County · Rhode Island
Washington County, Rhode Island
Washington County, Rhode Island. Washington County had 129,795 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, about level with 2020, slower than Rhode Island (+1.6%). It holds 24 places (9 towns and townships and 15 census-designated) and 31 census tracts. GEOID 44009.
Washington 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
129,795
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 129,839 · ACS 2020-2024: 130,344
Median household income
$106,638
±$2,789 (90% margin)
Rhode Island: $87,796
Median home value
$510,800
±$16,509 (90% margin)
Rhode Island: $404,200
Median gross rent
$1,327
±$86 (90% margin)
Rhode Island: $1,342
How many people live in Washington County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 129,839 residents in Washington County. The Census Bureau estimates 129,795 for July 1, 2025, about level with 2020, slower than Rhode Island (+1.6%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 130,344 over 329 square miles of land.
| Measure | Washington County | Rhode Island | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 130,344 | 1,101,801 | +4,284 |
| Households | 52,549±710 | 441,570 | +3,447 |
| Average household size | 2.34±0.03 | 2.39 | −0.09 |
| Housing units | 66,385±65 | 485,932 | +2,369 |
Washington County's population since 2000
From 123,546 in 2000 to 129,795 in 2025: up 5.1%. 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 Washington County?
Washington County holds 24 places: 9 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 15 census-designated places. The largest is South Kingstown with 32,009 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| South Kingstown | 31,931 | $108,960 |
|---|---|---|
| North Kingstown | 27,732 | $126,293 |
| Westerly | 23,359 | $98,875 |
| Westerly CDP | 18,423 | $95,207 |
| Narragansett | 14,532 | $95,721 |
| Wakefield-Peace Dale | 8,925 | $106,551 |
| Hopkinton | 8,398 | $97,172 |
| Richmond | 8,020 | $124,653 |
| Charlestown | 7,997 | $109,404 |
| Kingston | 7,825 | $107,404 |
| Exeter | 6,460 | $111,250 |
| Narragansett Pier | 3,308 | $82,192 |
| Hope ValleyGEOID 4434660 | 1,870 | $101,932 |
| Charlestown CDP | 1,714 | $108,563 |
| AshawayGEOID 4403520 | 1,501 | $103,707 |
| BradfordGEOID 4408020 | 1,457 | $120,250 |
| New ShorehamGEOID 4400950500 | 1,410 | $83,190 |
| CarolinaGEOID 4412340 | 924 | $140,196 |
| Hopkinton CDPGEOID 4435200 | 475 | $21,274 |
| WeekapaugGEOID 4475920 | 467 | $137,917 |
| MisquamicutGEOID 4446000 | 434 | $109,643 |
| QuonochontaugGEOID 4460260 | 422 | $86,071 |
| WyomingGEOID 4480960 | 415 | not published |
| Watch HillGEOID 4475200 | 212 | $168,750 |
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 Washington County?
The median resident of Washington County is 45.5 years old; 15.4% are under 18 and 23.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 88.9%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.8%. 5.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Washington County | Rhode Island | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.5±0.2 | 40.6 | +0.9 |
| Under 18 years | 15.4% | 18.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.3%±0.1 pts | 18.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.8% | 17.7% | +0.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 88.9%±0.3 pts | 68.0% | −2.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.2%±0.2 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.1%±0.2 pts | 3.5% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.4%±0.4 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.0%±0.6 pts | 15.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.2%±0.7 pts | 23.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.1%±0.6 pts | 5.1% | – |
| With a disability | 10.8%±0.7 pts | 13.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.0%±0.4 pts | 4.4% | −0.6 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.7%±0.7 pts | 89.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 52.4%±1.3 pts | 37.7% | +6.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 23.2%±1.2 pts | 15.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.8%±0.4 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 Washington County earn?
Half of Washington County's 52,549 households earn less than $106,638 a year (±$2,789), against $87,796 in Rhode Island. In 2015-2019 it was $105,262 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Washington County | Rhode Island | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $106,638±$2,789 | $87,796 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $136,741±$3,638 | $115,075 | – |
| Per capita income | $56,069±$1,428 | $47,150 | +$3,310 |
| People below the poverty line | 8.2%±0.9 pts | 11.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 6.1%±1.4 pts | 13.7% | −3.1 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 5.7%±1.0 pts | 14.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.4%±0.8 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 Washington County?
Owners occupy 77.5% of Washington County's occupied homes and renters 22.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $510,800 by its owner (±$16,509). The median renter pays $1,327 a month including utilities, and 42.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Washington County | Rhode Island | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $510,800±$16,509 | $404,200 | +$88,672 |
| Median gross rent | $1,327±$86 | $1,342 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.0%±4.4 pts | 37.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,364±$45 | $2,234 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.5%±1.4 pts | 63.6% | +3.5 pts |
| Housing units | 66,385±65 | 485,932 | +2,369 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.9%±2.3 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 77.0%±1.3 pts | 55.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.3%±0.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.2%±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 16.9%±1.2 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 Washington County building?
Builders took permits for 255 new housing units across Washington County in 2025 (231 single-family), 2.0 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 Washington County get to work?
75.5% of Washington County's workers drive alone and 15.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.4%.
| Measure | Washington County | Rhode Island | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.9%±1.2 pts | 65.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.4%±0.5 pts | 5.8% | −1.7 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 75.5%±1.5 pts | 72.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 4.9%±0.7 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.8%±0.2 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Walked | 2.5%±0.5 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 15.3%±1.4 pts | 13.0% | +10.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.0 min±0.8 | 25.5 min | no 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 Washington County's census tracts?
Washington County is divided into 31 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $64,396 (Tract 508.01) to $158,036 (Tract 504.01).
All 31 census tracts of Washington 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 Washington County compare with Rhode Island's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 3rd of 5 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 3rd of 5 |
| Residents per square mile | 5th of 5 |
| Median household income | 2nd of 5 |
| Median home value | 3rd of 5 |
| Median gross rent | 3rd of 5 |
| Poverty rate | 3rd of 5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 3rd of 5 |
| Median age | 2nd 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 Washington 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.