Population 21,758 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in ZIP 02879
Household size in ZIP 02879
| Period | ZIP 02879 | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.40 | 2.53 | 2.52 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.46 | 2.54 | 2.52 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.44 | 2.53 | 2.53 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.28 | 2.49 | 2.49 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.12 | −0.05 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
ZIP 02879 is a place of small households, averaging 2.28 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.40, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the north and smallest in the east.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in ZIP 02879
| Period | ZIP 02879 | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.0 | 39.5 | 39.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 46.0 | 40.5 | 40.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 47.3 | 41.4 | 41.4 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 48.8 | 41.7 | 41.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.8 | +2.2 | +2.2 | +2.3 |
ZIP 02879 skews older: half of its residents are older than 48.8, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has climbed from 44.0 in 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in ZIP 02879
| Period | ZIP 02879 | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.3% | 12.5% | 12.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.5% | 12.4% | 12.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.6% | 11.9% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.5% | 12.1% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.8 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.7 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 5.5% of households in ZIP 02879, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 0.8 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. ZIP 02879 has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five Rhode Island ZIP codes.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in ZIP 02879
Renters in ZIP 02879
| Period | ZIP 02879 | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.3% | 37.0% | 37.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 25.6% | 39.0% | 39.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 26.8% | 38.6% | 39.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 24.8% | 36.8% | 36.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.5 pts | −0.1 pts | −1.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
About a quarter of households in ZIP 02879 rent their homes (24.8%), below the national share of 34.8%; the rest own. Among homeowners, 40.3% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. Renting is most common in the east and least common in the southwest.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in ZIP 02879
| Period | ZIP 02879 | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.2% | 10.3% | 11.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.8% | 10.5% | 11.4% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.5% | 10.7% | 12.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.8% | 7.9% | 9.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.3 pts | −2.4 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in ZIP 02879: 14.8% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 2.3 points, mirroring the country.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in ZIP 02879
| Period | ZIP 02879 | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1975 | 1959 | 1957 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1975 | 1959 | 1958 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1976 | 1960 | 1959 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1977 | 1962 | 1961 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +3 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in ZIP 02879 are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1977, versus 1980 nationally. Homes here are newer than in the wider Providence area, where the median home dates to 1962. ZIP 02879 has newer homes than the great majority of Rhode Island ZIP codes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in ZIP 02879
| Period | ZIP 02879 | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $950 | $928 | $941 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $887 | $974 | $988 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,299 | $1,103 | $1,123 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,360 | $1,439 | $1,448 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$410 | +$511 | +$507 | +$606 |
A typical rental in ZIP 02879 costs $1,360 a month with utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $410 a month since 2006–10, up 43%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 34.1% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Rents run highest in the east and lowest in the center.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in ZIP 02879
Bachelor's degrees in ZIP 02879
| Period | ZIP 02879 | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 52.1% | 28.5% | 30.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 52.7% | 29.6% | 31.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 55.9% | 32.4% | 34.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 61.6% | 35.2% | 37.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +9.5 pts | +6.7 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
ZIP 02879 is highly educated: about six in ten adults 25 and older (61.6%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 9.5 points, mirroring the country. ZIP 02879 has a higher share of college graduates than the great majority of Rhode Island ZIP codes.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in ZIP 02879
| Period | ZIP 02879 | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 94.1% | 82.1% | 83.2% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 94.4% | 83.9% | 84.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.7% | 87.5% | 88.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.2% | 88.3% | 89.4% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.2 pts | +6.2 pts | +6.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in ZIP 02879: 96.2% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 2.2 points, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in ZIP 02879
| Period | ZIP 02879 | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.1% | 8.5% | 8.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.8% | 10.0% | 9.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.9% | 5.5% | 5.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.2% | 5.8% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.1 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.2%, unemployment in ZIP 02879 is close to the national rate of 5.4%. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
ZIP 02879 compared with nearby ZIP codes
| ZIP code | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZIP 02879 | 2.28 | 48.8 | 5.5% | 24.8% | 14.8% | 1977 | $1,360 | 61.6% | 96.2% | 5.2% |
| ZIP 02882 | 2.30 | 46.0 | 6.6% | 29.9% | 34.6% | 1975 | $1,970 | 64.5% | 97.5% | 6.5% |
| ZIP 02881 | 2.36 | 22.9 | 14.8% | 34.8% | 29.1% | 1981 | $907 | 70.9% | 97.8% | 9.7% |
| ZIP 02836 | 2.89 | 43.5 | 14.3% | 4.6% | 7.8% | 1983 | $1,580 | 50.1% | 97.6% | 2.4% |
| ZIP 02874 | 2.68 | 46.1 | 8.7% | 10.6% | 15.1% | 1977 | $1,922 | 63.5% | 97.8% | 2.8% |
| ZIP 02875 | 2.89 | 43.5 | 14.3% | 4.6% | 7.8% | 1983 | $1,580 | 50.1% | 97.6% | 2.4% |
| ZIP 02892 | 2.86 | 45.4 | 10.0% | 6.0% | 6.0% | 1986 | $1,908 | 51.0% | 98.0% | 5.2% |
| ZIP 02877 | 2.95 | 42.7 | 4.0% | 9.8% | 3.3% | 1985 | $1,393 | 50.5% | 99.6% | 2.1% |
| ZIP 02813 | 2.27 | 54.1 | 5.6% | 8.1% | 30.1% | 1978 | $1,464 | 41.3% | 95.6% | 4.6% |
| ZIP 02812 | 2.87 | 40.6 | 13.4% | 5.6% | 9.3% | 1979 | $1,580 | 49.7% | 98.2% | 2.1% |
| ZIP 02835 | 2.18 | 56.3 | 1.6% | 14.2% | 18.8% | 1964 | $1,868 | 70.8% | 98.5% | 4.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Zip codes with similar populations: 92225, CA · 82070, WY · 37857, TN · 19073, PA · 92582, CA · 31558, GA · 60450, IL · 48813, MI · 53092, WI · 70380, LA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up ZIP 02879. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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