Former warehouses and mill buildings in Olneyville were home to a number of artist collectives including Fort Thunder in the 1990s.

As of the 2010 US Census, the racial and ethnic breakdown of Olneyville was 61% Hispanic; 16% White; 13% Black or African American; 4% Asian; 6% Other.

[4] Of Olneyville's households, 41% report not owning a car (US Census 2000)[4] Only 3% of total births were less than 2500 g, one of the best rates in Providence (2007 RI Department of Health, KIDSNET data).

[4] Of total births, 88% from 2006 to 2008 were to mothers with public insurance, which is one of the highest rates in Providence (1997–2008 RI Department of Health, KIDSNET data).

The Wilbury Theatre Group moved to its new space in Olneyville in the summer of 2017, where they perform a season of new and established plays.

[6] The Manton Avenue Project,[7] a play writing program for young people, has been based in Olneyville since 2004.

[citation needed] Messer Street Grounds was home to the Providence Grays baseball team of the National League from 1878 to 1885.