Providence County

Providence County is an administrative region in Rhode Island containing sixteen municipalities spread across land and water areas. The state capital, Providence, sits within this county alongside smaller towns and surrounding communities.

The region was established in 1703 as Providence Plantations, originally containing five towns including Providence and Warwick. Additional municipalities developed over time as population and settlement expanded throughout the area.

The region brings together people from European, African American, and Hispanic backgrounds whose presence shapes neighborhoods, food, and local customs. Walking through the towns, you notice this mix in storefronts, gathering places, and the languages you hear.

The region has no county government; each municipality manages its own affairs through local administration. Visitors should know that practical matters like permits or services are handled at the town level.

The region contains more than 60 percent of Rhode Island's entire population in a relatively compact space. This dense concentration of people makes it the most populated portion of the entire state.

Location: Rhode Island

Inception: 1703

Capital city: Providence

Shares border with: Norfolk County, Kent County, Bristol County, Worcester County, Windham County, Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region

GPS coordinates: 41.85278,-71.45611

Latest update: December 6, 2025 21:29