County · Rhode Island
Providence County, Rhode Island
Providence County, Rhode Island. Providence County had 678,179 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.6% since 2020, faster than Rhode Island (+1.6%). It holds 25 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs, 10 towns and townships and 9 census-designated) and 145 census tracts. GEOID 44007.
Providence 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
678,179
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 660,741 · ACS 2020-2024: 664,854
Median household income
$78,787
±$1,722 (90% margin)
Rhode Island: $87,796
Median home value
$373,600
±$3,437 (90% margin)
Rhode Island: $404,200
Median gross rent
$1,312
±$21 (90% margin)
Rhode Island: $1,342
How many people live in Providence County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 660,741 residents in Providence County. The Census Bureau estimates 678,179 for July 1, 2025, up 2.6% since 2020, faster than Rhode Island (+1.6%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 664,854 over 409 square miles of land.
| Measure | Providence County | Rhode Island | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 664,854 | 1,101,801 | +29,117 |
| Households | 259,210±1,297 | 441,570 | +21,239 |
| Average household size | 2.46±0.01 | 2.39 | −0.10 |
| Housing units | 277,740±167 | 485,932 | +11,410 |
Providence County's population since 2000
From 621,602 in 2000 to 678,179 in 2025: up 9.1%. 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.
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 Providence County?
Providence County holds 25 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 10 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 9 census-designated places. The largest is Providence with 195,310 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Providence | 190,934 | $68,119 |
|---|---|---|
| Cranston | 82,934 | $90,206 |
| Pawtucket | 75,604 | $68,310 |
| East Providence | 47,139 | $75,912 |
| Woonsocket | 43,240 | $61,059 |
| Cumberland | 36,405 | $117,522 |
| North Providence | 34,114 | $83,756 |
| Johnston | 29,568 | $91,866 |
| Central Falls | 22,583 | $49,285 |
| Lincoln | 22,529 | $104,821 |
| Smithfield | 22,118 | $102,077 |
| Burrillville | 16,158 | $119,813 |
| North Smithfield | 12,588 | $108,866 |
| Valley Falls | 12,094 | $92,901 |
| Scituate | 10,384 | $112,315 |
| Glocester | 9,974 | $113,508 |
| Greenville | 9,061 | $97,234 |
| Cumberland Hill | 8,140 | $130,506 |
| Pascoag | 4,641 | $121,369 |
| Foster | 4,469 | $113,646 |
| Harrisville | 1,745 | $62,535 |
| Chepachet | 1,704 | $92,971 |
| HarmonyGEOID 4433040 | 1,036 | $120,235 |
| Foster CenterGEOID 4427640 | 333 | $78,026 |
| ClayvilleGEOID 4415940 | 312 | $125,174 |
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 Providence County?
The median resident of Providence County is 38.0 years old; 20.1% are under 18 and 16.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 56.5%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 25.6%. 20.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Providence County | Rhode Island | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.0±0.2 | 40.6 | +0.6 |
| Under 18 years | 20.1%±0.1 pts | 18.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.3%±0.1 pts | 18.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 25.6% | 17.7% | +2.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 56.5%±0.2 pts | 68.0% | −4.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 7.0%±0.3 pts | 4.9% | −1.3 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.2%±0.1 pts | 3.5% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.4%±0.4 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 20.9%±0.6 pts | 15.3% | +2.5 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 32.6%±0.7 pts | 23.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.0%±0.2 pts | 5.1% | – |
| With a disability | 14.4%±0.4 pts | 13.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.4%±0.4 pts | 4.4% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.4%±0.5 pts | 89.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 32.3%±0.7 pts | 37.7% | +3.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.6%±0.4 pts | 15.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.5%±0.3 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 County earn?
Half of Providence County's 259,210 households earn less than $78,787 a year (±$1,722), against $87,796 in Rhode Island. In 2015-2019 the median was $72,579 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $6,208 after inflation. 13.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Providence County | Rhode Island | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $78,787±$1,722 | $87,796 | +$6,208 |
| Mean household income | $103,330±$1,713 | $115,075 | – |
| Per capita income | $41,523±$633 | $47,150 | +$2,729 |
| People below the poverty line | 13.4%±0.6 pts | 11.2% | −1.8 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.3%±1.6 pts | 13.7% | −4.4 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 17.8%±0.7 pts | 14.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.5%±0.5 pts | 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 Providence County?
Owners occupy 56.9% of Providence County's occupied homes and renters 43.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $373,600 by its owner (±$3,437). The median renter pays $1,312 a month including utilities, and 37.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Providence County | Rhode Island | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $373,600±$3,437 | $404,200 | +$86,233 |
| Median gross rent | $1,312±$21 | $1,342 | +$122 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 37.0%±1.3 pts | 37.8% | −2.3 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,152±$25 | $2,234 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 56.9%±0.8 pts | 63.6% | +2.7 pts |
| Housing units | 277,740±167 | 485,932 | +11,410 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.0%±0.6 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 45.5%±0.7 pts | 55.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.5%±0.1 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 35.9%±0.8 pts | 30.1% | – |
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 Providence County building?
Builders took permits for 1,028 new housing units across Providence County in 2025 (258 single-family), 1.5 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Providence County get to work?
70.7% of Providence County's workers drive alone and 12.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.6%.
| Measure | Providence County | Rhode Island | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 65.6%±0.6 pts | 65.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6%±0.5 pts | 5.8% | +0.7 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 70.7%±1.0 pts | 72.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.8%±0.7 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.3%±0.2 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Walked | 3.1%±0.3 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.3%±0.6 pts | 13.0% | +8.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.9 min±0.4 | 25.5 min | +0.9 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 are Providence County's census tracts?
Providence County is divided into 145 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $16,543 (Tract 152) to $179,268 (Tract 145.01).
All 145 census tracts of Providence 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 Providence County compare with Rhode Island's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 1st of 5 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 1st of 5 |
| Residents per square mile | 2nd of 5 |
| Median household income | 5th of 5 |
| Median home value | 4th of 5 |
| Median gross rent | 5th of 5 |
| Poverty rate | 1st of 5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 5th of 5 |
| Median age | 5th of 5 |
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 Providence 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.