County · Rhode Island

Newport County, Rhode Island

Newport County, Rhode Island. Newport County had 83,051 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.0% since 2020, while Rhode Island grew 1.6%. It holds 9 places (1 city, village or borough, 5 towns and townships and 3 census-designated) and 24 census tracts. GEOID 44005.

Newport County is one of the 6 counties of the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).

Residents, July 2025 estimate

83,051

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 85,643 · ACS 2020-2024: 84,657

Median household income

$103,514

±$4,684 (90% margin)
Rhode Island: $87,796

Median home value

$609,700

±$17,442 (90% margin)
Rhode Island: $404,200

Median gross rent

$1,713

±$77 (90% margin)
Rhode Island: $1,342

How many people live in Newport County, and is it growing?

The 2020 Census counted 85,643 residents in Newport County. The Census Bureau estimates 83,051 for July 1, 2025, down 3.0% since 2020, while Rhode Island grew 1.6%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 84,657 over 102 square miles of land.

  • July 2020→2021 +63 (85,561)
  • 2021→2022 −791 (84,770)
  • 2022→2023 −1,036 (83,734)
  • 2023→2024 −377 (83,357)
  • 2024→2025 −306 (83,051)
Newport County in Rhode Island. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.
Counts, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates, with the change from 2015-2019
MeasureNewport CountyRhode IslandChange since 2015-2019
Total population84,6571,101,801+1,856
Households36,868±642441,570+2,091
Average household size2.19±0.042.39−0.08
Housing units43,663±40485,932+1,100

Newport County's population since 2000

From 85,433 in 2000 to 83,051 in 2025: down 2.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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 85,433
  • 2005 (estimate) 83,962
  • 2010 Census 82,888
  • 2015 (estimate) 83,496
  • 2020 Census 85,643
  • 2025 (estimate) 83,051

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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov

What cities and towns are in Newport County?

Newport County holds 9 places: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place), 5 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Newport with 24,251 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.

Places in Newport County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Ring: estimate with a coefficient of variation over 40%.
Newportcity25,16324,874±26$86,313$746,90016.5%100%
Portsmouthtown17,87117,644±24$117,467$597,0004.9%100%
Middletowntown17,07516,832±25$101,948$563,3008.5%100%
Tivertontown16,35916,189±29$106,036$411,9004.4%100%
Newport EastCDP12,33711,069±850$89,028$485,40011.7%100%
Tiverton CDPCDP7,8098,091±574$99,158$407,2004.4%100%
Jamestowntown5,5595,534±15$140,625$842,4003.5%100%
Little Comptontown3,6163,584±25$134,750$783,4002.9%100%
MelvilleGEOID 4445010CDP1,6091,631±464$102,266not published1.6%100%

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov

Who lives in Newport County?

The median resident of Newport County is 46.9 years old; 16.0% are under 18 and 25.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 82.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 6.7%. 7.0% of residents were born outside the United States.

Age, origin and education, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
MeasureNewport CountyRhode IslandChange since 2015-2019
Median age46.9±0.440.6+1.7
Under 18 years16.0%±0.1 pts18.8%–
65 years and over25.5%±0.2 pts18.7%–
Hispanic or Latino (any race)6.7%17.7%+1.0 pts
White alone, not Hispanic82.4%±0.6 pts68.0%−3.4 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic3.2%±0.4 pts4.9%no clear change
Asian alone, not Hispanic1.7%±0.2 pts3.5%no clear change
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic0.2%±0.1 pts0.1%–
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic0.1%±0.1 pts0.1%–
Two or more races, not Hispanic4.9%±0.7 pts4.9%–
Some other race alone, not Hispanic0.9%±0.4 pts0.8%–
Born outside the United States7.0%±0.9 pts15.3%no clear change
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+)9.7%±1.0 pts23.1%–
Civilian veterans (age 18+)8.4%±0.8 pts5.1%–
With a disability12.2%±1.0 pts13.8%–
No health insurance coverage3.9%±0.6 pts4.4%no clear change
High school graduate or higher (age 25+)95.6%±0.6 pts89.7%–
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+)54.1%±1.7 pts37.7%+6.0 pts
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+)22.9%±1.5 pts15.4%–
Moved from another state in the past year6.2%±0.7 pts3.5%–

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 Newport County earn?

Half of Newport County's 36,868 households earn less than $103,514 a year (±$4,684), against $87,796 in Rhode Island. In 2015-2019 the median was $97,784 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $5,730 after inflation. 8.5% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
MeasureNewport CountyRhode IslandChange since 2015-2019
Median household income$103,514±$4,684$87,796+$5,730
Mean household income$138,641±$5,954$115,075–
Per capita income$61,596±$2,569$47,150no clear change
People below the poverty line8.5%±1.0 pts11.2%no clear change
Children under 18 below the poverty line11.9%±2.9 pts13.7%no clear change
Households receiving SNAP8.2%±1.2 pts14.0%–
Households with a broadband subscription94.1%±1.1 pts91.7%–

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 Newport County?

Owners occupy 67.9% of Newport County's occupied homes and renters 32.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $609,700 by its owner (±$17,442). The median renter pays $1,713 a month including utilities, and 39.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
MeasureNewport CountyRhode IslandChange since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied)$609,700±$17,442$404,200+$132,314
Median gross rent$1,713±$77$1,342+$132
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent39.4%±4.3 pts37.8%+6.1 pts
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage$2,622±$100$2,234–
Owner-occupied homes67.9%±1.7 pts63.6%+4.7 pts
Housing units43,663±40485,932+1,100
Homeowner vacancy rate1.2%±0.7 pts0.6%–
Rental vacancy rate5.9%±1.6 pts4.2%–
Single-family detached homes62.9%±1.8 pts55.7%–
Mobile homes2.0%±0.6 pts0.9%–
Built 2020 or later0.6%±0.2 pts0.7%–
Built 1939 or earlier30.2%±1.8 pts30.1%–

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 Newport County building?

Builders took permits for 131 new housing units across Newport County in 2025 (76 single-family), 1.6 per 1,000 residents.

  • 2019 156 units
  • 2020 123 units
  • 2021 133 units
  • 2022 124 units
  • 2023 126 units
  • 2024 180 units
  • 2025 131 units

Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey

How do people in Newport County get to work?

69.8% of Newport County's workers drive alone and 15.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.8%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
MeasureNewport CountyRhode IslandChange since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+)64.0%±1.1 pts65.0%–
Unemployment rate5.8%±1.2 pts5.8%+1.5 pts
Drove alone to work69.8%±2.2 pts72.4%–
Carpooled5.9%±1.1 pts7.7%–
Public transportation0.9%±0.4 pts1.7%–
Walked5.3%±1.2 pts2.8%–
Worked from home15.7%±1.6 pts13.0%+8.7 pts
Mean travel time to work22.8 min±1.025.5 minno 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 are Newport County's census tracts?

Newport County is divided into 24 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $50,392 (Tract 405) to $149,770 (Tract 401.02).

All 24 census tracts of Newport County, with their figures

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov

How does Newport County compare with Rhode Island's other counties?

Newport County's rank among Rhode Island's counties with a reliable estimate (1 = highest)
MeasureRank
Population4th of 5
Growth 2020-20255th of 5
Residents per square mile4th of 5
Median household income3rd of 5
Median home value1st of 5
Median gross rent1st of 5
Poverty rate2nd of 5
Bachelor's degree or higher1st of 5
Median age1st of 5

Every county in Rhode Island

Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Newport County 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' school search.