Providence in 2000: Key Findings

- City is the 2nd largest in New England (pop. 173,618)

- City is majority "minority" for the first time -- and 10 neighborhoods are more than 60% "minority"

- City is nearly one-third Hispanic -- and four neighborhoods are majority Hispanic

- Providence has 17% of the State's total population, but…
…44% of the State's Asian Population
…54% of the State's Black Population
…57% of the State's Hispanic Population
…37% of the State's Multi-racial Population

- Under 18 population is more than 75% "minority" and almost 50% Hispanic

- <18 population grew almost 2.5 times as fast as the rest of the state

- High school graduate or higher (Adults 25 yrs +):
Providence: 66%
Rhode Island: 78%

- Median Household Income:
Providence: $26,867
Rhode Island: $42,090

- Families in Poverty:
Providence: 24%
Rhode Island: 9%

- Rent Burden (Gross rent >35% of Household Income):
Providence: 35%
Rhode Island: 29%

35% of Housing Units were Owner-Occupied
65% of Housing Units were Renter-Occupied

How Providence Changed, 1990-2000: Key Findings

- U.S. grew by 13%
- New England grew by 5%
- Providence grew by 8%- 2nd fastest growing city in the Northeast (of all cities with pop. 125,000 or higher in year 2000) -- but four neighborhoods lost population

- Non-Hispanic White population fell by almost 25% citywide -- and by more than 25% in 14 neighborhoods

- Black or African-American; Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Other Pacific Islander; and Native American populations all grew by at least 5% citywide

- Hispanic population grew by more than 100% citywide -- and grew in every neighborhood but one -- 60% of the Hispanic growth statewide occurred in Providence

- Households with children increased by 16%
- Single female headed households with children increased by 31%
- More than half of all households with kids are headed by a single parent

- Senior population declined by 17%

- Median income declined 7% (adjusted for inflation):
Year 1989: $28,894 (adjusted to 1999 dollars, source Prov. Journal)
Year 1999: $26,867

- More families living in poverty
Year 1990: 6,461 (18%)
Year 2000: 8,642 (24%)


Technical Documentation for U.S. Census