Carolina, Rhode Island Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carolina, Rhode Island had a total population of 1,048, the 26th largest community in Rhode Island, with a median household income of $140,196, which is 60% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 60% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Rhode Island.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.7%.
Carolina Quick Facts
How Carolina Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,238 | 1,048 | -15.3% |
| Median household income | $123,063 | $140,196 | +13.9% |
| Median home value | $366,000 | $396,400 | +8.3% |
How Carolina Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 50 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Carolina Rankings in Rhode Island
Explore Rhode Island Rankings
Other Cities in Washington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westerly | 18,411 | $95,207 | 5.7% | $448,800 |
| Wakefield-Peace Dale | 9,302 | $106,551 | 9.5% | $494,400 |
| Kingston | 7,332 | $107,404 | 1.8% | $553,400 |
| Narragansett Pier | 3,167 | $82,192 | 13.6% | $851,300 |
| Hope Valley | 2,297 | $101,932 | 9.2% | $447,500 |
| Ashaway | 1,722 | $103,707 | 1.4% | $343,600 |
| Bradford | 1,511 | $120,250 | 2.3% | $418,100 |
| Charlestown | 1,499 | $108,563 | 4.2% | $583,200 |
| Quonochontaug | 610 | $86,071 | 5.3% | $1,043,900 |
| Weekapaug | 541 | $137,917 | 5.7% | $1,252,700 |
Cities Similar to Carolina
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harmony | 1,006 | $120,235 | $341,400 | 38.2% | 14.0% |
| Greene | 962 | $129,583 | $424,000 | 38.7% | 2.1% |
| Bradford | 1,511 | $120,250 | $418,100 | 39.1% | 2.3% |
| Charlestown | 1,499 | $108,563 | $583,200 | 57.6% | 4.2% |
| Melville | 1,631 | $102,266 | N/A | 59.5% | 1.6% |
Population Overview
Carolina is a small community located in Rhode Island, within Washington County. The total population is 1,048. It ranks as the 26th most populous out of 36 Census-designated places in Rhode Island.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carolina is 41.9 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 40.6 years. With 32.3% of the population under 18, Carolina has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Carolina is $140,196. This is 60% higher than the state median of $87,796. It is also 74% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.6%. This is 50% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.2%. The unemployment rate is 1.7%. This is 70% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $396,400. Housing costs are 2% lower than the state median of $404,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Carolina is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 92.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 45% higher than the state average of 63.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Carolina has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.2% of all residents.
Education
43.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 15% higher than the state rate of 37.7%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carolina, Rhode Island is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Rhode Island state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 36 Census-designated places in Rhode Island. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Carolina, Rhode Island?
Carolina, Rhode Island has a population of 1,048 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carolina, RI?
The median household income in Carolina is $140,196, which is 74% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carolina, RI?
The poverty rate in Carolina is 5.6%. This means approximately 59 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carolina, Rhode Island?
Carolina's population is 93.2% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carolina, RI?
The median home value in Carolina is $396,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Carolina, Rhode Island?
43.4% of adults (25+) in Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.