Community Profiles Now Include More Places to Explore

We've enhanced the "Places" section of our Community Profiles to make it easier for you to discover popular nearby places.

Rhode Island Gazetteer

Rhode Island - Basic Information

Became a State: May 29, 1790 - 13rd State
Population: 1,052,567 (2010 Census) - Ranks 43rd
Land Area: 1,033.8 square miles - Ranks 50th
Population Density: 1,018.1 persons per square mile - Ranks 2nd
Housing Units: 463,388 (2010 Census)
Housing Unit Density: 448.2 housing units per square mile
July 1, 2023 Estimates: Rhode Island Data and Demographics
State Capital: Providence
State Website: Official State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Website
Rhode Island State Flag
Rhode Island state flag

Quick & Easy Ways to...

  1. Get Current Demographic Data for Cities, Towns, and ZIP Codes
  2. View Boundary Maps, for Cities, Towns, and ZIP Codes
  3. Locate Physical, Cultural, and Historical Features

Use HTL Address Research for a Rhode Island Address and get...

Boundary Maps, Demographic Data, School Zones Review maps and data for the neighborhood, city, county, ZIP Code, and school zone. July 1, 2023, data includes home values, household income, percentage of homes owned, rented or vacant, etc.


Rhode Island Neighborhood Explorer

NOTE: The BEST tool for researching a neighborhood is the HTL Address Research Tool (above). However, if you do not have an address, the Rhode Island Neighborhood Explorer is the SECOND-BEST-TOOL to research a neighborhood (it provides a subset of the information that the Address Research Tool provides), but you can get a report by simply marking a spot on a map.

The Rhode Island Neighborhood Explorer helps you to research any Rhode Island neighborhood (census block group) and get home values, average household income, owner/renter/ occupancy rates, projected growth rates, boundary maps, comparisons to other communities, and much more.

Simply mark a spot on a state map and you'll have your results within 3-seconds!

Rhode Island Neighborhood Explorer


Rhode Island History

Rhode Island State Flower
Rhode Island State Flower - Violets

The area of Rhode Island was part of the original territory of the United States. An original patent was granted for the Providence Plantations in 1643, and a charter was granted for the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in 1663. Rhode Island ratified the Constitution on May 29, 1790; it was the 13th of the original 13 states to join the Union, with generally the same boundary as the present state. However, there were changes to the boundary between Rhode Island and Massachusetts in 1862, and additional changes from a resurvey of that boundary in 1897. The official name of the state is "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations."

Census data for Rhode Island are available beginning with the 1790 census.

Rhode Island Geographical Areas

See: Geographic Terms & Concepts

Counties & County Equivalents

Interactive Map of Rhode Island Counties | Static Overview Map of Rhode Island Counties

There are five counties in Rhode Island.  Counties in Rhode Island were legally abolished as governmental units but they continue to serve as geographic subdivisions of the state for Census Bureau purposes.


County Subdivisions

There are 40 county subdivisions in Rhode Island which are known as minor civil divisions (MCDs). There are 31 towns which are functioning governmental units, each governed by a town council.  The eight cities in Rhode Island are independent of MCDs and serve as county subdivisions.  In addition, there is one undefined MCD which consists of water area.

Places (Incorporated Cities, Towns & Census Designated Places (CDPs))

Rhode Island State Bird
Rhode Island State Bird - Rhode Island Red

Rhode Island has 34 places; 8 incorporated places and 26 census designated places (CDPs).  The incorporated places in Rhode Island are all cities and can legally exist in a single county only.  All MCD and place governments in Rhode Island have the same powers and function.  Incorporated places are independent of county subdivisions.

Alphabetical List of Cities, Towns, CDPs and Other Populated Places
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q, R | S | T | U, V | W, X, Y, Z

Rhode Island Civil Features

Rhode Island Civil Features: Political Subdivisions, Native Areas, Land Grants, etc. - sorted by Census Class Codes.

Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas

There are 1 Metropolitan and 0 Micropolitan Statistical Areas in Rhode Island. RI Metopolitan & Micropolitan Areas

Rhode Island ZIP Code Tabulation Areas

There are 77 ZIP Code tabulation areas (ZCTAs) in Rhode Island. View Rhode Island ZIP Codes and ZIP Code Maps.

School Districts

Rhode Island has 5 elementary school districts, 1 secondary school district, and 30 unified school districts. View Rhode Island Public and Private Schools.

Congressional Districts

Rhode Island has 2 congressional districts. An interactive map shows the contact information for each Representative as well as the boundaries for each Rhode Island district. View Map of Rhode Island Congressional Districts.

State Legislative Districts

There are 38 state senate districts and 75 state house districts in Rhode Island.

American Indian Areas

Rhode Island has one federally recognized American Indian reservation.

Other Information Of General Geographic Interest

Rhode Island is the smallest in land area of the 50 states.

Rhode Island Physical, Cultural and Historic Features

  1. Rhode Island Physical Features such as lakes, islands, streams, valleys, summits, etc.
  2. Rhode Island Cultural Features such as schools, churches, hospitals, parks, dams, reservoirs, etc.
  3. Rhode Island Historical Features and Rhode Island Historic Landmarks

Rhode Island Maps

  • To find a ZIP Code: input the address in the top-left search box of any ZIP Code Map.
  • To find the County: input the address in the top-left search box of the interactive RI map.
  • To find the School Attendance Zone: input the address in the top-left search box of any RI school map

Quick & Easy Ways to...

  1. Get Current Demographic Data for Cities, Towns, and ZIP Codes
  2. View Boundary Maps, for Cities, Towns, and ZIP Codes
  3. Locate Physical, Cultural, and Historical Features

Rhode Island Census Data Comparison Tool

Compare Rhode Island July 1, 2023 Data
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