City · Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, city, in Providence County, Rhode Island. Providence had 195,310 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.3% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 190,934 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 191,767 (±114). GEOID 4459000.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
195,310
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 190,934 · ACS 2020-2024: 191,767 ±114
Median household income
$68,119
±$2,678 (90% margin)
Rhode Island: $87,796
Median home value
$362,200
±$8,303 (90% margin)
Rhode Island: $404,200
Median gross rent
$1,408
±$42 (90% margin)
Rhode Island: $1,342
Where is Providence and what county is it in?
Providence is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island. It covers 18.4 square miles of land, 10,373 residents per square mile in 2020.
Providence 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 Providence, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 195,310 people lived in Providence on July 1, 2025, up 2.3% since 2020, faster than Rhode Island (+1.6%). The 2020 Census counted 190,934 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 191,767 (±114).
| Measure | Providence | Providence County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 191,767 ±114 | 664,854 | +12,273 |
| Households | 71,497 ±1,225 | 259,210 | +9,806 |
| Average household size | 2.47 ±0.04 | 2.46 | −0.20 |
| Housing units | 79,423 ±1,256 | 277,740 | +5,732 |
Providence's population since 2000
From 173,618 in 2000 to 195,310 in 2025: up 12.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Providence 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 Providence?
The median resident of Providence is 32.8 years old; 20.1% are under 18 and 11.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 45.3%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 33.1%. 33.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Providence | Providence County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.8 ±0.5 | 38.0 | +2.2 |
| Under 18 years | 20.1% ±0.7 pts | 20.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 11.6% ±0.6 pts | 16.3% | – |
| Male | 49.1% ±0.8 pts | 49.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 45.3% ±1.4 pts | 25.6% | +2.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 33.1% ±1.3 pts | 56.5% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 10.2% ±1.0 pts | 7.0% | −3.7 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 6.2% ±0.6 pts | 4.2% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.2 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 | 3.6% ±0.4 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.2% ±0.4 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 33.5% ±1.3 pts | 20.9% | +4.8 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 50.4% ±1.8 pts | 32.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 2.3% ±0.4 pts | 4.0% | – |
| With a disability | 14.2% ±1.0 pts | 14.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.4% ±0.9 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 82.1% ±1.2 pts | 86.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 34.6% ±1.4 pts | 32.3% | +4.5 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 16.6% ±1.0 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 84.1% ±1.1 pts | 87.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 5.4% ±0.5 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 Providence earn?
Half of Providence's 71,497 households earn less than $68,119 a year (±$2,678), against $78,787 in Providence County and $87,796 in Rhode Island. In 2015-2019 the median was $56,132 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $11,987 after inflation. 20.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Providence | Providence County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $68,119 ±$2,678 | $78,787 | +$11,987 |
| Mean household income | $95,427 ±$3,698 | $103,330 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,138 ±$1,471 | $41,523 | +$4,451 |
| People below the poverty line | 20.7% ±1.8 pts | 13.4% | −4.8 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 28.0% ±4.5 pts | 17.3% | −6.7 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 25.9% ±1.9 pts | 17.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 94.6% ±0.9 pts | 94.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.7% ±1.1 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 Providence?
Owners occupy 41.4% of Providence's occupied homes and renters 58.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $362,200 by its owner (±$8,303). The median renter pays $1,408 a month including utilities, and 38.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Providence | Providence County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $362,200 ±$8,303 | $373,600 | +$115,692 |
| Median gross rent | $1,408 ±$42 | $1,312 | +$185 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.6% ±2.6 pts | 37.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,100 ±$69 | $2,152 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 41.4% ±1.9 pts | 56.9% | +5.3 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 58.6% ±1.9 pts | 43.1% | – |
| Housing units | 79,423 ±1,256 | 277,740 | +5,732 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1% ±0.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.1% ±0.9 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 26.1% ±1.4 pts | 45.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8% ±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 2.6% ±0.6 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 54.5% ±1.8 pts | 35.9% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 17.1% ±1.2 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 Providence building?
Builders took permits for 324 new housing units in Providence in 2025 (32 in single-family houses), 1.7 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 Providence work and get to work?
60.5% of Providence's workers drive alone and 14.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 8.2%.
| Measure | Providence | Providence County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.4% ±1.2 pts | 65.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 8.2% ±1.1 pts | 6.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 60.5% ±1.9 pts | 70.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.0% ±1.5 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 4.1% ±0.7 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 7.3% ±0.8 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 14.3% ±1.3 pts | 12.3% | +8.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.0 min ±0.9 | 25.9 min | +1.8 min |
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 Providence?
42 census tracts lie mostly in Providence (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $35,616 (Tract 5) to $170,000 (Tract 34).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 24Providence County | 8,647 | $94,151 |
| Tract 20Providence County | 7,867 | $99,857 |
| Tract 18Providence County | 7,324 | $55,460 |
| Tract 29Providence County | 7,154 | $43,803 |
| Tract 21.02Providence County | 7,127 | $77,207 |
| Tract 2Providence County | 6,545 | $48,456 |
| Tract 22Providence County | 6,436 | $68,867 |
| Tract 19Providence County | 6,409 | $51,348 |
| Tract 36.02Providence County | 6,018 | $146,000 |
| Tract 14Providence County | 5,996 | $60,282 |
| Tract 1.02Providence County | 5,981 | $71,853 |
| Tract 23Providence County | 5,580 | $93,442 |
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 Providence) · Census block assignment files
How does Providence compare with other places in Rhode Island?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Providence is the 133rd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the most populous of 8 in Rhode Island.
Providence ranks 54th 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 | 1st | 8 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 14th | 39 |
| Residents per square mile | 2nd | 57 |
| Median household income | 54th | 57 |
| Per capita income | 53rd | 57 |
| Median home value | 44th | 56 |
| Median gross rent | 18th | 51 |
| Poverty rate | 2nd | 45 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 41st | 57 |
| Median age | 54th | 57 |
| Owner-occupied share | 54th | 56 |
| Work from home | 19th | 49 |
| Travel time to work | 34th | 57 |
Providence's figures with every place in Rhode Island (CSV)
Every place in Rhode Island, sortable · Compare Providence 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 Providence?
3 of the 57 figures for Providence 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 Providence 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 Providence.