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Population and Demography of Rhode Island
Rhode Island is a state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. Rhode Island borders Connecticut to the west, Massachusetts to the north and east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south.
It is the smallest U.S. state by area and the seventh-least populous U.S. State. The total Land area is 1.055 sq mi. (2.707 sq. km.) and there is an average of 1006 people for every square mile. This makes Rhode Island the 2nd most densely populated state in the US. As per the United States Census Bureau, the population of Rhode Island in 2020 was 1,097,379 (1 million)
Estimated Population of Rhode Island in 2024 – 1,095,962 or 1.1 million
Rhode Island Population (2010-2020)
Rhode Island has a population growth rate of 4.3% during 2010-2020. It has population increase of 44,812 since 2010. The median age across the population of this state is approximately 39.9 years of age. The ratio of females to males in the state is approximately 51.5% females to 48.5% males.
| Rhode Island | Census 2020 |
| Total Population | 1,097,379 (1 million) |
| Percentage Change | 4.3% |
| Population Rank | 43rd |
| Total Land Area | 1,055 sq mi (2,707 km2) |
| Area Rank | 50th |
| Population Density | 1,006/sq mi (388/km2) |
| Capital City | Providence |
| Largest City | Providence |
Rhode Island Historical Population
In 1910 the Population of Rhode Island was 0.5 million & in 2000 it reached 1 million, an increase of almost 0.5 million.
Let’s look at decade population & percentage change
| Census Year | Population | % Change |
| 1790 | 68,825 | – |
| 1800 | 69,122 | 0.40% |
| 1810 | 76,931 | 11.30% |
| 1820 | 83,059 | 8.00% |
| 1830 | 97,199 | 17.00% |
| 1840 | 108,830 | 12.00% |
| 1850 | 147,545 | 35.60% |
| 1860 | 174,620 | 18.40% |
| 1870 | 217,353 | 24.50% |
| 1880 | 276,531 | 27.20% |
| 1890 | 345,506 | 24.90% |
| 1900 | 428,556 | 24.00% |
| 1910 | 542,610 | 26.60% |
| 1920 | 604,397 | 11.40% |
| 1930 | 687,497 | 13.70% |
| 1940 | 713,346 | 3.80% |
| 1950 | 791,896 | 11.00% |
| 1960 | 859,488 | 8.50% |
| 1970 | 946,725 | 10.10% |
| 1980 | 947,154 | 0.00% |
| 1990 | 1,003,464 | 5.90% |
| 2000 | 1,048,319 | 4.50% |
| 2010 | 1,052,567 | 0.40% |
| 2020 | 1,097,379 | 4.30% |
Religion and affiliations
Christianity is the majority religion in Rhode Island followed by 75% of the population. The largest Christian denomination in Rhode Island is Catholics (42%); Protestants (30%); Jehovah’s Witnesses (2%); Mormonism (1%); Eastern Orthodoxy (1%)
Next comes the Unaffiliated population, 21% of the population doesn’t follow or adhere to any faith or religion. Other non-Christian-based religions are followed by 4% of the population and include Jewish, Hinduism, Buddhist, Muslim, and other smaller faiths.
For more details read Religion in Rhode Island
Race and Ethnicity in Rhode Island
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%
Ancestry in Rhode Island
As per Census Studies & estimate Irish, Italian, English, French, and Portuguese have made the five largest ancestry groups in Rhode Island.
For more Details read Race and Ethnicity in Rhode Island.
Top cities and counties in Rhode Island
As of 2022, Rhode Island is divided into 5 counties. The two most populated counties in Rhode Island are Providence and Kent with respective populations of 637,357 and 163,760.
The largest city in Rhode Island is Providence with a population of 190,000 residents. Its followed by Cranston (82,934) and Warwick (82,823)
read more about cities and counties in Rhode Island
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