Newport, Rhode Island Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Newport, Rhode Island had a total population of 24,874, the 7th largest city in Rhode Island, with a median household income of $86,313, which is 2% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.7x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 9.0% is notably above the national average.
Newport Quick Facts
How Newport 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 | 25,029 | 24,874 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $83,562 | $86,313 | +3.3% |
| Median home value | $669,500 | $746,900 | +11.6% |
How Newport 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+)
Newport Rankings in Rhode Island
Explore Rhode Island Rankings
Other Cities in Newport County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newport East | 11,069 | $89,028 | 11.7% | $485,400 |
| Tiverton | 8,091 | $99,158 | 4.4% | $407,200 |
| Melville | 1,631 | $102,266 | 1.6% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Newport
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westerly | 18,411 | $95,207 | $448,800 | 43.3% | 5.7% |
| Central Falls | 22,701 | $49,285 | $352,100 | 10.8% | 24.6% |
| East Providence | 47,281 | $75,912 | $365,500 | 31.6% | 10.1% |
| Valley Falls | 12,657 | $92,901 | $375,200 | 29.1% | 4.1% |
| Woonsocket | 43,521 | $61,059 | $311,000 | 19.8% | 18.7% |
Population Overview
Newport is a small city located in Rhode Island, within Newport County. The total population is 24,874. It ranks as the 7th most populous out of 36 Census-designated places in Rhode Island.
Age Demographics
The median age in Newport is 37.2 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 40.6 years. Only 13.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Newport is $86,313. This is 2% lower than the state median of $87,796. It is also 7% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.5%. This is 47% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.2%. The unemployment rate is 9.0%. This is 55% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $746,900. Housing costs are 85% higher than the state median of $404,200. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 49.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 63.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Newport is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.5%.
Education
57.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 53% 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 96.2%. Notably, 25.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Newport, 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.
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 Newport, Rhode Island?
Newport, Rhode Island has a population of 24,874 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Newport, RI?
The median household income in Newport is $86,313, which is 7% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Newport, RI?
The poverty rate in Newport is 16.5%. This means approximately 3,608 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Newport, Rhode Island?
Newport's population is 74.1% White, 5.9% Black, 10.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Newport, RI?
The median home value in Newport is $746,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.7x.
How educated is Newport, Rhode Island?
57.9% of adults (25+) in Newport hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 25.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.