Providence County, RI Population Statistics: Density Map Data
Analyze local population trends, population density map, housing costs, and the local economy.
Area Snapshot Statistics
Key statistics on population, economy, housing, and commuting compared to state and national averages. Explore interactive maps for deeper analysis.
Population: density and quick facts
| Metric | Providence County | Rhode Island Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 644,639 | 1,069,105 | 334,821,731 |
| Population density (per sq mi) | 1479.1 | 691.8 | 85.8 |
| Population growth (%/yr) | 0.57% | 0.48% | 0.57% |
| Median age | 36.0 | 40.8 | 37.1 |
| Households | 256,280 | 435,734 | 128,459,983 |
Population in Providence County grew by 4.3% from 2009 to 2023, reaching 658,200 in 2023.
Population Growth 2009–2023
Race & Ethnicity
Economy
Providence County has a the economy index of C, which means it is somewhat prosperous.
| Metric | Providence County | Rhode Island Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $78,094 | $86,475 | $78,145 |
| Income growth (%/yr) | 6.35% | 5.72% | 5.07% |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3% | 5.7% | 5.2% |
The median household income in Providence County is about 10% lower than in Rhode Island.
Housing
| Metric | Providence County | Rhode Island Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $269,479 | $317,211 | $242,182 |
| Median rent | $1,241 | $1,273 | $1,342 |
| Homeownership rate | 56.6% | 63.3% | 65.1% |
The median home price in Providence County is about 18.1 years' worth of rent — buying at the median price costs roughly as much as paying the median rent of $1,241 per month for that long.
Commute Time & Mobility
Commuters in Providence County spend about 44 minutes on the road round trip each working day. Over a typical 250-day work year, that adds up to roughly 182 hours, about 7.6 full days, spent commuting.
| Metric | Providence County | Rhode Island Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-way commute (min) | 21.9 | 22.0 | 22.5 |
| Round-trip commute (min) | 43.7 | 44.0 | 44.9 |
| Yearly time spent (hours) | 182 | 183 | 187 |
| Estimated yearly cost | $5,648 | $5,678 | $5,803 |
| Work from home | 10.9% | 11.5% | 13.4% |
| Highway traffic (vehicles/day) | 11,065 | 11,274 | 8,813 |
| Local road traffic (vehicles/day) | 2,308 | 2,085 | 1,355 |
Fastest commutes among counties in
Rhode Island:
Newport County (18.1 min), Providence County (21.9 min), Kent County (22.5 min).
Slowest:
Washington County (23.1 min), Bristol County (22.8 min), Kent County (22.5 min).
The average commute time in Providence County is about the same as in Rhode Island.
Estimated yearly cost applies a single national wage rule of thumb (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average hourly earnings), not a measurement of wages in this area. Traffic volume figures come from proprietary Ticon and TrafficZoom data.
Education & Households
Providence County has a education index of C, which means it is somewhat educated.
| Metric | Providence County | Rhode Island Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 33.5% | 31.6% |
| Average household size | 2.46 | 2.40 | 2.54 |
Highest education index among counties in
Rhode Island:
Bristol County (0.4), Newport County (0.4), Washington County (0.4).
Lowest:
Providence County (0.3), Kent County (0.3), Washington County (0.4).
Health
Providence County has a health index of B, which means it is quite healthy.
| Metric | Providence County | Rhode Island Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy (years) | 78.5 | 79.9 | 78.3 |
| Self-rated poor health | 14.4% | 11.6% | 16.3% |
| Smokers | 16.1% | 14.8% | 19.0% |
Highest health index among counties in
Rhode Island:
Bristol County (0.8), Washington County (0.8), Newport County (0.8).
Lowest:
Providence County (0.8), Kent County (0.8), Newport County (0.8).
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Providence County, Rhode Island.
What is the population of Providence County, Rhode Island?
The population of Providence County, Rhode Island is 644,639, compared to the U.S. total of 334,821,731.
What is the population density of Providence County, Rhode Island?
The population density of Providence County, Rhode Island is 1479.1 people per square mile, compared to the U.S. average of 85.8 people per square mile.
What is the median household income in Providence County, Rhode Island?
The median household income in Providence County, Rhode Island is $78,094, compared to the U.S. median of $78,145.
What is the median home price in Providence County, Rhode Island?
The median home price in Providence County, Rhode Island is $269,479, compared to the U.S. median of $242,182.
What is the unemployment rate in Providence County, Rhode Island?
The unemployment rate in Providence County, Rhode Island is 6.3%, compared to the U.S. average of 5.2%.