Newport Population Shrinks in New Census Report
The data for Rhode Island was released Tuesday afternoon.
The City of Newport's population has dropped approximately 7 percent over the past 10 years.
According to the 2010 figures released by the U.S. Census on Tuesday, Newport lost 1,803 residents since the last time the survey was conducted, going from 26,475 residents in 2000 to 24,672 in 2010. It has also dropped from being Rhode Island's 13th most populous city to the 14th.
Newport County as a whole has seen its population decrease by 3 percent — the largest decrease in the state. The county went from having 85,433 residents in 2000 to 82,888 in 2010 — a loss of 2,545 individuals. Portsmouth experienced a small boost of 240 residents, bumping it up to become the 20th most populous town in the state.
Washington County saw the fastest growth in Rhode Island, while Providence County also got a small boost. Kent and Bristol counties each lost under 1000 residents.
In addition to Newport, other cities and towns that had a population decrease over the past ten years include Warwick, Pawtucket, East Providence, Woonsocket, North Providence, West Warwick, and Westerly.
| Geographic area | 2000 | 2010 | Number change |
Percent change |
| Rhode Island | 1,048,319 | 1,052,567 | 4,248 | 0.4 |
| COUNTY | ||||
| Providence County | 621,602 | 626,667 | 5,065 | 0.8 |
| Kent County | 167,090 | 166,158 | -932 | -0.6 |
| Washington County | 123,546 | 126,979 | 3,433 | 2.8 |
| Newport County | 85,433 | 82,888 | -2,545 | -3.0 |
| Bristol County | 50,648 | 49,875 | -773 | -1.5 |
| CITY OR TOWN | ||||
| Providence city | 173,618 | 178,042 | 4,424 | 2.5 |
| Warwick city | 85,808 | 82,672 | -3,136 | -3.7 |
| Cranston city | 79,269 | 80,387 | 1,118 | 1.4 |
| Pawtucket city | 72,958 | 71,148 | -1,810 | -2.5 |
| East Providence city | 48,688 | 47,037 | -1,651 | -3.4 |
| Woonsocket city | 43,224 | 41,186 | -2,038 | -4.7 |
| Coventry town | 33,668 | 35,014 | 1,346 | 4.0 |
| Cumberland town | 31,840 | 33,506 | 1,666 | 5.2 |
| North Providence town | 32,411 | 32,078 | -333 | -1.0 |
| South Kingstown town | 27,921 | 30,639 | 2,718 | 9.7 |
| West Warwick town | 29,581 | 29,191 | -390 | -1.3 |
| Johnston town | 28,195 | 28,769 | 574 | 2.0 |
| North Kingstown town | 26,326 | 26,486 | 160 | 0.6 |
| Newport city | 26,475 | 24,672 | -1,803 | -6.8 |
| Bristol town | 22,469 | 22,954 | 485 | 2.2 |
| Westerly town | 22,966 | 22,787 | -179 | -0.8 |
| Smithfield town | 20,613 | 21,430 | 817 | 4.0 |
| Lincoln town | 20,898 | 21,105 | 207 | 1.0 |
| Central Falls city | 18,928 | 19,376 | 448 | 2.4 |
| Portsmouth town | 17,149 | 17,389 | 240 | 1.4 |
realist
7:29 am on Thursday, March 24, 2011
I beg to differ on this article. Newports population has grown leaps and bounds! Unfortunately there is no way to document the overflow of illegal immigrants we house in our community. Hate to say it but census documented locals are leaving the area because they are fed up with the growing population of "undocumented visitors" to our area. Visit your friendly Salvation army thrift store. I thought I was in a different country when I went in there the other day. Not one customer was speaking english. I almost felt like an intruder when I was in there. Call me whatever you want but Newport is not the friendly little safe town it used to be. I do still hold out hope for this town, but am not holding my breath. Whatever happened to E Verify anyway
Gordon
9:19 am on Thursday, March 24, 2011
Newport city has gotten expensive and difficult to live in. Just above this fold is the article, Newport Water Rates to double, streets that destroy your car, a 28% HS drop out rate and the expanding divide between those with and those without getting bigger all the time. A declining population is reflective of so much more that simply numbers. It reflects a loss of faith in the very structure of the communities we live in and the hope we hold for the future.