Providence
Rhode Island

What stands out

Against every county in America, Providence County is unusual in three ways: homeownership is in the bottom 4% of American counties (56%), home internet speed is in the top 8% of American counties (287 Mbps), and the median home price is in the top 9% of American counties ($454K). Within Rhode Island it ranks 1st of 5 counties for homeownership, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Providence County, Rhode Island. 657,984 people live here with you. The population grew 0.5% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -2,798).

Rhode Island has a graduated income tax reaching 5.99%, an estate tax with an exemption below $2 million, and taxes Social Security above income thresholds. The whole state is within an hour's drive, and Providence commuters reach Boston by train in under an hour. Home prices rose faster than most of New England after 2020; coastal flood exposure is significant.

Money

The typical household here brings in $72,579 a year, higher than 79% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $68,852. Unemployment runs 3.5%, higher than 53% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 23 minutes each way.

Rhode Island takes 3.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,722 a year.

Home

The median home costs $454K, pricier than 91% of American counties, about 3.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,211 a month. Property tax is 1.48% of home value, roughly $4,588 a year on that median home, higher than 84% of American counties. 56% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.6 per 1,000 residents, lower than 66% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 31 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 78.2 years, longer than 77% of American counties. There are 3,629 active physicians in the county, about 55.2 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.4 of 5 stars. 6.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.86 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 71% of American counties. 86% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 23 points. 60% of eligible voters turned out. Under Rhode Island law you need local approval to carry a concealed handgun, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 51°F, highs near 60 and lows near 41, colder than 73% of American counties. About 47 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 90 out of 100, riskier than 90% of American counties; the county has had 25 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 287 Mbps down, faster than 92% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.0 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 16 breweries, 17 museums, 2 National Park Service sites.