Best counties to live in Rhode Island
More counties in the United States experienced population growth in the last year, according to the latest Census data, even as pandemic-related moving trends begin to normalize.
Counties in the South continued to experience growth, particularly in Florida, where 96% of its 67 counties gained new residents. Polk County, Florida, a suburb of Orlando, added the most, with 26,000 people moving there in 2023.
Meanwhile, counties in the Midwest and Northeast continued to lose population, but at slower rates than the year before. Some of the biggest losses were in counties home to large cities, including Cook County, Illinois (home of Chicago) and the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens in New York.
Many counties are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or relatively affordable housing costs. Others are favored for their historic or well-designed downtowns or access to cultural opportunities.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to live in Rhode Island using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks counties by various factors including public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.
Keep reading to see if your county made the list.
#5. Providence County, Rhode Island
- Overall Rank: 1,131
- Population: 657,984
- Median household income: $72,579
- Median home value: $310,500 (56% own)
- Median rent: $1,161 (44% rent)
- Top public schools: Classical High School (grade A), Community School (grade A), North Cumberland Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: The Wheeler School (grade A+), Lincoln School (grade A+), Moses Brown School (grade A+)
- Top places: Cumberland Hill (grade A), Lincoln (grade A), College Hill (grade A)
#4. Kent County, Rhode Island
- Overall Rank: 852
- Population: 170,168
- Median household income: $85,732
- Median home value: $306,000 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,226 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Frenchtown School (grade A), Meadowbrook Farms School (grade A), East Greenwich High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Rocky Hill Country Day School (grade A+), Bishop Hendricken High School (grade A), Our Lady of Mercy School (grade A)
- Top places: East Greenwich (grade A+), West Greenwich (grade B+), Warwick (grade B)
#3. Newport County, Rhode Island
- Overall Rank: 210
- Population: 85,442
- Median household income: $96,319
- Median home value: $503,700 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,544 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: Jamestown School-Lawn (grade A), Jamestown School-Melrose (grade A minus), Portsmouth Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: St. George's School (grade A+), Portsmouth Abbey School (grade A+), The Pennfield School (grade A)
- Top places: Jamestown (grade A), Portsmouth (grade A), Middletown (grade A minus)
#2. Washington County, Rhode Island
- Overall Rank: 190
- Population: 129,998
- Median household income: $99,510
- Median home value: $436,000 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,284 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Wickford Middle School (grade A), Hamilton School (grade A), Kingston Hill Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools: The Prout School (grade A minus), Quest Montessori School (grade A+), Monsignor Matthew Clarke Catholic Regional School (grade A)
- Top places: South Kingstown (grade A), Kingston (grade A), North Kingstown (grade A)
#1. Bristol County, Rhode Island
- Overall Rank: 103
- Population: 50,658
- Median household income: $105,875
- Median home value: $443,700 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,264 (27% rent)
- Top public schools: Barrington High School (grade A+), Barrington Middle School (grade A), Nayatt School (grade A)
- Top private schools: St. Andrew's School (grade A+), Barrington Christian Academy (grade A), St. Luke Elementary School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Barrington (grade A+), Bristol (grade A minus), Warren (grade B+)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.
