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Pawtucket city, Rhode Island Demographics & Population 2026

4th Largest4th most populous city in Rhode Island

As of 2026, Pawtucket city, Rhode Island has a total population of 75,280, the 4th largest city in Rhode Island, with a median household income of $67,436, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.6%.

Key Takeaways

Pawtucket city Quick Facts

Population 75,280
Median Household Income $67,436
Median Home Value $286,200
Poverty Rate 13.6%
Unemployment Rate 7.1%
Median Age 37.4 years
Homeownership Rate 48.9%
Affordability Ratio 4.2x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 23.5%
High School Graduation Rate 82.5%
Diversity Index 67/100
Population 75,280 4th of 36
Median Income $67,436 bottom 20%
Poverty Rate 13.6% 10% higher national
Median Home Value $286,200 bottom 20%

How Pawtucket city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

7.1% Unemployment Rate State: 5.7% | National: 5.2%
70.5% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 48.9%
Renter 51.2%
Affordability Index Moderate
4.2x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

67out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 49 | National average: 60

Education

Pawtucket city Rankings in Rhode Island

#4 Population of 36
#28 Median Income of 36
#31 Education of 36
#31 Home Value of 36

Other Cities in Providence County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Providence city 190,214 $66,772 20.1% $322,800
Cranston city 82,632 $87,716 8.7% $348,800
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 Pawtucket city

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

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Cranston city82,632$87,716$348,80035.8%8.7%
Warwick city82,871$87,536$322,00033.2%7.1%
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

Pawtucket city is a mid-sized community located in Rhode Island, within Providence County. The total population is 75,280. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 36 cities and towns in Rhode Island.

Age Demographics

The median age in Pawtucket city is 37.4 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 40.5 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Pawtucket city is $67,436. This is 22% lower than the state median of $86,372. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 14% lower. The poverty rate stands at 13.6%. This is 25% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.9%. The unemployment rate is 7.1%. This is 24% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $286,200. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $368,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 48.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 63.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Pawtucket city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 47.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 24.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (12.6% vs 5.0%). The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.

Education

23.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% 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 82.5%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Pawtucket 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 Pawtucket city, Rhode Island?

Pawtucket city, Rhode Island has a population of 75,280 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

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

The median household income in Pawtucket city is $67,436, which is 14% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Pawtucket city, RI?

The poverty rate in Pawtucket city is 13.6%. This means approximately 10,177 residents live below the federal poverty line.

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

Pawtucket city's population is 47.7% White, 12.6% Black, 24.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.

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

The median home value in Pawtucket city is $286,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.

How educated is Pawtucket city, Rhode Island?

23.5% of adults (25+) in Pawtucket city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.