1. Cities of the United States
  2. The Northeast
  3. Rhode Island

RHODE ISLAND

Newport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 483

Providence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 497

Warwick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 507

Rhode Island

The State in Brief

Nickname: The Ocean State Motto: Hope

Flower: Violet

Bird: Rhode Island red hen

Area: 1,545 square miles (2000; U.S. rank 50th)

Elevation: Ranges from sea level to 812 feet

Climate: Warm summers, abundant rainfall; long winters with occasional heavy snowfall; moderated by ocean

Admitted to Union: May 29, 1790

Capital: Providence

Head Official: Governor Don Carcieri (R) (until 2007)

Population

1980: 947,154

1990: 1,003,464

2000: 1,048,319

2004 estimate: 1,080,632

Percent change, 1990–2000: 4.5%

U.S. rank in 2004: 43rd

Percent of residents born in state: 61.4% (2000)

Density: 1003.2 people per square mile (2000)

2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 38,393

Racial and Ethnic Characteristics (2000)

White: 891,191

Black or African American: 46,908

American Indian and Alaska Native: 5,121

Asian: 23,665

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander: 567

Hispanic or Latino (may be of any race): 90,820

Other: 52,616

Age Characteristics (2000)

Population under 5 years old: 63,896

Population 5 to 19 years old: 218,720

Percent of population 65 years and over: 14.5%

Median age: 36.7 years (2000)

Vital Statistics

Total number of births (2003): 13,081

Total number of deaths (2003): 10,064 (infant deaths, 76)

AIDS cases reported through 2003: 1,103

Economy

Major industries: Trade, services, manufacturing, research, agriculture

Unemployment rate: 4.7% (April 2005)

Per capita income: $31,937 (2003; U.S. rank: 17th)

Median household income: $45,205 (3-year average, 2001-2003)

Percentage of persons below poverty level: 10.7% (3-year average, 2001-2003)

Income tax rate: 25% of federal income tax liability

Sales tax rate: 7%