The People
The population of Rhode Island in 2000 was 1,048,319—an increase of 44,855, or 4.5 per cent, since 1990. Rhode Island is the second most densely populated state, with 1,003.2 persons per square mile (387.4 per km2)—nearly 14 times the density of the United States as a whole. Whites made up 85 per cent of the population and blacks, 4.5 per cent. People of Hispanic origin accounted for 8.7 per cent of the population.
| Annual events in Rhode Island | |||
| January-June | |||
| New Year's Day Plunge swimming events in Newport, Wickford, and Jamestown (January); Providence Boat Show (January); Newport Winter Festival (February); Rhode Island Spring Flower and Garden Show in Providence (February); Irish Heritage Month in Newport (March); May Breakfasts, statewide (May); Festival of Historic Houses in Providence (June); Gaspee Days in Warwick (May-June); Sunset Music Festival in Newport (June-July). | |||
| July-August | |||
| Bristol Fourth of July Parade (July 4); Wickford Art Festival (July); Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport (July); Newport Music Festival (July); Black Ships Festival in Newport (July); Charlestown Chamber Seafood Festival (August); JVC Jazz Festival in Newport (August). | |||
| September-December | |||
| Dragon Boat Races in Pawtucket (September); Providence Waterfront Festival (September); Scituate Art Festival (October); Autumnfest in Woonsocket (October); Christmas at the Newport Mansions (December). | |||
