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STATE · ADMITTED 1790 · 1990 CENSUS

Rhode Island

1,003,464 residents · 5 counties · 36 cities · 250 census tracts
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The short version

Rhode Island has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $32,181. Population has declined 4% since 2000. Median home value is $132,700.

RI
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,003,464
−4%vs 2000
vs 1,048,319 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
970 / sq mi
−4%vs 2000
vs 1,014 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
Median age
34.1
−7%vs 2000
vs 36.7 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
994K1.0M1.1M1.1M1.1M1990201020202024Rhode Island
20241.1M
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$32,181
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $42,090 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$14,981
−31%vs 2000
vs $21,688 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
9.6%
−2.3 ptsvs 2000
vs 11.9% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$132,700
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $130,500 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$489
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $553 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
59.5%
−0.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 60.0% in 2000
40.5% rent
Afford Score
4.1
+33%vs 2000
vs 3.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Rhode Island on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic81.9%(858,433)
Black4%(41,922)
Hispanic / Latino8.7%(90,820)
Asian2.2%(23,416)
Other0%
Diversity Score34.2%(358,896)
1990
White, non-Hispanic91.6%(919,073)
Black3.8%(37,986)
Hispanic / Latino4.4%(43,932)
Asian1.8%(17,615)
Other2.9%(28,790)
Diversity Score28.2%(283,365)
Diversity Score
28
−18%vs 2000
vs 34 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.3%
−4.3 ptsvs 2000
vs 25.6% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
72.0%
−5.9 ptsvs 2000
vs 78.0% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
7.8%
−1.9 ptsvs 2000
vs 9.7% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.3 min
+22%vs 2000
vs 15.0 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Section 02

Largest cities

1.Providence195,310
2.Cranston84,647
3.Warwick84,187
4.Pawtucket77,065
5.East Providence48,249
6.Woonsocket44,580
7.Newport24,251
8.Central Falls23,124
9.Westerly18,411
10.Valley Falls12,657
11.Newport East11,069
12.Wakefield-Peace Dale9,302
Frequently asked

How many people live in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island has about 1,003,464 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Rhode Island?

The typical household in Rhode Island earns about $32,181 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Rhode Island expensive?

In Rhode Island, the median home is worth about $132,700, and the typical rent is about $489 a month.

How educated are people in Rhode Island?

About 21.3% of adults age 25 and over in Rhode Island hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Rhode Island?

About 9.6% of people in Rhode Island live below the federal poverty line.

Keep going

Explore from here

Largest cities
ProvidenceCranstonWarwickPawtucketEast ProvidenceWoonsocketNewportCentral Falls
All 5 counties
Providence CountyKent CountyWashington CountyNewport CountyBristol County
Metro areas
Providence
Rankings
Highest income cities in Rhode IslandFastest growing citiesAll US state rankings

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

How we source and harmonize this data →

Rhode Island (1990): demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy