Rhode Island
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Population News Articles
Population Density
Historic & Projected Growth
Population by County
POPULATION DENSITY
People per square mile, 2010: 1,003.2
People per square mile, 2020: 1061.4
HISTORIC & PROJECTED GROWTH 1790 TO 2040
Year |
Population |
1790 |
68,825 |
1800 |
69,122 |
1810 |
76,931 |
1820 |
83,059 |
1830 |
97,199 |
1840 |
108,830 |
1850 |
147,545 |
1860 |
174,620 |
1870 |
217,353 |
1880 |
276,531 |
1890 |
345,506 |
1900 |
428,556 |
1910 |
542,610 |
1920 |
604,397 |
1930 |
687,497 |
1940 |
713,346 |
1950 |
791,896 |
1960 |
859,488 |
1970 |
949,723 |
1980 |
947,154 |
1990 |
1,003,464 |
2000 |
1,048,319 |
2010 |
1,052,567 |
2020 |
1,097,379 |
2030 |
*1,068,663 |
2040 |
*1,055,318 |
Sources: Census figures from U.S. Bureau of the Census & *Estimates from Weldon Cooper Center, Demographics Research Group
(The Census Bureau and Weldon Cooper Center have not yet provided updated State projections to reflect 2020 census numbers.)
Population by County
Census 2020 Population |
Census 2010 Population |
Change from 2020 |
Percent Change |
|
RHODE ISLAND |
1,097,379 |
1,052,567 |
44,812 |
4.26% |
Bristol County |
50793 |
49,875 |
918 |
1.84% |
Kent County |
170363 |
166,158 |
4,205 |
2.53% |
Newport County |
85643 |
82,888 |
2,755 |
3.32% |
Providence County |
660741 |
626,667 |
34,074 |
5.44% |
Washington County |
129839 |
126,979 |
2,860 |
2.25% |
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of the Census
Rhode Island Population News Articles
R.I. Coastal Agencies Lead Tours to Better Understand Shoreline Issues – Oct 9, 2024
Pushed to the Margins: the Human Costs of a Growing Housing Crisis – Oct 8, 2024
Sixth Annual Stormwater Innovation Expo to Explore Partnerships for Statewide Climate Resilience – Oct 1, 2024
RI Infrastructure Bank, TNC Announce $5.2 Million in Climate Action Grants – Sept 25, 2024
Rhode Island earns $289 million for climate resilience – July 23, 2024
72.2% of Rhode Island Rivers Are Too Polluted for Swimming – July 19, 2024
Providence’s port community punches back against pollution – July 16, 2024
IRS: Rhode Island has net loss of 3,000 in latest data analysis – July 12, 2024
Protectors of Almy Pond Make Progress Toward Cleaner Water – December 29, 2023
‘A perfect storm’: RI homelessness soared 70% over past four years, federal data shows – December 28, 2023
Jed Thorp: A leader of the campaign against plastic pollution in Rhode Island – December 27, 2023
R.I. Environmental Projects Benefit from Federal Infrastructure Money – December 14, 2023
Under McKee, RI’s Bridges Continue to Be Ranked Among the Worst in the Country – December 13, 2023
R.I. researchers get $6M for climate change, coastal resiliency hub project – August 9, 2023
Beach closures days spike in Rhode Island this season – August 8, 2023
Cruising Seven Seas on Carbon-Spewing Sea Serpents – August 3, 2023
How Rhode Island’s Carbon Emissions Compare To Other States – August 3, 2023
High levels of ‘forever chemicals’ found in 11 RI water systems. What residents should know – August 3, 2023
After last summer’s drought, Rhode Island farmers prepare for climate challenges – Feb 8, 2023
The Audubon Society of RI released a report on birds in the state. The results aren’t good. – Feb 6, 2023
‘They have no clue’: RI housing crisis pits state and local leaders against each other – Jan 31, 2023
How Well Is Rhode Island Preparing For Water Efficiency, Conservation? – Jan 18, 2023
R.I. must accelerate transportation emission cuts to hit 2030 target, advocates say – Jan 9, 2023
Biggest sources of immigrants to Rhode Island – August 22, 2022
How hot is it? Providence’s treeless neighborhoods magnify summer heat – July 29, 2022
A Coveted Fish Is Now a ‘Climate Loser’ When is it time to give up on Rhode Island’s winter flounder? – August 13, 2022
American Lung Association Report: Rhode Island’s Air Quality Makes Improvement – April 21, 2022
RI Starts Building State’s First Electric Bus Charging Station – May 13, 2022
An impending climate reality: Rising coastlines, inevitable housing relocation – April 27, 2022
Rhode Island considering 2 bills to advance its 2030 GHG emissions goal – May 16, 2022
House Bill Would Help Define Rhode Island Solar-Siting Policy – April 18, 2022
Rhode Island report outlines strategy for electric vehicle infrastructure – January 13, 2022
RI homeowners already suffering due to sea-level rise, Sen. Whitehouse says – January 12, 2022
Parts of Barrington will be underwater by 2035, sea-level data shows – January 10, 2022
Rhode Island Clean Marina Program – October 4, 2021
Climate activists say Rhode Island is “already behind” on emissions reduction planning – September 29, 2021
Highway Buffer Trees ‘Mistakenly’ Bulldozed by Billboard Co. – September 23, 2021
Can You Use a Leaf Blower and Be an Environmentalist? – September 18, 2021
As Rhode Island Pollinator Species Decline, Pesticide Spraying Moves Into Residential Yards – October 18, 2021
Rhode Island’s Warming Marine Waters Force Iconic Species Out, Disrupt Catch Limits and Change Ecosystem Services – August 3, 2021
DEM: Wildfire smoke from Canada damaging air quality in RI – July 27, 2021
Can RI’s new climate change law reverse the decline in lobster population? Not exactly, expert says – July 20, 2021
Why are thousands of stinging jellyfish crowding the Rhode Island coast? – July 8, 2021
Winter flounder, a Rhode Island favorite, are vanishing from the Bay – April 15, 2021
Sea change, Stillhouse Cove seen as ‘leader’ in preparing for coastal risks – March 31, 2021
Renew RI Coalition launches with aggressive, Green New Deal-inspired legislative initiative – January 12, 2021
How climate change is impacting bird populations in Newport County – January 8, 2021