We love extremes. We want to know the fastest animal, the largest animal, the most populous city, the most visited national park, and so on. When thinking about the United States, you might wonder which state is the smallest.
While Alaska is on the other end of the spectrum, Rhode Island is just a spec in the wilderness of the Last Frontier State. Let’s learn more about Rhode Island, its small size, and what it’s known for. Let’s dive in!
What Is the Smallest State In the United States?
Rhode Island, the smallest state in the U.S., is in the northeast. Massachusetts forms the northern and eastern borders. Connecticut is to the west, and the Atlantic Ocean forms the southern border. Providence, the capital city, is the most populous city, with almost 191,000 residents. It’s in the center of Rhode Island, and I-95 runs straight through the city.
It only takes about an hour to drive through Rhode Island along I-95. The highway runs through southern Connecticut and then veers northeast through Rhode Island into Massachusetts. There are less than 43 miles of I-95 in the Ocean State.
How Many Acres Is Rhode Island?
The land area of Rhode Island is just over 1,000 square miles, which is about 776,960 acres. It’s 48 miles long and 37 miles wide. About 1.1 million people live in this small northeastern state.
Rhode Island could fit into Texas about 221 times. Yellowstone National Park, which stretches 2.2 million acres, could include both Rhode Island and Delaware inside its boundaries. Delaware, the next smallest state after Rhode Island, covers about 2,500 square miles. Los Angeles County is over 800 square miles larger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined.
The small landlocked European country of Luxembourg is similarly sized to Rhode Island, covering 998 square miles. However, while Rhode Island’s population is over one million, the entire population of Luxembourg is less than 661,000.
HOT TIP
Speaking of the Ocean State, which coast offers the best camping? Find out more in “East Coast Versus West Coast: Who Has the Best Camping?“.
How Small Is Rhode Island Compared To Alaska?
Compared to other states, Rhode Island could fit into Alaska, the largest state in America, 425 times! Seven of Alaska’s eight national parks are exponentially larger than Rhode Island. Kenai Fjords National Park is the only Alaskan national park under a million acres. At 670,000 acres, this park is the only one smaller than Rhode Island.
How Many People Live In Rhode Island?
We mentioned that 1.1 million people call the Ocean State home. Even though Rhode Island is the smallest state, its population is higher than six other states. Delaware, South Dakota, North Dakota, Alaska, Vermont, and Wyoming all have fewer residents.
Wyoming is the least populated state in the U.S., with only about 583,000 people. Because of its size and high population, Rhode Island is the second-most densely populated state in the U.S., behind New Jersey.
What Is Rhode Island Known For?
Rhode Island earned its nickname of the Ocean State. Even with its small size, the state boasts about 400 miles of shoreline. The beaches, particularly Narragansett Beach, East Beach, and Scarborough North State Beach, are popular summer destinations.
The city of Newport is well-known for its Gilded Age mansions that were summer residences for wealthy Americans. The Vanderbilt family built the Breakers, one of the most famous estates in Newport. It has 70 rooms and 70,000 square feet.
Rhode Island is also home to St. Mary’s, Rhode Island’s oldest Roman Catholic parish was founded in 1828. The church is best known as the site of the wedding of Jacqueline Bouvier to John F. Kennedy.
Finally, you’ll find clams served all over Rhode Island, as clam harvesting is integral to the state’s economy. In addition, Rhode Island is known as “The Sailing Capital of the World” because of its history and tradition of sailing. You’ll find sailing schools, yacht clubs, and numerous events and races here.
Is Rhode Island An Expensive State To Live In?
Yes! Rhode Island is higher than average in overall cost of living. It’s in the top 20 most expensive states to live in. We’ve shared how Rhode Island is known for its mansions in Newport, its rich sailing history, and numerous yacht clubs. Clearly, Rhode Island is an upscale state with expensive tastes.
According to Forbes, Hawaii is the most expensive state to live in. Generally, the West and the Northeast regions have the most expensive states to live in. The average monthly housing cost in Rhode Island is $1,613, 11th in the country.
What Are the Next 5 Smallest States?
After Rhode Island, Delaware is the next smallest state in the U.S. It’s in the Mid-Atlantic region and borders Maryland, Pennsylvania, and the Atlantic Ocean. Connecticut is 48th in size, covering 5,543 square miles. It’s larger than both Rhode Island and Delaware.
The next smallest state is New Jersey, which forms the eastern border of Pennsylvania and the southeastern border of New York. It has 8,723 square miles of total area. New Hampshire, another northeastern state, is 46th in size with 9,349 square miles, and the 45th state is New Hampshire’s neighbor, Vermont. It’s the only landlocked state of the six smallest states in the U.S. It’s almost the same size as New Hampshire, covering 9,616 total square miles.
Why Are the Smallest States On the East Coast?
As you can see, all the smallest states are on the East Coast. In fact, Hawaii is the only state in the top ten smallest states that isn’t east of the Mississippi.
This region was settled first by Europeans, who established plantations. Many landowners were given land, which defined the colonies’ boundaries. In addition, the Appalachian Mountains formed a natural boundary, preventing the early settlements from expanding westward.
Explore the Ocean State On Your Trip To the Northeast
The beaches and luxurious mansions of Rhode Island draw tourists every summer. If you’re heading up I-95, don’t pass through the Ocean State without stopping. Although it might be the smallest state in the U.S., this northeastern coastal state has so much beauty and history.
Have you ever visited Rhode Island? What would you recommend other travelers to do when visiting?
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