Pawtucket, RI Demographics

A map of Pawtucket's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	35,155	34,427	46.3%	45.5%
Hispanic	20,336	18,727	26.8%	24.8%
Multiracial	9,217	8,837	12.1%	11.7%
Black	8,358	9,141	11.0%	12.1%
Native American/Other	1,911	3,382	2.5%	4.5%
Asian	916	1,090	1.2%	1.4%

Pawtucket, Rhode Island has an estimated population of 75,893, a less than 1% change from the 75,604 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 46.3% White, 26.8% Hispanic, 12.1% Multiracial, 11.0% Black, 2.5% Native American/Other, and 1.2% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Pawtucket, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Pawtucket has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably 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 Pawtucket, that probability was 70.1% in 2020 and 68.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Pawtucket is ranked the 4th 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). Pawtucket was ranked the 4th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Pawtucket's White Population

35,155 residents of Pawtucket, or 46.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Pawtucket is significantly lower than in Rhode Island overall, where 68% of the population is White. Pawtucket ranks 34th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Pawtucket's White population has grown by an estimated 2.1%. White residents' share of Pawtucket's population has increased from 45.5% to 46.3%.

Pawtucket is more White than neighboring Central Falls (15.1% White), and Providence (33.1% White). Pawtucket is less White than neighboring North Seekonk (77.2% White), Valley Falls (77.6% White), and East Providence (72.8% White).

Pawtucket's Black Population

8,358 residents of Pawtucket, or 11.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Pawtucket is higher than in Rhode Island overall, where 4.9% of the population is Black. Pawtucket ranks 1st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Pawtucket's Black population has declined by an estimated 8.6%. Black residents' share of Pawtucket's population has decreased from 12.1% to 11.0%.

Pawtucket is more Black than neighboring Central Falls (9.7% Black), North Seekonk (1.3% Black), Valley Falls (6.6% Black), Providence (10.2% Black), and East Providence (5.9% Black).

Pawtucket's Asian Population

916 residents of Pawtucket, or 1.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Pawtucket is slightly lower than in Rhode Island overall, where 3.5% of the population is Asian. Pawtucket ranks 18th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Pawtucket's Asian population has declined by an estimated 16.0%. Asian residents' share of Pawtucket's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.2%.

Pawtucket is more Asian than neighboring Central Falls (0.1% Asian), and Valley Falls (0.5% Asian). Pawtucket is less Asian than neighboring North Seekonk (1.8% Asian), Providence (6.2% Asian), and East Providence (2.6% Asian).

Pawtucket's Hispanic Population

20,336 residents of Pawtucket, or 26.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Pawtucket is higher than in Rhode Island overall, where 17.7% of the population is Hispanic. Pawtucket ranks 3rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Pawtucket's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 8.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Pawtucket's population has increased from 24.8% to 26.8%.

Pawtucket is more Hispanic than neighboring North Seekonk (8.6% Hispanic), Valley Falls (9.2% Hispanic), and East Providence (9.4% Hispanic). Pawtucket is less Hispanic than neighboring Central Falls (69.1% Hispanic), and Providence (45.3% Hispanic).

Pawtucket's Native American/Other Population

1,911 residents of Pawtucket, or 2.5% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Pawtucket is comparable to the share in Rhode Island overall, where 1% of the population is Native American/Other. Pawtucket ranks 1st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Pawtucket's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 43.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Pawtucket's population has decreased from 4.5% to 2.5%.

Pawtucket is more Native American/Other than neighboring Central Falls (1.5% Native American/Other), Valley Falls (0.2% Native American/Other), and Providence (1.6% Native American/Other). Pawtucket is less Native American/Other than neighboring North Seekonk (3.9% Native American/Other), and East Providence (2.6% Native American/Other).

Pawtucket's Multiracial Population

9,217 residents of Pawtucket, or 12.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Pawtucket is higher than in Rhode Island overall, where 4.9% of the population is Multiracial. Pawtucket ranks 1st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Pawtucket's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 4.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Pawtucket's population has remained roughly unchanged at 12.1%.

Pawtucket is more Multiracial than neighboring Central Falls (4.6% Multiracial), North Seekonk (7% Multiracial), Valley Falls (6% Multiracial), Providence (3.6% Multiracial), and East Providence (6.7% 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.