Every year, the analysts at Rhode Island KIDS COUNT painstakingly search out and compile data about our state’s children from dozens of government agencies and breaks it all down by community, race, age and gender to help policy makers identify where children need the most support to thrive. The consistency and reliability of KIDS COUNT data has made their annual Rhode Island KIDS COUNT Factbook and other reports essential references for thousands of nonprofit leaders, legislators, state and municipal officials. KIDS COUNT also produces separate Community Snapshots for each city and town in the state. Here are some highlights from the 2024 Health, Safety and Economic Well-being data about Providence’s children.
40,021 Child population of Providence (as of the 2020 US Census).
2,136 Babies born in Providence in 2023.
28.3% Percent of Providence children living in families below the federal poverty threshold.
8.8% Percent of Providence babies with low birthweight (less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces), a key indicator of newborn health and future health risk.
7.7% Percent of all Rhode Island babies with low birthweight.
15.5 / 1,000 Rate of births per thousand to Providence teens, aged 15-19 over five years (2018-2022), compared to 8.9 per 1,000 for the whole state.
20.1% Percent of Providence women (2018-2022) who did not receive prenatal care before the second trimester of pregnancy. Delayed prenatal care is associated with low birthweights and higher infant mortality.
17,315 Number of Providence children receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
42% Percent of Providence children participating in the School Breakfast Program.
49% Percent of Providence children who are overweight or obese, up from 33% in 2019.
37% Percent of all Rhode Island children who are overweight or obese, up from 31% in 2019.
408 Number of confirmed claims of child neglect in Providence in 2023. More than a third of these were due to “lack of supervision,” related to the unavailability and excessive cost of childcare.
Sources: Rhode Island KIDS COUNT: Snaphot of Providence for 2024 and 2024 Rhode Island KIDS COUNT Factbook
Jonathan Howard is Co-founder of Cause & Effect, Inc., a consulting company that provides strategic planning facilitation, fund development planning and board strengthening to mission-driven organizations. He is a long- time resident of Providence.
