RHODE ISLAND
HISTORIC & PROJECTED GROWTH 1790 TO 2050
|
Sources: Census figures from U.S. Bureau of the Census & *Estimates from Weldon Cooper Center, Demographics Research Group
RHODE ISLAND POPULATION DENSITY
Rhode Island Land Area - 1,034 square miles
YEAR | PEOPLE PER SQUARE MILE |
|---|---|
2020 | 1,061.4 |
2010 | 1,018.1 |
2000 | 1,014.0 |
1990 | 970.6 |
1980 | 916.2 |
1970 | 915.8 |
1960 | 831.4 |
1950 | 766.0 |
1940 | 690.0 |
1930 | 665.0 |
1920 | 584.6 |
1910 | 524.9 |
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of the Census
Rhode Island Population News Articles
East Providence sewage spill forces closure of top shellfishing area – May 6, 2026
How Polluted Is The Air You're Breathing In RI? Use This Tool To Find Out – April 29, 2026
How reef balls and Christmas trees can help R.I. battle sea level rise and erosion – April16, 2026
ECRI seeks to protect Rhode Island's climate goals, expand conservation funding, decarbonize buildings, and save RIPTA – April15, 2026
State steps in to coordinate R.I.’s 2026 homeless census – Dec 4, 2025
Researchers find smaller amounts of microplastics in southern Narragansett Bay – Nov 26, 2025
DEM director warns of ‘devastating’ consequences for R.I. decarbonization mandate under Trump – Nov 26, 2025
Rhode Island Faces Setback On Climate Goals As Emissions Rise – Nov 25, 2025
Nine R.I. Waterbodies Fall Into Toxic Soup – Nov 13, 2025
Mashapaug Pond Stormwater Management – Aug 1, 2025
Biggest sources of immigrants to Rhode Island – July 29, 2025
5 Endangered Animals Fighting For Survival In Rhode Island – July 28, 2025
Sewage-contaminated water made 60% of R.I. beaches unsafe for swimming in 2024 – July 11, 2025
R.I. homelessness is down, but more people are out in the cold? New data says it’s true. – July 10, 2025
URI awarded $7 million NSF grant to boost research excellence in environmental microplastics – July 8, 2025
Third Sign-up Open for USDA Ag & Forestry Conservation Programs in Rhode Island - Jan 22, 2025
RI Attorney General joins suit to block Trump’s birthright citizenship executive order – Jan 22, 2025
Rhode Island school slashes cafeteria waste with reusable trays – Jan 9, 2025
Rhode Island has second highest percentage of chronic homelessness in country – Jan 6, 2025
Stormwater Runoff Getting Providence Officials’ and Residents’ Focus – Jan 6, 2025
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