Rhode Island Fast Facts:
Location, Location, Location…: Located in the New England region of the United States, Rhode Island is the smallest state by area. No resident in the state of Rhode Island is more than a thirty-minute drive from the water’s edge.
Cities: The capital and most important financial center of Rhode Island is Providence.
Behind the Name: Rhode Island is officially nicknamed the “Ocean State.” The smallest state of the union, Rhode Island also has the longest official name of any of the states -- “State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.”
A Closer Look: Rhode Island was the first of the original Thirteen Colonies to declare independence from British rule and the last to ratify the United States Constitution.
Did You Know? Despite its name, Rhode Island is in fact on the mainland.
Rhode Island Careers and Employment:
Population: 1,050,788 (0.2% increase since 2000) - 51.6% Female, 48.4% Male (2008 U.S. Census Bureau).
Business Environment: Ranked 45th in Forbes Magazine’s “Best States for Business,” 2008.
Top Industries: In terms of paid employees, according to a 2008 U.S. Census Bureau study: (1) health care and social assistance; (2) manufacturing; (3) retail trade; (4) accommodation and food services; and (5) construction.
Taxes: Income Tax, 25% federal tax liability and Sales Tax, 7% (Federation of Tax Administrators).
Cost of Living: 122.0 in relation to the “National Average” of 100 (Federal Cost of Living Index).
Quality of Life: Ranked 24th of 50 states by CNBC, 2009.
Weather: Average Temperature (In °F) – Jan: 29.10; Apr: 46.71; July: 71.09; Oct: 52.50 (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
K-12: Ranked 36th of 50 states in “Academic Achievement” by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2009.
Rhode Island Economics:
In General: While a majority of Rhode Island's residents are employed in the service industry, significant career opportunity exists in manufacturing (16%) and the military and government sector (13%) as well.
Service Industry: The leading service industry in Rhode Island is the finance, insurance and real estate group, as various large banking and insurance companies have major operations in Providence.
Agriculture: In terms of revenue generated, Rhode Island’s top five agricultural products are greenhouse and nursery products, sweet corn, dairy products, potatoes, and cattle and calves.
Manufacturing: As Rhode Island was one of the first states to industrialize, several of its major industries including metalworking and textile manufacturing date back to the 1800’s. Rhode Island is a leading jewelry producer with around 1,000 manufacturers, with costume jewelry holding a particular value.
Fishing: The Rhode Island fishing industry delivers a catch that includes a variety of fish, mollusks and shellfish, of which Lobster is the most valuable.
Did You Know? Let there be light: Rhode Island’s leading manufactured product is electrical equipment, which includes surge protectors, light bulbs and lighting fixtures.
Rhode Island Education:
Find Colleges and Universities in Rhode Island, here.
Sources: In addition to specific citations noted in this “Career Information” section, supplementary source materials include: the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service; Netstate.com; Education-Portal.com; USCollegeSearch.org; and Wikipedia.com.
