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The Commemorative Quarter for Rhode Island

The 2000 Census showed that Washington County had a population of 123,546 people. This represented 11.79% of the total population of Rhode Island, making it the state's 3rd most populous county (out of 5 counties).

From the Census Estimates for 2009<1>, Washington had a population of 126,925 people. This is an increase of 2.74% since the 2000 Census.

The following table shows the recent changes in population. Other than 2000, the population counts have been estimated by the Census Bureau.

YearPopulationChange
Since 2000		Year-to-Year Change
2010126,979+2.78% 
2009126,925+2.74% 
2008126,853+2.68% 
2007126,787+2.62%-0.24% since 2006
2006127,089+2.87%-0.45% since 2005
2005127,665+3.33%-0.38% since 2004
2004128,146+3.72%+0.27% since 2003
2003127,798+3.44%+0.81% since 2002
2002126,774+2.61%+1.22% since 2001
2001125,244+1.37%+1.37% since 2000
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2000123,546The Last Census

Washington County had 56,816 Housing Units<2> at the time of the 2000 Census.

The 2000 Census shows that Washington County has a total area<3> of 562 square miles [1,457 km²]. Of this total, 332.8 square miles [861 km²] of the area is land, with the balance (40.87%) being water (230 square miles [595 km²]).

Using the above population and land area values, Washington County had a population density of 371.3 people per square mile [143.4 people/km²], making it the state's 5th most densely populated county (out of 5 counties).

US Census QuickFacts

The Census Bureau has created documents containing demographic information that are called QuickFacts. A QuickFact that is specific to Washington County is available. The QuickFact also contains a comparison between Washington and the state of Rhode Island.

Click here for the Washington County QuickFact (QF-44009).

Below are some of the communities that are located in Washington County:

CommunityCensus
QuickFact		Population
(2009 Est)		Population
(2000 Census)		Change in
  Population
South KingstownQF-446746029,19527,9214.56%
North KingstownQF-445158026,65426,3261.25%
WesterlyQF-447700023,50022,9662.33%
NarragansettQF-444834016,49216,3610.8%
CharlestownQF-44145008,0817,8592.82%
HopkintonQF-44353808,0137,8362.26%
RichmondQF-44611607,6467,2225.87%
ExeterQF-44253006,3096,0454.37%

Below are the counties that adjoin and form the boundaries of Washington County. A link to their specific Census QuickFact has been provided.

CountyCensus
QuickFact		DirectionPopulation
(2009 Est.)		Population
(2000 Census)		Change in
Population
New London (CT)QF-09011   W266,830259,0882.99%
Windham (CT)QF-09015   NW117,518109,0917.72%
Dukes (MA)QF-25007   E15,97414,9876.59%
Suffolk (NY)QF-36103   SW1,518,4751,419,3696.98%
BristolQF-44001   NE49,54250,648-2.18%
KentQF-44003   N168,752167,0900.99%
NewportQF-44005   E80,30085,433-6.01%

Narragansett Bay lies to the northeast and the Atlantic Ocean lies to the south.

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U.S. Census Bureau
Census QuickFact for Washington County

Footnotes ...

<1>On a yearly basis, the US Census Bureau creates an estimate of the county's population. Keep in mind that this is an estimate and not an actual count. The last physical count was the 2000 Census and the next count will be for the 2010 Census.

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<2>A Housing Unit is a broad term for those places where people live (whether occupied or temporarily vacant), such as a house, an apartment, a mobile home, or an area that is considered as a separate living quarter. Separate living quarters (consisting of one or more rooms) are considered to be those places where people live, sleep and eat separately from others and that have access to the outside (either directly or by a shared hallway).

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<3>The area value has been supplied by the US Census Bureau and it can be different than the geographic boundaries of Washington. The value given by the Census Bureau reflects their statistical (or sampling) requirements.

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<4>All Quarter-dollar coin images from the United States Mint.

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