Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Foreign-born share
1900–2023Share of residents born outside the U.S.
Foreign-Born Population
About 14.6% of Rhode Island's population, roughly 160,000 residents, was born outside the United States, one of the higher shares in New England.
Foreign-born residents
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, share of total population, B05002 (2020 not released).
Foreign-born population
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B05002 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign-born share (%) | 14.6 | 13.9 |
- •Rhode Island's foreign-born share of 14.6% is higher than most neighboring New England states.
Countries of Origin
Immigrants in Rhode Island most commonly come from the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Portugal, Cabo Verde and Colombia, shaping the state's diverse communities.
Foreign-born residents who are naturalized citizens
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B05002 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign-born population (k) | 160 | 140 |
- •Rhode Island has one of the largest Cabo Verdean communities in the United States.
Migration Flows
Combined migration flows in Rhode Island show net international gains of 5,800 people slightly outweighing net domestic losses of 1,700, supporting overall population growth.
Total net migration
2011–2025Census Bureau Population Estimates Program, international plus domestic net migration, July–June years (2020 partial year omitted).
Net international migration
2011–2025Census Bureau Population Estimates Program, net international migration, July–June years (2020 partial year omitted).
| Indicator | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Net migration total | 4100 | 3200 |
- •Rhode Island's population growth of +0.3% annually depends heavily on international migration.
International Migration
Rhode Island gained a net of about 5,800 residents from international migration, helping offset domestic population losses in recent years.
Net international migration
2011–2025Census Bureau Population Estimates Program, net international migration, July–June years (2020 partial year omitted).
- •International migration has become Rhode Island's primary source of population growth in recent years.
Domestic Migration
Rhode Island saw a slightly negative net domestic migration of about -1,700 residents, as some households relocated to neighboring states.
Net domestic migration
2011–2025Census Bureau Population Estimates Program, net domestic migration to/from other states, July–June years (2020 partial year omitted).
- •Rhode Island's small negative domestic migration is offset by strong gains from international migration.