Most rural counties in Rhode Island
A surprising number of U.S. counties have 100% rural land-702, in fact. compiled a list of the most rural counties in Rhode Island using data from the . Counties are ranked by the percent of land area that is rural, as of the 2010 Census, with ties broken by residents per square mile, according to 2020 5-year population estimates.
According to the Census Bureau, rural land encompasses any land that isn't an urban area. To be considered an urban area, a place has to have a densely settled core of census tracts or blocks and count at least 2,500 people, at least 1,500 of whom must be residents of non-institutional buildings. Areas with 50,000 people or more are considered urbanized areas, while areas with between 2,500 and 50,000 people are considered urban clusters.
#5. Bristol County
- Rural area: 11.8% (3 square miles)
- Urban area: 88.3% (21 square miles)
- Total land area: 24 square miles
--- #5 largest county in state, #3,114 nationwide
- Population density: 2,013.1 people / square mile (48,645 residents)
--- #5 lowest density county in state, #3,076 nationwide
#4. Newport County
- Rural area: 55.5% (57 square miles)
- Urban area: 44.5% (46 square miles)
- Total land area: 102 square miles
--- #4 largest county in state, #3,086 nationwide
- Population density: 808.0 people / square mile (82,731 residents)
--- #2 lowest density county in state, #2,966 nationwide
#3. Providence County
- Rural area: 57.0% (233 square miles)
- Urban area: 43.0% (176 square miles)
- Total land area: 410 square miles
--- #1 largest county in state, #2,466 nationwide
- Population density: 1,553.5 people / square mile (636,161 residents)
--- #4 lowest density county in state, #3,048 nationwide
#2. Kent County
- Rural area: 57.2% (96 square miles)
- Urban area: 42.8% (72 square miles)
- Total land area: 169 square miles
--- #3 largest county in state, #3,041 nationwide
- Population density: 973.9 people / square mile (164,122 residents)
--- #3 lowest density county in state, #2,991 nationwide
#1. Washington County
- Rural area: 74.0% (244 square miles)
- Urban area: 26.0% (86 square miles)
- Total land area: 329 square miles
--- #2 largest county in state, #2,739 nationwide
- Population density: 383.1 people / square mile (126,139 residents)
--- #1 lowest density county in state, #2,808 nationwide
