USDA eligibility map: Rhode Island
About 72.9% of Rhode Island's area is in USDA-eligible rural areas, by HeritageDeed's estimate from USDA Rural Development's published eligibility map, the 48th highest share among the 50 states, DC and Puerto Rico. 0 of 5 counties have no ineligible area at all. 11 Census places in Rhode Island lie mostly inside ineligible areas, including Warwick city, Cranston city, Newport city and Westerly CDP.
Check a Rhode Island address
USDA eligible area by county
The share of each county's area that is USDA eligible, and the places (cities, towns and census-designated places) at least half inside ineligible areas. These are estimates; check any single property with the lookup.
| county | Area eligible | Mostly ineligible places |
|---|---|---|
| Bristol County | 0.2% | None mostly inside; part of the area is ineligible |
| Kent County | 51.3% | Warwick city |
| Newport County | 80.9% | Newport city, Newport East CDP |
| Providence County | 70.2% | Cranston city, Providence city, East Providence city, Pawtucket city, Woonsocket city, Valley Falls CDP, Central Falls city |
| Washington County | 90.5% | Westerly CDP |
How USDA decides what is rural
The rural-area definition is section 520 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490): open country and places not part of or associated with an urban area with up to 2,500 people, up to 10,000 if rural in character, or up to 20,000 outside a metropolitan statistical area with a serious lack of mortgage credit for lower and moderate-income families. Areas that lost rural status in the 1990 to 2020 censuses stay rural until 2030 census data arrive if they have 10,000 to 35,000 people and meet the same conditions. Income is a separate test, applied to the household by the lender and USDA.
For other address-level designations in Rhode Island, the free census tract lookup shows the income level and QCT and DDA status, and Rhode Island has 25 designated Opportunity Zone tracts (Opportunity Zone lookup).
Questions
Is Rhode Island eligible for USDA loans?
Much of it is. About 72.9% of the state's area is outside USDA's ineligible areas (297 of about 1,096 square miles are ineligible). 0 counties are entirely eligible. Most people live in the larger towns, which are often ineligible, so check the specific address.
Which Rhode Island counties have the least USDA eligible area?
Bristol County (0.2% eligible), Kent County (51.3% eligible), Providence County (70.2% eligible), Newport County (80.9% eligible), Washington County (90.5% eligible). The share is of land area, by HeritageDeed's estimate from USDA's map; eligibility is decided for each property.
Which Rhode Island towns are not eligible for USDA loans?
Places USDA's map shows as mostly inside an ineligible area include Warwick city, Cranston city, Newport city and Westerly CDP. The county table on this page lists every place that is mostly ineligible. Edges matter: part of a town, or land just outside it, can be on the other side of the line, so check the address.
How do I check a Rhode Island address for USDA eligibility?
Enter the street address in the lookup on this page. It locates the address and checks it against USDA's published rural eligibility map. It is a screening: Rural Development makes the final determination on a complete application, and household income is a separate test (USDA's income eligibility tool).
When was the USDA eligibility map for Rhode Island last updated?
The ineligible areas on USDA's map for Rhode Island carry an effective date of July 25, 2023. USDA updates the map from ineligible-area changes sent in by its state offices. The statute keeps formerly rural areas of 10,000 to 35,000 people rural until data from the 2030 census arrive, if they still meet its conditions.
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Legal references
- 42 U.S.C. 1490, definition of rural area (Housing Act of 1949, section 520)
Areas are computed by HeritageDeed: estimates, not USDA figures. USDA's map is not a final determination; Rural Development decides on a complete application. HeritageDeed is not affiliated with USDA.
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