01
Location
Neighboring states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York.
Local timeProvidence ·
U.S. States / Northeast · Card 039
Rhode Island
Rhode Island is a U.S. state in the Northeast. Its capital is Providence.
Find Rhode Island
● State capital · Gold highlights Rhode Island.
Map: Natural Earth. Neighboring states use postal abbreviations.
Map: Natural Earth. Neighboring states use postal abbreviations.
At a glance
- Capital
- Providence
- Postal abbreviation
- RI
- Population
- 1,114,521July 1, 2025 · Census estimate
- Total area
- 4,001 km²1,545 square miles · land and water
- Constitution ratified
- May 29, 1790One of the original thirteen states
- Currency
- U.S. dollar (USD)
Sources: Census · population · Census · area
Rhode Island in context
Gold shows Rhode Island. The dot marks Providence.
Alaska and Hawaii are shown in separate insets at different scales.Geography & flag
02
Landscape & places
Roger Williams National Memorial commemorates the founding of Providence and the history of religious liberty.
03
Land and water
The total area includes 2,678 km² of land and 1,324 km² of water, according to Census area measurements.
State flag
A gold anchor and thirteen stars on a white field, with a blue Hope ribbon.
Sources: Census · geographic reference · Census · area measurements · National Park Service · Roger Williams
History & statehood
Rhode Island developed from settlements including Providence. A colonial charter was granted in 1663. It became the last of the original thirteen states to ratify the U.S. Constitution, in 1790.
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Colonial charter granted
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Last original state to ratify the U.S. Constitution
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Constitution ratified · One of the original thirteen states
Sources: Congressional Research Service · statehood · U.S. Census Bureau · historical geography · National Park Service
Economy
Main activities
In 2025, real estate and rental and leasing was the largest of the broad industry groups compared here by current-dollar output. Other major groups included educational services, health care, and social assistance, professional and business services, and government and government enterprises.
Total economic output was $84.0 billion in current dollars in 2025.
Largest industry groups · 2025
- Real estate and rental and leasing: 15.2%
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance: 13.6%
- Professional and business services: 12.8%
- Government and government enterprises: 12.4%
Share of total current-dollar GDP. These figures measure output, not employment.
Sources: BEA · annual GDP by state, SAGDP2
Population & economic trends
Population, 2020–2025
Millions of people1.112025 · millions of people
July 1 resident population estimates, using the Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 series.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau
View data table
| Year | People |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1,096,487 |
| 2021 | 1,097,381 |
| 2022 | 1,098,275 |
| 2023 | 1,101,183 |
| 2024 | 1,110,415 |
| 2025 | 1,114,521 |
Real GDP, 2010–2025
Billions of chained 2017 dollars64.182025 · billions of chained 2017 dollars
Real GDP measures economic output adjusted for inflation. The chart uses BEA’s chained 2017 dollars.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
View data table
| Year | Millions of chained 2017 dollars |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 56,050.6 |
| 2011 | 56,026.6 |
| 2012 | 56,487.4 |
| 2013 | 57,037.2 |
| 2014 | 57,602.7 |
| 2015 | 58,387.9 |
| 2016 | 58,630.0 |
| 2017 | 58,771.6 |
| 2018 | 58,740.1 |
| 2019 | 60,157.6 |
| 2020 | 58,132.3 |
| 2021 | 60,660.0 |
| 2022 | 61,517.3 |
| 2023 | 62,119.3 |
| 2024 | 63,459.1 |
| 2025 | 64,180.1 |
Government
Rhode Island has three branches of state government. The governor leads the executive branch. A Senate and House of Representatives form the legislature, which passes state laws and budgets. State courts interpret and apply the law.
Sources: USAGov · Rhode Island
Knowledge check
Three questions about Rhode Island.
QUESTION 1 OF 3
What is the capital of Rhode Island?
Sources & notes
Prepared 27 September 2026. Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025, July 1 estimates for 2020–2025. Real GDP: BEA annual state accounts, SAGDP9, millions of chained 2017 dollars; industry shares: SAGDP2, current dollars. Data downloaded 27 September 2026. Area measurements include land and water.
Sources: Census · population estimates · BEA · state GDP · Census · area measurements · Natural Earth · map data
The capital clock shows current local time. Statistical figures are dated estimates and may be revised.