Rhode Island Area Profiles
1 published city profiles across Rhode Island, each built from the same authoritative sources and compared on the same terms.
Statewide signals
OpportunityTop 38% of 51 states55
Growth40th of 51 states38
Housing affordability36th of 51 states81
Climate27th of 51 states63
Physical resilienceTop 12% of 51 states83
AccessTop 1% of 51 states99
Economic stabilityTop 30% of 51 states63
Cities
| City | Population | Opportunity | Growth | Area Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | 191,767 | 53 | 48 | 63 |
Strongest opportunity
- Providence 53
Fastest development
- Providence 48
Statewide physical risk
HurricaneModerate
EarthquakeModerate
Coastal floodingModerate
Low or minimal exposure: inland flooding, lightning, heat wave, ice storm, cold wave, tornado, landslide, strong wind, hail, winter weather, drought, wildfire.
Population-weighted across every county in Rhode Island, derived from the FEMA National Risk Index. Exposure varies substantially within a state — check the individual city and ZIP profiles.
Statewide data
| Metric | Value | Compared with peers | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average household size ±0.01 | 2.39 | Bottom 20% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Households ±1,908 | 441,570 | Bottom 14% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age ±0.2 | 40.6 | Top 20% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population | 1,101,801 | Bottom 14% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 1,066/sq mi | Top 4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Home price to income | 4.60 | Top 29% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 63.6% | Bottom 18% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units ±179 | 485,932 | Bottom 14% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent ±$19 | $1,342 | Top 41% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value ±$4,032 | $404,200 | Top 25% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Rent as a share of income | 18.3% | Bottom 35% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Vacancy rate | 9.1% | Bottom 29% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income ±$1,209 | $87,796 | Top 27% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income ±$573 | $47,150 | Top 24% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 11.2% | Bottom 41% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average commute | 27.5 min | Top 39% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.7% | Top 25% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Employment | 561,222 | Bottom 14% | July 2026 |
| Employment change (3 years) | -1.4% | Bottom 26% | July 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.9% | Bottom 20% | July 2026 |
| Labor force | 582,339 | Bottom 14% | July 2026 |
| Labor force participation | 65.0% | Top 37% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment change (year over year) | -0.8% | Bottom 8% | July 2026 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6% | Bottom 28% | July 2026 |