Rhode Island Information and Facts

Official Website: http://www.state.ri.us/

Income

The population of Rhode Island in 2002 was 1,068,326. Its rank was 43rd in the nation. (The District of Columbia is included for ranking purposes.)

Per Capita Personal Income

In 2002 Rhode Island had a per capita personal income of $30,859. This per capita personal income ranked 18th in the United States and was 100 percent of the national average, $30,906. The 2002 per capita personal income reflected an increase of 2.5 percent from 2001. The 2001-2002 national change was 1.2 percent. In 1992 the per capita personal income of Rhode Island was $20,867 and ranked 19th in the United States. The 1992-2002 average annual growth rate of per capita personal income was 4.0 percent. The average annual growth rate for the nation was 4.0 percent.

Total Personal Income

In 2002 Rhode Island had a total personal income of $32,967,147. This total personal income ranked 43rd in the United States. In 1992 the total personal income of Rhode Island was $21,129,162 and ranked 42nd in the United States. The 2002 total personal income reflected an increase of 3.4 percent from 2001. The 2001-2002 national change was 2.3 percent. The 1992-2002 average annual growth rate of total personal income was 4.5 percent. The average annual growth rate for the nation was 5.2 percent.

Components of Personal Income

Total personal income includes net earnings by place of residence; dividends, interest, and rent; and total personal current transfer receipts received by the residents of Rhode Island. In 2002 net earnings accounted for 64.9 percent of total personal income (compared with 64.2 in 1992); dividends, interest, and rent were 17.3 percent (compared with 18.5 in 1992); and personal current transfer receipts were 17.8 percent (compared with 17.3 in 1992). From 2001 to 2002 net earnings increased 3.5 percent; dividends, interest, and rent increased 0.5 percent; and personal current transfer receipts increased 6.2 percent. From 1992 to 2002 net earnings increased on average 4.7 percent each year; dividends, interest, and rent increased on average 3.9 percent; and personal current transfer receipts increased on average 4.9 percent.

Employment Earnings

Earnings of persons employed in Rhode Island increased from $22,108,049 in 2001 to $23,024,035 in 2002, an increase of 4.1 percent. The 2001-2002 national change was 1.5 percent. The average annual growth rate from the 1992 estimate of $14,696,011 to the 2002 estimate was 4.6 percent. The average annual growth rate for the nation was 5.3 percent.

Area - Rhode Island covers an area of only 3188 sq km (1231 sq mi), including 435 sq km (168 sq mi) of inland water and 44 sq km (18 sq mi) of coastal water over which it has jurisdiction. Roughly rectangular in shape, its maximum extent east to west is 64 km (40 mi), while the distance from its northern border to the southern edge of Block Island is 98 km (61 mi). The mean elevation is about 60 m (about 200 ft).

Climate - Rhode Island has a humid continental climate, but the extremes of winter cold and summer heat usually associated with this type of climate are moderated in Rhode Island by the Atlantic Ocean and Narragansett Bay. At Warwick, near the center of the state, the January mean temperature is -2° C (28° F) and the July mean is 27° C (73° F). Along the northern state line, the January mean temperature is about 1° C (about 2° F) colder than in Warwick in January. Along the ocean coast, the January mean temperature is -1° C (30° F). Warm season temperatures are also influenced by the ocean and bay, so temperatures are usually cooler along the coast than in the interior. The difference tends to be greatest in spring and early summer. Winter temperatures in Rhode Island are usually above -7° C (20° F), but temperatures colder by about 10° C (about 20° F) have been recorded in all locations of the state. Days with temperatures in the mid-30°s C (lower 90°s F) are infrequent. Rhode Island has a relatively wet climate, with precipitation rather evenly distributed throughout the year. Average annual precipitation for Providence and vicinity is about 1140 mm (about 45 in). Amounts are slightly less in the southeast and slightly greater in the northwest. Annual snowfall averages about 890 mm (35 in), but actual totals in any given year can vary widely. Because of the moderating effects of the bay and ocean, snowfall is generally much less in the southern part of the state than in the interior. In the summer months there are occasional thunderstorms, which tend to be of limited severity. Hail is infrequent. Hurricanes occur with a frequency of about every 10 to 15 years. The most severe hurricane of the 20th century occurred in 1938, resulting in 262 deaths and extensive property damage. High winds often accompany winter storms.

State Flag

State Flower - Violet

State Capitol - Providence
Rhode Island's present state constitution went into effect in 1843. Before that time the state was governed under the royal charter issued in 1663 by King Charles II of England. The state constitution now contains more than 50 amendments. Proposed amendments must initially be approved by a majority of the elected membership of both houses. To be adopted, they must then win the approval of a majority of the voters in a general election. Amendments may also be proposed by a constitutional convention.

Famous People

Bobby Hackett trumpeter, Providence
Dana C. Munro educator, historian
David Hartman TV newscaster, Pawtucket
Eddie Dowling actor, stage producer, Woonscocket
Galway Kinnell poet, Providence
George M. Cohan actor, dramatist, Providence
Gilbert Stuart painter, North Kingstown
H. P. Lovecraft author, Providence
Harry Anderson actor, Newport
Ida Lewis lighthouse keeper, Newport
Irving R. Levine news correspondent, Pawtucket
Jabez Gorham silversmith, Providence
Jemima Wilkinson religious leader, Cumberland
Leonard Woodcock labor union official, Providence
Matthew C. Perry naval officer, Newport
Nelson Eddy baritone, actor, Providence
Oliver Hazard Perry naval officer, South Kingstown
Peter Farrelly writer, director, Cumberland
Robert Gray sea captain, Tiverton
Ruth Hussey actress, Providence
Spalding Gray writer, performance artist, Barrington v Stephen Wilcox inventor, Westerly
Thomas H. Ince film producer, Newport
Van Johnson actor, Newport