| City: | Prudence Island, Rhode Island |
| City Alias: | Prudence Isl |
| County: | Bristol County |
| Timezone: | Eastern (GMT -05:00) |
| Local Time: | 7:55:05 PM |
| Population: | 231 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 401 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 41.6226, -71.3347 |
| Land Area: | 5.948 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Prudence Island sits in the middle of Narragansett Bay, a 5.6-square-mile community in Bristol County, Rhode Island. This is vacation country. Of 456 homes, 320 sit vacant most of the year, waiting for summer owners to arrive. That's 70% seasonal occupancy, making Prudence Island one of Rhode Island's most vacation-driven communities.
The island's 231 year-round residents skew older, with a median age of 59.4 years. Many are retirees who've chosen island life. Median household income sits at $132,969, well above Rhode Island's average, and median home values reach $293,600. About 36% of adults hold bachelor's degrees. It's an educated, affluent, and aging population.
Mail arrives by rural carrier route to individual homes across the island's 37 named streets. Street names like Narragansett Avenue, Broadway, and Beach Road give the island a small-town coastal feel. Others, like Roger Williams Lane and Governor Paine Road, nod to Rhode Island's colonial history. Despite having a PO Box classification from USPS, Prudence Island maintains active street delivery. Only 3 PO Boxes serve the entire island, with most residents receiving mail at home addresses.
This isn't a PO Box Only Zone. Alternative mail service exists. The Community Post Office (facility code C) handles island mail, but carrier routes bring letters and packages directly to doors. The island's compact size and established road network make street delivery practical year-round, even when the seasonal population swells in summer months.
Street names blend coastal character (Beach, Bay, Atlantic) with Rhode Island colonial history (Roger Williams, Governor Paine).
ZIP Code 02872 has 231 residents and 116 households (average 1.99 persons per household). The median age is 59.4 years, significantly older than the state (40.5) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 52.4% male and 47.6% female, which is higher than the state male share (48.5%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (92.6%, much higher than the state average of 71.3% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Black or African American (1.7%, much lower than the national average of 12.4%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 1.3%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More: Population Over Time By Age & Gender By Race By Gender Nativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 231Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 156Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 38.8 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $131,875Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 116Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $597,200Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 1.99Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 3.21Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 79 | 105 | 184 | 259 | 234 | 239 | 298 | 278 | 244 | 204 | 128 | 98 | 105 | 156 |
| Decennial Census | 218 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 231 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 59.4
Male Median Age: 60.1
Female Median Age: 57.7
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 14 | 8 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 5 | 4 |
| Female | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 18 | 11 | 13 | 7 | 15 | 1 | 3 |
| Total | 6 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 2 | 16 | 15 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 28 | 6 | 7 |
| White: | 214 | 95.54% |
| Black: | 4 | 1.79% |
| Hispanic:* | 3 | 1.34% |
| Asian: | 0 | 0% |
| American Indian: | 0 | 0% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 3 | 1.34% |
| Total: | 224 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 121 | 52.38% | 60.1 years |
| Females: | 110 | 47.62% | 57.7 years |
| Total: | 231 | 100% | 59.4 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 146 | 93.59% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 10 | 6.41% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Population: | 156 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 156 | 100.00% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0.00% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $131,875, which is far above the national median ($78,538), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $131,875. Family households earn a median of $138,750 versus $0 for nonfamily households (a difference of $138,750). By gender, male median income is $0 and female is $0, which is considerably lower than the national female median ($53,445), with a current gap of $0 that has stayed about the same from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 25.0%, which is far less than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 0.0%, which is markedly below the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (48.7%).
Explore More: Income Over Time Household Income Employment Status By Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $115,074 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $32,024 | $0 | $41,985 | $0 | $0 | $132,969 | $131,875 |
| Median Family Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $115,539 | $0 | $118,177 | $120,677 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $168,333 | $138,750 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $30,446 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $106,417 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $50,170 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $61,364 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $18,828 | $20,682 | $20,682 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Employed: | 39 | 25.00% |
| Unemployed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 117 | 75.00% |
| Total: | 156 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 19 | 48.72% |
| Service: | 6 | 15.38% |
| Sales and Office: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 6 | 15.38% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 8 | 20.51% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 39 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $597,200, which is much higher than the national median ($303,400), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $307,500. The median gross rent is $0, which is well under the national median ($1,348), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. Of occupied housing, owners make up 100.00% (23.08% with a mortgage, 76.92% free-and-clear) and renters 0.00% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 77.52%, which is markedly above the national rate (10.43%).
Explore More: Compare Home Value Home Value Over Time Rent & Over Time Housing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $0 | $0 | $0 | $227,700 | $227,800 | $229,700 | $230,600 | $277,400 | $289,700 | $291,000 | $419,800 | $410,700 | $293,600 | $597,200 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0% |
| $500 to $999: | 0 | 0% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 0 | 0% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 0 | 0% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 0 | 0% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0% |
| No Rent: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 0 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 18 | 23.08% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 60 | 76.92% |
| Renter Occupied: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 78 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 78 | 22.48% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 269 | 77.52% |
| Total Housing Units: | 347 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 347 | 100.00% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Other Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 347 | 100% |
In 2024, 74.40% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far higher than the national rate (35.00%). High school or higher is 100.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.60%). Private coverage is 92.30%, which is well above the national rate (67.30%). Public coverage is 80.80%, which is far higher than the national rate (36.30%). The share of people in poverty is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.70%). Poverty has been broadly stable, which may reflect structural barriers or offsetting gains and setbacks. Insufficient data for school enrollment.
Explore More: Educational Attainment Health Insurance Poverty Over Time School Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 0 | 0.00% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 25 | 16.03% |
| Some college, no degree: | 8 | 5.13% |
| Associate's degree: | 7 | 4.49% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 65 | 41.67% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 51 | 32.69% |
| Total: | 156 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 156 | 100.00% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 116 | 74.36% |
| Private Insurance: | 144 | 53.33% |
| Public Insurance: | 126 | 46.67% |
| No Insurance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 270 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 270 | 100.00% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 0 | 0% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 0 | 0% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0% |
| College or graduate school: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 0 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 0 | 0% |
ZIP Code 02872 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 9 business establishments, employing about 35 people with an annual payroll of $1,066,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 1,115Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 9Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $260,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $1,066,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 35Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 02872 is located in Bristol County, Rhode Island, within the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 39300) and Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 1,600,852 people, about 0.01% of whom live in ZIP Code 02872. It covers 5.948 sq mi of land and a water area of 4.121 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Providence-Warwick, RI-MASource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 39300Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 1,600,852Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 5.948 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 4.121 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 01Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 268.49 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | --Source: Census |
| Place Name: | --Source: Census |
We could not locate which school district 02872 belongs to, but we will update this once new district data is released. There are no public schools nor private schools with a mailing address in this ZIP Code. Listing Nearby schools instead. It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on February 1, 2026.