about $448,000, up 2.1% in a year, 32% below the Massachusetts typical home.

$448KZillow home value
Fall RiverMassachusetts townsU.S. towns
Households that own their home35%79%73%
Median rent$1,155 a month$1,683 a month$1,185 a month
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent53%52%48%

Typical home value

Fall River$448K
Massachusetts$655K
Market temperature
BalancedA seller's marketBuyer’sSeller’s
29
days on market
99.3%
sale-to-list price
+2.1%
value change, 1 year
41
homes sold in May
Full pageFall River’s housing & cost-of-living pageOpen the page
Prices over the yearsUp 2.1% in a yearYears of income to buyA typical home costs 7.9 years of incomeRents$1,155 a month · Median rentVs. the neighborsAhead of 2 of its 3 graded neighbors

Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center

Natural hazardsHazard risk grade A−

Fall River faces a low natural-hazard risk, led by inland flooding

Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 77% of U.S. communities. Since 1991, 10 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Fall River.

23risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
23Low riskLowerHigher
Inland floodingHurricanes
10
paid flood claims since 1991
10
federal disasters paid out here
Full pageFall River’s hazards pageOpen the page
What it facesLow riskFlood claims10 paid flood claims · Since 1991Past disasters10 federal disasters · Paid out in Fall RiverGet ready3.3 events a year, on average · Ready for inland flooding

FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA

Climate

Four seasons and pleasant summers in Fall River

Fall River has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers, with plenty of rain. July afternoons reach 83°, January nights drop to 21° and about 31 inches of snow falls in a winter.

31″snow a winter

Typical low → high °F

Winter23–41°
Spring38–58°
Summer60–80°
Fall44–63°
Oct 15
typical first frost
Apr 29
typical last frost
+1.9°
vs. the 20th-century average
Full pageFall River’s climate pageOpen the page
A year of weatherJuly highs 83°, January lows 21°Rain & snow31″ of snow a winter · 50 inches of rain and snow a yearHeating & coolingMostly a heating billThen and now+1.9° vs. the 20th century · Warmer than the 20th-century average

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020

Work & commuteJobs & income grade C

About one in three working residents works right in Fall River

Fall River has about as many jobs (35,566) as working residents, but only 11,615 people both live and work here.

About one in 3 of Fall River’s working residents works in town. Only 5 of the 283 Massachusetts towns we compare have a lower median household income than Fall River. Half commute less than 13 miles.

30%work in town
Fall RiverMassachusetts townsU.S. towns
Working residents who work in town30%9.8%8%
Below the poverty line20%6%9.6%
Median household income$57,000$120,000$80,000
Work from home7.1%18%11%

Where working residents work

In Fall River30%
New Bedford5%
Boston5%
Dartmouth3%
Taunton3%
13 mi
median commute distance
35,566
jobs based in Fall River
Balanced
jobs vs. working residents
A
Walkability grade: more walkable than 94% of U.S. towns
Full pageFall River’s work & commute pageOpen the page
The jobs here35,566 jobs based here · BalancedWhere people work30% work in Fall RiverCommute times26 minutes · The average commuteHow far they goHalf commute less than 13 miles

Census LEHD 2023 · ACS

Keep exploring

Everything we know about Fall River

19pages on Fall River
The big questions
SchoolsDBehind 92% of MA districts · 30 schoolsSafetyD7.9 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthC−Better than MA on 0 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingC−$448K typical home · up 2.1% in a yearWork & commuteC$57K median household income · 35,566 jobs hereNatural hazardsA−FEMA risk higher than 23% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
OutdoorsA95 mi of trails · 37% conserved landPlacesAttractions264 nearby · USS Massachusetts under 1 miLibraryD−1.2 library visits per residentCollegesBristol Community College, in town
The story
HistoryA+Settled 1670 · 109 on the National RegisterTown Hall & politicsOne full-time town employee per 31 residentsClimate83° summer highs · 31″ of snow
Day to day
News14 recent stories about Fall RiverWeatherHandbookZIP code 02720, 02721, 02722Town SquareNeighbors
After high school

Colleges nearby

4 within 15 miles of the center of Fall River

Bristol Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · Fall RiverIn town$5,832 in-state tuitionUniversity of Massachusetts-DartmouthUniversity or college · Public · North Dartmouth7.7 mi$15,612 in-state tuitionRoger Williams UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Bristol, RI9.8 mi$44,418 tuition

About 4 of every 100 Fall River residents are enrolled in college, against 8 across Massachusetts.

Prices by family income, graduation and earnings →

College town

Bristol Community College calls Fall River home

Bristol Community College3,080 students on campus
Admission
Open
Net price
$5,547
Graduate
22%
College Scorecard · IPEDS

Landmarks

109 places in Fall River on the National Register of Historic Places.

All landmarks →
U.s.s. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. (Dd-850)National Historic Landmark
USS LIONFISH (SS0298) National Historic LandmarkNational Historic Landmark
USS MASSACHUSETTS (BB-59) National Historic LandmarkNational Historic Landmark
PT BOAT 796 (torpedo boat)National Historic Landmark

About Fall River

City in Massachusetts

Official town website ↗

Fall River is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. Fall River's population was 94,000 at the 2020 United States census, making it the tenth-largest city in the state, and the second-largest municipality in the county behind New Bedford. It abuts the Rhode Island state line with Tiverton, Rhode Island, to its south. Located along the eastern shore of Mount Hope Bay at the mouth of the Taunton River, the city gained recognition during the 19th century as a leading textile manufacturing center in the United States. While the textile industry has long since moved on, its impact on the city's culture and landscape is still prominent. Fall River's official motto is "We'll Try",…

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Established
1670
Area
40 sq mi
Elevation
121 ft
ZIP code
02720, 02721, 02722

Fall River’s neighbors

5 towns share a border with Fall River.

Explore the map →

All 3 graded towns on its borders grade higher than its D−; Westport (B−) is closest.

WestportNorth WestportFreetownSomersetTivertonWestportNorth WestportFreetownSomersetTivertonFall River
Westport
S · 2% of Fall River workers commute here
Visit
North Westport
S
Visit
Freetown
NE
Visit
Somerset
W · 3% of Fall River workers commute here
Visit
Tiverton
SW
Visit
How the neighbors grade
TownMA rankOverallCostSafetySchoolsHealth
Fall River#280D−C−DDC−
Westport#198B−DA−CB+
North Westport——————
Freetown#162BC−B−B+A−
Somerset#151BCBC+A−

North Westport isn’t graded (fewer than 1,000 residents, or not enough data). Compare Fall River with a neighbor →

Questions about Fall River

Short answers, built from the data on this page.

Is Fall River, MA a good place to live?

Fall River grades D− overall, better than 2% of U.S. towns and #280 of 282 in Massachusetts. It grades C− for health, D for safety and D for schools. Schools is its weak spot, with a D.

Is Fall River, MA expensive?

Yes. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades C−.