The Rhode Island Survey Initiative (RISI) is led by the University of Rhode Island’s Harrington School for Communication and Media; the Social Science Institute for Research, Education, and Policy; and the Department of Political Science. RISI receives additional support from the John Hazen White Sr. Center for Ethics and Public Service.
The third annual edition (2025) of the Rhode Island survey focuses mainly on housing, with additional questions on current events, policy, public trust, media usage, and more. The survey was administered by YouGov, an international internet-based market research and data analytics firm, from August 1st to August 18th, 2025. The survey has a representative sample size of 500 Rhode Island residents who are 18 years old or above.
Goals
- Fill a gap in statewide polling by creating consistent, wide-ranging opinion surveys focused on Rhode Island.
- Provide a tool for policymakers, media, academic researchers, and others interested in key issues affecting the Ocean State.
- Advance research related to media, communication, political science, and other social science disciplines.
- Give students opportunities to work alongside faculty experts to identify issues, craft survey questions, and analyze data.
Key Findings
Respondents were asked to select their top priorities for the governor and the general assembly*:
*Respondents could select up to three priorities.
Respondents’ Housing Allocation
“Not In My Backyard”
We asked respondents about their support for building different types of housing at three levels: statewide, in their town, and in their neighborhood. Support was strongest when the question was about Rhode Island as a whole—between 73% and 81% said they supported every type of housing we asked about at that level. But the numbers dropped sharply as housing got closer to home. For example, 42% said they would support new single-family, market-rate homes in their own neighborhood, while only 21% supported public housing and 17% supported homeless shelters nearby.
News
- Poll: 93% of Rhode Islanders say housing costs are a problem
- McKee leads – just barely – in hypothetical four-way primary race, according to new URI poll
Poll: 93% of Rhode Islanders agree housing costs are a problem, remain divided on solutions - URI Rhode Island Survey Initiative finds health care, housing, roads and bridges among top concerns.
Meet the Team
The Rhode Island Survey Initiative is led by an interdisciplinary team of faculty and students from multiple departments at URI. The team identifies key issues, formulates survey questions, and analyzes results.
Learn moreThe Rhode Island Survey Initiative is a collaboration between the Harrington School of Communication and Media; Social Science Institute for Research, Education, and Policy; Department of Political Science; John Hazen White Sr. Center for Ethics and Public Service; and College of Arts and Sciences.