Earth Day Network
 Urban Environment Report: How Does Your City Perform?
 
CITY ENVIRONMENT DATA
Providence, Rhode Island
State Rhode Island
City Providence*
County1 Providence
City Population (2005)2 160,264 15.5% of state population
City Population Rank in United States, largest 50 Cities (2005) (Not Available)
City Population Rank in Urban Environment Report (2005) 61 (of 72 in EDN study)
City Population Rank in State (2005) 1
City Size Classification - Population Small
City Size Classification - Population Density High Density
State Capitol City Providence
State Population (2005)2 1,032,662
 
 
CIVIC LEADERSHIP INFORMATION
Mayor Name (as of 1/1/2007) David Cicilline
Mayor/City Website (as of 1/1/2007) http://www.providenceri.com/
Mayor/City Contact (as of 1/1/2007) 401-421-7740
Mayor Political Affiliation (as of 1/1/2007) Democrat
Next General Mayoral Election Tuesday, November 2, 2010
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as of 10/18/06  Yes
State Governor Name Don Carcieri
State/Governor Website http://www.info.ri.gov/
State/Governor Contact Information 401-273-5729
State/Governor Party Affiliation Republican
State Governor Current Term Ends January 1, 2011
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Note: All rank information is out of 72 cities, though not all may have reported in every category.
1 is the 'best' (least polluting, most tree cover, etc) and 72 is the 'worst'.
 

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
 
EDN VULNERABLE POPULATION INDEX (EDN VPI) 1.46    
Vulnerable Population Estimate 21.5%    
     Disability Status 23.1% 68  
     Emphysema 1.31% 60  
     Cardiovascular Disease 25.71% 60  
     Diabetes 5.43% 59  
     Pediatric Asthma 8.50% 23  
     Adult Asthma 10.22% 69  
     Adult Obesity 17.3%   4
     People Without Health Insurance 11.4%   11
     Age: Children under 5 years 7.3% 30  
     Age: 65 years and over 10.5% 33  
     Not Literate (Adult Level 1 Literacy) 30.0% 52  
     Adults without High School Degree (or higher) 34.2% 3  
     High School Drop-Out Rate 21.4% 66  
     Unemployed (Civilian Labor Force) 9.3% 52  
     Individuals Below Poverty 29.1% 71  
     Children (under 18 years old) Below Poverty 40.1% 71  
     Free or Reduced Lunch 75.4% 58  
     Other Languages Spoken at Home (primary language is not English) 43.0% 61  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
1 • TOXICS & WASTE     (metadata) (score) 2.4    
Overall Toxics Rank Average 17.6 (of 51) 13  
Cumulative Cancer-Causing Chemical Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 6,484,727 pounds   11
Cumulative Developmental Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 15,810,773 pounds 18
Cumulative Reproductive Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 624,511 pounds 11
Cumulative Suspected Neurological Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 48,821,958 pounds 9
Cumulative Suspected Respiratory Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 42,617,925 pounds 9
Dioxin Releases by State (grams in 2000) 0.0 grams 1
Number of Superfund Sites in County 7 sites 64  
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, tons per person (1997) 0.929 tons per person 17
Recycling Rate (1997) 23.0% 30
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Generated by State (2004) 1,363,576 tons 8
Municipal Solid Waste Generated Per Capita by State, tons/person (2004) 1.3 tons/person 24
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 170,021 tons 41
% Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 12.5% 38
% Municipal Solid Waste to Waste-to-Energy (2004) 0.2% 32
% Change in Municipal Solid Waste Generated (1997 to 2004) 39.9% 33
% Change in State Recycling Rate (1997 to 2004) -45.7% 42
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
2 • AIR QUALITY     (metadata) (score)    2.3***    
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Released, Tons in 2002 0 tons   1
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Released, Tons in 2002 400 tons   3
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Released, Tons in 2002 2,025,100 tons   3
Mercury Released, Pounds in 2002 0.0 pounds   1
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2001-2003) 8.3 days 40  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2001 - 2003) 2.8 PM2.5 41  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2001 - 2003) 11.6 PM2.5 25  
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2002 - 2004) 5.2 days 33  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2002 - 2004) 2.5 PM2.5 43  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2002 - 2004) 12.6 PM2.5 34  
EPA Ambient Carbon Monoxide (CO) (8-hr ppm) 2 ppm 5  
EPA Ambient Lead (PB) Q Max (ug/m3) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Mean Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 ppm) 0.019 ppm 36  
EPA Larger Particle (PM10) 24-hr (ug/m3) 25 ug/m3 22  
EPA Mean Ambient Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 ppm) 0.006 ppm 38  
EPA Days over 100 AQI (Warning Level) 10 days 23  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
3 • DRINKING & SURFACE WATER     (metadata) (score)    1.2***    
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Tap Water Quality & Compliance Grade (Not Available) ---  
Right to Know Report, What's in your Tap Water Grade (Not Available) ---  
Drinking Water Source Protection Grade (Not Available) ---  
WATERSHED & RESOURCES
Watershed Name Narragansett ---  
# of Units in Watershed 326 units 6  
# of Assessed Watershed Units 242 units 5  
# of Threatened & Impaired Watershed Units 104 units 57  
% of Watershed Units Assessed as Impaired or Threatened 43.0% 12  
% of Watershed Units Not Assessed 25.8% 38  
U.S. Census Annual Rainfall, inches (1961-1990) 45.53 inches 13  
Water Area Total, square miles 186 square miles 69  
Water Area Inland, square miles 186 square miles 67  
Water Area Coastal, square miles 18 square miles 34  
Water Area Great Lakes, square miles 0 square miles 10  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Station Providence ---  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Length of record in years 45 years 51  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Annual 125 days 15  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Station Providence ---  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Length of record in years 45 years 53  
Snow & Ice Pellets, Annual inches (thru 1998) 35.9 inches 18  
WATER WITHDRAWN
Water Withdrawn - Total, gallons/day 411,000,000 gallons/day 69  
Fresh Water Withdrawn - Per capita, gallons/day 138,000,000 gallons/day 71  
Ground water, gallons/day 27,000,000 gallons/day 71  
Surface water, gallons/day 383,000,000 gallons/day 68  
Irrigation, gallons/day 23,000,000 gallons/day 64  
Public Supply, gallons/day 121,000,000 gallons/day 65  
Industrial, gallons/day 7,300,000 gallons/day 71  
Thermo-Electric, gallons/day 275,000,000 gallons/day 54  
Fresh Water Consumption, gallons/day 19,000,000 gallons/day 71  
WATER POLLUTION
Water Supplier Providence Water Dept. ---  
Number of People Served by Water Supplier 578,015 people 34  
Year(s) Included in Summary 2002-2003 ---  
Total Contaminants Detected 0 contaminants 1  
Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected 0 contaminants 1  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected 0 contaminants 1  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Industrial Pollutants Detected 0 contaminants 1  
Industrial Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected 0 contaminants 1  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected 0 contaminants 1  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
WATER HEALTH & TESTING SUMMARY
Contaminants in Tap Water 0 contaminants 1  
Contaminants in Tap Water, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Contaminants Reported as Tested by this Water Supplier 63 contaminants 55  
Contaminants with Federal Legal Limit in Tap Water 73 contaminants ---  
Regulated Contaminants Tested 49 contaminants 57  
Unregulated Contaminants Tested 14 contaminants 42  
WATER VIOLATION SUMMARY
Total Violations 0 violations 1  
Health Violations 0 violations 1  
Monitoring Violations 0 violations 1  
Reporting Violations 0 violations 1  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
4 • QUALITY OF LIFE (SITES4)     (metadata) (score)    3.2***    
DENSITY & SPRAWL
Population Density, people per square mile of land area 9,401.7 people per square mile 8  
Housing Density, units per square mile of land area 3,677.7 housing units per square mile 10  
TRANSPORTATION
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2000) 20.2 minutes 18  
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2004) 20.2 minutes 21  
Means of Transportation - % Carpool (2000) 15.4% 20  
Means of Transportation - % Public (2000) 7.3% 24  
Means of Transportation - % Walk or Bike (2000) 13.2% 4  
Means of Transportation - % Work @ Home (2000) 2.5% 45  
Cost of Living: Transportation, % of National Average 117.0 64  
Motor Vehicle Registrations per 100 Residents (2003) 78.1 MV registrations   14
% Change in Motor Vehicle Registrations (1980 to 2003) 29.4%   10
Motor Vehicle Registrations - Autos Only per 100 Residents (2003) 78.1 MV registrations   44
Motor Vehicle Registrations per Licensed Driver (2003) 1.10 MV registrations   13
Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 6,415 miles   4
Total State Highway Mileage, Estimated % of Land Area (2003) 1.395%   50
Urban Highway Mileage, % of Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 81.0%   3
Total Highway Mileage per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.01 miles   8
Total Highway Mileage per Motor Vehicle Registration (2003) 7.96 miles   8
State $ Disbursements for Highways (2003) $299,000,000   1
State $ Disbursements for Highways, per highway mile (2003) $46,610 per mile   40
% Change in State Disbursements for Highways (1995 to 2003) 3.1%   1
Annual Person Hours of Delay, per person (2003) 18.0 hours per person 19  
Annual Congestion Cost, $ per person (2003) $295 per person 19  
Annual Congestion Delay and Fuel Cost (2003) $363,000,000 24  
Fuel Wasted, gallons per person (2003) 9 gallons per person 12  
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT
Median Household Income (2004) $26,867 69  
Median Household Income (2000) $26,867 69  
Per capita income (2004) $15,525 69  
Per capita Personal Income (2000) $15,525 66  
% of Families Below Poverty Level (2004) 23.9% 66  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (1999) 29.1% 72  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (2004) 29.1% 71  
% of Households with Public Assistance Income (2000) 10.2% 68  
% of Children Under 18 Years Old Below Poverty Level (1999) 40.1% 71  
People In the Labor Force, Unemployed (2005) 7,241 people 13  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 6.0% 45  
% of the Civilian Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 9.3% 52  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2000) 5.4% 51  
% of the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000) 9.3% 55  
% Change in the Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 10.3% 22  
% Change in the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 0.0% 18  
State Minimum Wage Laws (2006) Higher Than Federal ---  
State Minimum Wage Rates (2006) $7.10 per hour 8  
EDUCATION
 
# of School Age Kids K-12 (ages 5 to 17) 32,670 kids (3.2% of total pop.) 59  
Largest School District Enrollment 26,937 kids (2.6% of total pop.) 58  
% on Free or Reduced Lunch 75.4% 58  
Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) Graduation Rate 78.6% 4  
Level of Education: % with High School Degree or Higher (2004) 65.8% 70  
Level of Education: % with Bachelor's Degree or Higher (2004) 24.4% 50  
Adult Level 1 Literacy Rate 30% 52  
State School Bus Efficiency (2002) Middle of the Road   ---
State School Bus Soot Pollution Grade C   ---
State School Bus Cleanup Program Rank (2006) Average   ---
State School Bus Smog Pollution Rank (2006) Average   ---
HOUSING & COST OF LIVING
Occupied Housing Units (2004) 62,389 units 61  
% of Owner Occupied Housing 65.4% 3  
Cost of Living: Housing 116.8 46  
Cost of Living: Utilities 111.8 47  
Cost of Living: Miscellaneous 105.2 55  
Cost of Living: Overall 114.4 51  
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Voter Turnout in the Election of November 2004 59.10%   36
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2002 Election 46.50%   37
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2004 Election 58.00%   23
State Volunteering Rate: 2002-2005 Combined 24.6%   46
SAFETY/SECURITY
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 6,483.5 incidents per 100,000 people 38  
Violent Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 611.0 incidents per 100,000 people 21  
Property Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 5,872.5 incidents per 100,000 people 43  
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2003) 7,051.3 incidents per 100,000 people 43  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
5 • PARKS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES     (metadata) (score)    5.0***    
Average # of Parks, per square mile (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Average Area Dedicated to Parks, per city square mile (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Park Area per 1000 Residents, acres (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Parkland as % of City Area (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Adjusted Park Spending, per resident (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Total City Tree Canopy % 6% 43  
Total City Urbanized Area % 80.8% 60  
Park Programs to Assist Low-Income Park Users (Not Available) ---  
Disability Advisory Committees (Not Available) ---  
Collection of Data on Crime in Parks (Not Available) ---  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
6 • HUMAN & PUBLIC HEALTH     (metadata) (score) 2.9    
Pediatric Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.50% 23
Adult Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 10.22% 69
Chronic Bronchitis, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 3.23% 60
Emphysema, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 1.31% 60
Cardiovascular Disease, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 25.71% 60
Diabetes, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 5.43% 59  
% of Adults with Obesity (2001) 17.3% 4
Change in % of Adults with Obesity (1991-2001) 8.2% 21
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1992 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1992) 10%-14% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1997) 10%-14% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (2003) 15%-19% ---
% of Adults Lacking Healthcare Insurance, ages 18 - 65 (2001) 9.0% 10
Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 7.0% 25
Number of Cancer Deaths per 100,000 people (2002) 198.0 27
Cost of Living: Health 137.7 65  
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2003-04 Average) 10.5% 6
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2004-05 Average) 11.4% 11
Rate of Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 8.6% 47
Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 0.8% 44
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farms 13 farms 21
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farmers' Markets 23 markets 16
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Restaurants 2 restaurants 19
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Groceries 1 grocery store 40
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Other 4 other sources 16
Cost of Living: Food 112.4 60
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Men (1999-2003) 82.4% 53
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Women (1999-2003) 43.0% 43
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
7 • GLOBAL WARMING CLIMATE CHANGE     (metadata) (score) 2.8    
Mini-Kyoto Participant, US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (as of 10/18/06) Yes ---
Number of State and Local Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Programs 0 programs   32
Net Metering Net Metering Offered by only one or more Individual Utilities   ---
Net Metering Residential Size Limit 25 kW   21
Net Metering Commercial Size Limit 25 kW   28
Completed Climate Action Plans Completed State Climate Action Plan   ---
Regional Initiatives Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Inventories Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Registries Yes   ---
States with Public Benefit Funds Funds support Energy Effeciency & Renewable Energy   ---
States with Renewable Portfolio Standards 16%   8
Date set for Renewable Portfolio Standards 2009   2
States with Green Pricing Programs None   ---
States with Renewable Energy Credit Tracking Systems Yes   ---
States with Mandates and Incentives Promoting Ethanol Exercises Tax credit/exemption and/or grant supporting ethanol use   ---
States with Residential Energy Codes No Residential Energy Codes   ---
States with Commercial Energy Codes5 1999 ASHRAE or Later (ECPA Compliant)   ---
Green Building Standards for State Buildings None   ---
ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Participant (US CCP) No ---
% of State Generation that is from Renewable sources (2003) 1.9%   40
Average percentage of possible sunshine thru 1998: Length of record (years) 42 years 49
Average percentage of Possible Sunshine: Annual 55% 37
Annual Average wind speed, m.p.h. 10.4 mph 17
January Average wind speed, m.p.h. 11.1mph 13
July Average wind speed, m.p.h. 9.4 mph 12
Heating Degree Days 5,884 days 43
Cooling Degree Days 606 days 13
Average Relative Humidity (%), Length of record (years) 35 years 39
Annual Morning Average Relative Humidity (%) 75% 13
Annual Afternoon Average Relative Humidity (%) 55% 17
Elevation, feet 7 feet 3
 
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
BACKGROUND INFORMATION      
SIZE & CLASSIFICATION
City Population (2005)2 160,264 61 (of 72 in EDN study) 15.5% of state population
City Population (2000) 173,618 61 (of 72 in EDN study)  
State Population (2005)2 1,032,662 43 (of 51 in EDN study)  
General Region New England ---  
EPA Region 1 ---  
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
City Land Area, square miles 18.0 square miles 69 0.3% of state land area
State Land Area, square miles 1,045 square miles 50  
Watershed Name Narragansett ---  
Elevation, feet 7 ft. (2.1 m) 35  
Average Daily Temperature - January 28.7°F (-1.8°C) 53
Average Daily Temperature - July 73.3°F (22.9°C) 20  
DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY
Median Age 28.1 years 29  
18 years and older, % of population (2004) 73.9% 40  
65 years and older, % of population (2004) 10.5% 38  
Under 5 years of age 12,607 kids (7.3% of total pop.) 61  
One Race-White % (2005) 49.6% 51  
One Race - Non-white % (2005) 50.4% 22  
Hispanic or Latino, of any race % (2005) 37.4% 12  
% of Population who Speak a non-English Language at Home (2004) 43.0% 12  
Largest School District Name Providence School District ---  
 
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1 Use of the * within the County field indicates the city is in multiple counties. Typically the county for which the city serves as a county seat was selected.
2 Use of the * within the Population Rank Indicates year 2000 data was used since year 2004 data was not available.
3 Scores in parenthesis indicate partial scores, e.g. at least one scored indicator was not available or reported for this city.
4 SITES is an acronym developed by EDN as a summary for the 'Safety, Income, Transportation, Education and Sprawl' Topic.
 
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© 2006 Earth Day Network