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Cranston city, Rhode Island Demographics & Population 2026

3rd Largest3rd most populous city in Rhode Island

As of 2026, Cranston city, Rhode Island has a total population of 82,632, the 3rd largest city in Rhode Island, with a median household income of $87,716, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.7%.

Key Takeaways

Cranston city Quick Facts

Population 82,632
Median Household Income $87,716
Median Home Value $348,800
Poverty Rate 8.7%
Unemployment Rate 5.8%
Median Age 40.1 years
Homeownership Rate 67.3%
Affordability Ratio 4.0x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 35.8%
High School Graduation Rate 90.6%
Diversity Index 52/100
Population 82,632 3rd of 36
Median Income $87,716 below average
Poverty Rate 8.7% 30% lower national
Median Home Value $348,800 below average

How Cranston city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

5.8% Unemployment Rate State: 5.7% | National: 5.2%
65.7% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 67.3%
Renter 32.7%
Affordability Index Moderate
4.0x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

52out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 49 | National average: 60

Education

Cranston city Rankings in Rhode Island

#3 Population of 36
#20 Median Income of 36
#22 Education of 36
#22 Home Value of 36

Other Cities in Providence County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Providence city 190,214 $66,772 20.1% $322,800
Pawtucket city 75,280 $67,436 13.6% $286,200
East Providence city 46,970 $79,660 10.8% $322,100
Woonsocket city 43,074 $58,614 19.7% $268,000
Central Falls city 22,481 $45,921 22.3% $300,500

Cities Similar to Cranston city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Warwick city82,871$87,536$322,00033.2%7.1%
Pawtucket city75,280$67,436$286,20023.5%13.6%
East Providence city46,970$79,660$322,10032.3%10.8%
Woonsocket city43,074$58,614$268,00018.6%19.7%
Providence city190,214$66,772$322,80034.7%20.1%

Population Overview

Cranston city is a mid-sized community located in Rhode Island, within Providence County. The total population is 82,632. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 36 cities and towns in Rhode Island.

Age Demographics

The median age in Cranston city is 40.1 years. This is about average than the state median of 40.5 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Cranston city is $87,716. This is 2% higher than the state median of $86,372. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 12% higher. The poverty rate stands at 8.7%. This is 20% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.9%. The unemployment rate is 5.8%. This is 2% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $348,800. Housing costs are 5% lower than the state median of $368,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 67.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 63.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Cranston city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.7%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (7.2% vs 3.4%).

Education

35.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% lower than the state rate of 37.3%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.6%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Cranston city, Rhode Island is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

Free data download: Get all Rhode Island city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Cranston city, Rhode Island?

Cranston city, Rhode Island has a population of 82,632 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Cranston city, RI?

The median household income in Cranston city is $87,716, which is 12% higher the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Cranston city, RI?

The poverty rate in Cranston city is 8.7%. This means approximately 6,892 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Cranston city, Rhode Island?

Cranston city's population is 66.8% White, 5.0% Black, 16.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.2% Asian.

What is the median home value in Cranston city, RI?

The median home value in Cranston city is $348,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.

How educated is Cranston city, Rhode Island?

35.8% of adults (25+) in Cranston city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.