Providence County, RI

County

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2021 Population

656,672

3.22% 1-year growth

US Senator

Jack Reed

Democratic Party

US Senator

Sheldon Whitehouse

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

37.5

0.267% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

13.6%

2.99% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$65,797

5.57% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$266,700

7.32% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

327,335

3.33% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Providence County, RI had a population of 657k people with a median age of 37.5 and a median household income of $65,797. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Providence County, RI grew from 636,161 to 656,672, a 3.22% increase and its median household income grew from $62,323 to $65,797, a 5.57% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Providence County, RI are White (Non-Hispanic) (59.2%), White (Hispanic) (9.29%), Other (Hispanic) (8.18%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (7.79%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (4.88%).

None of the households in Providence County, RI reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

91.3% of the residents in Providence County, RI are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Providence County, RI are Brown University (3,032 degrees awarded in 2021), Rhode Island College (1,841 degrees), and Johnson & Wales University-Providence (1,633 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Providence County, RI was $266,700, and the homeownership rate was 55.7%.

Most people in Providence County, RI drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 25.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Providence County, RI was 2 cars per household.

Providence County, RI borders Windham County, CT, Bristol County, MA, Norfolk County, MA, Worcester County, MA, Bristol County, RI, and Kent County, RI.

About the photo: WaterFire is simultaneously a free public art installation, a performance work, an urban festival, a civic ritual, and a spiritual communal ceremony, well known nationally and internationally as a community arts event.

Photo by Royston Kane

United States Rhode Island Providence-Warwick, RI-MA

Population & Diversity

Providence County, RI is home to a population of 657k people, from which 91.3% are citizens. As of 2021, 19.7% of Providence County, RI residents were born outside of the country (130k people).

In 2021, there were 6.37 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (388k people) in Providence County, RI than any other race or ethnicity. There were 61k White (Hispanic) and 53.7k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

91.3%

2021 Citizenship

91.5%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 91.3% of Providence County, RI residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Providence County, RI was 91.5%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Providence County, RI compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Providence County, RI

White (Non-Hispanic)
388k ± 1.17k
White (Hispanic)
61k ± 3.14k
Other (Hispanic)
53.7k ± 3.82k

24%

Hispanic Population

158k people

24% of the people in Providence County, RI are hispanic (158k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Providence County, RI as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Rhode Island.

Most Common Origin

Dominican Republic
31,669 ± 4,305 people
Guatemala
16,911 ± 3,168 people
Portugal
12,920 ± 2,774 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Rhode Island was Dominican Republic, the natal country of 31,669 Rhode Island residents, followed by Guatemala with 16,911 and Portugal with 12,920.

Foreign-Born Population

19.7%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

130k people

19.3%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

123k people

As of 2021, 19.7% of Providence County, RI residents (130k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Providence County, RI was 19.3%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Providence County, RI compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
8,140 ± 722
Gulf War (2001-)
4,519 ± 612
Gulf War (1990s)
2,488 ± 457

Providence County, RI has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.8 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Providence County, RI employs 327k people. The largest industries in Providence County, RI are Health Care & Social Assistance (52,601 people), Retail Trade (40,353 people), and Manufacturing (35,806 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($75,625), Utilities ($72,917), and Public Administration ($71,503).

Males in Rhode Island have an average income that is 1.27 times higher than the average income of females, which is $60,219. The income inequality in Rhode Island (measured using the Gini index) is 0.451, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

327k

2021 Value

± 5,175

3.33%

1 Year growth

± 2.17%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Providence County, RI grew at a rate of 3.33%, from 317k employees to 327k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Providence County, RI, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (39,132 people), Sales & Related Occupations (31,845 people), and Management Occupations (28,550 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Providence County, RI.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Rhode Island (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

327k

2021 Value

± 5,175

3.33%

1 Year growth

± 2.17%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Providence County, RI grew at a rate of 3.33%, from 317k employees to 327k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Providence County, RI, are Health Care & Social Assistance (52,601 people), Retail Trade (40,353 people), and Manufacturing (35,806 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Providence County, RI, though some of these residents may live in Providence County, RI and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$47,596

Median earning men ± $1,415

$37,030

Median earning women ± $758

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Public Administration ($80,131), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($66,806), and Information ($58,324).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($58,134), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($51,492), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($42,104).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Rhode Island. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Rhode Island.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

7,177
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
3,871
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
3,840
Manufacturing

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$11.5M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$5.42M
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
$5.04M
Manufacturing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Rhode Island to other states, or from other states to Rhode Island.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Rhode Island product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $13.8B, followed by Motorized vehicles ($8.26B) and Misc. mfg. prods. ($5.82B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Rhode Island products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Rhode Island.

$55.5B

2020 Value in Rhode Island

$99.7B

Projected 2050 Value in Rhode Island

79.5% growth

In 2020, total outbound Rhode Island trade was $55.5B. This is expected to increase 79.5% to $99.7B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Rhode Island trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Rhode Island to other states, or from other states to Rhode Island.

Most Common Trade Partners

Massachusetts
$12.5B
Connecticut
$4.54B
New York
$2.93B

In 2020, the top outbound Rhode Island domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Massachusetts with $12.5B, followed by Connecticut with $4.54B and New York and $2.93B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Rhode Island shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Providence County, RI went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 60.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (37.6%), followed by Other (1.03%).

Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse are the senators currently representing the state of Rhode Island. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Rhode Island is currently represented by 2 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (60.5%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (37.6%)
Republican Party
Other (1.03%)
Other Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Providence County, RI went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 60.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (37.6%), followed by Other (1.03%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Providence County, RI for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Rhode Island

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Rhode Island.

Jack Reed

Senator from Rhode Island

Assumed office on January 3, 1997

Sheldon Whitehouse

Senator from Rhode Island

Assumed office on January 3, 2007

Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse are the senators currently representing Rhode Island.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Rhode Island over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Rhode Island

Rhode Island is currently represented by 2 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Rhode Island have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Providence County, RI awarded 11,508 degrees. The student population of Providence County, RI in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 15,585 male students and 21,675 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Providence County, RI are White (6,259 and 60.3%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (1,433 and 13.8%), Black or African American (1,001 and 9.65%), and Asian (750 and 7.23%).

The largest universities in Providence County, RI by number of degrees awarded are Brown University (3,032 and 26.3%), Rhode Island College (1,841 and 16%), and Johnson & Wales University-Providence (1,633 and 14.2%).

The most popular majors in Providence County, RI are General Business Administration & Management (649 and 5.64%), General Finance (465 and 4.04%), and Computer Science (371 and 3.22%).

The median tuition costs in Providence County, RI are $46,885 for private four year colleges, and $9,277 and $24,475 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Providence County, RI, the percentage of applicants admitted was 32%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 21.7%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 37,260 (41.8% men and 58.2% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 37,260 students enrolled in Providence County, RI, 41.8% men and 58.2% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 19,150 records, of which 55.8% were women and 44.2% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Finance
424 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
413 degrees awarded
General Marketing & Marketing Management
338 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Providence County, RI was General Finance with 424 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Providence County, RI according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Brown University
3,032 degrees awarded
Rhode Island College
1,841 degrees awarded
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
1,633 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Brown University with 3,032 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 4,737 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Providence County, RI, which is 0.7 times less than the 6,771 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 6,259 degrees mean that there were 4.37 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 1,433 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($46,885) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,425) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,642) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Rhode Island.

Measure

In 2021, 1.1% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 1.09% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Rhode Island.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (252k), Some college (183k), and Bachelors Degree (174k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Providence County, RI was $266,700 in 2021, which is 1.09 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $248,500 to $266,700, a 7.32% increase. The homeownership rate in Providence County, RI is 55.7%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Providence County, RI have an average commute time of 25.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Providence County, RI is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Providence County, RI is $65,797. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Providence County, RI was Census Tract 34 with a value of $172,019, followed by Census Tract 36.02 and Census Tract 145.01, with respective values of $152,969 and $140,430.

In 2022, 18.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Providence County, RI. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 2.96%.

Housing

Property

$266,700

Median Property Value 2021

±$2,608

$138,984

Median Property Taxes

±$2,851

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Providence County, RI the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Providence County, RI compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

55.7%

Homeownership

2021

63.3%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 55.7% of the housing units in Providence County, RI were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 55.1%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Providence County, RI compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 34
Census Tract 36.02
Census Tract 145.01

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Providence County, RI was Census Tract 34 with a value of $172,019, followed by Census Tract 36.02 and Census Tract 145.01, with respective values of $152,969 and $140,430.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Providence County, RI colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$65,797

Median Household Income

± $1,399

250k

Number of Households

± 4,088

In 2021, the median household income of the 250k households in Providence County, RI grew to $65,797 from the previous year's value of $62,323.

The following chart displays the households in Providence County, RI distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Providence County, RI is from Rhode Island.

0.451

2021 Wage GINI in Rhode Island

0.45

2020 Wage GINI in Rhode Island

In 2021, the income inequality in Rhode Island was 0.451 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.134% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Rhode Island was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Rhode Island in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Rhode Island across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (75.9%)
Carpooled (9.27%)
Worked At Home (7.44%)

In 2021, 75.9% of workers in Providence County, RI drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.27%) and those who worked at home (7.44%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

25.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Providence County, RI have a shorter commute time (25.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.35% of the workforce in Providence County, RI have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Providence County, RI compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Providence County, RI distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Providence County, RI have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 18.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Providence County, RI. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 2.96%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

13.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Providence County, RI (85.6k out of 630k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Providence County, RI is White, followed by Hispanic and Other.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 17% of the children was living in poverty in Providence County, RI. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 9.2%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 312 in Providence County, RI. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 29.1 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

94.6% of the population of Providence County, RI has health coverage, with 48.1% on employee plans, 23.1% on Medicaid, 10.5% on Medicare, 12% on non-group plans, and 0.799% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Providence County, RI see 1009 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.18% decrease from the previous year (1021 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1666 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 194 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.2% were men and 51.8% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,009 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Providence County, RI

Primary care physicians in Providence County, RI see an average of 1,009 patients per year. This represents a 1.18% decrease from the previous year (1,021 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Providence County, RI in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.5% under 18 years, 24.3% between 18 and 34 years, 38.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 14.8% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.2% were men and 51.8% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

5.44%

Uninsured

48.1%

Employer Coverage

23.1%

Medicaid

10.5%

Medicare

12%

Non-Group

0.799%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Providence County, RI grew by 3.56% from 5.25% to 5.44%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Providence County, RI changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 45.6 in Providence County, RI.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Providence County, RI.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 32.8% in Providence County, RI.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Providence County, RI.

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