Adjacent counties

• Norfolk County, Massachusetts - northeast
• Bristol County, Massachusetts - east
• Bristol County - southeast
• Kent County - south
• Windham County, Connecticut - west
• Worcester County, Massachusetts - northwest

National protected areas

• Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park (part)
• Roger Williams National Memorial

Major highways

2000 census

As of the census^[9] of 2000, there were 621,602 people, 239,936 households, and 152,839 families living in the county. The population density was 1,504 inhabitants per square mile (581/km²). There were 253,214 housing units at an average density of 613 per square mile (237/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 78.38% White, 6.55% Black or African American, 0.51% Native American, 2.90% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 8.02% from other races, and 3.58% from two or more races. 13.39% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 19.0% were of Italian, 10.9% Irish, 8.1% French, 7.7% Portuguese, 7.2% French Canadian and 5.8% English ancestry according to Census 2000. 72.7% spoke English, 13.4% Spanish, 4.9% Portuguese, 2.5% French and 1.6% Italian as their first language.

There were 239,936 households, out of which 30.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.50% were married couples living together, 14.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.30% were non-families. 29.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.00% under the age of 18, 11.10% from 18 to 24, 29.80% from 25 to 44, 20.50% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,950, and the median income for a family was $46,694. Males had a median income of $35,336 versus $26,322 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,255. About 11.90% of families and 15.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.30% of those under age 18 and 12.70% of those age 65 or over.

Providence County is 71% Catholic, making it among the most Catholic counties in the country.^[10]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 626,667 people, 241,717 households, and 149,691 families living in the county.^[11] The population density was 1,530.3 inhabitants per square mile (590.9/km²). There were 264,835 housing units at an average density of 646.7 per square mile (249.7/km²).^[12] The racial makeup of the county was 73.4% white, 8.5% black or African American, 3.7% Asian, 0.7% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 9.6% from other races, and 4.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 18.8% of the population.^[11] The largest ancestry groups were:^[13]

• 18.5% Italian
• 15.8% Irish
• 12.3% French
• 9.4% English
• 8.6% Portuguese
• 5.4% French Canadian
• 5.4% Dominican
• 4.9% Puerto Rican
• 4.3% Cape Verdean
• 4.2% German
• 3.8% Polish
• 2.9% Guatemalan
• 1.7% Scottish
• 1.6% American
• 1.2% Swedish
• 1.2% Colombian
• 1.1% Mexican
• 1.0% Scotch-Irish
• 1.0% Arab

Of the 241,717 households, 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.8% were married couples living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.1% were non-families, and 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.11. The median age was 37.0 years.^[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $48,500 and the median income for a family was $61,265. Males had a median income of $44,964 versus $36,447 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,169. About 11.6% of families and 15.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.1% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.^[14]

Cities

• Central Falls
• Cranston
• East Providence
• Pawtucket
• Providence (traditional county seat)
• Woonsocket

Towns

Census-designated places

Other villages