Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 population estimates and 2024 Gazetteer. Rankings among the 50 states.
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
1850–2024U.S. Census (decennial), 1850–2020 + estimates.
Population pyramid
Rhode Island's civilian population by sex and five-year age group. Choose a year to see how the age structure has changed.
Tap an age group in the pyramid to see its detail.
Under 15
166,787 (15.0%)
15 to 64
722,897 (65.2%)
65 and older
218,599 (19.7%)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, SC-EST2020 and SC-EST2024 age and sex estimates (civilian population, July 1).
Age, sex and longevity
The main indicators describing Rhode Island's age structure, sex distribution and life expectancy.
| Median age | 40.6 years | |
| Female | 51.1% | |
| Male | 48.9% | |
| Under 18 | 18.8% | |
| 65 and older | 19.0% | |
| Life expectancy | 78.9 years |
Population, households and density
How many people and households live in Rhode Island, how concentrated they are and how the population is changing.
| Total population | 1.10 M | 44th in the U.S. |
| Density | 410 /km² | 2nd in the U.S. |
| Households | 429,000 | |
| Urban population | 90.7% | |
| Growth | +0.3%/yr | 2020–2024 |
Race, ethnicity and origin
Rhode Island has one of the largest Portuguese and Cape Verdean communities in the country, alongside a fast-growing Hispanic population led by Dominican, Guatemalan and Puerto Rican residents.
| White (non-Hispanic) | 68.1% | |
| Hispanic or Latino | 17.6% | |
| Black or African American | 6.1% | |
| Asian | 3.7% | |
| Two or more races | 3.6% | |
| American Indian | 0.6% | |
| Portuguese ancestry | 8.7% | Highest share in the U.S. |
| Italian ancestry | 17.3% | Highest share in the U.S. |
| Irish ancestry | 16.4% |