County population in 2014: 631,974 (94% urban, 6% rural); it was 621,602 in 2000County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2010: 96,950 County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 33,418 County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 127,531 Renter-occupied apartments: 111,349 (it was 112,405 in 2000)
% of renters here:
47%
State:
39%
Land area: 413 sq. mi.
Water area: 22.6 sq. mi.
Population density: 1529 people per square mile (very high).
Mar. 2016 cost of living index in Providence County: 92.7 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)
Industries providing employment: Educational, health and social services (26.8%), Professional, scientific, management, administrative, and waste management services (22.8%), Finance, insurance, real estate, and rental and leasing (11.8%).
Estimated median household income in 2015: $50,565 ($36,950 in 1999)
This county:
$50,565
Rhode Island:
$58,073
Median contract rent in 2015 for apartments: $774 (lower quartile is $554, upper quartile is $953)
This county:
$774
State:
$809
Estimated median house or condo value in 2015: $212,000 (it was $122,100 in 2000)
Providence:
$212,000
Rhode Island:
$241,000
Lower value quartile - upper value quartile: $159,000 - $295,500 Median monthly housing costs for homes and condos with a mortgage: $1,651 Median monthly housing costs for units without a mortgage: $696
Institutionalized population: 9,688
Health of residents in Providence County based on CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Questionnaires from 2003 to 2012:
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) is 3.4. This is about average. 69.9% of residents exercised in the past month. This is less than average. 48.9% of residents smoked 100+ cigarettes in their lives. This is about average. 76.0% of adult residents drank alcohol in the past 30 days. This is about average. 74.5% of residents visited a dentist within the past year. This is about average. Average weight of males is 192 pounds. This is about average. Average weight of females is 160 pounds. This is about average. 9.8% of residents keep firearms around their homes. This is less than average.
Single-family new house construction building permits:
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2015: $3,811 (1.8%) Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2015: $3,793 (1.8%)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2015: 16.8%
(10.2% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 24.2% for Black residents, 31.1% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 46.3% for American Indian residents, 22.3% for Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander residents, 33.0% for other race residents, 26.1% for two or more races residents)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2015: 16.8%
Providence County:
16.8%
Rhode Island:
13.9%
(10.2% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 24.2% for Black residents, 31.1% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 46.3% for American Indian residents, 22.3% for Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander residents, 33.0% for other race residents, 26.1% for two or more races residents)
Median age of residents in 2015: 37 years old
(Males: 35 years old, Females: 38 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 44 years old, Black residents: 31 years old, American Indian residents: 32 years old, Asian residents: 29 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 26 years old, Other race residents: 30 years old)
Area name: Providence-Fall River, RI-MA HUD Metro FMR Area Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Providence County is $827 a month. Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $965 a month. Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $1155 a month.
Current college students: 51,819 People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 72.5% People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 21.3%
Number of foreign born residents: 96,676 (44% naturalized citizens)
Providence County:
15.6%
Whole state:
11.4%
Year of entry for the foreign-born population
1995 to March 2000: 19,232
1990 to 1994: 17,182
1985 to 1989: 15,517
1980 to 1984: 12,275
1975 to 1979: 9,481
1970 to 1974: 6,643
1970 to 1974: 6,840
1965 to 1969: 9,506
Note: State values scaled to Providence County population
Mean travel time to work (commute): 22.0 minutes
Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 73.4%
Housing units in structures:
One, detached: 111,047
One, attached: 6,569
Two: 39,540
3 or 4: 45,643
5 to 9: 16,590
10 to 19: 9,130
20 or more: 23,394
Mobile homes: 1,259
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.: 42
Housing units in Providence County with a mortgage: 68,083 (7,222 second mortgage, 8,807 home equity loan, 306 both second mortgage and home equity loan) Houses without a mortgage: 31,388
Here:
68.4% with mortgage
State:
70.5% with mortgage
Religion statistics for Providence County
Religion
Adherents
Congregations
Catholic
276,011
98
Mainline Protestant
27,143
111
Evangelical Protestant
16,895
134
Other
13,896
48
Orthodox
7,325
10
Black Protestant
712
9
None
284,685
-
Providence County Religion Details
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.
Food Environment Statistics:
Number of grocery stores: 129
Providence County:
2.06 / 10,000 pop.
State:
1.92 / 10,000 pop.
Number of supercenters and club stores: 1
Here:
0.02 / 10,000 pop.
Rhode Island:
0.05 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (no gas): 94
This county:
1.50 / 10,000 pop.
Rhode Island:
1.42 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 132
Providence County:
2.10 / 10,000 pop.
Rhode Island:
2.24 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 499
This county:
7.96 / 10,000 pop.
State:
9.75 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Providence County:
8.1%
Rhode Island:
7.9%
Adult obesity rate:
Providence County:
24.0%
State:
22.6%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Here:
16.9%
State:
16.3%
Agriculture in Providence County:
Average size of farms: 58 acres Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $40,849 Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $2119.29 The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 44.49% The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 29.42% Average total farm production expenses per farm: $40,197 Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 23.45% Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $45,286 The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 84.83% Average age of principal farm operators: 54 years Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 6.72 Vegetables: 700 harvested acres Land in orchards: 311 acres
Earthquake activity:
Providence County-area historical earthquake activity is near Rhode Island state average. It is 89% smaller than the overall U.S. average.
On 10/7/1983 at 10:18:46, a magnitude 5.3 (5.1 MB, 5.3 LG, 5.1 ML, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 206.1 miles away from Providence County center On 4/20/2002 at 10:50:47, a magnitude 5.2 (5.2 MB, 4.2 MS, 5.2 MW, 5.0 MW, Depth: 6.8 mi) earthquake occurred 215.0 miles away from the county center On 1/19/1982 at 00:14:42, a magnitude 4.7 (4.5 MB, 4.7 MD, 4.5 LG, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 114.2 miles away from the county center On 8/22/1992 at 12:20:32, a magnitude 4.8 (4.8 MB, 3.8 MS, 4.7 LG, Depth: 6.2 mi) earthquake occurred 199.2 miles away from the county center On 10/2/1994 at 11:27:22, a magnitude 3.7 (3.5 LG, 3.7 LG, Depth: 6.2 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 54.2 miles away from Providence County center On 1/16/1994 at 01:49:16, a magnitude 4.6 (4.6 MB, 4.6 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 260.9 miles away from the county center Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), duration magnitude (MD), local magnitude (ML), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)
Most recent natural disasters:
Rhode Island Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm, Incident Period: January 26, 2015 to January 29, 2015, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4212: April 03, 2015, FEMA Id: 4212, Natural disaster type: Snowstorm, Winter Storm
Rhode Island Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm, Incident Period: February 08, 2013 to February 10, 2013, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4107: March 22, 2013, FEMA Id: 4107, Natural disaster type: Snowstorm, Winter Storm
Rhode Island Hurricane Sandy, Incident Period: October 26, 2012 to November 08, 2012, Emergency Declared EM-3355: October 29, 2012, FEMA Id: 3355, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
Rhode Island Tropical Storm Irene, Incident Period: August 27, 2011 to August 29, 2011, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4027: September 03, 2011, FEMA Id: 4027, Natural disaster type: Tropical Storm
Rhode Island Hurricane Irene, Incident Period: August 26, 2011 to August 29, 2011, Emergency Declared EM-3334: August 27, 2011, FEMA Id: 3334, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
Rhode Island Severe Storms and Flooding, Incident Period: March 12, 2010 to April 12, 2010, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1894: March 29, 2010, FEMA Id: 1894, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
Rhode Island Severe Storms and Flooding, Incident Period: March 12, 2010 to April 12, 2010, Emergency Declared EM-3311: March 30, 2010, FEMA Id: 3311, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
Rhode Island Hurricane Katrina Evacuation, Incident Period: August 29, 2005 to October 01, 2005, Emergency Declared EM-3255: September 19, 2005, FEMA Id: 3255, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
Rhode Island Snow, Incident Period: January 22, 2005 to January 23, 2005, Emergency Declared EM-3203: February 17, 2005, FEMA Id: 3203, Natural disaster type: Snow
Rhode Island Snowstorm, Incident Period: February 17, 2003 to February 18, 2003, Emergency Declared EM-3182: March 27, 2003, FEMA Id: 3182, Natural disaster type: Snowstorm
7 other natural disasters have been reported since 1953.
The number of natural disasters in Providence County (17) is greater than the US average (13). Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 7 Emergencies Declared: 10
Causes of natural disasters: Hurricanes: 5, Snowstorms: 4, Blizzards: 3, Floods: 2, Storms: 2, Winter Storms: 2, Snow: 1, Snowfall: 1, Tropical Storm: 1, Water Main Break: 1, Wind: 1, Other: 1 (Note: Some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 13.9 Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 13.1 Births per 1000 population from 2007 to 2014: 12.1
Births per 1000 population in Providence County
Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 9.9 Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 9.4 Deaths per 1000 population from 2007 to 2014: 8.9
Deaths per 1000 population in Providence County
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 7.5 Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2006: 7.1 Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2007 to 2013: 7.1
Infant deaths per 1000 live births in Providence County
Population without health insurance coverage in 2013: 16.2% Persons under 19 years old without health insurance coverage in 2013: 6.6%
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in Providence County
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in Providence County
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2007: 100,825 (80,513 aged, 20,312 disabled) Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2007: 12,180 (8%)
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Aged persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Disabled persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 13% Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 7%
Short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004: 1.09 Short term general hospital admissions per 100,000 population in 2004: 12,795 Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 252 Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 43,871
General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1,313 Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 889 Dentists per 100,000 population in 1998: 22
Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 46 Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 104
Limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 : 10 Beer, wine & liquor stores per 100,000 population in 2005: 1 Fitness & recreation sports centers per 100,000 population in 2005: 4,602
EPA green book nonattainment status in 2004-2006: 1
Homicides per 1,000,000 population from 2000 to 2006: 45.5. This is more than state average.
Mechanisms of homicide:
Deaths per 1,000,000 population:
Firearm - 29.2
Cut/Pierce - 7.5
Other - 8.8
Suicides per 1,000,000 population from 2000 to 2006: 72.6. This is less than state average.
Mechanisms of suicide:
Deaths per 1,000,000 population:
Suffocation - 33.3
Firearm - 19.5
Poisoning - 14.7
Other - 5.2
Household type by relationship:
Households: 598,882
In family households: 482,061 (90,167 male householders, 59,524 female householders)
98,652 spouses, 176,915 children (166,353 natural, 3,940 adopted, 6,622 stepchildren), 11,252 grandchildren, 7,716 brothers or sisters, 7,800 parents, 8,986 other relatives, 16,700 non-relatives
In nonfamily households: 116,821 (42,422 male householders (31,930 living alone)), 49,604 female householders (41,173 living alone)), 24,795 nonrelatives
In group quarters: 27,785 (9,688 institutionalized population)
Size of family households: 58,370 2-persons, 37,689 3-persons, 30,737 4-persons, 14,063 5-persons, 5,425 6-persons, 3,407 7-or-more-persons.
87,776 married couples with children.
48,327 single-parent households (7,463 men, 40,864 women).
72.6% of residents of Providence County speak English at home.
12.3% of residents speak Spanish at home (47% speak English very well, 22% speak English well, 21% speak English not well, 10% don't speak English at all).
11.5% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (63% speak English very well, 22% speak English well, 12% speak English not well, 3% don't speak English at all).
2.7% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (49% speak English very well, 29% speak English well, 18% speak English not well, 4% don't speak English at all).
0.8% of residents speak other language at home (70% speak English very well, 21% speak English well, 8% speak English not well, 1% don't speak English at all).
In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $4,567,905,000 ($7,116 per capita) Department of Defense expenditure: $134,444,000 Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $1,452,252,000 Federal other direct payments to individuals: $902,348,000 Federal direct payments not to individuals: $21,483,000 Federal grants: $1,760,261,000 Federal procurement contracts: $127,653,000 ($46,661,000 Department of Defense) Federal salaries and wages: $303,907,000 ($39,410,000 Department of Defense) Federal Government direct loans: $75,012,000 Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $389,668,000 Federal Government insurance: $245,098,000
Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 43,354
Here:
68 per 1000 residents
State:
62 per 1000 residents
Deaths: 31,378
Here:
49 per 1000 residents
State:
48 per 1000 residents
Net international migration: +16,518
Here:
+26 per 1000 residents
State:
+18 per 1000 residents
Net internal migration: -9,585
Here:
-15 per 1000 residents
State:
-5 per 1000 residents
Population growth in Providence County
Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 95.72 millions of gallons per day (4% from ground, 96% from surface)
Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:
6.0
State:
6.1
Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:
4.0
State:
4.0
Year house built
2014 or later: 510
2010 to 2013: 2,839
2000 to 2009: 14,067
1990 to 1999: 14,354
1980 to 1989: 24,581
1970 to 1979: 28,313
1960 to 1969: 25,239
1950 to 1959: 31,301
1940 to 1949: 23,368
1939 or earlier: 98,645
Note: State values scaled to Providence population
Rooms in houses/apartments in Providence County, Rhode Island
Note: State values scaled to Providence County population
no vehicle: 6,068
1 vehicle: 37,849
2 vehicles: 58,788
3 vehicles: 18,579
4 vehicles: 4,881
5+ vehicles: 1,366
no vehicle: 27,761
1 vehicle: 55,687
2 vehicles: 24,474
3 vehicles: 3,269
4 vehicles: 661
5+ vehicles: 553
59% of Providence County residents lived in the same house 5 years ago. Out of people who lived in different houses, 69% lived in this county. Out of people who lived in different counties, 23% lived in Rhode Island.
Providence County:
58.7%
State average:
59.6%
Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:
This state: 382,182
Northeast: 92,357
Midwest: 10,646
South: 16,141
West: 8,170
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses in 2000: $118,900
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities: 1%
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities: 1%
Year Householders Moved Into Unit
Most commonly used house heating fuel in Providence County
#10 on the list of "Top 101 counties with highest percentage of residents voting for Obama (Democrat) in the 2012 Presidential Election (pop. 50,000+)"
#17 on the list of "Top 101 counties with highest percentage of residents voting for Obama (Democrat) in the 2012 Presidential Election"
#18 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest percentage of residents that keep firearms around their homes"
#20 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Catholic congregations"
#20 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Catholic congregations (pop. 50,000+)"
#38 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Orthodox adherents"
#38 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Orthodox adherents (pop. 50,000+)"
#46 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Catholic adherents"
#46 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Catholic adherents (pop. 50,000+)"
#60 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest surface withdrawal of fresh water for public supply (pop. 50,000+)"
#60 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Orthodox congregations (pop. 50,000+)"
#62 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest surface withdrawal of fresh water for public supply"
#63 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the largest increase in the number of infant deaths per 1000 residents 2000-2006 to 2007-2013 (pop. 50,000+)"
#63 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Orthodox congregations"
#68 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest Sulfur Oxides Annual air pollution readings in 2012 (µg/m3)"
#69 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest Particulate Matter (PM10) Annual air pollution readings in 2012 (µg/m3)"
#69 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest number of infant deaths per 1000 residents 2007-2013 (pop. 50,000+)"
#79 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest percentage of residents that exercised in the past month"
#86 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply (pop. 50,000+)"
#88 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply"
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37.0 years
39.0 years
(48.3%)
(51.7%)
, Bristol County, Massachusetts 
, Carroll County, Illinois 
