City profile · Rhode Island · Census ACS 2023

Pawtucket, RI

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Pawtucket - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

75,280
Residents
$67,436
Median income
$286,200
Median home
$1,729
Median rent (state)

Pawtucket - the verdict

Pawtucket ranks in the 46th percentile for household income and the 36th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

46th
percentile, household income
63rd
percentile, home value
70th
percentile, median rent
36th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Pawtucket, RI

75,280 people live in Pawtucket, Rhode Island - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Pawtucket households earn a median of $67,436 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 10.1%. Pawtucket's housing stock carries a median value of $286,200, and the median resident age is 37.4 years. About 23.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 65.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 2 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 85% from five years earlier. Pawtucket reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1819.4 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Rhode Island tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Rhode Island at 102.3 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,729 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Rhode Island run around $318, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 23.5 minutes, with 74.9% driving alone and 8.5% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 19.4 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

75,280 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Rhode Island

Median Household Income

$67,436 /yr

Poverty 10.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

102.3 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Rhode Island average

How does Pawtucket compare to other US cities?

Here's how Pawtucket stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 46% higher than other cities
Home value 63% pricier than other cities
Median rent 70% pricier than other cities
Safety 36% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Rhode Island, Pawtucket ranks #9 of 11 Rhode Island cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Pawtucket's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Rhode Island, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

46thIncome percentile
36thSafety percentile

46th percentile nationally for median household income · 36th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Pawtucket's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Pawtucket's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 39 Avg. percentile National median
Pawtucket's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Pawtucket's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$286,200 37th percentile more affordable than 37% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Pawtucket $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Pawtucket, RI Pawtucket, RI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Pawtucket, RI-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Pawtucket, RI median $67,436/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Pawtucket, RI's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Pawtucket, RI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 23.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 10.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 65.4%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
75,280
Median Income
$67,436
Median Home Value
$286,200
Median Age
37.4
Poverty Rate
10.1%
Labor force participation
65.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
23.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1819.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
307.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1511.8
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
18
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
75,000 residents76,000 residents77,000 residents78,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 75,514 residents 77,065 residents ▲ +2.1%
Pawtucket's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
2
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 13
2020 22
2021 31
2022 20
2023 4
2024 2

Permit volume decreased 85% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
23.5 minutes
Drive Alone
74.9%
Carpool
9.1%
Public Transit
3.9%
Walk
1.7%
Work from Home
8.5%
Other
1.9%

Based on 38,594 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Rhode Island - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$155
avg/month
Natural Gas
$105
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$58
avg/month
Total Utilities
$318
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Rhode Island state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Rhode Island state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Pawtucket sits in

Cost of Living Index
102.3
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,729/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
19.4 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Rhode Island

Cranston
82,632 people
Warwick
82,871 people
East Providence
46,970 people
Woonsocket
43,074 people
Newport
25,029 people
Central Falls
22,481 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Pawtucket's 75,280 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Iowa City, IA
75,264 people
Missouri City, TX
75,234 people
Mansfield, TX
75,398 people
Broomfield, CO
75,110 people
Apple Valley, CA
75,478 people
Missoula, MT
75,600 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Pawtucket's $67,436 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

China Lake Acres, CA
$67,438 median income
Hoyt, KS
$67,438 median income
Taft, TX
$67,431 median income
Warrenton, OR
$67,430 median income
Statham, GA
$67,444 median income
Omro, WI
$67,426 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Pawtucket, RI Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Pawtucket, RI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 53.0% 14.6% 11.5% 18.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 24.6% White 53.0% Black or African American 14.6% Asian 1.6% American Indian 0.6% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 11.5% Two or more races 18.7% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Pawtucket compares to nearby Rhode Island cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Pawtucket (this city) 75,280 $67,436
Cranston 82,632 $87,716
Warwick 82,871 $87,536
East Providence 46,970 $79,660
Census ACS 5-year FIPS RI FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Pawtucket, RI?

What is the population of Pawtucket, RI? +

Pawtucket, RI has a population of 75,280 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Pawtucket, RI? +

In Pawtucket, the typical household earns $67,436 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Pawtucket? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Pawtucket; the closest available measure is the Rhode Island state average, a cost of living index of 102.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Rhode Island vary by metro area.

Is Pawtucket, RI safe? +

Pawtucket has a total crime rate of 1819.4 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Pawtucket, RI? +

The median home value in Pawtucket is $286,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.