City · Rhode Island
Cranston, Rhode Island
Cranston, city, in Providence County, Rhode Island. Cranston had 84,647 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 82,934 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 83,250 (±48). GEOID 4419180.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
84,647
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 82,934 · ACS 2020-2024: 83,250 ±48
Median household income
$90,206
±$4,068 (90% margin)
Rhode Island: $87,796
Median home value
$378,300
±$7,077 (90% margin)
Rhode Island: $404,200
Median gross rent
$1,375
±$59 (90% margin)
Rhode Island: $1,342
Where is Cranston and what county is it in?
Cranston is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island. It covers 28.3 square miles of land, 2,926 residents per square mile in 2020.
Cranston is in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 6 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Cranston, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 84,647 people lived in Cranston on July 1, 2025, up 2.1% since 2020, faster than Rhode Island (+1.6%). The 2020 Census counted 82,934 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 83,250 (±48).
| Measure | Cranston | Providence County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 83,250 ±48 | 664,854 | +1,996 |
| Households | 32,595 ±787 | 259,210 | +2,114 |
| Average household size | 2.44 ±0.06 | 2.46 | −0.10 |
| Housing units | 33,834 ±805 | 277,740 | no clear change |
Cranston's population since 2000
From 79,269 in 2000 to 84,647 in 2025: up 6.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Cranston as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Cranston?
The median resident of Cranston is 39.6 years old; 19.6% are under 18 and 16.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 65.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 18.8%. 16.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Cranston | Providence County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.6 ±0.9 | 38.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.6% ±1.0 pts | 20.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.8% ±0.9 pts | 16.3% | – |
| Male | 50.2% ±1.3 pts | 49.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 18.8% ±1.8 pts | 25.6% | +3.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 65.3% ±2.3 pts | 56.5% | −4.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 5.3% ±1.2 pts | 7.0% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 6.8% ±1.2 pts | 4.2% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.3% ±0.7 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.2 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 16.2% ±1.4 pts | 20.9% | +2.2 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 25.3% ±2.1 pts | 32.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.6% ±0.6 pts | 4.0% | – |
| With a disability | 12.0% ±1.0 pts | 14.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.3% ±1.2 pts | 5.4% | +1.9 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.8% ±1.1 pts | 86.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 36.4% ±1.9 pts | 32.3% | +3.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 13.5% ±1.4 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 89.3% ±1.4 pts | 87.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.0% ±0.7 pts | 3.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Cranston earn?
Half of Cranston's 32,595 households earn less than $90,206 a year (±$4,068), against $78,787 in Providence County and $87,796 in Rhode Island. In 2015-2019 it was $88,631 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 10.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Cranston | Providence County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $90,206 ±$4,068 | $78,787 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $112,100 ±$3,525 | $103,330 | – |
| Per capita income | $45,258 ±$1,687 | $41,523 | +$3,446 |
| People below the poverty line | 10.2% ±1.5 pts | 13.4% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 10.3% ±3.1 pts | 17.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.7% ±1.5 pts | 17.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 93.0% ±1.6 pts | 94.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.9% ±1.8 pts | 90.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Cranston?
Owners occupy 67.6% of Cranston's occupied homes and renters 32.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $378,300 by its owner (±$7,077). The median renter pays $1,375 a month including utilities, and 31.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Cranston | Providence County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $378,300 ±$7,077 | $373,600 | +$78,626 |
| Median gross rent | $1,375 ±$59 | $1,312 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 31.5% ±4.6 pts | 37.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,202 ±$55 | $2,152 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 67.6% ±2.2 pts | 56.9% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 32.4% ±2.2 pts | 43.1% | – |
| Housing units | 33,834 ±805 | 277,740 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.2% ±0.8 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 62.7% ±2.0 pts | 45.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 2.2% ±0.8 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 29.1% ±2.3 pts | 35.9% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.4% ±1.5 pts | 11.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Cranston building?
Builders took permits for 59 new housing units in Cranston in 2025 (50 in single-family houses), 0.7 per 1,000 residents against 1.6 across Rhode Island.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Cranston work and get to work?
72.7% of Cranston's workers drive alone and 13.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.1%.
| Measure | Cranston | Providence County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.1% ±1.7 pts | 65.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.1% ±0.9 pts | 6.6% | +1.8 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 72.7% ±2.1 pts | 70.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.3% ±1.5 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.2% ±0.4 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 1.1% ±0.5 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 13.0% ±1.2 pts | 12.3% | +10.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.3 min ±1.0 | 25.9 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Cranston?
17 census tracts lie mostly in Cranston (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $48,889 (Tract 141) to $179,268 (Tract 145.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 147Providence County | 8,420 | $56,005 |
| Tract 146Providence County | 7,236 | $142,226 |
| Tract 140Providence County | 6,866 | $82,550 |
| Tract 148Providence County | 5,726 | $103,489 |
| Tract 138Providence County | 5,252 | $92,927 |
| Tract 135Providence County | 5,119 | $73,138 |
| Tract 143Providence County | 4,709 | $109,250 |
| Tract 145.02Providence County | 4,672 | $80,724 |
| Tract 142Providence County | 4,593 | $93,882 |
| Tract 137.01Providence County | 4,582 | $87,143 |
| Tract 145.01Providence County | 4,529 | $179,268 |
| Tract 141Providence County | 4,174 | $48,889 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Cranston) · Census block assignment files
How does Cranston compare with other places in Rhode Island?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Cranston is the 433rd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 2nd-most populous of 8 in Rhode Island.
Cranston ranks 44th of 57 places in Rhode Island with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 2nd | 8 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 17th | 39 |
| Residents per square mile | 11th | 57 |
| Median household income | 44th | 57 |
| Per capita income | 45th | 57 |
| Median home value | 40th | 56 |
| Median gross rent | 21st | 51 |
| Poverty rate | 10th | 45 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35th | 57 |
| Median age | 45th | 57 |
| Owner-occupied share | 42nd | 56 |
| Work from home | 27th | 49 |
| Travel time to work | 42nd | 57 |
Cranston's figures with every place in Rhode Island (CSV)
Every place in Rhode Island, sortable · Compare Cranston with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Cranston?
7 of the 57 figures for Cranston on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Cranston are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Cranston.