1 / 50
#50. Belarus
- Number of residents: 390
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.24%
Biggest sources of immigrants to Rhode Island
Over 14% of the United States population is composed of immigrants. But in reality, the vast majority of Americans today are here because of relatives who immigrated from other countries some time in the last several hundred years.
And while the distinctive American culture and spirit is the result of blending many diverse cultures and histories, the United States has for centuries had an up-and-down relationship with immigration.
Each era of immigration has been met with reductive ideas and resistance, whether the backlash was directed toward the Chinese, Irish, Italians, or Mexicans. Immigration laws have targeted specific groups at various times, stoking intolerance and preventing people from truly joining American society. Over time, however, as laws changed to be more equitable and immigrants found their footings, we have reaped the rewards of innovation in business, music, art, literature, dance, food, societal norms, entertainment, and sports—all while realizing a greater understanding of and respect for different cultures, religions, and ideas.
Stacker compiled a list of the biggest sources of immigrants to Rhode Island using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Countries are ranked by the highest number of residents according to 2023 5-year estimates, the most recent data available as of 2025. Keep reading to find out more about the immigrant community in your home state.
You may also like: Hottest Novembers in Rhode Island since 1895
2 / 50
#49. Nicaragua
- Number of residents: 397
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.24%
3 / 50
#48. Netherlands
- Number of residents: 402
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.25%
4 / 50
#47. Scotland
- Number of residents: 420
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.26%
5 / 50
#46. Peru
- Number of residents: 460
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.28%
You may also like: Best public middle schools in Rhode Island
6 / 50
#45. Cuba
- Number of residents: 508
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.31%
7 / 50
#44. Taiwan
- Number of residents: 520
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.32%
8 / 50
#43. Greece
- Number of residents: 533
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.33%
9 / 50
#42. Turkey
- Number of residents: 545
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.34%
10 / 50
#41. Spain
- Number of residents: 562
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.35%
You may also like: Baldest states: See how Rhode Island ranks for hair-loss medication prescriptions
11 / 50
#40. Syria
- Number of residents: 586
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.36%
12 / 50
#39. Egypt
- Number of residents: 623
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.38%
13 / 50
#38. Pakistan
- Number of residents: 650
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
14 / 50
#37. Japan
- Number of residents: 666
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.41%
15 / 50
#36. Hong Kong
- Number of residents: 669
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.41%
You may also like: Hottest Septembers in Rhode Island since 1895
16 / 50
#35. Vietnam
- Number of residents: 702
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.43%
17 / 50
#34. Ireland
- Number of residents: 717
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.44%
18 / 50
#33. France
- Number of residents: 738
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.45%
19 / 50
#32. Senegal
- Number of residents: 749
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.46%
20 / 50
#31. Honduras
- Number of residents: 751
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.46%
You may also like: Most commonly seen birds in Rhode Island
21 / 50
#30. Lebanon
- Number of residents: 756
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.47%
22 / 50
#29. Bolivia
- Number of residents: 830
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.51%
23 / 50
#28. Thailand
- Number of residents: 886
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.55%
24 / 50
#27. Venezuela
- Number of residents: 953
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.59%
25 / 50
#26. Ukraine
- Number of residents: 959
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.59%
You may also like: Top 5 uniquely popular potato chip brands in Rhode Island
26 / 50
#25. Jamaica
- Number of residents: 1,049
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.65%
27 / 50
#24. Ecuador
- Number of residents: 1,102
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.68%
28 / 50
#23. Germany
- Number of residents: 1,255
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.77%
29 / 50
#22. Poland
- Number of residents: 1,300
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
30 / 50
#21. Russia
- Number of residents: 1,305
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
You may also like: Most commonly hunted migratory birds in Rhode Island
31 / 50
#20. Laos
- Number of residents: 1,708
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.05%
32 / 50
#19. Italy
- Number of residents: 1,817
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.12%
33 / 50
#18. Cambodia
- Number of residents: 2,062
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.27%
34 / 50
#17. Canada
- Number of residents: 2,349
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.45%
35 / 50
#16. United Kingdom (inc. Crown Dependencies)
- Number of residents: 2,571
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.58%
You may also like: Highest-earning counties in Rhode Island
36 / 50
#15. El Salvador
- Number of residents: 2,588
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.59%
37 / 50
#14. Philippines
- Number of residents: 2,736
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.68%
38 / 50
#13. Nigeria
- Number of residents: 2,751
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.69%
39 / 50
#12. Brazil
- Number of residents: 2,933
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.81%
40 / 50
#11. Haiti
- Number of residents: 3,613
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.22%
You may also like: Easy as pie: See the most uniquely popular pie in Rhode Island
41 / 50
#10. Azores Islands
- Number of residents: 3,669
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.26%
42 / 50
#9. Mexico
- Number of residents: 4,069
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.51%
43 / 50
#8. Liberia
- Number of residents: 4,263
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.62%
44 / 50
#7. China
- Number of residents: 6,210
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.82%
45 / 50
#6. India
- Number of residents: 6,492
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.0%
You may also like: The truth about minimum coverage requirements in Rhode Island
46 / 50
#5. Colombia
- Number of residents: 6,507
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.01%
47 / 50
#4. Cabo Verde
- Number of residents: 7,618
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.69%
48 / 50
#3. Portugal
- Number of residents: 15,653
- Percent of foreign born residents: 9.64%
49 / 50
#2. Guatemala
- Number of residents: 17,258
- Percent of foreign born residents: 10.63%
50 / 50
#1. Dominican Republic
- Number of residents: 35,900
- Percent of foreign born residents: 22.1%
You may also like: Highest-rated specialty museums in Rhode Island by visitors
