Census ACS · 5 counties
Largest Counties in Rhode Island
Rhode Island has 5 counties with Census data available. The largest is Providence County with a population of 658,977. County-level data is important because counties are the primary unit of local government in most states, responsible for courts, elections, public health, and infrastructure. Population distribution across counties reveals where growth is concentrated and where rural decline may be occurring.
Source: Census ACS 5-Year Estimates
| # | County | Population | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington County | 130,073 | $102,478 |
| 2 | Providence County | 658,977 | $78,204 |
| 3 | Newport County | 85,095 | $100,859 |
| 4 | Kent County | 170,658 | $91,278 |
| 5 | Bristol County | 50,568 | $110,926 |
More Rankings for Rhode Island
Frequently Asked Questions
Providence County is the #1 ranked county in Rhode Island by population, with a value of 658,977 according to latest Census ACS data.
Rhode Island has 5 counties tracked in latest Census ACS data.
All data comes from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates by the US Census Bureau.
Data from the American Community Survey 5-Year estimates. Covers all counties in Rhode Island.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.