The town has the distinction of being the smallest by area (5.8 square miles) in the smallest state (1,214 square miles). Though at only 1.29 square miles (3.3 km), the city of Central Falls is Rhode Island's smallest municipality. Warren holds the title for smallest town (8.6 square miles) in the smallest county (45 square miles) of the smallest state. Despite its small footprint, North Providence has the eighth-highest population of Rhode Island's 39 cities and towns, and the second-highest of the state's towns after Coventry, Rhode Island's largest municipality by land area.
As of the census of 2000, there were 32,411 people, 14,351 households, and 8,538 families residing in the town. The population density was 5,720.2 people per square mile (2,207.0/km²). There were 14,867 housing units at an average density of 2,623.9/sq mi (1,012.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 82.98% White, 12.65% African American, 0.17% Native American, 5.85% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.58% from other races, and 1.76% from two or more races. 8.85% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 14,351 households out of which 22.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.5% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the town the population was spread out with 18.3% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 87.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $19,721, and the median income for a family was $31,655. Males had a median income of $16,624 versus $12,854 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,589. About 25.6% of families and 28.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.8% of those under age 18 and 28.7% of those age 65 or over.