Cranston, RI Demographics

A map of Cranston's Population by Race

Cranston, Rhode Island has an estimated population of 83,250, a less than 1% change from the 82,934 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 65.3% White, 18.8% Hispanic, 6.8% Asian, 5.3% Black, 3.3% Multiracial, and 0.5% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Cranston, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Cranston is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is more 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 Cranston, that probability was 52.8% in 2020 and 52.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Cranston is ranked the 2nd 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). Cranston was ranked the 2nd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Cranston's White Population

54,399 residents of Cranston, or 65.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Cranston is slightly lower than in Rhode Island overall, where 68% of the population is White. Cranston ranks 31st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cranston's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Cranston's population has remained roughly unchanged at 65.3%.

Cranston is more White than neighboring Providence (33.1% White), and Central Falls (15.1% White). Cranston is less White than neighboring Warwick (82.1% White), East Providence (72.8% White), and Greenville (89.9% White).

Cranston's Black Population

4,413 residents of Cranston, or 5.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Cranston is comparable to the share in Rhode Island overall, where 4.9% of the population is Black. Cranston ranks 10th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cranston's Black population has grown by an estimated 9.0%. Black residents' share of Cranston's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.3%.

Cranston is more Black than neighboring Warwick (2.5% Black), and Greenville (1.7% Black). Cranston is less Black than neighboring Providence (10.2% Black), East Providence (5.9% Black), and Central Falls (9.7% Black).

Cranston's Asian Population

5,640 residents of Cranston, or 6.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Cranston is slightly higher than in Rhode Island overall, where 3.5% of the population is Asian. Cranston ranks 1st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cranston's Asian population has remained roughly the same. Asian residents' share of Cranston's population has remained roughly unchanged at 6.8%.

Cranston is more Asian than neighboring Providence (6.2% Asian), Warwick (3.4% Asian), East Providence (2.6% Asian), Greenville (0.4% Asian), and Central Falls (0.1% Asian).

Cranston's Hispanic Population

15,613 residents of Cranston, or 18.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Cranston is comparable to the share in Rhode Island overall, where 17.7% of the population is Hispanic. Cranston ranks 5th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cranston's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 3.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Cranston's population has increased from 18.2% to 18.8%.

Cranston is more Hispanic than neighboring Warwick (6.9% Hispanic), East Providence (9.4% Hispanic), and Greenville (4.9% Hispanic). Cranston is less Hispanic than neighboring Providence (45.3% Hispanic), and Central Falls (69.1% Hispanic).

Cranston's Native American/Other Population

437 residents of Cranston, or 0.5% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Cranston is comparable to the share in Rhode Island overall, where 1% of the population is Native American/Other. Cranston ranks 20th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cranston's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 41.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Cranston's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Cranston is less Native American/Other than neighboring Providence (1.6% Native American/Other), East Providence (2.6% Native American/Other), Greenville (0.7% Native American/Other), and Central Falls (1.5% Native American/Other).

Cranston's Multiracial Population

2,748 residents of Cranston, or 3.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Cranston is comparable to the share in Rhode Island overall, where 4.9% of the population is Multiracial. Cranston ranks 22nd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cranston's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 6.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Cranston's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.3%.

Cranston is more Multiracial than neighboring Greenville (2.5% Multiracial). Cranston is less Multiracial than neighboring Providence (3.6% Multiracial), Warwick (4.6% Multiracial), East Providence (6.7% Multiracial), and Central Falls (4.6% 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.