Rhode Island Almanac: State Facts and Figures

Browse the state's symbols; state animal, state bird, state flower, state flag, state fossil, state insect, state motto, state seal, state tree, color, dance, fish, mammal, music, nut, reptile seal, and miscellaneous designations, emblems, and mascot of each state with pictures. Find origin of the state name. View the state almanacs, state timelines and peruse state facts and stats such as the capitol, location, and date admitted to the union.

Rhode Island Almanac

Official Name

Rhode Island

Capital

Providence

Nick Name

Little Rhody, Ocean State

Motto

Hope

Location & Region

41.82195 N, 071.41973 W

Northeast

Constitution Ratified

1846

Statehood

May 29, 1790

13th state

Population

1,048,319

1,003.18 sq mi.

43rd

Largest City
(by population)

Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket, East Providence

Bordering States

Connecticut - Massachusetts Coastline: 40 mi.

Number of Counties

5 Counties in Rhode Island

Largest County
(by population)

Providence County

621,602

413 sq mi.

Time Zone

Eastern Standard Time

Rhode Island Climate and Weather

Rhode Island weather is erratic and hard to predict. Temperatures, rainfall, even changes in foliage don't seem to like regularity. In general, the bay and coastal areas are cooler in summer and warmer in winter compared with the inland regions. At all times of year, the weather will probably change every two or three days, though it does go through extended wet and dry spells during some years.

June temperatures tend to be in the 53-76 F/12-24 C range. There are some 90+ F/32+ C days, mostly in the cities and inland in July, but the afternoon sea breeze keeps most summer highs in the low 80s F/27 C. Wet days can seem chilly. September and October are generally clear, with highs in the mid 60s to mid 70s F/17-23 C. Peak leaf peeping usually occurs around Columbus Day, or slightly after.) Winter is wet, sometimes snowy, sometimes icy and chilly (18 to 37 F/-8 to -3 C).

Highest Temperature

104 degrees
August 2, 1975

Lowest Temperature

-25 degrees
February 5, 1996 - Greene

Avg Temp: High - Low

81.7 degrees

20 degrees

Rhode Island Highest, Lowest, and Mean Elevations (Feet)

Mean Elevation

200

Highest Point

Jerimoth Hill