Rhode Island: government, population and official figures

Rhode Island is a state of the United States, number 44 of 51 by population. Rhode Island had an estimated 1,114,521 residents on 1 July 2025, 0.3% of the population of the 50 states and DC; 8th smallest of 51. In the year to 1 July 2025 the population grew by 0.37%, 21st slowest-growing of 51.

Who runs Rhode Island?

The governor is Dan McKee. Governor's office. Phone: 1-401-222-2080. Address: 82 Smith St. Providence , RI 02903.

In depth

• Economy, jobs and prices in Rhode Island: The economy of Rhode Island (gross domestic product) was worth $88.2 billion in 2025 at current prices, 0.3% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; 7th smallest of 51. In current dollars it was up 6.0% on 2024.
• Health in Rhode Island: Life expectancy at birth in Rhode Island was 79.2 years in 2022, 8th longest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.
• Education in Rhode Island: 83.3% of public high school students in Rhode Island graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); 13th lowest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).
• Poverty and living standards in Rhode Island: The Census Bureau estimates that 12.0% of people in Rhode Island lived below the federal poverty line in 2024, about 128,454 people; 21st highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 12.1%).
• Government budget and revenue in Rhode Island: Rhode Island's state government took in $12.4 billion in fiscal year 2024, $11,182 per resident, 12th highest of 50 states per person (all states: $9,318 per person). The total includes taxes, federal funds, charges and pension-fund investment income.

Official bodies in Rhode Island

• Rhode Island
• Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment
• Department of Human Services
• Consumer Protection
• Department of Corrections
• Local governments
• The United States Attorney's Office - District of Rhode Island
• Department of Education
• Voter Information Center
• Emergency Management Agency
• Department of Health
• Motor Vehicles
• Office of the Attorney General

Largest cities in Rhode Island

1. Providence 195,310 (2025)
2. Cranston 84,647 (2025)
3. Warwick 84,187 (2025)
4. Pawtucket 77,065 (2025)

How states are governed in the United States

States (50). Governor and state legislature directly elected. Hold all powers not given to the federal government (10th Amendment); create and control local governments.

Every tier of government in the United States

Other states of the United States

• California 39,355,309
• Texas 31,709,821
• Florida 23,462,518
• New York 20,002,427
• Pennsylvania 13,059,432
• Illinois 12,719,141
• Ohio 11,900,510
• Georgia 11,302,748
• North Carolina 11,197,968
• Michigan 10,127,884
• New Jersey 9,548,215
• Virginia 8,880,107
• Washington 8,001,020
• Arizona 7,623,818
• Tennessee 7,315,076
• Massachusetts 7,154,084
• Indiana 6,973,333
• Missouri 6,270,541
• Maryland 6,265,347
• Colorado 6,012,561
• Wisconsin 5,972,787
• Minnesota 5,830,405
• South Carolina 5,570,274
• Alabama 5,193,088
• Louisiana 4,618,189
• Kentucky 4,606,864
• Oregon 4,273,586
• Oklahoma 4,123,288
• Connecticut 3,688,496
• Utah 3,538,904
• Nevada 3,282,188
• Iowa 3,238,387
• Arkansas 3,114,791
• Kansas 2,977,220
• Mississippi 2,954,160
• New Mexico 2,125,498
• Idaho 2,029,733
• Nebraska 2,018,006
• West Virginia 1,766,147
• Hawaii 1,432,820
• New Hampshire 1,415,342
• Maine 1,414,874
• Montana 1,144,694
• Delaware 1,059,952
• South Dakota 935,094
• North Dakota 799,358
• Alaska 737,270
• District of Columbia 693,645
• Vermont 644,663
• Wyoming 588,753

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Sources

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