7 of 8 RI cities saw population growth last year. What the census says about your town

Paul Edward Parker, Providence Journal
·2 min read

Mirroring trends throughout the Northeast and Midwest, the population of Rhode Island cities rebounded last year after falling the year before, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates made public Thursday.

From 2021 to 2022, all eight of the Ocean State's cities lost population, according to the bureau's estimates. But, from 2022 to 2023, seven of those cities saw population gains, with only Newport continuing to lose residents.

Looking at the larger picture in Rhode Island, 21 of the 39 cities and towns saw population growth last year, which compares with 31 cities and towns shedding residents the year before.

More: RI's overall population grew last year, but some places still lost people

Last year, Newport lost 1.2% of its population, dropping from 25,012 residents in 2022 to 24,717 last year.

What's the population in Providence, Warwick and Cranston?

The state's largest city, Providence, was also the fastest growing, adding 0.6%, climbing from 189,567 residents to 190,792.

The second and third-largest cities, Warwick and Cranston, grew closer to having the same populations, though Warwick held onto a 364-person lead, 82,999 to 82,635.

In 2017 estimates, announced in 2018, Cranston passed Warwick to become the state's second most populous city. That distinction was cemented in the 2020 U.S. Census, but Warwick reclaimed the second spot 2020 estimates compiled three months after the census was done.

More: Mayoral 'New Kids' having fun as they wait to take office in Cranston and Warwick

What's the population of every city and town in RI?

Here's the population of Rhode Island cities and towns as of July 1, 2023, according to Census Bureau estimates:

  • Barrington, 17,061

  • Bristol, 22,069

  • Burrillville, 16,393

  • Central Falls, 22,543

  • Charlestown, 8,036

  • Coventry, 35,819

  • Cranston, 82,635

  • Cumberland, 36,591

  • East Greenwich, 14,626

  • East Providence, 46,900

  • Exeter, 6,581

  • Foster, 4,493

  • Glocester, 10,200

  • Hopkinton, 8,400

  • Jamestown, 5,488

  • Johnston, 29,679

  • Lincoln, 22,846

  • Little Compton, 3,557

  • Middletown, 16,588

  • Narragansett, 14,409

  • New Shoreham, 1,404

  • Newport, 24,717

  • North Kingstown, 27,771

  • North Providence, 33,902

  • North Smithfield, 12,601

  • Pawtucket, 75,321

  • Portsmouth, 17,447

  • Providence, 190,792

  • Richmond, 8,133

  • Scituate, 10,494

  • Smithfield, 22,090

  • South Kingstown, 32,025

  • Tiverton, 16,035

  • Warren, 11,125

  • Warwick, 82,999

  • West Greenwich, 6,683

  • West Warwick, 31,151

  • Westerly, 23,223

  • Woonsocket, 43,135

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI Population: Here's what the US Census says about every RI city and town