Across most of America, the African American and Hispanic communities comprise “most of the minority”. We’re not totally sure that’s a term, but it’s an accurate reflection of the state of race in America.
Asians are a “minority of the minority”, generally.
But not everywhere.
There are now over 17 million people who identify as Asian living in America, making up 5.6% of the total population. According to the most recent American Community Survey, the Asian population in Rhode Island is 35,027 – at 3.3% of the total population of Rhode Island.
And, unlike African Americans that fall under one group in the Census, Asian Americans have many sub-groups — Chinese, Filipino, and Indian being the three largest sub-groups.
So, what how does the Asian population stratify across Rhode Island? Which cities and towns in Rhode Island have seen the greatest increase in their Asian population?
Which city in Rhode Island had the largest Asian population?
Woonsocket took the number one over all spot for the largest Asian in Rhode Island for 2019. 7.25% of Woonsocket identify as Asian.
Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers and how your town ranked.
To see where Rhode Island ranked as a state on diversity, we have a ranking of the most diverse states in America.
And if you already knew these places were Asian, check out the best places to live in Rhode Island or the most diverse places in Rhode Island.
How We Determined The Cities In Rhode Island With The Largest Asian Population For 2019
We still believe in the accuracy of data — especially from the census. So that’s where we went to get the breakdown of race across Rhode Island.
That lead us to the Census’s most recently available data, the 2013-2017 American Community Survey data from the US Census.
Specifically, we looked at table B03002: Hispanic OR LATINO ORIGIN BY RACE. Here are the category names as defined by the Census:
- Hispanic or Latino
- White alone*
- Black or African American alone*
- American Indian and Alaska Native alone*
- Asian alone*
- Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone*
- Some other race alone*
- Two or more races*
Our particular column of interest here was the number of people who identified as Asian alone.
We limited our analysis to non-CDPs with a population greater than 19,000 people. That left us with 8 cities.
We then calculated the percent of residents that are Asian. The percentages ranked from 7.2% to 0.4%.
Finally, we ranked each city based on the percent of Asian population with a higher score being more Asian than a lower score. Woonsocket took the distinction of being the most Asian, while Central Falls was the least Asian city.
Read on for more information on how the cities in Rhode Island ranked by population of Asian residents or, for a more general take on diversity in America, head over to our ranking of the most diverse cities in America.
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Population: 41,508
% Asian: 7.25%
# Of Asian Residents: 3,008
Percent Change Since 2010: 29.99%
More on Woonsocket: Real Estate | Data | Photos
Woonsocket is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 41,186 at the 2010 census, making it the sixth largest city in the state. Woonsocket lies directly south of the Massachusetts state line and constitutes part of both the Providence metropolitan area and the larger Greater Boston Combined Statistical Area.
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Population: 179,509
% Asian: 6.17%
# Of Asian Residents: 11,076
Percent Change Since 2010: -1.34%
More on Providence: Real Estate | Data | Photos
Providence is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Rhode Island in the early 1900s it was the most visited place, founded in 1636 and one of the oldest cities in the United States. It was founded by Roger Williams, a religious exile from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He named the area in honor of “God’s merciful Providence” which he believed was responsible for revealing such a haven for him and his followers to settle. The city is situated at the mouth of the Providence River at the head of Narragansett Bay.
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Population: 80,979
% Asian: 5.58%
# Of Asian Residents: 4,519
Percent Change Since 2010: 10.35%
More on Cranston: Real Estate | Data | Photos
Cranston, once known as Pawtuxet, is a city in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. With a population of 80,529 at the 2010 census, it is the third largest city in the state. The center of population of Rhode Island is located in Cranston. Cranston is a part of the Providence metropolitan area.
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Population: 47,425
% Asian: 3.19%
# Of Asian Residents: 1,513
Percent Change Since 2010: 219.87%
More on East Providence: Real Estate | Data | Photos
East Providence is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 47,037 at the 2010 census, making it the fifth largest city in the state.
/10
Population: 81,218
% Asian: 2.76%
# Of Asian Residents: 2,240
Percent Change Since 2010: 3.7%
More on Warwick: Real Estate | Data | Photos
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Population: 24,745
% Asian: 1.75%
# Of Asian Residents: 434
Percent Change Since 2010: 35.62%
More on Newport: Real Estate | Data | Photos
Newport is a seaside city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States. The City of Newport is located approximately 37 miles southeast of Providence, 21 miles south of Fall River, and 74 miles south of Boston. It is known as a New England summer resort and is famous for its mansions. It is also the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport, which houses the United States Naval War College, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, and a major United States Navy training center. It was a major 18th-century port city and also contains a high number of surviving buildings from the colonial era of the United States.
/10
Population: 71,770
% Asian: 1.72%
# Of Asian Residents: 1,231
Percent Change Since 2010: -10.6%
More on Pawtucket: Real Estate | Data | Photos
Pawtucket is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 71,148 at the 2010 census. It is the fourth largest city in the state.
/10
Population: 19,395
% Asian: 0.44%
# Of Asian Residents: 86
Percent Change Since 2010: 0.0%
More on Central Falls: Real Estate | Data | Photos
Central Falls is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 19,376 at the 2010 census. With an area of only 1.29 square miles, it is the smallest and most densely populated city in the smallest state, and the 27th most densely populated incorporated place in the United States. It is also one of only four incorporated places in New England that have a higher population density than the city of Boston. The city takes its name from a waterfall on the Blackstone River.
There You Have It – Asian Populations Across Rhode Island
If you’re looking for a breakdown of Asian populations across Rhode Island according to the most recent data, this is an accurate list.
If you’re curious enough, here are the least Asian places in Rhode Island:
- Central Falls
- Pawtucket
- Newport
For more Rhode Island reading, check out:
- 10 Safest Places In Rhode Island
- 10 Best Places To Live In Rhode Island
- 10 Best Places To Raise A Family In Rhode Island
Detailed List Of The Most Asian Cities In Rhode Island
| Rank | City | % Asian |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Woonsocket | 7.25% |
| 2 | Providence | 6.17% |
| 3 | Cranston | 5.58% |
| 4 | East Providence | 3.19% |
| 5 | Warwick | 2.76% |
| 6 | Newport | 1.75% |
| 7 | Pawtucket | 1.72% |
| 8 | Central Falls | 0.44% |
