Providence, RI

Census Place

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2019 Population

179,494

0.0329% 1-year growth

US Senator

Jack Reed

Democratic Party

US Senator

Sheldon Whitehouse

Democratic Party

2019 Median Age

30.6

2% 1-year increase

2019 Poverty Rate

25.5%

1.88% 1-year decrease

2019 Median Household Income

$45,610

8.19% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$200,300

4.27% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

81,646

0.563% 1-year growth

About

In 2019, Providence, RI had a population of 179k people with a median age of 30.6 and a median household income of $45,610. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Providence, RI grew from 179,435 to 179,494, a 0.0329% increase and its median household income grew from $42,158 to $45,610, a 8.19% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Providence, RI are White (Non-Hispanic) (33.1%), White (Hispanic) (22%), Other (Hispanic) (15.9%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (13.9%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (5.89%). 0% of the households in Providence, RI speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.

85.2% of the residents in Providence, RI are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Providence, RI are Brown University (3,296 degrees awarded in 2019), Johnson & Wales University-Providence (2,496 degrees), and Providence College (1,476 degrees).

In 2019, the median property value in Providence, RI was $200,300, and the homeownership rate was 36.1%. Most people in Providence, RI drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22 minutes. The average car ownership in Providence, RI was 2 cars per household.

Photo by Timothy Burling

United States Rhode Island Providence County, RI Providence-Warwick, RI-MA Providence City PUMA, RI

Diversity

Providence, RI is home to a population of 179k people, from which 85.2% are citizens. As of 2019, 28.8% of Providence, RI residents were born outside of the country (51.7k people).

In 2019, there were 1.5 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (59.4k people) in Providence, RI than any other race or ethnicity. There were 39.5k White (Hispanic) and 28.6k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Providence, RI

White (Non-Hispanic)
59.4k ± 1.57k
White (Hispanic)
39.5k ± 2.51k
Other (Hispanic)
28.6k ± 2.59k

43.3%

Hispanic Population

77.8k people

43.3% of the people in Providence, RI are hispanic (77.8k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Providence, RI as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

28.8%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

51.7k people

29.2%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

52.4k people

As of 2019, 28.8% of Providence, RI residents (51.7k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.7%. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Providence, RI was 29.2%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Providence, RI compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.5

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 1.1

In 2019, the median age of all people in Providence, RI was 30.6. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 26, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 41. But people in Providence, RI are getting getting older. In 2018, the average age of all Providence, RI residents was 30.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Rhode Island.

Most Common Origin

Dominican Republic
27,845 ± 4,043 people
Guatemala
13,419 ± 2,826 people
Portugal
12,601 ± 2,740 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Rhode Island was Dominican Republic, the natal country of 27,845 Rhode Island residents, followed by Guatemala with 13,419 and Portugal with 12,601.

Citizenship

85.2%

2019 Citizenship

84.2%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 85.2% of Providence, RI residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, the percentage of US citizens in Providence, RI was 84.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Providence, RI compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
965 ± 209
Gulf War (2001-)
650 ± 191
Gulf War (1990s)
598 ± 182

Providence, RI has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.48 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Rhode Island. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Rhode Island, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Rhode Island.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Rhode Island (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Rhode Island.

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Rhode Island. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Rhode Island.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Rhode Island.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Rhode Island across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in Providence, RI is $45,610. In 2019, the place with the highest median household income in Providence, RI was Census Tract 34 with a value of $178,235, followed by Census Tract 36.02 and Census Tract 32, with respective values of $119,821 and $91,288.

Males in Rhode Island have an average income that is 1.28 times higher than the average income of females, which is $55,664. The income inequality in Rhode Island (measured using the Gini index) is 0.453, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Providence, RI employs 81.6k people. The largest industries in Providence, RI are Health Care & Social Assistance (13,279 people), Educational Services (11,181 people), and Manufacturing (9,836 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($80,956), Public Administration ($56,958), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($54,240).

Wages

Median Household Income

$45,610

2019 value

± $2,010

8.19%

1 Year Growth

± 4.94%

Households in Providence, RI have a median annual income of $45,610, which is less than the median annual income of $65,712 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $42,158 in 2018, which represents a 8.19% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Providence, RI compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Rhode Island.

$71,021

Average Male Salary in Rhode Island

± $3,561

$55,664

Average Female Salary in Rhode Island

± $2,640

In 2019, full-time male employees in Rhode Island made 1.28 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Rhode Island by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Rhode Island.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Rhode Island

Asian
$59,844 ± $13,016
White
$56,474 ± $2,217
American Indian
$47,016 ± $44,702

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Rhode Island workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.06 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Rhode Island.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Rhode Island by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Providence, RI is from Rhode Island.

0.453

2019 Wage GINI in Rhode Island

0.459

2018 Wage GINI in Rhode Island

In 2019, the income inequality in Rhode Island was 0.453 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 1.21% decline from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Rhode Island was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Rhode Island in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Rhode Island across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 34
Census Tract 36.02
Census Tract 32

In 2019, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Providence, RI was Census Tract 34 with a value of $178,235, followed by Census Tract 36.02 and Census Tract 32, with respective values of $119,821 and $91,288.

The following map shows all of the places in Providence, RI colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

25.5% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Providence, RI (42.2k out of 165k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 18 - 24.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

Hispanic
22,235 ± 1,283
White
19,989 ± 1,305
Black
7,960 ± 873

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Providence, RI is Hispanic, followed by White and Black.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

81.6k

2019 Value

± 2,376

0.563%

1 Year growth

± 4%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Providence, RI grew at a rate of 0.563%, from 81.2k employees to 81.6k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Providence, RI, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (8,862 people), Sales & Related Occupations (6,985 people), and Production Occupations (6,888 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Providence, RI.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Providence, RI, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (8,862 people), Sales & Related Occupations (6,985 people), and Production Occupations (6,888 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Providence, RI has an unusually high number of residents working as Healthcare Support Occupations (1.74 times higher than expected), Community & Social Service Occupations (1.63 times), and Building & Grounds Cleaning & Maintenance Occupations (1.6 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Providence, RI, by median earnings, are Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($81,862), Healthcare Practitioners & Technical Occupations ($74,432), and Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors ($70,830).

Industries

Employment by Industries

81.6k

2019 Value

± 2,376

0.563%

1 Year growth

± 4%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Providence, RI grew at a rate of 0.563%, from 81.2k employees to 81.6k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Providence, RI, are Health Care & Social Assistance (13,279 people), Educational Services (11,181 people), and Manufacturing (9,836 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Providence, RI, though some of these residents may live in Providence, RI and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Providence, RI, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (13,279 people), Educational Services (11,181 people), and Manufacturing (9,836 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Providence, RI has an unusually high number of Management of Companies & Enterprises (2.34 times higher than expected), Educational Services (1.48 times), and Administrative & Support & Waste Management Services (1.32 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Providence, RI, by median earnings, are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($80,956), Public Administration ($56,958), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($54,240).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Rhode Island to other states, or from other states to Rhode Island.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2018, the top outbound Rhode Island product (by dollars) was Gasoline with $15.3B, followed by Mixed freight ($8.02B) and Motorized vehicles ($7.25B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Rhode Island products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Rhode Island.

$59.5B

2018 Value in Rhode Island

$79.3B

Projected 2045 Value in Rhode Island

33.3% growth

In 2018, total outbound Rhode Island trade was $59.5B. This is expected to increase 33.3% to $79.3B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Rhode Island trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Rhode Island to other states, or from other states to Rhode Island.

Most Common Trade Partners

Massachusetts
$17.1B
Connecticut
$2.81B
New York
$2.2B

In 2018, the top outbound Rhode Island domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Massachusetts with $17.1B, followed by Connecticut with $2.81B and New York and $2.2B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Rhode Island shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Providence County, RI went to Hillary Rodham Clinton with 57.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (36.6%), followed by Other (5.91%). The most partisan county was Providence County, RI with 57.5% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton running for the Democratic Party.

Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse are the senators currently representing the state of Rhode Island. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Rhode Island is currently represented by 2 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Providence, RI. Showing the available data for Providence County, RI.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

2016 Election Results

Hillary Rodham Clinton (57.5%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (36.6%)
Republican Party
Other (5.91%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Rhode Island went to Hillary Rodham Clinton with 57.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (36.6%), followed by Other (5.91%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Rhode Island for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Rhode Island.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Popular Vote for Providence County, RI

57.5% for the Democratic Party

Most Partisan Counties in Rhode Island

Providence County, RI
57.5% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)
Bristol County, RI
57.3% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)
Newport County, RI
55.7% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in Rhode Island was Providence County, RI with 57.5% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton running for the Democratic Party.

The following map shows the counties in Rhode Island colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from Rhode Island

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Rhode Island.

Jack Reed

Senator from Rhode Island

Assumed office on January 3, 1997

Sheldon Whitehouse

Senator from Rhode Island

Assumed office on January 3, 2007

Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse are the senators currently representing Rhode Island.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Rhode Island over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from Rhode Island

Rhode Island is currently represented by 2 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Rhode Island have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2019, universities in Providence, RI awarded 8,443 degrees. The student population of Providence, RI is skewed towards women, with 11,108 male students and 15,023 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Providence, RI are White (4,350 and 60.4%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (775 and 10.8%), Black or African American (595 and 8.26%), and Asian (593 and 8.23%).

The largest universities in Providence, RI by number of degrees awarded are Brown University (3,296 and 39%), Johnson & Wales University-Providence (2,496 and 29.6%), and Providence College (1,476 and 17.5%).

The most popular majors in Providence, RI are General Business Administration & Management (687 and 8.14%), Culinary Arts & Chef Training (365 and 4.32%), and Foodservice System Management (334 and 3.96%).

The median tuition cost in Providence, RI for private four year colleges is $42,272.

Concentrations

Most Common

General Biological Sciences
248 degree-majorss awarded
General Business Administration & Management
245 degree-majorss awarded
Foodservice System Management
334 degree-majorss awarded

In 2019, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Providence, RI was General Biological Sciences with 248 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Providence, RI according to their major.

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Brown University
3,296 degrees awarded
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
2,496 degrees awarded
Providence College
1,476 degrees awarded

$42,272

Median Private

In 2019, the Providence, RI institution with the largest number of graduating students was Brown University with 3,296 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

3,464

Degrees Awarded to Men

4,979

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2019, 3,464 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Providence, RI, which is 0.696 times less than the 4,979 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the top 5 institutions in Providence, RI by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
4,350 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
775 degrees awarded
Black or African American
595 degrees awarded

In 2019 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Providence, RI was White students. These 4,350 degrees mean that there were 5.61 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 775 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Providence, RI was $200,300 in 2019, which is 0.833 times smaller than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $192,100 to $200,300, a 4.27% increase. The homeownership rate in Providence, RI is 36.1%, which is lower than the national average of 64.1%. People in Providence, RI have an average commute time of 22 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Providence, RI is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$200,300

2019 Median

± $5,340

$192,100

2018 Median

± $4,962

In 2019, the median property value in Providence, RI grew to to $200,300 from the previous year's value of $192,100.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Providence, RI compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Providence, RI the largest share of households have a property value in the $200k - $250k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$45,610

Median Household Income

± $2,010

61.7k

Number of Households

± 1,807

In 2019, the median household income of the 61.7k households in Providence, RI grew to $45,610 from the previous year's value of $42,158.

The following chart displays the households in Providence, RI distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Providence, RI distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Providence, RI the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

Rent vs Own

36.1%

2019 Homeownership

35.1%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 36.1% of the housing units in Providence, RI were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 35.1%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 64.1%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Providence, RI compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

22 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Providence, RI have a shorter commute time (22 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 3.09% of the workforce in Providence, RI have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Providence, RI compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2019

Drove Alone (64.5%)
Carpooled (12%)
Walked (9.47%)

In 2019, 64.5% of workers in Providence, RI drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (12%) and those who walked to work (9.47%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Providence, RI distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Providence, RI have 2 cars, followed by false.

Health

92.5% of the population of Providence, RI has health coverage, with 38.3% on employee plans, 35.2% on Medicaid, 6.18% on Medicare, 12.2% on non-group plans, and 0.628% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Rhode Island was $9,551 in 2014. This is a 4.27% increase from the previous year ($9,160).

Primary care physicians in Providence County, RI see 1021 patients per year on average, which represents a 3.04% decrease from the previous year (1053 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1651 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 202 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Kent County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (11%). Additionally, Kent County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (30.4%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Providence County, RI.

1,021 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Providence County, RI

Primary care physicians in Providence County, RI see an average of 1,021 patients per year. This represents a 3.04% decrease from the previous year (1,053 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Providence County, RI in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Rhode Island.

$9,551

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Rhode Island

$4,620

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,934

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,901

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Rhode Island (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.27%, from $9,160 to $9,551.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

7.53%

Uninsured

38.3%

Employer Coverage

35.2%

Medicaid

6.18%

Medicare

12.2%

Non-Group

0.628%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Providence, RI declined by 17% from 9.07% to 7.53%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Providence, RI changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.