Charlestown, RI Demographics

A map of Charlestown's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	1,415	1,583	94.4%	92.4%
Multiracial	49	60	3.3%	3.5%
Black	35	9	2.3%	0.5%
Asian	0	7	0.0%	0.4%
Hispanic	0	35	0.0%	2.0%
Native American/Other	0	20	0.0%	1.2%

Charlestown, Rhode Island has an estimated population of 1,499, a large decrease from the 1,714 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 94.4% White, 3.3% Multiracial, 2.3% Black, 0.0% Asian, 0.0% Hispanic, and 0.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Charlestown, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Charlestown has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Rhode Island overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Charlestown, that probability was 14.5% in 2020 and 10.7% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Charlestown is ranked the 25th most populous place in Rhode Island, out of 36 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Charlestown was ranked the 21st most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Charlestown's White Population

1,415 residents of Charlestown, or 94.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Charlestown is significantly higher than in Rhode Island overall, where 68% of the population is White. Charlestown ranks 8th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Charlestown's White population has declined by an estimated 10.6%. White residents' share of Charlestown's population has increased from 92.4% to 94.4%.

Charlestown is more White than neighboring Carolina (93.2% White), and Kingston (78.5% White). Charlestown is less White than neighboring Quonochontaug (96.4% White), Bradford (100% White), and Weekapaug (98.5% White).

Charlestown's Black Population

35 residents of Charlestown, or 2.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Charlestown is slightly lower than in Rhode Island overall, where 4.9% of the population is Black. Charlestown ranks 27th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Charlestown's Black population has grown by an estimated 288.9%. Black residents' share of Charlestown's population has increased from 0.5% to 2.3%.

Charlestown is more Black than neighboring Quonochontaug (0% Black), Carolina (0% Black), Bradford (0% Black), and Weekapaug (0% Black). Charlestown is less Black than neighboring Kingston (5% Black).

Charlestown's Asian Population

0 residents of Charlestown, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Charlestown is slightly lower than in Rhode Island overall, where 3.5% of the population is Asian. Charlestown ranks 30th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Charlestown's Asian population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Asian residents' share of Charlestown's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Charlestown is less Asian than neighboring Kingston (3.2% Asian).

Charlestown's Hispanic Population

0 residents of Charlestown, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Charlestown is significantly lower than in Rhode Island overall, where 17.7% of the population is Hispanic. Charlestown ranks 28th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Charlestown's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Charlestown's population has decreased from 2.0% to 0.0%.

Charlestown is less Hispanic than neighboring Quonochontaug (3.6% Hispanic), and Kingston (9.3% Hispanic).

Charlestown's Native American/Other Population

0 residents of Charlestown, or 0.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Charlestown is comparable to the share in Rhode Island overall, where 1% of the population is Native American/Other. Charlestown ranks 12th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Charlestown's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Charlestown's population has decreased from 1.2% to 0.0%.

Charlestown is less Native American/Other than neighboring Kingston (0.5% Native American/Other).

Charlestown's Multiracial Population

49 residents of Charlestown, or 3.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Charlestown is comparable to the share in Rhode Island overall, where 4.9% of the population is Multiracial. Charlestown ranks 23rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Charlestown's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 18.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Charlestown's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.3%.

Charlestown is more Multiracial than neighboring Quonochontaug (0% Multiracial), Bradford (0% Multiracial), and Weekapaug (1.5% Multiracial). Charlestown is less Multiracial than neighboring Carolina (6.8% Multiracial), and Kingston (3.6% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.