Providence, RI Homes For Sale

Homes for Sale in Providence, RI: What You Need to Know

Providence may be a comparably small New England city, but its hip art scene, worldly cuisine, and impressive cultural treasures make it a unique treasure. Old traditions meet innovative influences—courtesy of the area's large student population and new creatives from fashion, art, theater, and more. A "Foodie" hotspot, Providence owes a lot of its fame to Italian influences and its Colonial past. On the modern end of things, a multisensory art installation called "WaterFire" wows with magical sights and sounds and is the latest local must-see.

Providence’s Local Population 

Rhode Island's most populous city has a population of 179,506 on 28.4 square miles. This averages out to a moderate population density of 9,751 people per square mile. The average household size is 2.7 persons, and 30% of households have children under 18. 

A major college and university town, Providence is a young, educated, and diverse city. The median age is 29.8 years. Over 30% of locals have a bachelor's degree or higher. 34.3% are Non-Hispanic White, 42% are Hispanic, 13.1% are Black or African American, and 6.2% are Asian. The average income per person is $24,052.

Schools and Education 

Providence is home to 52 public schools, 23 private schools, and a total of 8 college and university campuses. The Providence Public School District operates 25 elementary schools, nine middle schools, and thirteen high schools. Major private schools are Moses Brown (Quaker) School, Wheeler School, and the all-girls Lincoln School. The city's very own Ivy League member and the second-largest employer is Brown University. Other private institutions are Johnson & Wales University, the catholic Providence College, and the art and design-focused Rhode Island School of Design. The leading public college is Rhode Island College with 9000 students.

Getting Around in Providence 

With I-95, I-195, and I-295, Providence is served by three major highways. For their daily commutes, over 70% of locals choose to travel by car, and the average commute time is 22.8 minutes. Meanwhile, four major traffic-free bicycle paths and local initiatives are making the city increasingly walkable and bikeable. 

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority operates a fleet of busses, a Rapid Bus line, and a network of tourist trolleys in the downtown area. Amtrak and Commuter Rail services connect Providence with Boston and beyond, while TF Green Airport offers regional flights just 12 miles south of Downtown.

The City’s Climate 

Providence lies in a humid continental climate zone. Winters are cold and summers are warm, but short. Precipitation is above the national average, with an average of 49 inches of rain and 38 inches of snow per year. Temperatures range from lows of 19°F in January to highs of 83°F in July. At an average elevation of 10 feet above sea level, the UV index in Providence of 3.5 is slightly below the national average.