HomeRhode IslandProvidence County
Providence County, Rhode Island: commercial real estate data.
Providence County, Rhode Island had an estimated 675,912 residents on July 1, 2024, up 2.3 percent since the 2020 census base of 660,725, across 410 square miles. County output reached $46.73 bn in 2024, 16,414 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 768 7(a) approvals worth $251.2 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Providence County
How many people live in Providence County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024664,854
- Households259,210
- Average household size2.56
- Median household income$78,787
- Median age38.0
- Median gross rent$1,312 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$373,600
- Home value to household income4.7 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income20.0 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher32.3 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree12.6 percent
- Adults 25 and over463,552
- Population under 18133,940
- Share under 1820.1 percent
- Population 65 and over108,512
- Share 65 and over16.3 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 64422,402
- Civilian labor force358,122
- Unemployment rate6.6 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over67.5 percent
- Rank by population among Rhode Island counties1st of 5
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included104th of 3,222
Providence County is the 1st largest of 5 Rhode Island counties by population. A median home costs 4.7 times median household income, which is seriously unaffordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 20.1 percent against 16.3 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Providence County
Is Providence County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 2024675,912
- Census 2020 base population660,725
- Population change since the 2020 census base2.30 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 20248,693
- Births, 20246,719
- Deaths, 20245,700
- Natural change, 20241,019
- Net domestic migration, 2024-562
- Net international migration, 20248,219
- Total net migration, 20247,657
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 2024-10,491
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents1074th of 3,144
The county has grown 2.30 percent since the 2020 census base. The population grew in 2024 from both sources: births exceeded deaths and more people moved in than left.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Providence County
Where are people moving to Providence County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving13,868
- People arriving, from those returns20,607
- Tax returns filed by households leaving15,374
- Net household movement-1,506
- Adjusted gross income arriving$943.7 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$-229.7 m
- Average income of an arriving household$68,047
- Average income of a leaving household$76,325
- Largest single originKent County (2,024 households)
- Largest single destinationKent County (2,640 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent County | 2,024 | 3,151 | $122.5 m |
| Bristol County | 1,437 | 2,193 | $89.7 m |
| Norfolk County | 709 | 1,086 | $58.7 m |
| Suffolk County | 692 | 1,028 | $50.5 m |
| Worcester County | 623 | 874 | $43.8 m |
| Middlesex County | 601 | 812 | $48.9 m |
| Washington County | 505 | 712 | $35.4 m |
| Bristol County | 396 | 590 | $26.1 m |
Households arriving report $8,278 less average income than households leaving, which drains spending power even where headcount holds up. The largest single source of arrivals is Kent County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Providence County
What is the Providence County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$46.73 bn
- County GDP, 2023$44.72 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20244.5 percent
- GDP change over five years28.5 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Rhode Island areas BEA publishes1st of 5
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes126th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$70,281
Output grew 4.5 percent in the latest year and 28.5 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Providence County
Employment by industry in Providence County
- Covered employment, annual average288,107
- Establishments reporting24,426
- Average annual pay$68,852
- Average weekly wage$1,324
- Health care and social assistance, employment55,723
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$62,709
- Accommodation and food services, employment26,883
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$28,432
- Retail trade, employment24,066
- Retail trade, average annual pay$40,022
- Manufacturing, employment18,642
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$62,588
- Administrative and support and waste management services, employment17,977
- Finance and insurance, employment17,946
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 55,723 | 3,316 | $62,709 |
| Accommodation and food services | 26,883 | 1,792 | $28,432 |
| Retail trade | 24,066 | 2,058 | $40,022 |
| Manufacturing | 18,642 | 850 | $62,588 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 17,977 | 1,912 | $54,248 |
| Finance and insurance | 17,946 | 1,107 | $116,479 |
| Educational services | 17,252 | 495 | $69,739 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 16,298 | 4,333 | $104,688 |
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 55,723 jobs, 19.3 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Providence County
How many businesses are in Providence County?
- Establishments, all industries16,414
- Employment at those establishments273,731
- Annual payroll$17.27 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents24.7
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Providence County
Building permits in Providence County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024782
- Declared construction value permitted$123.5 m
- Single family units authorized314
- Multifamily units authorized468
- Multifamily share of units59.8 percent
- Average declared value per unit$157,881
- Units authorized per 1,000 households3.0
Multifamily is 59.8 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is being built for renters rather than buyers.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Providence County
SBA loans in Providence County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded768
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$251.2 m
- Average 7(a) approval$327,136
- Median 7(a) approval$125,000
- 10th percentile approval$25,000
- 90th percentile approval$745,480
- Largest single approval$5,000,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)6,883
- Jobs per approval9.0
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active73
- Distinct industries receiving approvals242
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer8.5 percent
- Loans on real estate terms65
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter682
- Franchise loans55
- Franchise share of approvals7.2 percent
- Leading industry by approval countFull-Service Restaurants (49)
- Most active lenderTD Bank, National Association (103)
- 504 approvals recorded377
- 504 gross approval dollars$181.1 m
- Average 504 approval$480,316
- Median 504 approval$297,000
- Distinct CDCs active6
- 504 jobs per approval6.7
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved14.0
- Most active CDCOcean State Business Development Authority (152)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$432.3 m
The average approval of $327,136 sits well above the median of $125,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 8.5 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Providence County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Providence County
Do SBA loans in Providence County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded139
- Paid in full122
- Charged off17
- Charge-off rate on resolved loans12.2 percent
- Status: Paid in full122
- Status: Exempt from disclosure483
- Status: Charged off17
- Status: Cancelled107
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed39
Of the 139 loans that have reached a final outcome, 12.2 percent were charged off. This is computed only over resolved loans, because a loan still running has not yet succeeded or failed and counting it either way would be wrong.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Providence County
SBA lending by place in Providence County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending34
- Providence, approvals211
- Cranston, approvals129
- Johnston, approvals66
- Pawtucket, approvals52
- East Providence, approvals39
- Cumberland, approvals38
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Providence | 211 | $67,830,200 |
| Cranston | 129 | $33,333,800 |
| Johnston | 66 | $15,705,300 |
| Pawtucket | 52 | $17,590,400 |
| East Providence | 39 | $15,599,900 |
| Cumberland | 38 | $16,556,300 |
| North Providence | 37 | $10,691,000 |
| Woonsocket | 29 | $7,706,500 |
| 26 other borrower cities | 167 | $66,226,900 |
Providence accounts for 211 approvals against 129 in Cranston. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Providence County
How large is Providence County?
- Land area410 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Rhode Island counties1st of 5
- Width, east to west24.8 mi
- Height, north to south20.3 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary5
- Residents per square mile of land1,622
- Establishments per square mile40.03
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Providence County
Flood risk in Providence County
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book16
- Of those, participating in the NFIP16
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Best Community Rating System class in the county A lower CRS class is a larger flood insurance premium discount.Class 7
- Communities carrying a CRS class2
- Radon levels in Providence County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/LZone 2
The EPA places Providence County in radon zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. The best Community Rating System class among the county's communities is 7, which carries a flood insurance premium discount for policies written in that community. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Providence County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Providence County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024664,854
- Households259,210
- Average household size2.56
- Median household income$78,787
- Median age38.0
Common questions
Providence County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Providence County, Rhode Island?
The Census Bureau estimates 675,912 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 664,854, in 259,210 households, ranking 1st of 5 Rhode Island counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Providence County's population growing?
The population has grown 2.30 percent since the 2020 census base of 660,725, to 675,912 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 6,719 births against 5,700 deaths, with net migration of 7,657. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Providence County?
$78,787. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $373,600, which is 4.7 times income, and median gross rent is $1,312 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Providence County?
16,414 establishments, employing 273,731 people with an annual payroll of $17.27 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Providence County?
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 55,723 jobs, 19.3 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 288,107 jobs at an average annual pay of $68,852, or $1,324 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Providence County?
768 7(a) approvals totaling $251.2 m since FY2020, across 73 lenders, with a median approval of $125,000, plus 377 504 approvals worth $181.1 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
Do SBA loans in Providence County get paid back?
Of the 139 loans that have reached a final outcome, 122 were paid in full and 17 charged off, a charge-off rate of 12.2 percent. Loans still running are excluded, because they have not yet succeeded or failed.
How many building permits were issued in Providence County?
782 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $123.5 m. Multifamily was 59.8 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Providence County?
Zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Providence County come from?
The largest single origin is Kent County, with 2,024 households. Arriving households report an average income of $68,047 against $76,325 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Providence County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Providence County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Providence County
Cities and places in Providence.
15 Census places lie wholly or partly in Providence County. All 15 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | city | 191,767 | 211 | Wholly in this county |
| Cranston | city | 83,250 | 129 | Wholly in this county |
| Pawtucket | city | 75,893 | 52 | Wholly in this county |
| East Providence | city | 47,281 | 39 | Wholly in this county |
| Woonsocket | city | 43,521 | 29 | Wholly in this county |
| Central Falls | city | 22,701 | 13 | Wholly in this county |
| Valley Falls | CDP | 12,657 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Cumberland Hill | CDP | 8,648 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Greenville | CDP | 8,296 | 6 | Wholly in this county |
| Pascoag | CDP | 4,410 | 6 | Wholly in this county |
| Chepachet | CDP | 1,923 | 5 | Wholly in this county |
| Harrisville | CDP | 1,767 | 4 | Wholly in this county |
| Harmony | CDP | 1,006 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Foster Center | CDP | 358 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Clayville | CDP | 296 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
A further 274 of the county's 768 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Providence County, the largest being Johnston (66), Cumberland (38), North Providence (37). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.