Providence, Rhode Island

Providence: The capital and most populous city of Rhode Island. It is located on the Providence River in the northeastern part of the state. Providence is known for its many colleges and universities, its many parks and green spaces, and its many attractions, such as the Providence Athenaeum and the RISD Museum.

About

Providence is a city located in the county of Providence in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. Its population at the 2010 census was 178,042 and a population density of 3,342 people per km². After 10 years in 2020 city had an estimated population of 179,270 inhabitants.

The city was created 388 years ago in 1635.

Founded in 1636, Providence serves as the capital and largest city in America's smallest state. This historic coastal city delights visitors with its well-preserved colonial architecture, vibrant arts scene, and unique local flavors.

Colonial Charm

Strolling down Benefit Street, visitors admire Georgian and Federalist era mansions now housing private homes, Brown University offices, and museums like the Rhode Island School of Design Museum. Nearby, The Arcade Providence stands as the oldest indoor shopping mall in the U.S.

On College Hill, ivy-covered Brown University campus buildings and student culture add youthful energy. The stately Rhode Island State House presides over downtown with its gleaming marble dome.

Arts and Entertainment

Providence's creative side shines at organizations like the world-renowned Providence Performing Arts Center and Tony Award-winning Trinity Repertory Company. Galleries and indie theaters dot the downtown landscape.

The WaterFire art installation lights up the Providence River with 100 bonfires floating in steel braziers - a magical sight after sunset.

Local Flavor

With culinary influences from its Italian heritage and Rhodes Island's harbors, Providence impresses foodies. The city claims one of the highest densities of locally owned restaurants, like seafood haven Hemenway's and Pane e Vino's Northern Italian cuisine.

With history, culture, food and innovation, Providence delivers authentic New England experiences with cosmopolitan flair.

Providence locator map
Location of Providence on Rhode Island map.

Quick Facts about Providence

Population : 179,270 (2020)
Country : United States of America
State : Rhode Island (United States)
County : Providence County
Postal code : 02901–02912, 02940, 02919, 02918
Phone Area Codes : 401
Area : 53.27 km2
Official name : Providence
Altitude : 75 feet / 23 meters
Capital city : Providence is capital of Providence County, Colony of Rhode Island and Plantations, Rhode Island
Establishment : January 01, 1636 (388 years ago)
Time Zone : America/New_York
Local time : 12:33:20 (12th December 2024)
Density : 3,365 Pop. per km² as of 2020
Population growth : 0.69% (2010-2020)
Providence RI skyline2 image
Providence RI skyline2
Providence RI skyline2 image

Geography

Providence is located at 41°49'26"N 71°24'46"W (41.8239900, -71.4128300).

Providence map

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Demographics

The population of Providence increased by 0.69% in 10 years.

Year Population % Change Method
2010 178,042 - census
2011 178,332 0.16% estimation process
2012 178,813 0.27% estimation process
2013 178,692 -0.07% estimation process
2014 179,119 0.24% estimation process
2015 179,252 0.07% estimation process
2016 179,548 0.16% estimation process
2017 179,252 -0.17% estimation process
2018 179,520 0.15% estimation process
2019 179,883 0.2% estimation process
2020 179,270 -0.34% estimation process

Providence zip code is 02903. County name: Providence, County fips: 44007

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Best Things to Do in Providence

1 Roger Williams Park Zoo

Rating: 4.6 (9388)

1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence, RI 02907, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +14017853510 🔗 Url

Roger Williams Park Zoo

2 India Point Park

Rating: 4.6 (1840)

201 India St, Providence, RI 02903, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +14016807201 🔗 Url

India Point Park

3 Waterplace Park

Rating: 4.6 (1538)

Memorial Blvd, Providence, RI 02903, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +18005562484 🔗 Url

Waterplace Park

4 Providence Children's Museum

Rating: 4.6 (1420)

100 South St, Providence, RI 02903, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +14012735437 🔗 Url

Providence Children's Museum

5 RISD Museum

Rating: 4.7 (1058)

20 N Main St, Providence, RI 02903, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +14014546500 🔗 Url

RISD Museum

Where ot Eat in Providence

1 Rooftop at the Providence G

Rating: 4.1 (730)

100 Dorrance St, Providence, RI 02903, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +14016324904 🔗 Url

Rooftop at the Providence G

Where to Stay in Providence

1 Omni Providence Hotel

Rating: 4.3 (2696)

1 W Exchange St, Providence, RI 02903, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +14015988000 🔗 Url

Omni Providence Hotel

Other Places in Providence

1 Providence City Hall

Rating: 4.3 (76)

25 Dorrance St, Providence, RI 02903 ➦ Show Map

☎ +14016805000 🔗 Url

Providence City Hall

2 City of Providence

Rating: 3.5 (8)

444 Westminster St, Providence, RI 02903 ➦ Show Map

☎ +14016805355 🔗 Url

City of Providence

3 Elementary & Secondary Education RI

255 Westminster St, Providence, RI 02903, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +14012224600 🔗 Url

4 Agriculture & Marketing Division

235 Promenade St, Providence, RI 02908, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +14012222781 🔗 Url

People born in Providence (200)

People born in Providence, including rapper Sage Francis, actor David Hedison, boxer Harold Gomes, .

List

  • Lou Lamoriello (American ice hockey coach and executive) he was born in 21/10/1942
  • Samuel G. Arnold (Union United States Army officer (1821-1880)) he was born in 12/04/1821
  • Jane Kramer (American journalist) she was born in 07/08/1938
  • Alice Drummond (American actress) she was born in 21/05/1928
  • Norman Taber (athletics competitor) he was born in 03/09/1891
  • H. P. Lovecraft (American author) he was born in 20/08/1890
  • John H. Clifford (Massachusetts Whig governor and attorney general (1809-1876)) he was born in 16/01/1809
  • Daniel L. D. Granger (American politician (1852-1909)) he was born in 30/05/1852
  • Marilyn Chambers (American movie actress (1952-2009)) she was born in 22/04/1952
  • Jill Craybas (American tennis player) she was born in 04/07/1974
  • Kirsten Price (American movie actress, model & cable television host) she was born in 13/11/1981
  • Jeffrey Osborne (American singer) he was born in 09/03/1948
  • Shanna Moakler (American actress and model) she was born in 28/03/1975
  • Clark Donatelli (American ice hockey player) he was born in 22/11/1965
  • Cormac McCarthy (American novelist, playwright, and screenwriter) he was born in 20/07/1933
  • Clara Thompson (American psychiatrist & psychoanalyst) she was born in 03/10/1893
  • Carol Sloane (American singer) she was born in 05/03/1937
  • Lee Bontecou (American artist) she was born in 15/01/1931

Schools in Providence

College & universities near Providence, RI

Code Name City ZIP
217493 Rhode Island School of Design Providence (RI) 02903-2784
217235 Johnson & Wales University-Providence Providence (RI) 02903-3703
460349 Johnson & Wales University-Online Providence (RI) 02903
217581 Empire Beauty School-Warwick Providence (RI) 02903
217156 Brown University Providence (RI) 02912

Stations (24)

Amtrak & bus stations near Providence, RI

Code Name Address Type
PVD Providence station 100 Gaspee Street RAIL
KIN Kingston station 1 Railroad Avenue RAIL
RTE Route 128 station 50 University Ave RAIL
FRA Framingham station 417 Waverly St. RAIL
WOR Union Station 2 Washington Square RAIL

Post offices near Providence

Post Office Name City ZIP
Annex Finan Post Office Providence (RI) 02903
East Sid Post Office Providence (RI) 02906
North Station Post Office Providence (RI) 02908
Weybosset Hill Post Office Providence (RI) 02903
Corliss Park Station Post Office Providence (RI) 02904

Other places with the same name (9)

Other cities in Providence County

Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Providence County , RI.

City Name Population Title
Cranston 81,142 The second most populous city in Rhode Island.
Pawtucket 71,710 The second most populous city in Providence County, Rhode Island.
East Providence 47,337 A city in Providence County, Rhode Island.
Woonsocket 41,545 The second-largest city in Rhode Island.
Cumberland 35,207 Town of the United States
North Providence 32,507 Town in Rhode Island, United States
Smithfield 21,842 County seat of Johnston County, North Carolina
Central Falls 19,468 City in Rhode Island
North Smithfield 12,576 Town in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States
Valley Falls 11,547 City in Kansas, United States
North Scituate 11,171 Census designated place in Massachusetts
Cumberland Hill 7,934 Census-designated place in Providence County, Rhode Island
Foster 4,747 Town in Providence County, Rhode Island
Pascoag 4,577 Census-designated place in Providence County, Rhode Island

Distance to Other Cities

Providence distances to largest Rhode Island cities