Kent, county, west-central Rhode Island, U.S., lying between Connecticut to the west and Narragansett Bay to the east. The Pawtuxet River flows through the county’s northeastern corner. The county was created in 1750 and named for Kent, Eng. There is no county seat, but the principal towns are Coventry, West Warwick, and East Greenwich. Principal economic activities are wholesale trade and the manufacture of chemicals and wiring devices. Area 170 square miles (440 square km). Pop. (2000) 167,090; (2010) 166,158.