Providence city, Rhode Island Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Providence city, Rhode Island has a total population of 190,214, the 1st largest city in Rhode Island, with a median household income of $66,772, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Providence city is the 1st largest city in Rhode Island with a population of 190,214.
Providence city Quick Facts
How Providence city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 49 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Providence city Rankings in Rhode Island
Explore Rhode Island Rankings
Other Cities in Providence County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cranston city | 82,632 | $87,716 | 8.7% | $348,800 |
| 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 Providence city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pawtucket city | 75,280 | $67,436 | $286,200 | 23.5% | 13.6% |
| Warwick city | 82,871 | $87,536 | $322,000 | 33.2% | 7.1% |
| Cranston city | 82,632 | $87,716 | $348,800 | 35.8% | 8.7% |
| East Providence city | 46,970 | $79,660 | $322,100 | 32.3% | 10.8% |
| Woonsocket city | 43,074 | $58,614 | $268,000 | 18.6% | 19.7% |
Population Overview
Providence city is a major urban center located in Rhode Island, within Providence County. The total population is 190,214. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 36 cities and towns in Rhode Island.
Age Demographics
The median age in Providence city is 32.9 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 40.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Providence city is $66,772. This is 23% lower than the state median of $86,372. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 15% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.1%. This is 84% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.9%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.4%. This is 30% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $322,800. Housing costs are 12% lower than the state median of $368,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 41.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% lower than the state average of 63.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Providence city is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 34.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (34.0%) is well below the state average of 69.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (11.3% vs 5.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (44.3% vs 17.1%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (5.8% vs 3.4%).
Education
34.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 7% 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 81.9%. Notably, 16.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Providence 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Providence city, Rhode Island?
Providence city, Rhode Island has a population of 190,214 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Providence city, RI?
The median household income in Providence city is $66,772, which is 15% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Providence city, RI?
The poverty rate in Providence city is 20.1%. This means approximately 35,065 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Providence city, Rhode Island?
Providence city's population is 34.0% White, 11.3% Black, 44.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Providence city, RI?
The median home value in Providence city is $322,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.
How educated is Providence city, Rhode Island?
34.7% of adults (25+) in Providence city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.