Welcome to Rhode Island
Your life in the Peace Garden State begins
Welcome to Rhode Island
When it comes to square feet, Rhode Island is the smallest state in the U.S. But this tiny state, also known as “Little Rhody,” has a lot going on. It’s also known as the “The Ocean State,” because of its large bays and inlets. And if you need a break from the sea, go play in the woods; over 50% of the state is covered in forests. Founded in 1636, Rhode Island is rich in the history of our nation’s beginnings, and there are plenty of museums and historic sites to learn and explore.
Rhode Island Self-Storage Facts
Rhode Island isn't necessarily the biggest market for the self-storage industry, which is home to just 84 out of 45,547 self-storage facilities in the United States. This makes sense given the state's relatively flat population growth, as self-storage facilities tend to cater towards people that are in the midst of some sort of move from one home to another. However a recent surge in self-storage development nationwide has led to some additional self-storage development in the state of Rhode Island where residents are moving around the most. The state has a remarkably low square footage of self-storage per capita at 3.2 square feet of self-storage space per person. Compare that to the national average of self-storage space per person: 5.4 square feet per capita.
Below are some figures that provide a snapshot of the self-storage industry in Rhode Island:
Below are some statistics that provide an overview of the self-storage industry in Rhode Island:
84
Rhode Island is home to an estimated 84 self-storage facilities.
3,376,255
Rhode Island self-storage facilities cover 3,376,255 square feet of storage space.
3.2
Rhode Island storage facilities offer 3.2 square feet of storage per person, which is lower than the national average of 5.4 square feet per person.
Reasons to Move to Rhode Island
Thinking about making the move to North Dakota for good? Here are 10 reasons you'll love the Peace Garden State.
1
Lighthouses. Rhode Island is home to nearly 20 different lighthouses that have been keeping ships safe for centuries. And if you want to be the lighthouse keeper for a night or two, check out Rose Island Lighthouse in Newport.
2
Bird watching. In the fall at Block Island, over 70 rare species of birds stop during their southern migration. But if you can’t make it off shore, there are plenty of beautiful birds all over the state.
3
Bike friendly. Rhode Island has several bike paths 10-30 miles long that are removed from cars, so you can safely bike your heart out.
4
Family friendly farms. Pet some alpacas, pick some apples, or go on a winter-land hayride full of twinkly lights. Whatever strikes your fancy, Rhode Island’s farms provide lots of fun activities.
5
The Ocean State. The name doesn’t lie. Rhode Island has over 400 miles of coastline and is a really popular spot for surfing and sailing.
6
Great universities. Little Rhody is home to the famous Brown University and one of the best art schools in the country, RISD (Rhode Island School of Design).
7
Historic sites. Rhode Island is one of the original 13 colonies, founded in 1636. Many of the structures are still standing and open to the public.
8
Location. If you’re feeling cooped up, don’t worry. Rhode Island is close to major cities, including Boston and NYC.
9
Great seafood. Of course this New England state has delicious seafood, it’s coastal! No matter your budget, you have your choice of inexpensive quick window service or sit down water view spots, and some of the best oysters in the world!
10
Coffee and donuts. Providence, Rhode Island has more coffee and donut shops per capita of any city in the nation. Come get some!
Moving to Rhode Island
Rhode Island has a population of 1.06 million residents, making it the 44th most populated state and the second most densely populated state in the country. There has been a slight decrease in population in the last few years, mostly because of the aging population. The state’s dense population also slows down growth, due to the limited capacity for newcomers. It’s projected that the population will continue to decrease before it increases. People move to Rhode Island because it’s easy to get around and there are many activities to engage in, making it a great place to retire. One possible reason people are leaving is to find new jobs, but this is also a reason people are moving there.
Rhode Island Economic Outlook
In 2018, Rhode Island’s Real Gross Domestic Product was $53.6 billion, ranking it the 46th best GDP in the nation. As of September 2019, Rhode Island’s unemployment rate is at 3.6%, on par with the national average. Rhode Island’s economic growth has outpaced the nation’s economic growth over the past 40 years. A sudden drop in available jobs caused analysts to forecast a downward trend, but the data shows that Rhode Island’s employment is predicted to rise 5.9% to 550,700 jobs within the next seven years.
Below is a breakdown of Rhode Island’s Real GDP by sector:
Who are Rhode Island's Largest Employers?
Places to live in Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s total land area adds up to 1,045 square miles, making it the smallest state in the nation. Little Rhody is only 37 miles wide and 48 miles long. The state’s average elevation is 200 feet. Jerimoth Hill is the state’s highest natural point, sitting at 812 feet in height. Rhode island’s neighbors include Massachusetts to the northeast, Connecticut to the west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south.
Providence
Rhode Island’s capital city was founded in 1636, and it is the most populated city in the state with 179,335 residents.. The city is one of the largest centers for jewelry and silverware design manufacturing.
Cranston
Cranston is the second largest city in Rhode Island with a population of 81,274 residents. Money Magazine named Cranston of the “100 Best Places to Live” in 2006.
Warwick
Warwick is the third largest city in the state of Rhode Island with 80,847 residents. The city has a rich history and claims to be the location of the first act of armed aggression towards the British before the American Revolution began.