Rhode Island at a Glance
Key facts and figures about Rhode Island's economy, workforce, and growth. All data sourced from official federal and state sources.
Lifespan · Care New England · State of RI · Electric Boat · Brown University · CVS Health · URI · Amica · FM Global
RI Commerce / IBISWorld 2024 ↗Brown University · University of Rhode Island · Community College of RI · Roger Williams University · Salve Regina · RISD · Providence College · Bryant University · Johnson & Wales · and more
RI Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner ↗14,929 new businesses registered in 2025 - an all-time high, up 10%+ from the prior year.
RI Secretary of State / RI Commerce ↗Hispanic or Latino population - one of the fastest-growing demographics in the state
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020-2024 ACS ↗Compete RI is exploring how to support efforts that advance inclusive economic growth across Rhode Island. Learn more →
What to know about Rhode Island
Quonset Business Park & Electric Boat
Home to 260+ companies and 15,000+ jobs, Quonset generates over $7 billion in annual economic output. Electric Boat, the largest employer at the park, builds submarines for the U.S. Navy and is one of Rhode Island's largest private employers.
Quonset Development Corporation ↗Port of Galilee & Port of Davisville
Port of Galilee is one of the busiest commercial fishing ports on the East Coast. The Port of Davisville at Quonset is a top-10 North American auto importer. Together they are central to Rhode Island's blue economy and maritime workforce.
Quonset Development Corporation ↗Naval Station Newport
Home to the Naval War College and multiple Navy commands. Defense is a significant economic sector in Rhode Island, supporting thousands of jobs across the state.
Naval Station Newport ↗Second highest population density in the US
With 1,061 people per square mile, Rhode Island is the second most densely populated state in the country, behind New Jersey.
U.S. Census Bureau ↗Higher education
Brown University, URI, RISD, Roger Williams University, Providence College, Bryant University, Salve Regina, Johnson & Wales and more - all within a small state, within reasonable distance of one another.
RI Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner ↗New business registrations
14,929 new businesses registered in Rhode Island in 2025 - the highest number on record, up more than 10% from the prior year and about 40% higher than a decade ago.
RI Secretary of State / Providence Business News ↗What Rhode Island is focused on
Rhode Island's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, Ocean State Accelerates, identifies eight priority sectors. The strategy was developed through an extensive public engagement process and submitted to the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Blue Economy
Leveraging Rhode Island's 400+ miles of coastline, ports, maritime heritage, and ocean research assets to grow jobs in fisheries, aquaculture, offshore energy, and marine technology.
Food Systems
Building a stronger local food economy - from farms and fisheries to food businesses and distribution - as both an economic and resilience priority.
Workforce Development
Connecting Rhode Islanders to quality jobs and building the skilled workforce that employers across all sectors need to grow.
Housing
Addressing Rhode Island's housing shortage as an economic development imperative - workers need places to live, and communities need housing to grow.
Climate Resilience
Preparing Rhode Island's communities and infrastructure for climate impacts - and turning resilience investments into economic opportunity.
Innovation
Growing Rhode Island's R&D, biotech, defense tech, and AI capabilities - building on world-class universities and a growing startup ecosystem.
Infrastructure
Investing in transportation, broadband, water, and energy infrastructure as the foundation for economic competitiveness and community wellbeing.
Environmental Justice
Ensuring that the benefits of economic development and environmental investment reach every Rhode Island community - not just some of them.
Compete RI is an independent nonprofit. We were not involved in developing Ocean State Accelerates. We use it as our guide because we believe it reflects the right priorities for Rhode Island.