Cranston, Rhode Island Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cranston, Rhode Island had a total population of 83,250, the 2nd largest city in Rhode Island, with a median household income of $90,206, which is 3% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Cranston is the 2nd largest city in Rhode Island with a population of 83,250.
Cranston Quick Facts
How Cranston 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 | 82,632 | 83,250 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $87,716 | $90,206 | +2.8% |
| Median home value | $348,800 | $378,300 | +8.5% |
How Cranston 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 50 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cranston Rankings in Rhode Island
Explore Rhode Island Rankings
Other Cities in Providence County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | 191,767 | $68,119 | 20.7% | $362,200 |
| Pawtucket | 75,893 | $68,310 | 13.3% | $325,500 |
| East Providence | 47,281 | $75,912 | 10.1% | $365,500 |
| Woonsocket | 43,521 | $61,059 | 18.7% | $311,000 |
| Central Falls | 22,701 | $49,285 | 24.6% | $352,100 |
| Valley Falls | 12,657 | $92,901 | 4.1% | $375,200 |
| Cumberland Hill | 8,648 | $130,506 | 4.7% | $394,300 |
| Greenville | 8,296 | $97,234 | 4.8% | $434,700 |
| Pascoag | 4,410 | $121,369 | 11.4% | $365,000 |
| Chepachet | 1,923 | $92,971 | 3.5% | $279,400 |
Cities Similar to Cranston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warwick | 83,175 | $88,708 | $354,600 | 33.7% | 7.6% |
| Pawtucket | 75,893 | $68,310 | $325,500 | 22.2% | 13.3% |
| East Providence | 47,281 | $75,912 | $365,500 | 31.6% | 10.1% |
| Woonsocket | 43,521 | $61,059 | $311,000 | 19.8% | 18.7% |
| Providence | 191,767 | $68,119 | $362,200 | 34.6% | 20.7% |
Population Overview
Cranston is a mid-sized community located in Rhode Island, within Providence County. The total population is 83,250. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 36 Census-designated places in Rhode Island.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cranston is 39.6 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 40.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cranston is $90,206. This is 3% higher than the state median of $87,796. It is also 12% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.2%. This is 9% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.2%. The unemployment rate is 6.1%. This is 5% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $378,300. Housing costs are 6% lower than the state median of $404,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 67.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 63.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cranston is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 18.8%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (6.8% vs 3.5%).
Education
36.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% lower 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 89.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cranston, 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 Cranston, Rhode Island?
Cranston, Rhode Island has a population of 83,250 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cranston, RI?
The median household income in Cranston is $90,206, which is 12% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cranston, RI?
The poverty rate in Cranston is 10.2%. This means approximately 8,154 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cranston, Rhode Island?
Cranston's population is 65.3% White, 5.3% Black, 18.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cranston, RI?
The median home value in Cranston is $378,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Cranston, Rhode Island?
36.4% of adults (25+) in Cranston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.