New Data on Aging in Rhode Island Reveals Key Challenges and Opportunities

May 9, 2025

The 2025 Rhode Island Healthy Aging Data Report is here—and it offers a powerful tool to understand how older adults across every city and town in Rhode Island are faring when it comes to health, longevity, and community well-being. With more than 25% of Rhode Islanders now over the age of 60, and 18% aged 65+, the report arrives at a critical moment to guide planning, investments, and action.

What Is the Healthy Aging Data Report?

Developed by the Gerontology Institute at UMass Boston and funded by the Point32Health Foundation, the report provides detailed Community Profiles for all 39 cities and towns (plus two Providence neighborhoods), interactive maps, and more than 170 indicators of health and well-being.

It is an essential resource for residents, policymakers, nonprofit leaders, and health professionals looking to strengthen community supports for aging. Explore the data here: healthyagingdatareports.org

2025 Rhode Island Healthy Aging Data Report: What You Need to Know

Rhode Island’s older adult population is growing fast—now making up over 25% of the state’s residents—and it’s becoming more diverse, younger, and more educated. The just-released Healthy Aging Data Report offers powerful insight into how older adults are faring in every city and town across the state.

A few key findings:

  • Rhode Island has the highest rates in New England for high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, and multiple chronic conditions.

  • More than 1 in 3 older adults have been diagnosed or treated for depression.

  • Communities like Central Falls and Woonsocket face significantly worse health outcomes than the state average, while places like Jamestown and South Kingstown report better-than-average indicators.

The report highlights serious disparities—by geography, gender, and race—but also momentum, with more cities joining the AARP Age-Friendly movement and the state continuing to invest in aging initiatives.

View your community’s data or explore statewide trends:https://healthyagingdatareports.org/ri/rhode-island-healthy-aging-data-report/