Rhode Island Demographics

A map of Rhode Island's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	749,439	754,050	68.0%	68.7%
Hispanic	194,915	182,101	17.7%	16.6%
Black	54,225	55,386	4.9%	5.0%
Multiracial	53,666	52,250	4.9%	4.8%
Asian	38,127	38,367	3.5%	3.5%
Native American/Other	11,429	15,225	1.0%	1.4%

Rhode Island has an estimated population of 1,101,801, a less than 1% change from the 1,097,379 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 68.0% White, 17.7% Hispanic, 4.9% Black, 4.9% Multiracial, 3.5% Asian, and 1.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Rhode Island, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Rhode Island has become slightly more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Rhode Island, that probability was 49.4% in 2020 and 50.0% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Rhode Island is ranked the 44th most populous state in the United States, out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Rhode Island was ranked the 43rd most populous state in the 2020 Census.

Rhode Island's White Population

749,439 residents of Rhode Island, or 68.0% of the population, identify as White. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, Rhode Island is 24th in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, Rhode Island's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Rhode Island's population has decreased from 68.7% to 68.0%.

Rhode Island is more White than neighboring Massachusetts (66.6% White), Connecticut (61.9% White), and New Jersey (50.9% White). Rhode Island is less White than neighboring New Hampshire (86.9% White), and Vermont (89.9% White),

Rhode Island's Black Population

54,225 residents of Rhode Island, or 4.9% of the population, identify as Black. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, Rhode Island is 32nd in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, Rhode Island's Black population has declined by an estimated 2.1%. Black residents' share of Rhode Island's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.9%.

Rhode Island is more Black than neighboring New Hampshire (1.3% Black), and Vermont (1.1% Black). Rhode Island is less Black than neighboring Massachusetts (6.4% Black), Connecticut (9.8% Black). and New Jersey (12.2% Black).

Rhode Island's Asian Population

38,127 residents of Rhode Island, or 3.5% of the population, identify as Asian. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, Rhode Island is 20th in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, Rhode Island's Asian population has remained roughly the same. Asian residents' share of Rhode Island's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.5%.

Rhode Island is more Asian than neighboring New Hampshire (2.6% Asian), and Vermont (1.8% Asian). Rhode Island is less Asian than neighboring Massachusetts (7.3% Asian), Connecticut (4.7% Asian). and New Jersey (10% Asian).

Rhode Island's Hispanic Population

194,915 residents of Rhode Island, or 17.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, Rhode Island is 12th in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, Rhode Island's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 7.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Rhode Island's population has increased from 16.6% to 17.7%.

Rhode Island is more Hispanic than neighboring Massachusetts (13.3% Hispanic), New Hampshire (4.7% Hispanic), and Vermont (2.6% Hispanic). Rhode Island is less Hispanic than neighboring Connecticut (18.3% Hispanic), and New Jersey (22.5% Hispanic),

Rhode Island's Native American/Other Population

11,429 residents of Rhode Island, or 1.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, Rhode Island is 19th in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, Rhode Island's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 24.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Rhode Island's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.0%.

Rhode Island is more Native American/Other than neighboring New Hampshire (0.5% Native American/Other), Vermont (0.5% Native American/Other), and New Jersey (0.9% Native American/Other). Rhode Island is less Native American/Other than neighboring Massachusetts (1.3% Native American/Other),

Rhode Island's Multiracial Population

53,666 residents of Rhode Island, or 4.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, Rhode Island is 11th in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, Rhode Island's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 2.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Rhode Island's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.9%.

Rhode Island is more Multiracial than neighboring Connecticut (4.3% Multiracial), New Hampshire (4% Multiracial), Vermont (4.1% Multiracial), and New Jersey (3.5% Multiracial). Rhode Island is less Multiracial than neighboring Massachusetts (5.1% 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.