Administrative divisions of Rhode Island facts for kids

The administrative divisions of Rhode Island are like the different ways the U.S. state of Rhode Island is split up. These divisions help organize how the state is governed and how services are provided to people. Think of them as different levels of local government.

Counties

Rhode Island has five counties. But here's a cool fact: unlike most other states, Rhode Island got rid of county governments way back in 1842! This means counties in Rhode Island don't have their own leaders or offices. All the local government work is done by the 39 cities and towns. Even though counties don't have governments, they are still used for geography and for organizing the court system.

Cities and towns

The most important local governments in Rhode Island are its cities and towns. These are like mini-governments that handle many things for their residents. In Rhode Island, towns are very powerful, almost like cities in other states. They can make their own rules and provide many services.

Rhode Island law doesn't really treat cities and towns differently. Cities are usually just bigger places that got a special permission to be called a "city." Most cities in Rhode Island have at least 20,000 people. Both cities and towns can choose what kind of government they want to have. Also, cities and towns in Rhode Island do many jobs that counties do in other states.

What cities and towns can do

• They can make and enforce local rules (police power).
• They can collect property taxes from people living there.
• They can borrow money and issue special bonds.
• They can get, keep, and spend money.
• They can hire and fire workers.
• They can sign agreements and deals.
• They can start lawsuits.
• They can pass local laws called ordinances.
• They can control how land is used with zoning rules.
• They can take private land for public use (eminent domain).

School districts

Most cities and towns in Rhode Island are in charge of their own schools. This includes everything from pre-kindergarten to high school. Twenty-nine of the 39 cities and towns manage their own school systems. One city, Central Falls, has its schools run by a state-appointed board.

Two towns, Glocester and Foster, only manage elementary schools. The other seven towns, which are more rural, have teamed up to form regional school districts. These districts manage all their schools together. Examples include Bristol-Warren and Exeter-West Greenwich. Foster and Glocester also have a regional district for their middle and high schools.

Legislative districts

The Rhode Island General Assembly is the state's law-making body. It has two parts: a Senate and a House of Representatives. The state is divided into 38 areas for the Senate and 75 areas for the House. Each of these areas, called districts, has roughly the same number of people. This makes sure everyone's vote counts equally.

Judicial districts

Rhode Island is split into four areas for its court system, called judicial districts. These districts usually match up with groups of counties. However, Bristol County is part of the court area that includes Providence County.

Special districts and agencies

Rhode Island has 91 special-purpose districts. These are groups set up for specific jobs across the state. Most of these districts are created by a special law from the General Assembly. They handle services like:

• Fire protection
• Water supply
• Street lighting
• Street maintenance
• Garbage removal
• Utilities

There are also two water groups that cover entire counties: Bristol and Kent. The cities of Providence and East Providence have special groups that help plan city development. For example, the Capital Center Commission in Providence manages parking and streets downtown. The East Providence Special Development District Commission helps develop the city's waterfront area.