Providence, RI

Census Place

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2021 Population

188,812

5.2% 1-year growth

US Senator

Jack Reed

Democratic Party

US Senator

Sheldon Whitehouse

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

32.1

2.88% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

21.5%

6.45% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$55,787

13.7% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$248,900

10.5% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

90,075

7.56% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Providence, RI had a population of 189k people with a median age of 32.1 and a median household income of $55,787. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Providence, RI grew from 179,472 to 188,812, a 5.2% increase and its median household income grew from $49,065 to $55,787, a 13.7% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Providence, RI are White (Non-Hispanic) (34.1%), White (Hispanic) (16.5%), Other (Hispanic) (15.4%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (13%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (7.86%).

None of the households in Providence, 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.

84.7% of the residents in Providence, RI are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Providence, RI are Brown University (3,032 degrees awarded in 2021), Johnson & Wales University-Providence (1,633 degrees), and Providence College (1,476 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Providence, RI was $248,900, and the homeownership rate was 40.1%.

Most people in Providence, RI drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24.2 minutes. The average car ownership in Providence, RI was 2 cars per household.

Photo by Timothy Burling

United States Rhode Island Providence County, RI Providence-Warwick, RI-MA Providence City PUMA, RI

Population & Diversity

Providence, RI is home to a population of 189k people, from which 84.7% are citizens. As of 2021, 30.7% of Providence, RI residents were born outside of the country (58k people).

In 2021, there were 2.06 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (64.3k people) in Providence, RI than any other race or ethnicity. There were 31.2k White (Hispanic) and 29k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

84.7%

2021 Citizenship

84.2%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 84.7% of Providence, RI residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Providence, RI was 84.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Providence, RI

White (Non-Hispanic)
64.3k ± 2.13k
White (Hispanic)
31.2k ± 2.47k
Other (Hispanic)
29k ± 2.74k

42.9%

Hispanic Population

81k people

42.9% of the people in Providence, RI are hispanic (81k people).

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

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place 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

30.7%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

58k people

30.3%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

54.3k people

As of 2021, 30.7% of Providence, RI residents (58k 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, RI was 30.3%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
911 ± 246
Gulf War (2001-)
873 ± 259
Gulf War (1990s)
530 ± 200

Providence, RI has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.04 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Providence, RI employs 90.1k people. The largest industries in Providence, RI are Health Care & Social Assistance (14,082 people), Educational Services (11,830 people), and Manufacturing (9,921 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($93,295), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($79,744), and Public Administration ($63,369).

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

90.1k

2021 Value

± 3,047

7.56%

1 Year growth

± 4.36%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Providence, RI grew at a rate of 7.56%, from 83.7k employees to 90.1k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Providence, RI, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (9,373 people), Sales & Related Occupations (7,911 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (7,042 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Providence, 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

90.1k

2021 Value

± 3,047

7.56%

1 Year growth

± 4.36%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Providence, RI grew at a rate of 7.56%, from 83.7k employees to 90.1k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Providence, RI, are Health Care & Social Assistance (14,082 people), Educational Services (11,830 people), and Manufacturing (9,921 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Providence, RI, though some of these residents may live in Providence, RI and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$40,063

Median earning men ± $1,886

$31,689

Median earning women ± $1,121

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Public Administration ($64,873), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($52,749), and Information ($51,429).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($54,444), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($41,026), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($40,853).

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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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 Rhode Island went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 59.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (38.7%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.977%).

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

Voting results are not available for Providence, RI. Showing the available data for Rhode Island.

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (59.5%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (38.7%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.977%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Rhode Island went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 59.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (38.7%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.977%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Rhode Island 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, RI awarded 7,448 degrees. The student population of Providence, RI in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 10,869 male students and 14,867 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Providence, RI are White (3,875 and 60.3%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (741 and 11.5%), Asian (646 and 10.1%), and Black or African American (552 and 8.59%).

The largest universities in Providence, RI by number of degrees awarded are Brown University (3,032 and 40.7%), Johnson & Wales University-Providence (1,633 and 21.9%), and Providence College (1,476 and 19.8%).

The most popular majors in Providence, RI are General Business Administration & Management (463 and 6.22%), Computer Science (332 and 4.46%), and General Finance (274 and 3.68%).

The median tuition cost in Providence, RI for private four year colleges is $45,395.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Providence, RI, the percentage of applicants admitted was 25.3%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 24.4%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 25,736 (42.2% men and 57.8% 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 25,736 students enrolled in Providence, RI, 42.2% men and 57.8% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 12,436 records, of which 55% were women and 45% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
244 degree-majors awarded
General Finance
237 degree-majors awarded
Computer Science
226 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Providence, RI was General Business Administration & Management with 244 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Brown University
3,032 degrees awarded
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
1,633 degrees awarded
Providence College
1,476 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, 3,034 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Providence, RI, which is 0.687 times less than the 4,414 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 3,875 degrees mean that there were 5.23 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 741 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 ($45,395) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,009) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,721) 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, RI was $248,900 in 2021, which is 1.02 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $225,200 to $248,900, a 10.5% increase. The homeownership rate in Providence, RI is 40.1%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Providence, RI have an average commute time of 24.2 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Providence, RI is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Providence, RI is $55,787. In 2021, the place with the highest median household income in Providence, RI was Census Tract 34 with a value of $172,019, followed by Census Tract 36.02 and Census Tract 32, with respective values of $152,969 and $105,426.

Housing

Property

$248,900

Median Property Value 2021

±$8,622

$27,243

Median Property Taxes

±$1,472

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, RI the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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

Rent vs Own

40.1%

Homeownership

2021

66.2%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 40.1% of the housing units in Providence, RI were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 37.8%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Providence, 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 32

In 2021, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Providence, RI was Census Tract 34 with a value of $172,019, followed by Census Tract 36.02 and Census Tract 32, with respective values of $152,969 and $105,426.

The following map shows all of the places in Providence, 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.

$55,787

Median Household Income

± $2,474

68k

Number of Households

± 2,437

In 2021, the median household income of the 68k households in Providence, RI grew to $55,787 from the previous year's value of $49,065.

The following chart displays the households in Providence, 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 < $10k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Providence, 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 (64%)
Carpooled (11.3%)
Worked At Home (10.4%)

In 2021, 64% of workers in Providence, RI drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (11.3%) and those who worked at home (10.4%).

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

24.2 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Providence, RI have a shorter commute time (24.2 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.84% of the workforce in Providence, RI have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Providence, 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, RI distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Providence, RI have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

21.5% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Providence, RI (37.4k out of 174k 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 18 - 24, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Females 6 - 11.

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

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.

Health

93.2% of the population of Providence, RI has health coverage, with 39.6% on employee plans, 33.2% on Medicaid, 6.83% on Medicare, 13% on non-group plans, and 0.517% 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.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Providence County, RI.

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 23.9% under 18 years, 31.2% between 18 and 34 years, 34% between 35 and 64 years, and 10.8% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.6% were men and 52.4% were women.

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

Uninsured People

6.82%

Uninsured

39.6%

Employer Coverage

33.2%

Medicaid

6.83%

Medicare

13%

Non-Group

0.517%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Providence, RI declined by 6.45% from 7.29% to 6.82%.

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