Rhode Island was the 13th state to join the union on May 29, 1790. Providence is the state capital and its largest city.
Rhode Island is the smallest state in the U.S. and is bordered by the states of Connecticut and Massachusetts. It shares a maritime border with New York in the south, specifically near Block Island.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the estimated population of Rhode Island is 1,112,308 (July 2024 est.); it ranks as the 43rd most populous state.
Official Rhode Island State Facts and Symbols
Every state has their own unique symbols, from birds to flowers to songs and more! Here are some of Rhode Island’s official state symbols :
Nickname: The Ocean State
Bird: Rhode Island Red Chicken
Fish: Striped Bass
Flower: Violet
Tree: Red Maple
Song: “Rhode Island, It’s for Me”
Motto: “Hope”

Fun Facts about Rhode Island
Rhode Island is known as the sailing capital of the world.
Newport was the site of the first circus in the United States in 1774.
Newport is world-famous for its Gilded Age mansions, which once served as summer homes for America’s wealthiest families, like the Vanderbilts.
The U.S. Open, initially known as the U.S. National Lawn Tennis Championships, began in Newport, Rhode Island, specifically at the Newport Casino in 1881, which is now the location of the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Although it’s the smallest state at about 1,214 square miles, Rhode Island boasts 400 miles of coastline. You’re never more than 30 minutes from the water anywhere in the state.
Block Island, accessible by ferry, is a popular getaway spot featuring cliffs, beaches, and bike trails.
Famous people from the state include Viola Davis, Meredith Vieira and Debra Messing who all grew up in Rhode Island and R&B and soul musician Jeffrey Osborne who was born and raised in Providence.
NCP Panel Members in Rhode Island
Let’s learn about your fellow panel members in Rhode Island! Here’s how our Rhode Island panel members answered some of our state highlight survey questions.
How long have you been a panel member?
40% of survey respondents have been panel members for 15 years or more
16% have been panel members for less than a year
How long have you lived in your current state?
29% of respondents have lived in Rhode Island for over 15 years and 58% their entire life/born there.
Is the area you live rural, suburban, or urban?
18% live in rural areas
67% live in suburban areas
15% live in urban areas
Do you have children?
69% of respondents have children
Of those, 20% have children living in their home
Shopping Habits of NCP Panel Members in Rhode Island
We asked panel members questions about how, when, and where they shop, along with some other questions about their shopping habits. Do you think peoples’ shopping habits differ based on where they live?
Here’s what our panel members in Rhode Island had to say about their shopping habits:
When asked how they do most of their shopping, 55% of respondents said they do a combo of online and in-store shopping. 40% said they shop in-store only and 5% said they shop online only.
62% of respondents tend to shop at the same stores vs. 38% who said they shop at a variety of stores.
58% of respondents said they mostly stick to their list when shopping, but sometimes make impulse purchases.
70% of respondents said they shop alone, with another 26% shopping with a spouse or partner.
When it comes to choosing where to shop, 58% of the Rhode Island panel members who responded said they primarily shop at grocery stores and 27% at mass-merchandise retailers.
Price, convenience, and variety were the top factors that influence where they decide to shop. Most of our Rhode Island panel members said they shop 2 to 3 times a week for groceries and do most of their shopping on Wednesdays.
About 93% of survey respondents look for ways to save money while shopping, with digital coupons and joining a store’s loyalty program being the most popular options. They also use paper coupons, use the store sales flyer to plan their list, shop at multiple stores, and subscribe to store emails.
Convenience while shopping
Here’s what Rhode Island panel members had to say about different aspects of shopping:
78% never order groceries online to pick up at the store, while 22% sometimes do.
63% never order groceries online to be delivered, while 26% sometimes do.
When asked if weather influenced their choice between online and in-person shopping, 22% of respondents said weather doesn’t impact their decision, with 37% saying they prefer in-person shopping regardless of the weather.
When asked about self-checkout, 19% of respondents said they always use self-checkout, 39% indicated they frequently use it, 28% of respondents said they rarely use it, and 14% said they never use it.
Interests of NCP panel members in Rhode Island
When asked about the outdoors, 35% said they occasionally participate in outdoor recreational activities. The most popular outdoor activities were hiking/walking (90%), swimming, and cycling. Other activities panel members wrote in were gardening and sailing.
When asked which sports or events they follow, the top responses were football and baseball. Panel members also wrote in College basketball as a sport that they follow.
We also asked what “type” of place or tourist attraction would they recommend to people visiting their state/hometown. The most popular responses were beaches and coastal areas, restaurants/culinary places and local markets, historical and cultural museums, natural parks and reserves, and cultural events and local festivals.
When we asked what “specific” place or tourist attraction they would recommend in their state/hometown, here are some of their top recommendations:
Newport Mansions
Newport Cliff Walk
Narragansett
Historic Federal Hill in Providence
Roger Williams Park & Zoo
We hope you learned something new about Rhode Island! How do your shopping habits compare to panel members in Rhode Island?
Stay tuned for the next state spotlight on…South Carolina!
Join NCP!
If you’re not a NCP panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, go to the Join NCP section of the blog for more information.
Regards,
Taylor

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