Rhode Island is the smallest U.S. state by land area, covering approximately 1,034 square miles. It was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams as a refuge for those seeking religious freedom after his exile from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Rhode Island became the last of the original thirteen colonies to join the Union, officially becoming the 13th state on May 29, 1790.
Unlike many states, Rhode Island does not have county governments. Instead, all local governance is handled by its 39 municipalities, which consist of 8 cities and 31 towns. These municipalities operate under charters granting them home rule and local self-governance powers as outlined in Article XIII of the Rhode Island State Constitution.
Municipalities in Rhode Island may adopt one of four forms of government:
- Council-Manager
- Mayor-Council
- Town Council-Town Meeting
- Administrator-Council
The key difference between cities and towns lies in their incorporation processes and governance styles. Cities tend to be more urbanized and operate under mayor-council charters, while towns often use town meetings or town councils for decision-making, reflecting a more direct democratic style.
State Information Overview
| Category | Data |
|---|---|
| Total Municipalities | 39 |
| Number of Cities | 8 |
| Number of Towns | 31 |
| Largest City | Providence (Population approx. 190,934) |
| Smallest Municipality (Population) | New Shoreham (approx. 1,410 residents) |
| Largest Municipality (Area) | Coventry (approx. 59.05 square miles) |
| Smallest Municipality (Area) | Central Falls (approx. 1.20 square miles) |
Rhode Island Cities & Towns Ranked by Population
| Rank | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Providence | 190,792 |
| 2 | Warwick | 82,999 |
| 3 | Cranston | 82,635 |
| 4 | Pawtucket | 75,321 |
| 5 | East Providence | 46,900 |
| 6 | Woonsocket | 43,135 |
| 7 | Cumberland | 36,591 |
| 8 | Coventry | 35,819 |
| 9 | North Providence | 33,902 |
| 10 | South Kingstown | 32,025 |
| 11 | West Warwick | 31,151 |
| 12 | Johnston | 29,679 |
| 13 | North Kingstown | 27,771 |
| 14 | Newport | 24,717 |
| 15 | Westerly | 23,223 |
| 16 | Lincoln | 22,846 |
| 17 | Central Falls | 22,543 |
| 18 | Smithfield | 22,090 |
| 19 | Bristol | 22,069 |
| 20 | Portsmouth | 17,447 |
| 21 | Barrington | 17,061 |
| 22 | Middletown | 16,588 |
| 23 | Burrillville | 16,393 |
| 24 | Tiverton | 16,035 |
| 25 | East Greenwich | 14,626 |
| 26 | Narragansett | 14,409 |
| 27 | North Smithfield | 12,601 |
| 28 | Warren | 11,125 |
| 29 | Scituate | 10,494 |
| 30 | Glocester | 10,200 |
| 31 | Hopkinton | 8,400 |
| 32 | Richmond | 8,133 |
| 33 | Charlestown | 8,036 |
| 34 | West Greenwich | 6,683 |
| 35 | Exeter | 6,581 |
| 36 | Jamestown | 5,488 |
| 37 | Foster | 4,493 |
| 38 | Little Compton | 3,557 |
| 39 | New Shoreham | 1,404 |
Cities and Towns by Alphabetical Letter in Rhode Island
Cities in Rhode Island that start with B
- Barrington
- Bristol
- Burrillville
Cities in Rhode Island that start with C
- Central Falls
- Charlestown
- Coventry
- Cranston
- Cumberland
Cities in Rhode Island that start with E
- East Greenwich
- East Providence
- Exeter
Cities in Rhode Island that start with F
Cities in Rhode Island that start with G
- Glocester
Cities in Rhode Island that start with H
Cities in Rhode Island that start with J
- Jamestown
- Johnston
Cities in Rhode Island that start with L
- Lincoln
- Little Compton
Cities in Rhode Island that start with M
- Middletown
Cities in Rhode Island that start with N
- Narragansett
- Newport
- New Shoreham
- North Kingstown
- North Providence
- North Smithfield+
Cities in Rhode Island that start with P
- Pawtucket
- Portsmouth
- Providence
Cities in Rhode Island that start with R
- Richmond
Cities in Rhode Island that start with S
- Scituate
- Smithfield
- South Kingstown
Cities in Rhode Island that start with T
- Tiverton
Cities in Rhode Island that start with W
- Warren
- Warwick
- Westerly
- West Greenwich
- West Warwick
- Woonsocket
Note
Rhode Island has no towns in alphabetical order, beginning with the letters A, D, I, K, O, Q, U, V, X, Y, and Z.
Interactive Rhode Island Map
Questions & Answers
How many cities and towns does Rhode Island have?
Rhode Island has 8 cities and 31 towns
What is the name of the city in Rhode Island?
Providence
What cities and towns are in Providence County, RI?
Providence County, Rhode Island, comprises 16 cities and towns: Providence, Cranston, Pawtucket, East Providence, Woonsocket, Central Falls, North Providence, Johnston, Cumberland, Lincoln, Smithfield, Burrillville, North Smithfield, Scituate, Glocester, and Foster.
