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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Providence

Rhode Island · 173,618 residents · 18.406 sq mi
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The short version

Providence has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $26,867. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. Median home value is $101,700. At a median age of 28.1, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. The poverty rate of 29.1% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 36% less than the Rhode Island median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Younger
median age 28.1
US median: 35.2
Average education
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
More affordable
home values down 31%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
173,618
+8%since 1990
from 160,728 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
9,433 / sq mi
+8%since 1990
from 8,732 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
28.1
−4%since 1990
from 29.4 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
158K167K176K186K195K1990201020202024Providence
2024192K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$26,867
−8%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $22,147 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$15,525
+31%since 1990
from $11,838 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
29.1%
+6.2 ptssince 1990
from 23.0% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$101,700
−31%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $111,200 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$526
−15%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $469 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
34.6%
−1.7 ptssince 1990
from 36.3% in 1990
65.4% rent
Afford Score
3.8
−25%since 1990
from 5.0 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Providence on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic70.2%(112,893)
Black14.6%(23,387)
Hispanic / Latino14.8%(23,744)
Asian6%(9,599)
Diversity Score73%(117,262)
2000
White, non-Hispanic45.8%(79,451)
Black12.7%(22,103)
Hispanic / Latino30%(52,146)
Asian5.9%(10,303)
Diversity Score80.3%(139,351)
Diversity Score
80
+10%since 1990
from 73 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
24.4%
+2.8 ptssince 1990
from 21.6% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
65.8%
+3.0 ptssince 1990
from 62.8% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
11.3%
+1.7 ptssince 1990
from 9.6% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.5 min
−17%since 1990
from 16.1 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Explore

Neighborhoods in Providence

College HillElmwoodFederal HillMount HopeMount PleasantSilverlakeValleyWanskuckWest EndNeighborhoods in Providence
Drill deeper

Places similar to Providence

Grand Rapids
Pop 201,183
Des Moines
Pop 212,086
Worcester
Pop 213,862
Hollywood
Pop 157,019
Places similar to Providence
Head to head

Compare Providence to nearby cities

PROVIDENCE VS
East Providence
Income$75,912+183%
Home value$365,500+259%
Population48,249−75%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PROVIDENCE VS
Pawtucket
Income$68,310+154%
Home value$325,500+220%
Population77,065−61%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PROVIDENCE VS
Central Falls
Income$49,285+83%
Home value$352,100+246%
Population23,124−88%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PROVIDENCE VS
Cranston
Income$90,206+236%
Home value$378,300+272%
Population84,647−57%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Providence, Rhode Island?

Providence, Rhode Island has about 173,618 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Providence, Rhode Island?

The typical household in Providence, Rhode Island earns about $26,867 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Providence, Rhode Island expensive?

In Providence, Rhode Island, the median home is worth about $101,700, and the typical rent is about $526 a month.

How educated are people in Providence, Rhode Island?

About 24.4% of adults age 25 and over in Providence, Rhode Island hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Providence, Rhode Island?

About 29.1% of people in Providence, Rhode Island live below the federal poverty line.

Has Providence, Rhode Island grown since 1990?

Yes, Providence, Rhode Island has grown since 1990. The population has added about 12,890 residents, a change of about 8 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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