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STATE · ADMITTED 1790 · 2020 ACS

Rhode Island

1,097,379 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 $70,305. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $276,600.

RI
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,097,379
+5%since 2000
from 1,048,319 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
1,061 / sq mi
+5%since 2000
from 1,014 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
40.5
+10%since 2000
from 36.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
994K1.0M1.1M1.1M1.1M1990201020202024Rhode Island
20241.1M
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$70,305
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $42,090 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$37,504
+73%since 2000
from $21,688 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
47.1%
+10.6 ptssince 2009
from 36.5% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
11.6%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 11.9% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information11.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade10.6%
US avg: 10%
Other services6.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade6.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration5.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance4.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$276,600
+41%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $130,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,031
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $553 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
59.4%
−0.7 ptssince 2000
from 60.0% in 2000
40.6% rent
Afford Score
3.9
+27%since 2000
from 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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic68.7%(754,050)
Black5%(55,386)
Hispanic / Latino16.6%(182,101)
Asian3.5%(38,367)
Other3.7%(41,027)
Diversity Score58.7%(644,564)
Diversity Score
59
+72%since 2000
from 34 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
35.0%
+9.4 ptssince 2000
from 25.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
89.2%
+11.2 ptssince 2000
from 78.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
14.0%
+4.2 ptssince 2000
from 9.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.3 min
+69%since 2000
from 15.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
79.7%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 80.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.0%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.5%
−3.4 ptssince 2011
from 8.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
65.0%
−1.4 ptssince 2011
from 66.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
40.5%
−24.7 ptssince 2009
from 65.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.6%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.4% in 2009
Female
51.4%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.6% in 2009
Foreign born
14.0%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.3%
−84.4 ptssince 2013
from 88.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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 1,097,379 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Rhode Island?

The typical household in Rhode Island earns about $70,305 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 $276,600, and the typical rent is about $1,031 a month.

How educated are people in Rhode Island?

About 35.0% 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 11.6% of people in Rhode Island live below the federal poverty line.

Has Rhode Island grown since 1990?

Yes, Rhode Island has grown since 1990. The population has added about 93,915 residents, a change of about 9 percent over that period.

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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 →