Kent County, Rhode Island

Kent County is a county located in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. As of the 2020 census, the population was 170,363, making it the second-most populous county in Rhode Island. The county was formed in 1750 from the southern third of Providence County. It was named after the county of Kent, England. Kent County, like other counties in Rhode Island, no longer has governmental functions (other than as court administrative and sheriff corrections boundaries). Its seat is East Greenwich. Kent County is included in the Providence metropolitan area, which in turn constitutes a portion of Greater Boston.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 188 square miles (490 km2), of which 169 square miles (440 km2) is land and 20 square miles (52 km2) (10%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Providence County - north
• Bristol County - east
• Washington County - south
• New London County, Connecticut - southwest
• Windham County, Connecticut - west
• Newport County - southeast

Major highways

• I-95
• I-295
• US 1
• US 1A
• Route 2
• Route 3
• Route 4
• Route 5
• Route 14
• Route 33
• Route 37
• Route 51
• Route 102
• Route 113
• Route 115
• Route 116
• Route 117
• Route 117A
• Route 118
• Route 401
• Route 402
• Route 403

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 170,363. Of the residents, 18.3% were under the age of 18 and 20.2% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 44.6 years. For every 100 females there were 94.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.7 males. 92.8% of residents lived in urban areas and 7.2% lived in rural areas.

The racial makeup of the county was 86.3% White, 1.9% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.9% Asian, 2.3% from some other race, and 6.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.7% of the population.

There were 72,063 households in the county, of which 25.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 28.3% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 76,084 housing units, of which 5.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 70.1% were owner-occupied and 29.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.7%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 166,158 people, 68,645 households, and 43,747 families living in the county. The population density was 985.9 inhabitants per square mile (380.7/km2). There were 73,701 housing units at an average density of 437.3 per square mile (168.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.4% white, 2.0% Asian, 1.4% black or African American, 0.3% American Indian, 1.0% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.2% of the population. The largest ancestry groups were:

Republic of Ireland 26.7% Irish

Italy 23.2% Italian

England 17.3% English

France 16.3% French

Portugal 8.9% Portuguese

Germany 7.6% German

Poland 4.8% Polish

Canada 4.4% French Canadian

United States 3.3% American

Sweden 2.9% Swedish

Scotland 2.4% Scottish

Northern Ireland 1.7% Scotch-Irish

Russia 1.4% Russian

Of the 68,645 households, 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.3% were non-families, and 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.98. The median age was 42.7 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $61,088 and the median income for a family was $77,100. Males had a median income of $53,458 versus $41,380 for females. The per capita income for the county was $31,221. About 4.9% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.5% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 167,090 people, 67,320 households, and 44,969 families living in the county. The population density was 982 inhabitants per square mile (379/km2). There were 70,365 housing units at an average density of 414 per square mile (160/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.54% White, 0.93% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 1.34% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.65% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. 1.69% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 20.1% were of Italian, 18.9% Irish, 11.1% English, 10.1% French, 6.1% French Canadian and 6.1% Portuguese ancestry, 92.0% spoke English, 1.9% Spanish, 1.5% French, 1.4% Portuguese and 1.1% Italian as their first language.

There were 67,320 households, out of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.70% were married couples living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.20% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.20% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 30.50% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 15.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $47,617, and the median income for a family was $57,491. Males had a median income of $40,052 versus $29,130 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,833. About 4.80% of families and 6.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.90% of those under age 18 and 8.10% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

City

• Warwick

Towns

• Coventry
• East Greenwich (traditional county seat)
• West Greenwich
• West Warwick

Census-designated place

• Greene

Other villages

• Anthony
• Arkwright
• Blackrock
• Coventry Centre
• Crompton
• Fairbanks
• Harris
• Hillsgrove
• Hopkins Hollow
• Nooseneck
• Lippitt
• Quidnick
• Spring Lake
• Summit
• Tiogue
• Washington
• Whaley's Hollow

Politics

Kent County, like most of Rhode Island, has been strongly Democratic for the last half century. In 2016, Donald Trump became the first Republican to win the county since Ronald Reagan in 1984, although Joe Biden was able to bring it back over to the Democratic side four years later in 2020. Kamala Harris retained the county in 2024 for the Democrats, though the margin narrowed by over five points.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Kent County, Rhode Island