Providence: Economy & Jobs
Providence reports a median household income of $68,119 (1.2× below Providence County median $78,787; 1.3× below Rhode Island median $87,796), with homes at a median value of $362,200. The surrounding county supports 288,107 jobs (avg $68,852).
- $70,178 avg taxable income per return — similar than the median household income (at Rhode Island median).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $68,119 — below the Rhode Island median ($75,912). Poverty rate 20.7% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Affordability · Price To Income Ratio | 5.3× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Rent To Income Pct | 24.8% |
| Affordability · Interpretation | expensive |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $337,600 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $23,691,949 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $70,178 (at Rhode Island median) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $76,087 |
| Median Household Income | $68,119 (vs Rhode Island $75,912) |
| Poverty Rate | 20.7% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | mixed |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Education Healthcare |
| Economic Character · Income Level | middle-class |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $68,119 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 5.3% — above the U.S. average of ~4%. 14% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Mean Commute Min | 25.00 |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 14.3% |
| Commuter Profile · Profile | moderate commute |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 288,107 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $19,836,717,930 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $68,852 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 488,220 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% (vs Rhode Island 4.2%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 362 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 1,465 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 4.00 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Crop Totals, Animal Totals, Horticulture Totals, Vegetable Totals, Fruit & Tree Nut Totals |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 16,439 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 270,255 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 16,391,627 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 137 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 92 |
| Local Businesses · Liquor Stores | 138 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 147 |
| Local Businesses · Department Stores | 4 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 81 |
| Local Businesses · Clothing Stores | 50 |
| Local Businesses · Pet Stores | 17 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 630 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 524 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 161 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 262 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (20)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (5)
| Nearest Snap · Name | Portuguese & Latino Market LLC |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Total In Area | 223 |
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | GREATER PROVIDENCE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $5,995,553,983 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 9,073.99 (at Rhode Island median) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 660,741 people (vs Rhode Island 83,175) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Job Training · Total count | 6 |
|---|---|
| Pct Drove Alone | 60.5% |
| Pct Public Transit | 7.3% |
| Pct Walked | 14.3% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 32.8 years (vs Rhode Island 37.1y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 25.5% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 9 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | hospital access, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | fair |
Sources: IRS BMF keyword search · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12