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Rhode Island Population by Race and Ethnicity
Rhode Island the 43rd largest U.S. state by population has a racially and ethnically diverse population. As of 2020, White (Non-Hispanic) are the largest group in California followed by Hispanic or Latino Americans.
also read about the Population of Rhode Island
Ethnic and Racial Percentage
In 2020, the White alone (non-Hispanic) population was the largest racial or ethnic group in Rhode Island, comprising 68.71% of the total population. It was followed by the Hispanic or Latino population whose share was 16.59%.
Black or African American was the third largest group at 5.05%. Two or more races are at 4.76% & Asian population at 3.50%
The ethnic composition of Rhode Island is as follows
| Race and Origin | Absolute Population | Percentage 2020 |
| White alone | 754,050 | 68.71% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 182,101 | 16.59% |
| Black or African American alone | 55,386 | 5.05% |
| Two or more races | 52,250 | 4.76% |
| Asian alone | 38,367 | 3.50% |
| Some Other Race alone | 11,392 | 1.04% |
| American Indians and Alaska Natives alone | 3,513 | 0.32% |
| Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islanders | 320 | 0.03% |
| Total | 1,097,379 |
Source: US Census 2020
read more about Religion in Rhode Island
*US Census recognized five racial categories (White, Black or African American, Asian American, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander) as well as people of two or more races. It also classified respondents as "Hispanic or Latino" or "Not Hispanic or Latino", identifying Hispanic and Latino as an ethnicity (not a race), which comprises the largest minority group in the nation.
Ancestry in Rhode Island
As per Census Studies and estimate Irish, Italian, English, French, and Portuguese have made the five largest ancestry groups in Rhode Island.
The Largest Ancestry in Rhode Island is as follows
| # | ANCESTRY | Estimate | Percent |
| 1 | Irish | 183,207 | 17.3% |
| 2 | Italian | 175,802 | 16.6% |
| 3 | English | 114,929 | 10.8% |
| 4 | French | 90,460 | 8.5% |
| 5 | Portuguese | 88,164 | 8.3% |
| 6 | German | 50,640 | 4.8% |
| 7 | French Canadian | 49,354 | 4.7% |
| 8 | American | 35,318 | 3.3% |
| 9 | Polish | 33,083 | 3.1% |
| 10 | Subsaharan African | 30,235 | 2.9% |
| 11 | Scottish | 17,525 | 1.7% |
| 12 | Swedish | 14,139 | 1.3% |
| 13 | West Indian (excluding Hispanic origin groups) | 10,599 | 1.0% |
| 14 | Greek | 9,481 | 0.9% |
| 15 | Arab | 9,457 | 0.9% |
| 16 | Russian | 6,568 | 0.6% |
| 17 | Norwegian | 5,164 | 0.5% |
| 18 | Ukrainian | 4,684 | 0.4% |
| 19 | Dutch | 4,431 | 0.4% |
| 20 | Scotch-Irish | 3,861 | 0.4% |
| 21 | Lithuanian | 3,434 | 0.3% |
| 22 | Hungarian | 3,119 | 0.3% |
| 23 | Welsh | 2,900 | 0.3% |
| 24 | Danish | 1,896 | 0.2% |
| 25 | Czech | 1,667 | 0.2% |
| 26 | Swiss | 1,096 | 0.1% |
| 27 | Slovak | 534 | 0.1% |
Source: US Census 2020
Europeans in Rhode Island
Non-Hispanic Whites account for nearly 68.71% of Rhode Island’s population. Irish, Italian, English, and French Americans have made up the largest European ancestry groups in Rhode Island. As per the Census report, Irish Americans made up 17.3% of the population and numbered 183,207 members.
Italian Americans made up 16.6% of the population and numbered 175,802. English Americans made up 10.8% of the population and number 114,929 followed by French ancestry at 8.5% of the population and number 90,460.
Rhode Island has a higher percentage of Americans of Portuguese ancestry (8.3%), including Portuguese Americans and Cape Verdean Americans than any other state in the nation. Additionally, the state also has the highest percentage of Liberian immigrants, with more than 15,000 residing in the state
Hispanics and Latinos in Rhode Island
Hispanics and Latinos are the second-largest groups in Rhode Island. Around 16.59% of Rhode Island’s Population claim Hispanic or Latin American ethnicity. The Largest Hispanic group are the Dominican, Puerto Rican, and Guatemalan populations.
African Americans in Rhode Island
African Americans are the third-largest group in Rhode Island. As of 2020, those of African ancestry accounted for 5.05% of Rhode Island’s population.
Asian Americans in Rhode Island
Asian Americans are a sizable minority group in Rhode Island. Americans of Asian descent formed 3.50% of the population. Its ethnic Asian population has grown rapidly since the late 1990s; the majority are Indians, Filipinos, Vietnamese, and ethnic Chinese.
Multi-Race in Rhode Island
Multiracial individuals are also a visible minority in Rhode Island and they are the fourth-largest group. People identifying as multiracial form 4.76% of the population, and number around 52,250 people.
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