City · Rhode Island
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Pawtucket, city, in Providence County, Rhode Island. Pawtucket had 77,065 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.9% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 75,604 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 75,893 (±41). GEOID 4454640.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
77,065
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 75,604 · ACS 2020-2024: 75,893 ±41
Median household income
$68,310
±$4,475 (90% margin)
Rhode Island: $87,796
Median home value
$325,500
±$8,367 (90% margin)
Rhode Island: $404,200
Median gross rent
$1,208
±$39 (90% margin)
Rhode Island: $1,342
Where is Pawtucket and what county is it in?
Pawtucket is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island. It covers 8.7 square miles of land, 8,723 residents per square mile in 2020.
Pawtucket 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 Pawtucket, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 77,065 people lived in Pawtucket on July 1, 2025, up 1.9% since 2020, in line with Rhode Island (+1.6%). The 2020 Census counted 75,604 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 75,893 (±41).
| Measure | Pawtucket | Providence County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 75,893 ±41 | 664,854 | +4,049 |
| Households | 30,598 ±831 | 259,210 | +2,053 |
| Average household size | 2.46 ±0.07 | 2.46 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 32,810 ±780 | 277,740 | +1,082 |
Pawtucket's population since 2000
From 72,958 in 2000 to 77,065 in 2025: up 5.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Pawtucket 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 Pawtucket?
The median resident of Pawtucket is 37.1 years old; 22.4% are under 18 and 14.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 46.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 26.8%. 25.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Pawtucket | Providence County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.1 ±0.8 | 38.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.4% ±1.3 pts | 20.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.5% ±1.1 pts | 16.3% | – |
| Male | 48.7% ±1.5 pts | 49.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 26.8% ±2.6 pts | 25.6% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 46.3% ±2.5 pts | 56.5% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 11.0% ±1.7 pts | 7.0% | −4.9 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.2% ±0.5 pts | 4.2% | −1.2 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 12.1% ±2.2 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 2.0% ±0.8 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 25.5% ±2.0 pts | 20.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 38.5% ±2.5 pts | 32.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.6% ±0.7 pts | 4.0% | – |
| With a disability | 14.0% ±1.1 pts | 14.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.7% ±1.0 pts | 5.4% | −1.5 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 82.4% ±1.8 pts | 86.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 22.2% ±1.8 pts | 32.3% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.7% ±1.0 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 89.1% ±2.0 pts | 87.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.2% ±1.2 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 Pawtucket earn?
Half of Pawtucket's 30,598 households earn less than $68,310 a year (±$4,475), against $78,787 in Providence County and $87,796 in Rhode Island. In 2015-2019 the median was $62,121 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $6,190 after inflation. 13.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Pawtucket | Providence County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $68,310 ±$4,475 | $78,787 | +$6,190 |
| Mean household income | $85,335 ±$3,272 | $103,330 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,248 ±$1,242 | $41,523 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 13.3% ±1.8 pts | 13.4% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.3% ±4.6 pts | 17.3% | −7.1 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 20.8% ±2.2 pts | 17.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 93.8% ±1.1 pts | 94.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.5% ±1.6 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 Pawtucket?
Owners occupy 50.1% of Pawtucket's occupied homes and renters 49.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $325,500 by its owner (±$8,367). The median renter pays $1,208 a month including utilities, and 35.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Pawtucket | Providence County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $325,500 ±$8,367 | $373,600 | +$86,007 |
| Median gross rent | $1,208 ±$39 | $1,312 | +$76 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 35.8% ±3.9 pts | 37.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,923 ±$51 | $2,152 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 50.1% ±2.3 pts | 56.9% | +5.0 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 49.9% ±2.3 pts | 43.1% | – |
| Housing units | 32,810 ±780 | 277,740 | +1,082 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4% ±0.4 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.1% ±0.7 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 33.9% ±1.8 pts | 45.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.8% ±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5% ±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 1.7% ±0.6 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 42.8% ±2.2 pts | 35.9% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 12.7% ±1.6 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 Pawtucket building?
Builders took permits for 2 new housing units in Pawtucket in 2025 (2 in single-family houses), 0.0 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 Pawtucket work and get to work?
75.3% of Pawtucket's workers drive alone and 9.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.3%.
| Measure | Pawtucket | Providence County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 70.5% ±1.5 pts | 65.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.3% ±1.3 pts | 6.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 75.3% ±2.2 pts | 70.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.8% ±1.2 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 3.3% ±0.9 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 1.6% ±0.5 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.2% ±1.5 pts | 12.3% | +7.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.6 min ±1.2 | 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 Pawtucket?
21 census tracts lie mostly in Pawtucket (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $16,543 (Tract 152) to $102,590 (Tract 150).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 164Providence County | 5,260 | $44,760 |
| Tract 171Providence County | 5,198 | $65,000 |
| Tract 155Providence County | 4,970 | $80,458 |
| Tract 150Providence County | 4,717 | $102,590 |
| Tract 161Providence County | 4,304 | $62,775 |
| Tract 170Providence County | 4,272 | $59,492 |
| Tract 160Providence County | 4,068 | $79,231 |
| Tract 151Providence County | 3,998 | $47,529 |
| Tract 158Providence County | 3,895 | $97,292 |
| Tract 165Providence County | 3,830 | $91,219 |
| Tract 157Providence County | 3,751 | $101,818 |
| Tract 167Providence County | 3,403 | $49,104 |
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 Pawtucket) · Census block assignment files
How does Pawtucket compare with other places in Rhode Island?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Pawtucket is the 495th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 4th-most populous of 8 in Rhode Island.
Pawtucket ranks 53rd 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 | 4th | 8 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 18th | 39 |
| Residents per square mile | 3rd | 57 |
| Median household income | 53rd | 57 |
| Per capita income | 54th | 57 |
| Median home value | 54th | 56 |
| Median gross rent | 42nd | 51 |
| Poverty rate | 7th | 45 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 54th | 57 |
| Median age | 51st | 57 |
| Owner-occupied share | 52nd | 56 |
| Work from home | 46th | 49 |
| Travel time to work | 31st | 57 |
Pawtucket's figures with every place in Rhode Island (CSV)
Every place in Rhode Island, sortable · Compare Pawtucket 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 Pawtucket?
2 of the 57 figures for Pawtucket 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 Pawtucket 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 Pawtucket.