Providence, RI town hall & government
Providence spent $1.2 billion in the year to June 30, 2024, about $6,519 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Providence's government.
Who runs Providence
From public records (Open States and Wikidata), which can lag behind an election. If a name is out of date, tell us: when two neighbors agree, it's hidden until the records catch up.
Where Providence's money goes
Providence runs its own schools, so school spending is part of its budget. Comparisons are with other Rhode Island cities.
Where the money comes from
- From the state 32%
- Property taxes 29%
- From other local governments 11%
- Fees & charges 10%
- Utility sales 7%
- From the federal government 5%
- Interest, fines & other 4%
- Sales taxes 1%
- Other taxes & licenses 1%
Who works for Providence
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2025. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate. Providence didn't report its staffing to the Census Bureau, so these are the Bureau's estimates.
Providence School District
Providence's K–12 school district. The schools are run by Providence, so this money is part of the budget above.
Where the district's money comes from Rhode Island districts overall: 48% local, 40% state, 13% federal
- Local 23%
- State 53%
- Federal 24%
Of the $27,473 per pupil, $12,669 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.
What homeowners in Providence pay
The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Contact Providence's government
Who represents Providence
Providence is represented in Congress by Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Representatives Gabe Amo and Seth Magaziner. Dan McKee is governor.
Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.