3rd most populous of 5
With 130,333 residents in 2024, Washington County ranks 3rd by population among Rhode Island's 5 counties and is home to 11.7% of the state's residents.
Washington County is home to 130,333 people (2024 estimate) on 329 square miles of land. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—American Community Survey indicators on income, housing, poverty and education, BEA economic accounts and BLS unemployment.
Key indicators
Population
130,333
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
129,836
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
+0.4%
2020–2024
Land area
329 mi²
853 km²
Population density
395.8 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
843
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
1,303
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
−460
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
+554
Domestic + international, 2024
Per capita personal income
$87,451
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$9.8 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$106,638
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
8.2%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
52.4%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
5.0%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value
$510,800
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
3.5%
BLS annual average, 2024
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
2000–2024130,333▲ 5%
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 130,333 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 126,979 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 123,943 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | +5.2% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +434 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | +120 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 6.5 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 10.0 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in Rhode Island | 3rd of 5 | 2024 · calculated |
| Per capita personal income | $87,451 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $9.8 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $106,638 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 8.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 52.4% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 5.0% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $510,800 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $1,327/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 45.5 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 52,549 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
Washington County in context
Comparable indicators for Washington County, Rhode Island and the United States.
| Indicator | County | Rhode Island | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | +0.4% | +1.4% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 6.5 | 8.9 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 10.0 | 9.2 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | 4.3 | 8.3 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 395.8 | 1075.8 | 96.3 | 2024 |
| Per capita personal income | $87,451 | $70,622 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $106,638 | $87,796 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 8.2% | 11.2% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 52.4% | 37.7% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 5.0% | 15.3% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $510,800 | $404,200 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $1,327/month | $1,342/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 45.5 years | 40.6 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.5% | 63.6% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
Cities & towns
1 city · choose how to order them
Narragansett
14,600 residents
Did you know? Washington County
A quarter century of change
Its population went from 123,943 in 2000 to 130,333 in 2024, a change of +5.2%, compared with +5.9% for Rhode Island as a whole.
Births and deaths
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 843 births and 1,303 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 460.
Peak population in 2021
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population at 130,853 in 2021. The 2024 figure is 520 lower.
5th in density
Washington County has about 395.8 residents per square mile of land, ranking 5th of 5 counties; Rhode Island averages 1075.8.
Household income rank
With a median household income of $106,638 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 2nd of 5 Rhode Island counties; the state median is $87,796.
Size of the economy
Its economy produced $9.8 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 3rd largest among 5 Rhode Island counties.
Latest economic growth
Real GDP grew 3.7% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).
Sources and methodology
- U.S. Census Bureau — County population totals and components, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — County estimates 2010–2020
- U.S. Census Bureau — Intercensal estimates 2000–2010
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gazetteer files (land area)
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional economic accounts
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — LAUS