RANK #602 / 996 NAT · POP 657,984
1YR FORECAST: +2.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +21%
Providence County, Rhode Island, is distinguished by its blend of historic charm and urban amenities, with the city of Providence serving as its cultural and economic center. Federal Hill, known for its Italian-American heritage, offers a distinct culinary scene and a strong sense of community. The county is situated in eastern Rhode Island, at the mouth of the Providence River and near Narragansett Bay. Commuting within the county and to nearby cities like Boston is facilitated by public transportation options, including buses and commuter rail. Residents can access numerous parks and green spaces for outdoor recreation, such as Roger Williams Park, which features extensive trails, a zoo, and botanical gardens.
Life in Providence County offers a mix of urban and suburban experiences, attracting young professionals and families. The presence of institutions like Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design contributes to a lively educational and artistic environment. The economy is shifting towards sectors such as healthcare, education, and technology. Recent developments indicate a focus on increasing housing options and investing in infrastructure to support growing industries, including ocean technology and life sciences.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.5x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Revolution Wind Farm
Ørsted and Global Infrastructure Partners' Skyborn Renewables
|
$1,500M | Under Construction |
|
Fields Point Natural Gas Liquefaction Facility Expansion
National Grid
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Iron Mine Solar Project
Green Development, LLC
|
$49M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 39/100, Providence County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $72,579 combined with job growth of +1.2% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Providence County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $310,500 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.23 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,161/month on average.
Employers in Providence County are hiring — job growth of +1.2% — but the population is close to flat (+0.2% YoY). Home values moved +1.4% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
Not particularly — 1.01% of Providence County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.