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| Providence County, Rhode Island | |
Providence County Courthouse
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 Location in the state of Rhode Island | |
 Rhode Island's location in the U.S. | |
| Founded | June 22, 1703 |
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| Named for | Providence, Rhode Island |
| Seat | Providence (1703-1842) |
| Largest city | Providence |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
436 sq mi (1,129 km²) 410 sq mi (1,062 km²) 26 sq mi (67 km²), 6.0% |
| Population - Density |
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| Congressional districts | 1st, 2nd |
| Time zone | Eastern: UTC-5/-4 |
Providence County is the most populous county in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. As of the 2010 census, the county's population was 626,667, or 59.5% of the state's population.[1] Providence County contains the city of Providence, the state capital of Rhode Island and the county's (and state's) most populous city, with an estimated 179,335 residents in 2018. Providence County is included in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA Metropolitan Statistical Area, which in turn constitutes a portion of the greater Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT Combined Statistical Area. In 2010, the center of population of Rhode Island was located in Providence County, in the city of Cranston.[2]
History[]
Providence County was constituted on June 22, 1703, as the County of Providence Plantations. It consisted of five towns, namely Providence, Warwick, Westerly, Kingstown, and Greenwich and encompassed territory in present-day Kent and Washington counties. Washington County was split off as King's County in 1729, while Kent County was split off in 1750. The town of Cumberland was acquired from Massachusetts and added to Providence County in 1746–47, and the towns of East Providence and Pawtucket were made part of Providence County when the final border with Massachusetts was settled in 1862.
County government in Rhode Island was abolished in 1842. Providence County, like other counties in Rhode Island, has no governmental functions (other than as court administrative and sheriff corrections boundaries which are part of state government).
Geography[]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 436 square miles (1,130 km2), of which 410 square miles (1,100 km2) is land and 26 square miles (67 km2) (6.0%) is water.[3] It is the largest of Rhode Island's five counties by land area, but it's the smallest county in the United States that is a state's largest county. The county is drained by the Blackstone River, which runs partly along the east border, the Woonasquatucket River in the central part of the county, joining with the smaller Moshassuck River in downtown Providence, and the Pawtuxet, which forms a portion of the southeastern boundary of the county.[4] The Pawtuxet is dammed in the western part of the county to form the Scituate Reservoir, which supplies drinking water for Providence and surrounding communities.
The highest natural point in the county and the state of Rhode Island is Jerimoth Hill at 812 feet (247 m). Sea level is the lowest point.
Adjacent counties[]
- Norfolk County, Massachusetts - northeast
- Bristol County, Massachusetts - east
- Bristol County - southeast
- Kent County - south
- Windham County, Connecticut - west
- Worcester County, Massachusetts - northwest
National protected areas[]
- Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park (part)
- Roger Williams National Memorial
Major highways[]
I-95- I-195
- I-295
- US 1
- US 1A
- US 6
- US 6A
- US 44
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Demographics[]
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1790 | 24,376 | ||
| 1800 | 25,854 | 6.1% | |
| 1810 | 30,869 | 19.4% | |
| 1820 | 35,736 | 15.8% | |
| 1830 | 47,018 | 31.6% | |
| 1840 | 58,073 | 23.5% | |
| 1850 | 87,526 | 50.7% | |
| 1860 | 107,799 | 23.2% | |
| 1870 | 149,190 | 38.4% | |
| 1880 | 197,874 | 32.6% | |
| 1890 | 255,123 | 28.9% | |
| 1900 | 328,683 | 28.8% | |
| 1910 | 424,353 | 29.1% | |
| 1920 | 475,190 | 12.0% | |
| 1930 | 540,016 | 13.6% | |
| 1940 | 550,298 | 1.9% | |
| 1950 | 574,973 | 4.5% | |
| 1960 | 568,778 | −1.1% | |
| 1970 | 580,261 | 2.0% | |
| 1980 | 571,349 | −1.5% | |
| 1990 | 596,270 | 4.4% | |
| 2000 | 621,602 | 4.2% | |
| 2010 | 626,667 | 0.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[5] 1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7] 1990-2000[8] 2010-2019[1] | |||
2000 census[]
As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 621,602 people, 239,936 households, and 152,839 families living in the county. The population density was 1,504 people per square mile (581/km2). There were 253,214 housing units at an average density of 613 per square mile (237/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 78.38% White, 6.55% Black or African American, 0.51% Native American, 2.90% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 8.02% from other races, and 3.58% from two or more races. 13.39% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 19.0% were of Italian, 10.9% Irish, 8.1% French, 7.7% Portuguese, 7.2% French Canadian and 5.8% English ancestry according to Census 2000. 72.7% spoke English, 13.4% Spanish, 4.9% Portuguese, 2.5% French and 1.6% Italian as their first language.
There were 239,936 households, out of which 30.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.50% were married couples living together, 14.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.30% were non-families. 29.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.00% under the age of 18, 11.10% from 18 to 24, 29.80% from 25 to 44, 20.50% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,950, and the median income for a family was $46,694. Males had a median income of $35,336 versus $26,322 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,255. About 11.90% of families and 15.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.30% of those under age 18 and 12.70% of those age 65 or over.
Providence County is 71% Catholic, making it among the most Catholic counties in the country.[10]
2010 census[]
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 626,667 people, 241,717 households, and 149,691 families living in the county.[11] The population density was 1,530.3 inhabitants per square mile (590.9 /km2). There were 264,835 housing units at an average density of 646.7 per square mile (249.7 /km2).[12] The racial makeup of the county was 73.4% white, 8.5% black or African American, 3.7% Asian, 0.7% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 9.6% from other races, and 4.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 18.8% of the population.[11] The largest ancestry groups were:
- 18.5% Italian
- 15.8% Irish
- 12.3% French
- 9.4% English
- 8.6% Portuguese
- 5.4% French Canadian
- 5.4% Dominican
- 4.9% Puerto Rican
- 4.3% Cape Verdean
- 4.2% German
- 3.8% Polish
- 2.9% Guatemalan
- 1.7% Scottish
- 1.6% American
- 1.2% Swedish
- 1.2% Colombian
- 1.1% Mexican
- 1.0% Scotch-Irish
- Template:Country data Arab League 1.0% Arab
Of the 241,717 households, 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.8% were married couples living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.1% were non-families, and 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.11. The median age was 37.0 years.[11]
The median income for a household in the county was $48,500 and the median income for a family was $61,265. Males had a median income of $44,964 versus $36,447 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,169. About 11.6% of families and 15.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.1% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.[14]
Communities[]
Map of Providence County, Rhode Island showing cities, towns, and CDPs
Cities[]
- Central Falls
- Cranston
- East Providence
- Pawtucket
- Providence (traditional county seat)
- Woonsocket
Towns[]
- Burrillville
- Cumberland
- Foster
- Glocester
- Johnston
- Lincoln
- North Providence
- North Smithfield
- Scituate
- Smithfield
Census-designated places[]
- Chepachet
- Clayville
- Cumberland Hill
- Foster Center
- Greenville
- Harmony
- Harrisville
- Pascoag
- Valley Falls
Other villages[]
- Albion
- Arnold Mills
- Branch Village
- Esmond
- Forestdale
- Georgiaville
- Glendale
- Lime Rock
- Lonsdale
- Manville
- Oakland
- Primrose
- Quinnville
- Riverside
- Rumford
- Saylesville
- Smithville-North Scituate
- Slatersville
- Union Village
- Waterford
Politics[]
As an urban county in the heavily liberal region of New England, Providence County is a Democratic stronghold. The last time a Republican candidate carried the county was in 1972, by Richard Nixon. The county was won by a very narrow margin, however.
| Year | Republican / Whig | Democratic | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 102,551 | 37.61% | 165,012 | 60.52% | 5,104 | 1.87% |
| 2016 | 90,882 | 36.58% | 142,899 | 57.51% | 14,693 | 5.91% |
| 2012 | 75,785 | 31.61% | 159,520 | 66.53% | 4,481 | 1.87% |
| 2008 | 81,010 | 31.94% | 167,442 | 66.02% | 5,178 | 2.04% |
| 2004 | 82,337 | 35.59% | 144,811 | 62.60% | 4,176 | 1.81% |
| 2000 | 61,378 | 28.12% | 142,469 | 65.26% | 14,461 | 6.62% |
| 1996 | 49,901 | 23.52% | 134,866 | 63.58% | 27,355 | 12.90% |
| 1992 | 69,579 | 27.45% | 125,358 | 49.46% | 58,504 | 23.08% |
| 1988 | 94,248 | 40.77% | 135,927 | 58.80% | 984 | 0.43% |
| 1984 | 116,024 | 48.16% | 124,109 | 51.52% | 765 | 0.32% |
| 1980 | 86,467 | 34.88% | 126,808 | 51.15% | 34,652 | 13.98% |
| 1976 | 103,976 | 41.62% | 144,805 | 57.96% | 1,036 | 0.41% |
| 1972 | 129,418 | 49.94% | 129,232 | 49.87% | 506 | 0.20% |
| 1968 | 70,320 | 28.11% | 169,246 | 67.64% | 10,633 | 4.25% |
| 1964 | 43,432 | 16.52% | 219,465 | 83.48% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 91,028 | 32.51% | 189,014 | 67.49% | 1 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 153,860 | 55.80% | 121,861 | 44.20% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 146,197 | 48.09% | 157,592 | 51.84% | 219 | 0.07% |
| 1948 | 93,867 | 38.20% | 149,254 | 60.73% | 2,627 | 1.07% |
| 1944 | 87,190 | 38.80% | 137,216 | 61.06% | 321 | 0.14% |
| 1940 | 99,434 | 40.60% | 145,236 | 59.30% | 251 | 0.10% |
| 1936 | 88,492 | 37.17% | 131,218 | 55.12% | 18,370 | 7.72% |
| 1932 | 84,397 | 40.86% | 118,546 | 57.40% | 3,601 | 1.74% |
| 1928 | 85,884 | 46.77% | 97,185 | 52.92% | 568 | 0.31% |
| 1924 | 92,464 | 57.24% | 62,336 | 38.59% | 6,750 | 4.18% |
| 1920 | 79,558 | 61.30% | 45,859 | 35.33% | 4,374 | 3.37% |
| 1916 | 32,406 | 49.18% | 31,314 | 47.52% | 2,172 | 3.30% |
| 1912 | 19,695 | 33.72% | 23,127 | 39.59% | 15,587 | 26.69% |
| 1908 | 32,037 | 59.58% | 18,880 | 35.11% | 2,854 | 5.31% |
| 1904 | 30,295 | 59.76% | 18,557 | 36.60% | 1,846 | 3.64% |
| 1900 | 24,194 | 58.03% | 15,223 | 36.51% | 2,274 | 5.45% |
| 1896 | 26,844 | 66.58% | 11,644 | 28.88% | 1,832 | 4.54% |
| 1892 | 18,695 | 49.16% | 18,203 | 47.86% | 1,134 | 2.98% |
| 1888 | 14,207 | 51.74% | 12,440 | 45.30% | 812 | 2.96% |
| 1884 | 12,387 | 57.08% | 8,491 | 39.13% | 824 | 3.80% |
| 1880 | 11,316 | 61.14% | 6,975 | 37.69% | 217 | 1.17% |
| 1844 | 3,752 | 54.03% | 3,192 | 45.97% | 0 | 0.00% |
See also[]
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Providence County, Rhode Island
References[]
- ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/44/44007.html.
- ^ "Centers of Population by State: 2010". United States Census Bureau. http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/reference/cenpop2010/CenPop2010_Mean_ST.txt.
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_44.txt.
- ^
"Providence, the N. county of Rhode Island". The American Cyclopædia. 1879.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu.
- ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ri190090.txt.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov.
- ^ "Adherents.com: Catholics". http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_romcath.html.
- ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US44007.
- ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US44007.
- ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US44007.
- ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US44007.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS.
- ^ "The Popular Vote of the United States, in the Presidential Election of 1844". New York Daily Herald (5270). November 7, 1848. https://www.newspapers.com/image/466609365.
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Worcester County, Massachusetts | Norfolk County, Massachusetts |
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| Windham County, Connecticut | 
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Bristol County, Massachusetts | ||
   Providence County, Rhode Island | ||||
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| Kent County | Bristol County |
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