City · Rhode Island

Woonsocket, Rhode Island

Woonsocket, city, in Providence County, Rhode Island. Woonsocket had 44,580 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 43,240 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 43,521 (±41). GEOID 4480780.

Residents, July 2025 estimate

44,580

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 43,240 · ACS 2020-2024: 43,521 ±41

Median household income

$61,059

±$5,299 (90% margin)
Rhode Island: $87,796

Median home value

$311,000

±$14,526 (90% margin)
Rhode Island: $404,200

Median gross rent

$1,161

±$48 (90% margin)
Rhode Island: $1,342

Where is Woonsocket and what county is it in?

Woonsocket is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island. It covers 7.7 square miles of land, 5,582 residents per square mile in 2020.

Woonsocket is in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 6 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).

Woonsocket (marked with a dot) in Providence County, Rhode Island. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.

Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files

How many people live in Woonsocket, and is it growing?

The Census Bureau estimates that 44,580 people lived in Woonsocket on July 1, 2025, up 3.1% since 2020, faster than Rhode Island (+1.6%). The 2020 Census counted 43,240 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 43,521 (±41).

  • July 2020→2021 −89 (43,071)
  • 2021→2022 +162 (43,233)
  • 2022→2023 +207 (43,440)
  • 2023→2024 +971 (44,411)
  • 2024→2025 +169 (44,580)
ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (counts) with the change from 2015-2019
Measure WoonsocketProvidence CountyRhode Island Change since 2015-2019
Total population 43,521 ±41 664,854 1,101,801 +1,918
Households 17,618 ±678 259,210 441,570 +955
Average household size 2.43 ±0.09 2.46 2.39 no clear change
Housing units 19,429 ±654 277,740 485,932 no clear change

Woonsocket's population since 2000

From 43,224 in 2000 to 44,580 in 2025: up 3.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Woonsocket 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.

  • 2000 Census 43,224
  • 2005 (estimate) 42,838
  • 2010 Census 41,186
  • 2015 (estimate) 41,548
  • 2020 Census 43,240
  • 2025 (estimate) 44,580

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 Woonsocket?

The median resident of Woonsocket is 35.7 years old; 23.3% are under 18 and 14.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 52.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 25.5%. 14.6% of residents were born outside the United States.

Age, origin, education and moves, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
Measure WoonsocketProvidence CountyRhode Island Change since 2015-2019
Median age 35.7 ±1.3 38.0 40.6 no clear change
Under 18 years 23.3% ±1.7 pts 20.1% 18.8% –
65 years and over 14.7% ±1.5 pts 16.3% 18.7% –
Male 48.0% ±1.5 pts 49.1% 49.1% –
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 25.5% ±2.8 pts 25.6% 17.7% +6.7 pts
White alone, not Hispanic 52.1% ±3.1 pts 56.5% 68.0% −10.4 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic 6.0% ±1.5 pts 7.0% 4.9% no clear change
Asian alone, not Hispanic 7.0% ±1.8 pts 4.2% 3.5% no clear change
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic 0.2% ±0.2 pts 0.2% 0.1% –
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic 0.0% ±0.1 pts 0.1% 0.1% –
Two or more races, not Hispanic 8.3% ±2.0 pts 5.4% 4.9% –
Some other race alone, not Hispanic 1.0% ±0.5 pts 1.1% 0.8% –
Born outside the United States 14.6% ±2.4 pts 20.9% 15.3% no clear change
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) 31.0% ±3.2 pts 32.6% 23.1% –
Civilian veterans (age 18+) 5.6% ±1.0 pts 4.0% 5.1% –
With a disability 19.5% ±1.9 pts 14.4% 13.8% –
No health insurance coverage 6.3% ±1.7 pts 5.4% 4.4% no clear change
High school graduate or higher (age 25+) 82.6% ±1.8 pts 86.4% 89.7% –
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) 19.8% ±2.3 pts 32.3% 37.7% no clear change
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) 5.9% ±1.1 pts 12.6% 15.4% –
Lived in the same house a year earlier 85.1% ±2.6 pts 87.9% 88.9% –
Moved from another state in the past year 3.9% ±1.3 pts 3.5% 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 Woonsocket earn?

Half of Woonsocket's 17,618 households earn less than $61,059 a year (±$5,299), against $78,787 in Providence County and $87,796 in Rhode Island. In 2015-2019 the median was $52,421 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $8,638 after inflation. 18.7% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; 2015-2019 dollars adjusted with the R-CPI-U-RS
Measure WoonsocketProvidence CountyRhode Island Change since 2015-2019
Median household income $61,059 ±$5,299 $78,787 $87,796 +$8,638
Mean household income $76,386 ±$4,413 $103,330 $115,075 –
Per capita income $31,639 ±$1,624 $41,523 $47,150 no clear change
People below the poverty line 18.7% ±2.5 pts 13.4% 11.2% no clear change
Children under 18 below the poverty line 28.3% ±6.0 pts 17.3% 13.7% no clear change
Households receiving SNAP 29.2% ±2.8 pts 17.8% 14.0% –
Households with a computer 93.3% ±1.2 pts 94.0% 94.7% –
Households with a broadband subscription 89.6% ±1.6 pts 90.5% 91.7% –

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 Woonsocket?

Owners occupy 37.2% of Woonsocket's occupied homes and renters 62.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $311,000 by its owner (±$14,526). The median renter pays $1,161 a month including utilities, and 38.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Home values are owners' own estimates.
Measure WoonsocketProvidence CountyRhode Island Change since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied) $311,000 ±$14,526 $373,600 $404,200 +$97,721
Median gross rent $1,161 ±$48 $1,312 $1,342 no clear change
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent 38.0% ±4.4 pts 37.0% 37.8% no clear change
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage $1,961 ±$79 $2,152 $2,234 –
Owner-occupied homes 37.2% ±2.7 pts 56.9% 63.6% no clear change
Renter-occupied homes 62.8% ±2.7 pts 43.1% 36.4% –
Housing units 19,429 ±654 277,740 485,932 no clear change
Homeowner vacancy rate 3.6% ±1.8 pts 0.6% 0.6% –
Rental vacancy rate 5.9% ±2.0 pts 4.0% 4.2% –
Single-family detached homes 26.2% ±2.5 pts 45.5% 55.7% –
Mobile homes 0.0% ±0.3 pts 0.5% 0.9% –
Built 2020 or later 0.3% ±0.3 pts 0.6% 0.7% –
Built 2010 to 2019 3.0% ±1.0 pts 3.3% 3.7% –
Built 1939 or earlier 41.0% ±3.3 pts 35.9% 30.1% –
Households with no vehicle 16.7% ±2.5 pts 11.5% 9.1% –

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 Woonsocket building?

Builders took permits for 28 new housing units in Woonsocket in 2025 (4 in single-family houses), 0.6 per 1,000 residents against 1.6 across Rhode Island.

  • 2019 19 units
  • 2020 35 units
  • 2021 35 units
  • 2022 18 units
  • 2023 198 units
  • 2024 26 units
  • 2025 28 units

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 Woonsocket work and get to work?

73.0% of Woonsocket's workers drive alone and 6.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 29.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.8%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (workers 16 and over)
Measure WoonsocketProvidence CountyRhode Island Change since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+) 62.4% ±2.4 pts 65.6% 65.0% –
Unemployment rate 6.8% ±1.5 pts 6.6% 5.8% no clear change
Drove alone to work 73.0% ±3.0 pts 70.7% 72.4% –
Carpooled 11.8% ±2.4 pts 8.8% 7.7% –
Public transportation 1.7% ±0.7 pts 2.3% 1.7% –
Walked 1.3% ±0.6 pts 3.1% 2.8% –
Worked from home 6.4% ±1.7 pts 12.3% 13.0% +4.6 pts
Mean travel time to work 29.3 min ±1.6 25.9 min 25.5 min +3.7 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 Woonsocket?

13 census tracts lie mostly in Woonsocket (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $25,933 (Tract 180) to $91,591 (Tract 182).

Census tracts in Woonsocket, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (the 12 with the most residents inside it; every tract on the full list)
TractResidents, 2020-2024Median household incomeMedian home valueShare of tract in Woonsocket
Tract 184Providence County6,541 $64,679 $322,100100%
Tract 174Providence County4,217 $54,412 $341,500100%
Tract 173Providence County3,843 $87,400 $347,200100%
Tract 177Providence County3,520 $89,063 $328,400100%
Tract 175Providence County3,419 $73,234 $288,500100%
Tract 181Providence County3,178 $54,776 $208,800100%
Tract 182Providence County3,162 $91,591 $234,700100%
Tract 179Providence County2,985 $33,895 $273,700100%
Tract 178Providence County2,939 $42,432 $328,500100%
Tract 176Providence County2,851 $47,951 $278,800100%
Tract 185Providence County2,776 $85,428 $322,100100%
Tract 180Providence County2,585 $25,933 $229,000100%

Every census tract in Woonsocket, with its figures

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 Woonsocket) · Census block assignment files

How does Woonsocket compare with other places in Rhode Island?

By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Woonsocket is the 932nd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 6th-most populous of 8 in Rhode Island.

Woonsocket ranks 56th of 57 places in Rhode Island with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.

Woonsocket's rank in Rhode Island (1 = highest): by population among the state's incorporated places with a 2025 estimate; by the other measures among places of 1,000+ residents with a reliable estimate
MeasureRankOf
Population, July 2025 estimate6th8
Growth 2020-2025 (PEP)10th39
Residents per square mile5th57
Median household income56th57
Per capita income55th57
Median home value55th56
Median gross rent46th51
Poverty rate4th45
Bachelor's degree or higher56th57
Median age52nd57
Owner-occupied share55th56
Work from home48th49
Travel time to work13th57

Woonsocket's figures with every place in Rhode Island (CSV)

Every place in Rhode Island, sortable · Compare Woonsocket 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 Woonsocket?

4 of the 57 figures for Woonsocket 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 Woonsocket 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 Woonsocket.