Population 7,494 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Charles
Household size in Charles
| Period | Charles | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.33 | 2.53 | 2.52 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.56 | 2.54 | 2.52 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.58 | 2.53 | 2.53 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.62 | 2.49 | 2.49 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.29 | −0.05 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
At 2.62 people per household, Charles sits close to the national average of 2.65. The typical household here is bigger than in the wider Providence area, where it has 2.49 people. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.33, even as the national average fell.
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 Charles
| Period | Charles | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.8 | 39.5 | 39.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 34.9 | 40.5 | 40.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 38.4 | 41.4 | 41.4 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 34.4 | 41.7 | 41.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | −2.4 | +2.2 | +2.2 | +2.3 |
Charles is young: half of its residents are under 34.4, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults and children. Since 2006–10, the median age has dropped from 36.8, even as the national median rose.
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 Charles
| Period | Charles | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.3% | 12.5% | 12.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 14.3% | 12.4% | 12.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 15.2% | 11.9% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 16.3% | 12.1% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −5.1 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.7 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Charles: 16.3% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has fallen 5.1 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Charles
Renters in Charles
| Period | Charles | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 52.9% | 37.0% | 37.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 53.2% | 39.0% | 39.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 58.0% | 38.6% | 39.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 58.4% | 36.8% | 36.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +5.5 pts | −0.1 pts | −1.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Charles rent: 58.4% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 35.7% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has risen 5.5 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Charles
| Period | Charles | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.3% | 10.3% | 11.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.4% | 10.5% | 11.4% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 16.1% | 10.7% | 12.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 10.7% | 7.9% | 9.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.4 pts | −2.4 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Charles is close to the national rate: 10.7% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. The rate is higher than in the Providence area as a whole (7.9%). Vacancy has edged up 1.4 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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 Charles
| Period | Charles | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1946 | 1959 | 1957 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1945 | 1959 | 1958 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1948 | 1960 | 1959 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1951 | 1962 | 1961 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +3 | +4 | +6 |
Charles is a place of older homes: half were built before 1951, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The median year built has moved up from 1946 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the north, while the southeast has the oldest housing.
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 Charles
| Period | Charles | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $913 | $928 | $941 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $831 | $974 | $988 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $847 | $1,103 | $1,123 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,125 | $1,439 | $1,448 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$212 | +$511 | +$507 | +$606 |
Rent in Charles runs $1,125 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $212 a month since 2006–10, up 23%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 31.7% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Of Providence's 28 neighborhoods, only two have lower rents.
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 Charles
Bachelor's degrees in Charles
| Period | Charles | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.9% | 28.5% | 30.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.8% | 29.6% | 31.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.0% | 32.4% | 34.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 21.7% | 35.2% | 37.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.9 pts | +6.7 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Charles: 21.7% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 2.9 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the southwest and least in the southeast.
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 Charles
| Period | Charles | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 69.9% | 82.1% | 83.2% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 78.7% | 83.9% | 84.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 86.9% | 87.5% | 88.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 84.3% | 88.3% | 89.4% | 89.3% |
| Change | +14.4 pts | +6.2 pts | +6.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly one in six adults in Charles never finished high school, more than nationally: 84.3% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 14.4 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Charles
| Period | Charles | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.0% | 8.5% | 8.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.4% | 10.0% | 9.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.9% | 5.5% | 5.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.6% | 5.8% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.4 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Charles runs below the national rate: 4.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 5.4 points, mirroring the country. 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).
Charles compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles | 2.62 | 34.4 | 16.3% | 58.4% | 10.7% | 1951 | $1,125 | 21.7% | 84.3% | 4.6% |
| Wanskuck | 2.40 | 33.6 | 26.9% | 62.1% | 10.7% | 1956 | $1,481 | 25.6% | 76.4% | 11.0% |
| Hope | 1.92 | 42.3 | 9.9% | 42.5% | 8.8% | 1944 | $1,585 | 67.8% | 96.1% | 7.9% |
| Mount Hope | 1.98 | 36.3 | 6.7% | 67.4% | 8.4% | 1943 | $1,820 | 58.2% | 90.0% | 7.0% |
| Marieville | 2.58 | 44.6 | 11.4% | 31.1% | 5.3% | 1969 | $1,360 | 30.5% | 88.7% | 7.8% |
| Smith Hill | 2.22 | 37.8 | 6.3% | 74.7% | 13.6% | 1945 | $1,404 | 32.4% | 78.3% | 6.7% |
| Elmhurst | 2.64 | 36.4 | 12.5% | 34.0% | 17.7% | 1950 | $1,961 | 37.9% | 93.9% | 4.5% |
| Fairlawn | 2.58 | 36.7 | 14.7% | 30.9% | 5.3% | 1944 | $1,186 | 28.2% | 86.4% | 5.2% |
| Woodlawn | 2.59 | 35.8 | 21.3% | 66.3% | 10.9% | 1943 | $1,248 | 20.7% | 72.7% | 9.1% |
| Blackstone | 2.20 | 43.6 | 4.0% | 31.1% | 6.6% | 1941 | $1,881 | 83.6% | 97.3% | 3.7% |
| College Hill | 1.95 | 23.4 | 3.5% | 47.7% | 18.7% | 1939 | $2,272 | 81.9% | 98.1% | 8.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Pocono Country Place, Tobyhanna, PA · Menomonee River Hills, Milwaukee, WI · Black Rock, Bridgeport, CT · South Area, Wichita, KS · Clarkdale, Chicago, IL · Social, Woonsocket, RI · Guide Meridian, Bellingham, WA · East Grove, Escondido, CA · Midtown-San Jose, Palo Alto, CA · Midway, Henderson, NV
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 Charles. 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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