Washington County Demographics

A map of Washington County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	115,866	115,089	88.9%	88.6%
Hispanic	4,968	4,578	3.8%	3.5%
Multiracial	4,491	4,644	3.4%	3.6%
Asian	2,719	2,605	2.1%	2.0%
Black	1,568	1,468	1.2%	1.1%
Native American/Other	732	1,455	0.6%	1.1%

Washington County, Rhode Island has an estimated population of 130,344, a less than 1% change from the 129,839 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 88.9% White, 3.8% Hispanic, 3.4% Multiracial, 2.1% Asian, 1.2% Black, and 0.6% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Washington County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Washington is about as racially diverse as it was in 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 Washington County, that probability was 21.1% in 2020 and 20.7% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Washington County is ranked the 3rd most populous county in Rhode Island, out of 5 counties. Washington County was ranked the 3rd most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Washington County's White Population

115,866 residents of Washington County, or 88.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Washington County is significantly higher than in Rhode Island overall, where 68% of the population is White. Washington County ranks 1st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 5 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Washington County's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Washington County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 88.9%.

Washington County is more White than neighboring Kent County (83.7% White), Newport County (82.4% White), Bristol County (88.3% White), Providence County (56.5% White), and Bristol County (75.3% White).

Washington County's Black Population

1,568 residents of Washington County, or 1.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Washington County is slightly lower than in Rhode Island overall, where 4.9% of the population is Black. Washington County ranks 5th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 5 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Washington County's Black population has grown by an estimated 6.8%. Black residents' share of Washington County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.2%.

Washington County is more Black than neighboring Bristol County (1% Black). Washington County is less Black than neighboring Kent County (1.9% Black), Newport County (3.2% Black), Providence County (7% Black), and Bristol County (4% Black).

Washington County's Asian Population

2,719 residents of Washington County, or 2.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Washington County is comparable to the share in Rhode Island overall, where 3.5% of the population is Asian. Washington County ranks 4th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 5 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Washington County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 4.4%. Asian residents' share of Washington County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.1%.

Washington County is more Asian than neighboring Newport County (1.7% Asian). Washington County is less Asian than neighboring Kent County (2.9% Asian), Bristol County (2.6% Asian), Providence County (4.2% Asian), and Bristol County (2.4% Asian).

Washington County's Hispanic Population

4,968 residents of Washington County, or 3.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Washington County is considerably lower than in Rhode Island overall, where 17.7% of the population is Hispanic. Washington County ranks 5th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 5 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Washington County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 8.5%. Hispanic residents' share of Washington County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.8%.

Washington County is less Hispanic than neighboring Kent County (6.9% Hispanic), Newport County (6.7% Hispanic), Bristol County (4.2% Hispanic), Providence County (25.6% Hispanic), and Bristol County (10.2% Hispanic).

Washington County's Native American/Other Population

732 residents of Washington County, or 0.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Washington County is comparable to the share in Rhode Island overall, where 1% of the population is Native American/Other. Washington County ranks 2nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 5 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Washington County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 49.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Washington County's population has decreased from 1.1% to 0.6%.

Washington County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Kent County (0.5% Native American/Other), and Bristol County (0.3% Native American/Other). Washington County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Newport County (1.2% Native American/Other), Providence County (1.3% Native American/Other), and Bristol County (1.8% Native American/Other).

Washington County's Multiracial Population

4,491 residents of Washington County, or 3.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Washington County is comparable to the share in Rhode Island overall, where 4.9% of the population is Multiracial. Washington County ranks 5th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 5 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Washington County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 3.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Washington County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.4%.

Washington County is less Multiracial than neighboring Kent County (4.2% Multiracial), Newport County (4.9% Multiracial), Bristol County (3.7% Multiracial), Providence County (5.4% Multiracial), and Bristol County (6.2% 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.