Providence County
RI · Pop. 658,977 · Urban County
Providence County, Rhode Island covers 409 square miles with a population of 658,977 and a density of 1611.2 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, sweet corn, haylage. The median home price is $339,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.37%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 168-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.7°F and average winter lows of 19.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 53.7 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Our Lady of Fatima Hospital is 6.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 6.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 53.7 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.37% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
- At 1611.2 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Providence County, RI is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 18/100
- Median home price
- $339k
- Property tax
- 1.37%
- Growing season
- 168 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 53.7"
- Broadband
- 98.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, 6.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Providence County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Providence County?
- Providence County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 168-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.7°F, and average winter lows of 19.9°F. The established crops are hay, sweet corn, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $339,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.37%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Our Lady of Fatima Hospital is 6.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 15 hospitals in the county.
Explore Rhode Island Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Rhode Island
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The closest counties to Providence County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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