Rhode Island facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rhode Island
State
State of Rhode Island
Flag Seal
Nickname(s):  The Ocean State Little Rhody
Motto(s):  Hope
Anthem: "Rhode Island's It for Me"
Location of Rhode Island within the United States
Country	United States
Before statehood	Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Admitted to the Union	May 29, 1790 (13th)
Capital (and largest city)	Providence
Largest county or equivalent	Providence
Largest metro and urban areas	Greater Boston (combined) Providence (metro and urban)
Legislature	Rhode Island General Assembly
• Upper house	Senate
• Lower house	House of Representatives
Judiciary	Rhode Island Supreme Court
U.S. senators	Jack Reed (D) Sheldon Whitehouse (D)
U.S. House delegation	1: Gabe Amo (D) 2: Seth Magaziner (D) (list)
Area
• Total	1,545 sq mi (4,001 km2)
• Land	1,034 sq mi (2,678 km2)
• Water	511 sq mi (1,324 km2)  33.1%
Area rank	50th
Dimensions
• Length	48 mi (77 km)
• Width	37 mi (60 km)
Elevation	200 ft (60 m)
Highest elevation (Jerimoth Hill)	812 ft (247 m)
Lowest elevation (Atlantic Ocean)	0 ft (0 m)
Population  (2024)
• Total	1,112,308
• Rank	44th
• Density	1,006/sq mi (388/km2)
• Density rank	2nd
• Median household income	$85,000 (2023)
• Income rank	15th
Demonym(s)	Rhode Islander
Language
• Official language	De jure: None De facto: English
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (EDT)
USPS abbreviation	RI
ISO 3166 code	US-RI
Traditional abbreviation	R.I.
Latitude	41° 09′ N to 42° 01′ N
Longitude	71° 07′ W to 71° 54′ W

Rhode Island (pronounced "road") is a state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is bordered by Connecticut to the west and Massachusetts to the north and east. To the south, it meets the Atlantic Ocean through Rhode Island Sound and Block Island Sound. It also has a small water border with New York.

Rhode Island is the smallest U.S. state by land area. It is also the seventh-least populous state. However, it is the second-most densely populated state after New Jersey. The state's population has grown steadily since 1790.

The state gets its name from Aquidneck Island, even though most of its land is on the mainland. Providence is the capital and largest city.

Before English settlers arrived in the early 1600s, Native Americans lived around Narragansett Bay. Rhode Island was special among the Thirteen British Colonies. It was founded by Roger Williams, who escaped religious persecution in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He wanted to create a safe place for religious freedom.

In 1636, Roger Williams founded Providence. He bought the land from local tribes. This was the first settlement in North America with a government that was separate from religion. The Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations became a place for people who had different religious or political ideas. It was sometimes called "Rogue's Island."

Rhode Island was the first colony to ask for a Continental Congress in 1774. It was also the first to declare its freedom from the British Crown on May 4, 1776. After the American Revolution, Rhode Island became the fourth state to approve the Articles of Confederation on February 9, 1778.

Its citizens wanted a weaker central government. So, Rhode Island did not attend the 1787 convention that wrote the U.S. Constitution. It was the last of the original 13 states to approve the Constitution, doing so on May 29, 1790.

The state was officially called the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations for a long time. But people usually just called it "Rhode Island." On November 3, 2020, voters approved a change to the state constitution. This officially removed "and Providence Plantations" from its full name. The state's official nickname is the "Ocean State." This refers to its 400 miles (640 km) of coastline and large bays. These bays and inlets make up about 14% of its area.

Understanding the Name of Rhode Island

How Rhode Island Got Its Name

Most of Rhode Island is on the mainland, not an island. Its official name was State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations from 1636 until 2020. This name came from combining different settlements around Narragansett Bay. The settlements of Rhode Island (Newport and Portsmouth) were on Aquidneck Island. Providence Plantations referred to settlements on the mainland, like Providence and Warwick.

It is not fully clear how the island got the name Rhode Island. Two historical events might have influenced it:

• Explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano saw an island near Narragansett Bay in 1524. He said it looked like the island of Rhodes in Greece. Later explorers could not find the exact island Verrazzano described. But colonists thought it was this island.
• Adriaen Block sailed past the island in the 1610s. In 1625, he described it as "an island of reddish appearance." In Dutch, this was "een rodlich Eylande." This might have led to the name Rhode Island. Historians think the "reddish appearance" came from red autumn leaves or red clay on the shore.

The name "Rhode Island" was first used for Aquidneck Island in 1637 by Roger Williams. In 1644, the name was officially given to the island. Dutch maps from 1659 called the island "Red Island" (Roodt Eylandt).

Why the Name Changed

The first English settlement in Rhode Island was Providence. The Narragansett gave this land to Roger Williams in 1636. Williams did not get permission from the English king. He believed the English had no right to Narragansett and Wampanoag land.

In 1643, Williams went to London to get legal recognition for the new settlements. A special document was given to "the incorporation of Providence Plantations in Narragansett Bay." After the English Civil War, a Royal Charter was given in 1663. This gave the colony the official name: "Governor and Company of the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England, in America." After the American Revolution, the new state was called the "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations" in 1790. But for convenience, it was commonly known as "Rhode Island."

The word plantation in the state's name became a topic of discussion in the 20th century. People became more aware of slavery and its role in Rhode Island's early history. In 2009, the state legislature voted to hold a public vote in 2010. This vote was about removing "and Providence Plantations" from the official name.

People who wanted to remove plantation said the word reminded them of slavery. They felt it represented a time when many Rhode Islanders did not have rights. Those who wanted to keep the name argued that plantation just meant colony in old English. They said it had no link to slavery. In 2010, people voted to keep the original name.

In June 2020, Governor Gina Raimondo ordered the phrase to be removed from official documents and websites. In July, the state legislature passed a resolution to let voters decide again. The change was approved by voters in November 2020. This made the official name simply "State of Rhode Island."

Rhode Island's History

Colonial Beginnings: 1636–1770

In 1636, Roger Williams was forced to leave the Massachusetts Bay Colony because of his religious beliefs. He settled at the top of Narragansett Bay. The Narragansett leader Canonicus sold or gave him the land. Williams named the place Providence, feeling that God had helped him in his troubles. It became a place of religious freedom where everyone was welcome.

In 1638, Anne Hutchinson, William Coddington, and other religious people who disagreed with the Massachusetts Bay Colony were allowed to settle on Aquidneck Island. This was thanks to the Narragansett leaders Canonicus and Miantonomi. Roger Williams explained that the land was not truly "sold." Instead, it was a gift, though they called it a sale for legal reasons. This settlement was first called Pocasset, then changed to Portsmouth in 1639. Later, the southern part of the island became the separate settlement of Newport.

Samuel Gorton bought land at Shawomet in 1642 from the Narragansetts. This caused a disagreement with the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In 1644, Providence, Portsmouth, and Newport joined together. They formed the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. It was governed by an elected council and a "president." Gorton received a separate charter for his settlement in 1648. He named it Warwick.

Metacomet, the Wampanoag war leader (called King Philip by colonists), attacked and burned several towns during King Philip's War (1675–1676). Providence was attacked twice. In December 1675, soldiers from Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Plymouth destroyed a Narragansett village in the Great Swamp Fight in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. King Philip was killed in Bristol, Rhode Island, ending the war.

The colony became part of the Dominion of New England in 1686. This was King James II's attempt to control the colonies. But Rhode Island became independent again after the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

Slavery was introduced in Rhode Island around this time. The colony later became wealthy from the slave trade. It distilled rum to sell in Africa. This was part of a profitable triangular trade system involving slaves and sugar from the Caribbean. In 1652, Rhode Island's government passed a law to end slavery. This was the first British colony to do so. However, this law was not enforced. Rhode Island continued to be involved in the slave trade. In 1774, 6.3% of Rhode Island's population were enslaved people. This was almost twice the rate of other New England colonies.

Brown University was founded in 1764. It was one of nine colleges started before the American Revolution. It was also the first college in America to accept students regardless of their religion.

Revolution and Growth: 1770–1860

Rhode Island's spirit of independence played a big role in the American Revolution. On June 10, 1772, people from Providence attacked the British ship HMS Gaspée. They burned it because it was enforcing unpopular trade rules. Rhode Island was the first of the thirteen colonies to declare its freedom from Britain on May 4, 1776.

It was also the last of the thirteen colonies to approve the Constitution of the United States on May 29, 1790. This happened only after other colonies threatened trade taxes. They also received promises that a Bill of Rights would be added to the Constitution.

During the Revolution, the British took over Newport in December 1776. American and French forces fought to remove them from Aquidneck Island. Portsmouth was where the 1st Rhode Island Regiment was formed. This was the first African-American military unit to fight for the U.S. They fought in the Battle of Rhode Island on August 29, 1778. The British left Newport in October 1779. French troops under Count Rochambeau arrived in Newport in July 1780. Their march to Yorktown, Virginia, helped defeat the British.

Rhode Island was also important in the Industrial Revolution. This began in America in 1787. Samuel Slater set up Slater Mill in Pawtucket in 1793. He used the Blackstone River's waterpower to run his cotton mill. This made Rhode Island a leader in textiles for a while.

The Industrial Revolution brought many workers to cities. However, only landowners with a certain amount of property could vote. By 1840, only 40% of white men could vote. Also, legislative seats were divided equally among towns. This meant rural areas had more say than growing industrial cities.

In 1841, activists led by Thomas W. Dorr tried to create a new state constitution. They argued the old government was unfair. In 1842, two different governments claimed to rule the state. Dorr's supporters led a small armed uprising called the Dorr Rebellion. Dorr was arrested.

In response, the legislature wrote a new state constitution. This allowed American-born citizens to vote by paying a small tax. It also ended slavery. Immigrants still had to own property to vote.

Civil War and Beyond

During the American Civil War, Rhode Island was the first Union state to send troops to help President Lincoln. Rhode Island sent 25,236 soldiers, and 1,685 died. The state's factories helped supply the Union Army. The United States Naval Academy moved to Fort Adams in Newport temporarily during the war.

In 1866, Rhode Island ended racial segregation in its public schools.

The Gilded Age in Rhode Island

The 50 years after the Civil War were a time of great wealth in Rhode Island. This period is called the Gilded Age. Many rich industrialists built homes or summer homes in the state. Textile mills and manufacturing grew, bringing many immigrants. These immigrants came from places like French Canada, Italy, Ireland, and Portugal. They filled jobs in mills in cities like Providence and Pawtucket. In Newport, wealthy New Yorkers built huge mansions for summer parties.

Modern Era: 1929–Present

Since the Great Depression, the Rhode Island Democratic Party has been very strong in state politics. Rhode Island offers health insurance for low-income children and has a good social safety net. However, some city areas still have many children living in poverty. Housing costs have increased, leading to more homelessness.

In 2003, a nightclub fire in West Warwick killed 100 people. Many more were injured. This event received national attention.

In March 2010, heavy rains caused record flooding in many parts of the state. The Pawtuxet River overflowed, flooding a sewage treatment plant and closing a five-mile (8 km) stretch of Interstate 95. Many businesses and homes were flooded. The state declared a state of emergency.

Rhode Island's Geography

Rhode Island is part of the Northeastern United States. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the north and east, Connecticut to the west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. It also has a small water border with New York State.

The state is only 37 miles (60 km) wide and 48 miles (77 km) long. But it has a long tidal shoreline of 384 miles (618 km) on Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. This is why it's called the "Ocean State."

Rhode Island is mostly flat, with no real mountains. The highest point is Jerimoth Hill, which is 812 feet (247 m) above sea level. The state has two main natural areas. Eastern Rhode Island has the lowlands of Narragansett Bay. Western Rhode Island is part of the New England upland.

Narragansett Bay is a very important part of the state's geography. There are over 30 islands in the bay. The largest is Aquidneck Island, where Newport, Middletown, and Portsmouth are located. Block Island is about 12 miles (19 km) off the southern coast.

A rare type of rock called Cumberlandite is found only in Rhode Island. It is the state rock.

• Geography of Rhode Island
• 

  Map of Rhode Island, showing major cities and roads

• 

  Rocky shoreline in Newport

• 

  Ninigret Pond National Wildlife Refuge

• 

  Trustom Pond, a lagoon in South Kingstown

Rhode Island's Climate

Most of Rhode Island has a humid continental climate. This means it has warm summers and cold winters. The southern coastal areas have hot summers and cool winters with a mix of rain and snow. Block Island has an oceanic climate.

The highest temperature recorded in Rhode Island was 104 °F (40 °C) in Providence in 1975. The lowest was -23 °F (-31 °C) in Greene in 1996.

Rhode Island can be affected by tropical storms and hurricanes. Major hurricanes that caused damage include the 1938 New England hurricane, Hurricane Carol (1954), and Hurricane Bob (1991).

Cities and Towns in Rhode Island

Rhode Island is divided into five counties, but these counties do not have their own governments. The entire state is divided into 39 cities and towns. These handle all local government matters.

There are 8 cities and 31 towns in Rhode Island. Many major population centers grew along the Blackstone, Seekonk, and Providence Rivers. This happened because of water-powered mills. Providence is the center of a large metropolitan area.

The state's 19 largest cities and towns by population are:

Some cities and towns in Rhode Island are further divided into villages. Important villages include Kingston, home to the University of Rhode Island. Wickford hosts an annual international art festival.

• Major cities of Rhode Island
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  1. Providence

• 

  2. Warwick

• 

  3. Cranston

• 

  4. Pawtucket

• 

  5. East Providence

• 

  6. Woonsocket

• 

  7. Coventry

• 

  8. Cumberland

• 

  9. North Providence

• 

  10. South Kingstown

• 

  11. Johnston

• 

  12. West Warwick

• 

  13. North Kingstown

• 

  14. Newport

• 

  15. Westerly

Famous Places and Landmarks

The state capitol building in Providence is made of white marble. It has the world's fourth largest marble dome that supports itself. Inside, you can see the Rhode Island Charter from 1663 and other state treasures.

The First Baptist Church of Providence is the oldest Baptist church in America. It was founded by Roger Williams in 1638.

Providence has the country's first fully automated post office. Newport, a seaside city, has many historic mansions. These include The Breakers, Marble House, and Belcourt Castle. The Touro Synagogue, opened in 1763, is the oldest existing synagogue building in the United States. It shows the religious freedoms that Roger Williams helped create. The Newport Casino is a historic building that houses the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Scenic Route 1A (Ocean Road) is in Narragansett. "The Towers" is also in Narragansett. It has a large stone arch that was once the entrance to a famous casino. The casino burned down in 1900. Today, The Towers are used for events and a tourist information center.

The Newport Tower is a mystery. Some think it was built by Vikings, but most experts believe it was a windmill from the Colonial era.

Protecting the Environment

Rhode Island is working to protect its environment. In 2014, Governor Lincoln D. Chafee announced a plan with eight other states. Their goal is to have 3.3 million zero-emission vehicles on the roads by 2025. This plan aims to reduce harmful gases and smog.

In 2014, Rhode Island received grants from the Environmental Protection Agency. These grants helped clean up contaminated sites called Brownfield sites. This helps local economies and creates jobs while protecting health.

The "Lots of Hope" program started in Providence in 2013. It turns empty city lots into urban farms. This increases green spaces, improves neighborhoods, and promotes healthy living.

In 2012, Rhode Island passed a law called the "School Siting Bill." This law makes Rhode Island the first U.S. state to stop building schools on Brownfield sites. These sites might have toxic vapors that could affect indoor air quality. The law also allows public input when a city plans to build a school on any contaminated site.

Rhode Island's Government

The capital of Rhode Island is Providence. The state's executive branch is led by a governor and a lieutenant governor. Rhode Island is one of the few states that does not have an official governor's residence.

The state legislature is the Rhode Island General Assembly. It has two parts: the 75-member House of Representatives and the 38-member Senate. The Rhode Island Democratic Party is very strong in both parts of the legislature. The Republican Party has only a few seats.

People and Population

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1790	68,825		—
1800	69,122		0.4%
1810	76,931		11.3%
1820	83,059		8.0%
1830	97,199		17.0%
1840	108,830		12.0%
1850	147,545		35.6%
1860	174,620		18.4%
1870	217,353		24.5%
1880	276,531		27.2%
1890	345,506		24.9%
1900	428,556		24.0%
1910	542,610		26.6%
1920	604,397		11.4%
1930	687,497		13.7%
1940	713,346		3.8%
1950	791,896		11.0%
1960	859,488		8.5%
1970	946,725		10.1%
1980	947,154		0.0%
1990	1,003,464		5.9%
2000	1,048,319		4.5%
2010	1,052,567		0.4%
2020	1,097,379		4.3%
2023 (est.)	1,095,962		4.1%
Source: 1910–2020

In 2020, Rhode Island's population was 1,097,379 people. The center of the population is in Cranston. Many people live in a corridor from Providence northwest to Woonsocket. This area grew because of 19th-century mills.

In 2022, about 1,577 people in Rhode Island were homeless.

According to the 2020 census, 71.3% of the population was White. 5.7% were Black or African American. 3.6% were Asian. 16.6% of the total population were of Hispanic or Latino origin. People of Hispanic origin can be of any race.

Racial and ethnic composition as of the 2020 census

Race and ethnicity (2020)	Percentage
White (non-Hispanic)	68.7%	68.7
Hispanic or Latino	16.6%	16.6
Black (non-Hispanic)	5.0%	5
Asian	3.4%	3.4
Native American	0.1%	0.1
Pacific Islander	0.0%
Mixed (Two or more races)	4.6%	4.6
Other (Some other race)	1.6%	1.6

In 2015, Rhode Island's population was estimated at 1,056,298. This was a small increase from 2010. More people were born than died, and more people moved to the state from other countries. The top countries of origin for immigrants in 2018 were the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Portugal, Cape Verde and India.

Hispanic people make up 12.8% of the population. Many are from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Guatemala. Rhode Island has the highest percentage of Dominican Americans in the country.

In 2000, 84% of people aged 5 and older spoke only American English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Spanish (8.07%), Portuguese (3.80%), and French (1.96%).

The percentage of non-Hispanic white people in Rhode Island has decreased over time. In 1970, it was 96.1%, but in 2011, it was 76.5%. In 2011, 40.3% of babies under one year old belonged to minority groups.

About 6.1% of Rhode Island's population was under 5 years old. 23.6% were under 18. 14.5% were 65 or older. About 52% of the population were females.

The largest ancestry groups in Rhode Island are Irish (18.3%), Italian (18.0%), English (10.5%), French (10.4%), and Portuguese (9.3%). Rhode Island has some of the highest percentages of Irish Americans and Italian Americans.

Rhode Island has a large community of people with Portuguese ancestry. This includes Portuguese Americans and Cape Verdean Americans. The state also has many immigrants from Liberia.

Even though Rhode Island is the smallest state, it has the second highest population density. This means many people live in a small area.

Religion in Rhode Island

Religious affiliation per the PRRI (2022)
Christian			72%
Unaffiliated			24%
Jewish			2%
Other faiths			2%

In 2022, a survey showed that 72% of Rhode Island residents were Christian. 24% were not religious. 2% were Jewish, and 2% followed other faiths. The largest Christian groups are the Catholic Church and the Episcopal Church.

Rhode Island has the highest percentage of Catholic residents of any state. This is mainly due to many Irish, Italian, and French-Canadian immigrants in the past. More recently, Portuguese and Hispanic communities have also grown.

Rhode Island's Jewish community is mainly in the Providence area. It grew with Jewish immigration from Eastern Europe between 1880 and 1920. The Touro Synagogue in Newport is the oldest existing synagogue in the United States. This shows that Jewish communities existed in Rhode Island even in colonial times.

Rhode Island's Economy

Rhode Island's early economy was based on fishing. The Blackstone River Valley was very important to the American Industrial Revolution. In Pawtucket, Samuel Slater built Slater Mill in 1793. He used the river's waterpower for his cotton mill. Rhode Island became a leader in textiles. However, during the Great Depression, most textile factories moved to southern states.

Other important industries in Rhode Island's past included making tools, costume jewelry, and silverware. Today, many old factories are now apartments, museums, or offices.

Today, much of Rhode Island's economy is based on services, like healthcare and education. Manufacturing is still important, especially building nuclear submarines.

In 2013, Rhode Island had the highest-paid elementary school teachers in the country.

The headquarters of Citizens Financial Group, a large bank, is in Providence. Fortune 500 companies like CVS Caremark and Textron are based in Rhode Island. Other big companies include Hasbro (a toy company) and Amica Mutual Insurance.

Rhode Island's total economic output in 2000 was $46.18 billion. Its income per person was $41,484. Rhode Island uses the least energy per person of any state. It is also ranked as the 5th most energy-efficient state.

Health services are Rhode Island's largest industry. Tourism is the second largest, supporting 39,000 jobs. Manufacturing is the third largest. Its products include submarine construction, jewelry, and electrical equipment. Rhode Island's farms produce nursery plants, vegetables, dairy products, and eggs.

Rhode Island's taxes used to be higher than nearby states. In 2010, the state changed its income tax structure. This made its taxes more competitive with other New England states.

Largest Employers in Rhode Island

As of March 2011^[update], Rhode Island's largest employers (not including city and town employees) are:

Rank	Employer	Employees	Notes
1	State of Rhode Island	14,904	Full-time employees
2	Lifespan Hospital Group	11,869	Includes Rhode Island Hospital and other hospitals.
3	U.S. federal government	11,581	Includes employees at the Naval War College.
4	Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence	6,200
5	Care New England	5,953	Includes Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island and other hospitals.
6	CVS Caremark	5,800	Headquarters are in Woonsocket.
7	Citizens Financial Group	4,991	Headquarters are in Providence.
8	Brown University	4,800	Does not include student employees.
9	Stop & Shop Supermarket	3,632
10	Bank of America	3,500

Getting Around: Transportation

Bus Services

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) runs buses across the state. Their main stations are in Providence, Pawtucket, and Newport. RIPTA buses serve 38 of Rhode Island's 39 cities and towns. They operate 58 routes, including trolley-style buses in Providence and Newport.

Ferry Services

From 2000 to 2008, RIPTA offered seasonal ferry service between Providence and Newport. This service was popular. It stopped when federal funding ended, but it started again in 2016. The Block Island Ferry connects Block Island with Newport and Narragansett. The Prudence Island Ferry connects Bristol with Prudence Island. Other private ferries connect Rhode Island with ports in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York.

Train Services

The MBTA Commuter Rail's Providence/Stoughton Line connects Providence and T. F. Green Airport to Boston. It stops at Pawtucket/Central Falls and other stations. The line was extended south to Wickford Junction in 2012. The state hopes to extend it further south.

Amtrak's Acela Express stops at Providence Station. This connects Providence to other cities along the Northeast Corridor. Amtrak's Northeast Regional service stops at Providence Station, Kingston, and Westerly.

Air Travel

Rhode Island's main airport is T. F. Green Airport in Warwick. For international direct flights or more options, Rhode Islanders often use Logan International Airport in Boston.

Highways and Bridges

Interstate 95 (I-95) runs through Rhode Island. It connects the state to other states along the East Coast. I-295 is a partial beltway around Providence. I-195 connects Providence to Cape Cod.

Other important highways include Route 4, Route 10, and Route 37. These routes help people travel within the state.

Several bridges cross Narragansett Bay. These connect Aquidneck Island and Conanicut Island to the mainland. The most famous are the Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge and the Jamestown-Verrazano Bridge.

Bicycle Paths

The East Bay Bike Path goes from Providence to Bristol along Narragansett Bay. The Blackstone River Bikeway will eventually connect Providence and Worcester. In 2011, Rhode Island connected these paths. This created a 33.5-mile (53.9 km) bike route.

The William C. O'Neill Bike Path (South County Bike Path) is an 8-mile (13 km) path through South Kingstown and Narragansett. The 19-mile (31 km) Washington Secondary Bike Path goes from Cranston to Coventry. The 2-mile (3.2 km) Ten Mile River Greenway path runs through East Providence and Pawtucket.

Learning in Rhode Island: Education

Colleges and Universities

Rhode Island has several colleges and universities:

Rhode Island Culture

Local Accent and Words

Some Rhode Islanders speak with a special accent. It is a mix of New York City and Boston accents. For example, "water" might sound like "watuh." They also say "bubblers" for drinking fountains and "cabinets" for milkshakes. Long sandwiches are called "grinders."

Food and Drinks

Rhode Island has a tradition of clam chowder. There's a unique clear-broth chowder called Rhode Island Clam Chowder. A popular food is the clam cake, a deep-fried ball of dough with clam bits. A summer meal often includes chowder and clam cakes.

The quahog is a large local clam. It's used in chowder or mixed with stuffing and baked in its shell to make a stuffie. Calamari (fried squid) is a common appetizer. In 2014, calamari became the official state appetizer. Clams Casino were invented in Rhode Island. They are made with smaller clams and bacon.

The official state drink is coffee milk. This drink is made by mixing milk with coffee syrup. This syrup was invented in Rhode Island. Johnnycakes, made from cornmeal, have been a staple since Colonial times.

Submarine sandwiches are called grinders in Rhode Island. The Italian grinder, with cold cuts and cheese, is very popular. Linguiça or chouriço is a spicy Portuguese sausage often eaten with peppers and bread.

Rhode Island State Symbols

State symbols of Rhode Island

Bird	Rhode Island Red chicken Gallus gallus domesticus
Fish	Striped bass
Flower	Blue Violet Viola sororia
Fruit	Rhode Island Greening
Tree	Red Maple Acer rubrum
Insect	American burying beetle Nicroforus americanus

Rhode Island in Pop Culture

The Farrelly brothers and Seth MacFarlane often show Rhode Island in their work. MacFarlane's TV show Family Guy is set in a fictional Rhode Island city called Quahog. The show often makes jokes about local events and people.

The 1956 film High Society and the 1974 film The Great Gatsby were both set or filmed in Newport, Rhode Island.

Jacqueline Bouvier and John F. Kennedy were married in Newport. Their wedding reception was at Hammersmith Farm, a summer home in Newport.

Cartoonist Don Bousquet is a state icon. He draws Rhode Island-themed cartoons for The Providence Journal and Yankee magazine.

The 1998 film Meet Joe Black was filmed at Aldrich Mansion in Warwick. The first season of Body of Proof was filmed entirely in Rhode Island. The 2007 film Dan in Real Life was filmed in coastal towns in the state.

Notable "Firsts" in Rhode Island

Rhode Island has been first in many things:

• The Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations passed the first law against slavery in America on May 18, 1652.
• The first armed rebellion against the British in America happened in Narragansett Bay on June 10, 1772. People boarded and burned the ship HMS Gaspée.
• The idea of a Continental Congress was first suggested in Providence on May 17, 1774.
• Rhode Island elected the first delegates to the Continental Congress on June 15, 1774.
• The Rhode Island General Assembly created the first standing army in the colonies on April 22, 1775.
• The first naval battle of the American Revolution happened on June 15, 1775.
• Rhode Island was the first Colony to declare independence from Britain on May 4, 1776.
• Slater Mill in Pawtucket was the first successful cotton-spinning mill with machines in America. It is called the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution in the U.S.
• The oldest Fourth of July parade in the country is still held every year in Bristol, Rhode Island.
• The first Baptist church in America was founded in Providence in 1638.
• Ann Smith Franklin was the first female newspaper editor in America (1762).
• Touro Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in America, founded in Newport in 1763.
• Pelham Street in Newport was the first street in America lit by gaslight in 1806.
• The first strike in the U.S. where women participated happened in Pawtucket in 1824.
• Watch Hill has the nation's oldest continuously running carousel since 1850.
• The motion picture machine was patented in Providence in 1867.
• The first lunch wagon in America was introduced in Providence in 1872.
• The first nine-hole golf course in America was completed in Newport in 1890.
• The Rhode Island State House was the first building with an all-marble dome built in the United States (1895–1901).
• The first automobile race on a track was held in Cranston in 1896.

Other Local Culture

Rhode Island is called "The Ocean State" because of its many waterways. Newport Harbor has many pleasure boats. The state's airport has a large sailboat in its lobby. License plates often show an ocean wave or a sailboat.

Many Rhode Islanders visit the beaches in Washington County for summer vacation.

The state constitution protects public access to the shore. However, it can be hard to know where private land ends and public land begins. This sometimes causes conflicts over beach access.

Rhode Island was known for organized crime from the 1950s to the 1990s. The Patriarca crime family was based in Providence.

Rhode Islanders developed a unique style of architecture in the 17th century called the stone-ender.

Rhode Island is the only state that still celebrates Victory over Japan Day. It is officially called "Victory Day" and is celebrated on the second Monday in August.

Nibbles Woodaway, also known as "The Big Blue Bug", is a 58-foot-long termite mascot. It is for an extermination business in Providence. It has been in movies and TV shows. Many locals see it as a cultural landmark. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Big Blue Bug wore a mask to remind people to stay safe.

Sports in Rhode Island

Professional Sports Teams

Rhode Island has two professional minor league teams. The Providence Bruins are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. They won the AHL's Calder Cup in 1999.

Rhode Island FC is a soccer team. They started playing in the USL Championship in 2024 at Beirne Stadium. They plan to move to a new stadium in Pawtucket in 2025.

The Pawtucket Red Sox baseball team was a minor league team for the Boston Red Sox. They played at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket from 1973 to 2020. McCoy Stadium also hosted the longest professional baseball game ever played.

The Providence Reds were a hockey team that played from 1926 to 1977. They won the Calder Cup four times. The team's name came from the state bird, the Rhode Island Red rooster. They are the oldest continuously operating minor-league hockey team in North America.

The Providence Grays won the first World Championship in baseball history in 1884. They played in the National League from 1878 to 1885. Babe Ruth played for the minor league Providence Grays in 1914.

Rhode Island has a long history with soccer. The state's first organized league was founded in 1886. The Pawtucket Free Wanderers won the American Cup in 1893. The first U.S. Open Cup championship game was held in Pawtucket in 1914.

The now-defunct professional football team, the Providence Steamrollers, won the 1928 NFL title. An unrelated basketball team also called the Providence Steamrollers played in the league that became the National Basketball Association.

Current Professional Teams

Professional Team	League	Sport	Venue	City	Established	Championships
Providence Bruins	American Hockey League (AHL)	Ice hockey	Amica Mutual Pavilion	Providence, Rhode Island	1987	1
Rhode Island FC	USL Championship (USLC)	Soccer	Beirne Stadium	Pawtucket, Rhode Island	2024	0

Current Semi-Professional Teams

Semi-Professional Team	League	Sport	Venue	City	Established	Championships
Rhode Island Rogues	Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL)	Soccer	Roger Williams University	Bristol, Rhode Island	2018	0

College and Amateur Sports

There are four NCAA Division I schools in Rhode Island. These are Brown University, Bryant University, Providence College, and the University of Rhode Island. Each school competes in a different athletic conference.

Three of these schools have football teams that play in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision. These are Brown, Bryant, and the University of Rhode Island. All four Division I schools compete for the Ocean State Cup, an award for the best overall sports program in the state.

From 1930 to 1983, the America's Cup sailing races were held off Newport. The extreme-sport X Games and Gravity Games were also started and hosted in Providence.

The International Tennis Hall of Fame is in Newport. It is located at the Newport Casino, where the first U.S. National Championships were held in 1881. The Hall of Fame was created in 1954 to honor the sport of tennis.

Elections and Politics

United States presidential election results for Rhode Island

Year	Republican / Whig		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	199,922	38.61%	307,486	59.39%	10,349	2.00%
2016	180,543	38.90%	252,525	54.41%	31,076	6.70%
2012	157,204	35.24%	279,677	62.70%	9,168	2.06%
2008	165,391	35.06%	296,571	62.86%	9,804	2.08%
2004	169,046	38.67%	259,760	59.42%	8,328	1.91%
2000	130,555	31.91%	249,508	60.99%	29,049	7.10%
1996	104,683	26.82%	233,050	59.71%	52,551	13.46%
1992	131,601	29.02%	213,299	47.04%	108,578	23.94%
1988	177,761	43.93%	225,123	55.64%	1,736	0.43%
1984	212,080	51.66%	197,106	48.02%	1,306	0.32%
1980	154,793	37.20%	198,342	47.67%	62,937	15.13%
1976	181,249	44.08%	227,636	55.36%	2,285	0.56%
1972	220,383	53.00%	194,645	46.81%	780	0.19%
1968	122,359	31.78%	246,518	64.03%	16,123	4.19%
1964	74,615	19.13%	315,463	80.87%	13	0.00%
1960	147,502	36.37%	258,032	63.63%	1	0.00%
1956	225,819	58.23%	161,970	41.77%	2	0.00%
1952	210,935	50.89%	203,293	49.05%	270	0.07%
1948	135,787	41.44%	188,736	57.59%	3,179	0.97%
1944	123,487	41.26%	175,356	58.59%	433	0.14%
1940	138,653	43.17%	182,182	56.73%	313	0.10%
1936	125,031	40.18%	165,238	53.10%	20,909	6.72%
1932	115,266	43.31%	146,604	55.08%	4,300	1.62%
1928	117,522	49.55%	118,973	50.16%	699	0.29%
1924	125,286	59.63%	76,606	36.46%	8,223	3.91%
1920	107,463	63.97%	55,062	32.78%	5,456	3.25%
1916	44,858	51.08%	40,394	46.00%	2,564	2.92%
1912	27,703	35.56%	30,412	39.04%	19,779	25.39%
1908	43,942	60.76%	24,706	34.16%	3,669	5.07%
1904	41,605	60.60%	24,839	36.18%	2,212	3.22%
1900	33,784	59.74%	19,812	35.04%	2,952	5.22%
1896	37,437	68.33%	14,459	26.39%	2,889	5.27%
1892	26,975	50.71%	24,336	45.75%	1,885	3.54%
1888	21,969	53.88%	17,530	42.99%	1,276	3.13%
1884	19,030	58.07%	12,391	37.81%	1,350	4.12%
1880	18,195	62.24%	10,779	36.87%	261	0.89%
1876	15,787	59.29%	10,712	40.23%	128	0.48%
1872	13,665	71.94%	5,329	28.06%	0	0.00%
1868	12,993	66.49%	6,548	33.51%	0	0.00%
1864	13,962	62.24%	8,470	37.76%	0	0.00%
1860	12,244	61.37%	7,707	38.63%	0	0.00%
1856	11,467	57.85%	6,680	33.70%	1,675	8.45%
1852	7,626	44.85%	8,735	51.37%	644	3.79%
1848	6,779	60.77%	3,646	32.68%	730	6.54%
1844	7,322	59.55%	4,867	39.58%	107	0.87%
1840	5,278	61.22%	3,301	38.29%	42	0.49%
1836	2,710	47.76%	2,964	52.24%	0	0.00%

Rhode Island has a small population, but it has a good number of votes in the federal House of Representatives and Electoral College. This means it has a strong voice for its size.

In presidential elections, Rhode Island usually votes for the Democratic candidate. The state voted Republican until 1908. Since then, it has voted Republican seven times and Democratic 17 times. In the last 16 presidential elections, the Democratic Party has won Rhode Island's Electoral College votes 12 times.

In 1980, Rhode Island was one of only six states that did not vote for Republican Ronald Reagan. Reagan was the last Republican to win any of the state's counties in a Presidential election until Donald Trump won Kent County in 2016.

Rhode Island was the strongest Democratic state in 1960, 1964, 1968, 1988, and 2000. In 1964, over 80% of Rhode Island's votes went to Lyndon B. Johnson. In 2004, Rhode Island gave John Kerry a large lead of over 20 percentage points. In 2008, Rhode Island gave Barack Obama a 28 percentage point lead.

In 2020, a study ranked Rhode Island as the 19th easiest state for citizens to vote in.

Party registration as of July 2024
Party		Total voters	Percentage
	Unaffiliated	341,542	47.23%
	Democratic	278,374	38.50%
	Republican	103,216	14.27%
Total		723,135	100.00%

Notable People from Rhode Island

• Thomas Angell (1618–1694) – co-founder of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
• John Clarke (1609–1676) – Baptist minister and co-founder of the colony. He wrote its important charter and supported religious freedom.
• William Coddington (1601–1678) – an early leader and governor of the colony.
• William Ellery (1727–1820) – signed the United States Declaration of Independence for Rhode Island.
• Nathanael Greene (1742–1786) – a Continental Army officer, considered one of George Washington's best.
• Stephen Hopkins (1707–1785) – Governor of Rhode Island and a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
• Anne Hutchinson (1591–1643) – an early settler of Newport who challenged religious ideas.
• H. P. Lovecraft (1890–1937) – a famous horror author.
• Oliver Hazard Perry (1785–1819) – a naval commander and hero of the War of 1812.
• Samuel Slater (1768–1835) – an industrialist, known as the "father of the industrial revolution" in America.
• Gilbert Stuart (1755–1828) – a painter, famous for his portraits.
• Roger Williams (1603–1684) – founder of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. He was a strong supporter of separating church and state.
• Abraham Whipple (1733–1819) – a commander in the Continental Navy.

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See also

In Spanish: Rhode Island para niños