Rhode Island is the smallest U.S. state by land area, covering approximately 1,034 square miles, yet it is home to 39 distinct municipalities, 8 cities, and 31 towns that form the backbone of all local governance across the state. Founded in 1636 by Roger Williams as a refuge for those seeking religious freedom after his exile from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Rhode Island became the last of the original thirteen colonies to join the Union, officially becoming the 13th state on May 29, 1790.
Unlike most states, Rhode Island does not have functioning county governments. Instead, all local governance is handled directly by its 39 municipalities, which operate under charters granting them home rule and local self-governance powers as outlined in Article XIII of the Rhode Island State Constitution. Municipalities in Rhode Island may adopt one of four forms of government:
- Council-Manager
- Mayor-Council
- Town Council-Town Meeting
- Administrator-Council
The key difference between cities and towns lies in their incorporation processes and governance styles. Cities tend to be more urbanized and operate under mayor-council charters, while towns often use town meetings or town councils for decision-making, reflecting a more direct democratic style. The complete list of cities and towns in Rhode Island below covers all 39 municipalities from Providence, the state’s capital and largest city, to New Shoreham, the smallest municipality by year-round population.
State Information Overview
| Category | Data |
|---|---|
| Total Municipalities | 39 |
| Number of Cities | 8 |
| Number of Towns | 31 |
| Largest City | Providence (Population approx. 190,934) |
| Smallest Municipality (Population) | New Shoreham (approx. 1,410 residents) |
| Largest Municipality (Area) | Coventry (approx. 59.05 square miles) |
| Smallest Municipality (Area) | Central Falls (approx. 1.20 square miles) |
Rhode Island’s Five Counties
Although Rhode Island’s 39 municipalities handle all local governance, the state is formally divided into five counties: Providence, Kent, Newport, Washington (also known as South County), and Bristol. These county boundaries exist for administrative, judicial, and statistical purposes — no elected county government operates within them. Understanding which county a municipality belongs to is useful for navigating regional services, court jurisdictions, school districts, and geographic context.
Providence County
Providence County is the largest county in Rhode Island by both area and population, containing 16 municipalities more than any other county in the state. It is home to well over half of Rhode Island’s total population, anchored by Providence, the state capital. The municipalities in Providence County are:
- Providence
- Cranston
- Pawtucket
- East Providence
- Woonsocket
- Central Falls
- North Providence
- Johnston
- Cumberland
- Lincoln
- Smithfield
- Burrillville
- North Smithfield
- Scituate
- Glocester
- Foster
Kent County
Kent County lies in the central part of the state and contains five municipalities:
- Warwick
- Coventry
- West Warwick
- East Greenwich
- West Greenwich
Warwick is Kent County’s most populous municipality and the second-largest city in Rhode Island. It is home to T.F. Green Airport, the state’s primary commercial airport and a major regional transportation hub serving southern New England.
Newport County
Newport County occupies the southeastern peninsula and the coastal islands off Rhode Island’s shore. It contains seven municipalities:
- Newport
- Middletown
- Portsmouth
- Tiverton
- Little Compton
- Jamestown
- New Shoreham
New Shoreham, located on Block Island, is the only island municipality in Rhode Island and the smallest in the state by year-round population. Newport, the county seat, is internationally renowned for its Gilded Age mansions, its naval history, and its legacy as a premier yachting destination.
Washington County
Washington County widely referred to as South County spans the southwestern portion of the state and includes eight municipalities:
- South Kingstown
- North Kingstown
- Narragansett
- Westerly
- Hopkinton
- Richmond
- Charlestown
- Exeter
Washington County is known for its Atlantic coastline beaches, particularly in Narragansett and Westerly, as well as its comparatively rural and small-town character relative to the urbanized Providence metro area.
Bristol County
Bristol County is the smallest county in Rhode Island and sits on a narrow peninsula between Narragansett Bay and Mount Hope Bay. It contains just three municipalities:
- Bristol
- Barrington
- Warren
Bristol is widely recognized for hosting the oldest continuous Independence Day parade in the United States, a tradition held annually since 1785.
Rhode Island Cities & Towns Ranked by Population
| Rank | City | Population 2026 | Type | Area Mi² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Providence | 196657 | City | 18.406 |
| 2 | Cranston | 85286 | City | 28.345 |
| 3 | Warwick | 83900 | City | 35.001 |
| 4 | Pawtucket | 77750 | City | 8.667 |
| 5 | East Providence | 48415 | City | 13.284 |
| 6 | Woonsocket | 45181 | City | 7.746 |
| 7 | Cumberland | 38593 | Town | 26.487 |
| 8 | Coventry | 36395 | Town | 59.062 |
| 9 | North Providence | 35613 | Town | 5.636 |
| 10 | South Kingstown | 32148 | Town | 56.37 |
| 11 | West Warwick | 31484 | Town | 7.832 |
| 12 | Johnston | 31135 | Town | 23.477 |
| 13 | North Kingstown | 28132 | Town | 43.17 |
| 14 | Lincoln | 24371 | Town | 18.074 |
| 15 | Newport | 24166 | City | 7.656 |
| 16 | Westerly | 23314 | Town | 29.469 |
| 17 | Central Falls | 23276 | City | 1.194 |
| 18 | Smithfield | 23047 | Town | 26.231 |
| 19 | Bristol | 21853 | Town | 9.789 |
| 20 | Burrillville | 17282 | Town | 54.915 |
| 21 | Portsmouth | 17215 | Town | 23.025 |
| 22 | Barrington | 16877 | Town | 8.185 |
| 23 | Middletown | 16610 | Town | 12.7 |
| 24 | Tiverton | 15698 | Town | 29.056 |
| 25 | East Greenwich | 14975 | Town | 16.376 |
| 26 | Narragansett | 14349 | Town | 13.865 |
| 27 | North Smithfield | 13229 | Town | 23.9 |
| 28 | Scituate | 11033 | Town | 48.134 |
| 29 | Warren | 10989 | Town | 6.158 |
| 30 | Glocester | 10934 | Town | 54.233 |
| 31 | Hopkinton | 8455 | Town | 43.006 |
| 32 | Richmond | 8136 | Town | 40.322 |
| 33 | Charlestown | 8052 | Town | 36.541 |
| 34 | West Greenwich | 6768 | Town | 50.297 |
| 35 | Exeter | 6516 | Town | 57.454 |
| 36 | Jamestown | 5480 | Town | 9.448 |
| 37 | Foster | 4746 | Town | 50.752 |
| 38 | Little Compton | 3531 | Town | 20.546 |
| 39 | New Shoreham | 1419 | Town | 9.082 |
Cities and Towns by Alphabetical Letter in Rhode Island
Cities in Rhode Island that start with B
- Barrington
- Bristol
- Burrillville
Cities in Rhode Island that start with C
- Central Falls
- Charlestown
- Coventry
- Cranston
- Cumberland
Cities in Rhode Island that start with E
- East Greenwich
- East Providence
- Exeter
Cities in Rhode Island that start with F
- Foster
Cities in Rhode Island that start with G
- Glocester
Cities in Rhode Island that start with H
- Hopkinton
Cities in Rhode Island that start with J
- Jamestown
- Johnston
Cities in Rhode Island that start with L
- Lincoln
- Little Compton
Cities in Rhode Island that start with M
- Middletown
Cities in Rhode Island that start with N
- Narragansett
- Newport
- New Shoreham
- North Kingstown
- North Providence
- North Smithfield
Cities in Rhode Island that start with P
- Pawtucket
- Portsmouth
- Providence
Cities in Rhode Island that start with R
- Richmond
Cities in Rhode Island that start with S
- Scituate
- Smithfield
- South Kingstown
Cities in Rhode Island that start with T
- Tiverton
Cities in Rhode Island that start with W
- Warren
- Warwick
- Westerly
- West Greenwich
- West Warwick
- Woonsocket
Note: Rhode Island has no towns in alphabetical order, beginning with the letters A, D, I, K, O, Q, U, V, X, Y, and Z.
Interactive Rhode Island Map
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cities and towns are in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has a total of 39 municipalities, made up of 8 cities and 31 towns. Unlike most U.S. states, Rhode Island does not have functioning county governments, so all local governance is administered directly at the municipal level. The 39 municipalities range in size from densely populated Providence to the island community of New Shoreham on Block Island.
What are the 8 cities in Rhode Island?
The 8 officially designated cities in Rhode Island are Central Falls, Cranston, East Providence, Newport, Pawtucket, Providence, Warwick, and Woonsocket. Cities in Rhode Island are distinguished from towns primarily by their form of government cities typically operate under a mayor-council charter, while towns use town councils or town meetings. Providence is the largest city and also serves as the state capital.
What is the largest city in Rhode Island?
Providence is the largest city in Rhode Island, with a population of approximately 190,934 according to the 2020 U.S. Census. It serves as both the state capital and the most densely populated municipality in the state. Providence is also a major educational hub, home to several renowned institutions including Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).
What is the smallest municipality in Rhode Island by population?
New Shoreham, located on Block Island, is the smallest municipality in Rhode Island by population, with approximately 1,410 year-round residents according to the 2020 U.S. Census. Despite its small permanent population, New Shoreham is a popular tourist destination, with summer visitors significantly swelling the island’s numbers each season. It is also the only municipality in Rhode Island that is entirely surrounded by water.
Does Rhode Island have county government?
Rhode Island does not have functioning county governments. While the state is divided into five counties, Providence, Kent, Newport, Washington, and Bristol, these county boundaries serve administrative, judicial, and statistical purposes only. All actual governance and local public services are provided by Rhode Island’s 39 individual municipalities.
What cities and towns are in Providence County, Rhode Island?
Providence County is the largest and most populous county in Rhode Island, containing 16 municipalities: Providence, Cranston, Pawtucket, East Providence, Woonsocket, Central Falls, North Providence, Johnston, Cumberland, Lincoln, Smithfield, Burrillville, North Smithfield, Scituate, Glocester, and Foster. Providence County is home to the state capital and the largest share of Rhode Island’s total population, making it the dominant political and economic center of the state.
When did Rhode Island become a state?
Rhode Island officially became the 13th state to join the United States on May 29, 1790, making it the last of the original thirteen colonies to ratify the U.S. Constitution. The colony was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, who established it as a sanctuary for religious freedom after being exiled from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Rhode Island also holds the distinction of being the first colony to declare independence from Britain, doing so on May 4, 1776.
What are the four forms of government used by Rhode Island municipalities?
Rhode Island municipalities may adopt one of four forms of government: Council-Manager, Mayor-Council, Town Council-Town Meeting, or Administrator-Council. The Council-Manager form separates political leadership from day-to-day administration, placing management in the hands of a professional city or town manager appointed by the council. The Town Council-Town Meeting form is the most traditional and reflects the direct democratic governance style historically common in New England communities.