Providence County Demographics

A map of Providence County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	375,742	378,615	56.5%	57.3%
Hispanic	170,376	160,323	25.6%	24.3%
Black	46,237	47,652	7.0%	7.2%
Multiracial	36,059	34,602	5.4%	5.2%
Asian	27,690	28,110	4.2%	4.3%
Native American/Other	8,750	11,439	1.3%	1.7%

Providence County, Rhode Island has an estimated population of 664,854, a less than 1% change from the 660,741 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 56.5% White, 25.6% Hispanic, 7.0% Black, 5.4% Multiracial, 4.2% Asian, and 1.3% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Providence County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Providence is about as racially diverse as it was in 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 Providence County, that probability was 60.3% in 2020 and 60.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Providence County is ranked the most populous county in Rhode Island, out of 5 counties. Providence County was ranked the 1st most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Providence County's White Population

375,742 residents of Providence County, or 56.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Providence County is considerably lower than in Rhode Island overall, where 68% of the population is White. Providence County ranks 5th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 5 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Providence County's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Providence County's population has decreased from 57.3% to 56.5%.

Providence County is less White than neighboring Kent County (83.7% White), Bristol County (88.3% White), Newport County (82.4% White), Washington County (88.9% White), and Norfolk County (68.7% White).

Providence County's Black Population

46,237 residents of Providence County, or 7.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Providence County is slightly higher than in Rhode Island overall, where 4.9% of the population is Black. Providence County ranks 1st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 5 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Providence County's Black population has declined by an estimated 3.0%. Black residents' share of Providence County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 7.0%.

Providence County is more Black than neighboring Kent County (1.9% Black), Bristol County (1% Black), Newport County (3.2% Black), and Washington County (1.2% Black). Providence County is less Black than neighboring Norfolk County (7.1% Black).

Providence County's Asian Population

27,690 residents of Providence County, or 4.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Providence County is comparable to the share in Rhode Island overall, where 3.5% of the population is Asian. Providence County ranks 1st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 5 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Providence County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 1.5%. Asian residents' share of Providence County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.2%.

Providence County is more Asian than neighboring Kent County (2.9% Asian), Bristol County (2.6% Asian), Newport County (1.7% Asian), and Washington County (2.1% Asian). Providence County is less Asian than neighboring Norfolk County (12.4% Asian).

Providence County's Hispanic Population

170,376 residents of Providence County, or 25.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Providence County is higher than in Rhode Island overall, where 17.7% of the population is Hispanic. Providence County ranks 1st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 5 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Providence County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 6.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Providence County's population has increased from 24.3% to 25.6%.

Providence County is more Hispanic than neighboring Kent County (6.9% Hispanic), Bristol County (4.2% Hispanic), Newport County (6.7% Hispanic), Washington County (3.8% Hispanic), and Norfolk County (5.8% Hispanic).

Providence County's Native American/Other Population

8,750 residents of Providence County, or 1.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Providence County is comparable to the share in Rhode Island overall, where 1% of the population is Native American/Other. Providence County ranks 1st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 5 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Providence County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 23.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Providence County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.3%.

Providence County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Kent County (0.5% Native American/Other), Bristol County (0.3% Native American/Other), Newport County (1.2% Native American/Other), Washington County (0.6% Native American/Other), and Norfolk County (1.2% Native American/Other).

Providence County's Multiracial Population

36,059 residents of Providence County, or 5.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Providence County is comparable to the share in Rhode Island overall, where 4.9% of the population is Multiracial. Providence County ranks 1st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 5 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Providence County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 4.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Providence County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.4%.

Providence County is more Multiracial than neighboring Kent County (4.2% Multiracial), Bristol County (3.7% Multiracial), Newport County (4.9% Multiracial), Washington County (3.4% Multiracial), and Norfolk County (4.8% 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.