Rhode Island Facts for Kids

A Map of the U.S. state Rhode Island
  • U.S. State: Rhode Island
  • Abbreviation: RI
  • Joined the USA: May 29th, 1790 (13th State)
  • Located: Northeastern United States
  • Capital City: Providence, RI
  • Most Populated City: Providence, RI

33 Rhode Island Facts for Kids

  1. Rhode Island is a state in the United States of America.
  2. Rhode Island is in the northeastern region of the United States.
  3. Rhode Island became a U.S. state on Saturday, May 29th, 1790.
  4. Rhode Island was the 13th state to join the United States.
  5. The U.S. state of Rhode Island covers 1,214 square miles.
  6. Rhode Island is the smallest state by area in the United States.
  7. In 2019, the population of Rhode Island was estimated to be 1,059,000 residents by the U.S. Census Bureau.
  8. In 2019, Rhode Island was the 45th most populated state in the United States.
  9. A person who is from or lives in Rhode Island is called a Rhode Islander or a Rhodian.
  10. The capital city of Rhode Island is Providence.
  11. The four largest cities in Rhode Island are Providence, Warwick, Cranston and Pawtucket.
  12. The largest city in by population in Rhode Island is Providence.
  13. The largest metropolitan area in Rhode Island is the Greater Providence.
  14. The U.S. state of Rhode Island has 5 counties.
  15. The most populated county in Rhode Island is Providence County with 638,931 residents (2019, U.S. Census Bureau).
  16. The largest county by area in Rhode Island is Providence County with 409 square miles.
  17. The highest elevation point in Rhode Island is Jerimoth Hill at 812 feet above sea level.
  18. The lowest elevation point in Rhode Island is the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean at sea level.
  19. The average precipitation (rain and snow) in Rhode Island is 49.9 inches.
  20. Rhode Island is the 9th wettest state by precipitation (rain and snow) in the United States.
  21. The average temperature in Rhode Island is 49.2 °F.
  22. Rhode Island is the 33rd warmest state in the United States.
  23. The warmest temperature ever recorded in Rhode Island was 104 °F on August 2nd, 1975.
  24. The coldest temperature ever recorded in Rhode Island was -28 °F on January 17th, 1942.
  25. A few natural disasters that can affect Rhode Island are hurricanes, ice storms and nor’easters.
  26. Rhode Island is in one time zone, Eastern Time Zone (ET).
  27. The USPS abbreviation for Rhode Island is RI.
  28. Rhode Island is also known as the Ocean State and the Little Rhody.
  29. The motto for the U.S. state of Rhode Island is “Hope”.
  30. The official state fish of Rhode Island is the striped bass (Morone saxatilis).
  31. The official state bird of Rhode Island is the Rhode Island red hen.
  32. The official state flower of Rhode Island is the violet (Viola).
  33. The official state tree of Rhode Island is the red maple (Acer rubrum).

Additional Resources on Rhode Island