Narragansett, Rhode Island

Narragansett, Rhode Island
Town

The Towers in Narragansett

Location of Narragansett in Washington County, Rhode Island
Coordinates: 41°26′4″N 71°27′45″W / 41.43444°N 71.46250°W / 41.43444; -71.46250
Country United States
State Rhode Island
County Washington
Area
 • Total 37.8 sq mi (97.8 km2)
 • Land 14.1 sq mi (36.6 km2)
 • Water 23.6 sq mi (61.2 km2)
Elevation 20 ft (6 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 15,868
 • Density 1,125.4/sq mi (433.6/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes 02874 (Saunderstown), 02882 (Narragansett)
Area code(s) 401
FIPS code 44-48340[1]
Website www.narragansettri.gov

Narragansett is a town in Washington County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 15,868 at the 2010 census. However, during the summer months the town's population more than doubles to near 34,000.[2] The town is colloquially known as "Gansett". The town of Narragansett occupies a narrow strip of land running along the eastern bank of the Pettaquamscutt River to the shore of Narragansett Bay. It was separated from South Kingstown in 1888, and incorporated as a town in 1901.

For geographic and demographic information on the village of Narragansett Pier, which is part of Narragansett, see the article Narragansett Pier.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 37.8 square miles (98 km2), of which, 14.1 square miles (37 km2) of it is land and 23.6 square miles (61 km2) of it (62.56%) is water.

The following villages and neighborhoods are wholly or partially located in Narragansett: Saunderstown (shared with North Kingstown), South Ferry, Bonnet Shores, Narragansett Pier, Point Judith, Galilee, Great Island, Salt Pond, Mettatuxet, and Jerusalem (shared with South Kingstown).

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
18901,408—
19001,5238.2%
19101,250−17.9%
1920993−20.6%
19301,25826.7%
19401,56024.0%
19502,28846.7%
19603,44450.5%
19707,138107.3%
198012,08869.3%
199014,98524.0%
200016,3619.2%
201015,868−3.0%
Est. 201515,650[3]−1.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[4][5]

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 16,361 people, 6,846 households, and 3,847 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,156.5 people per square mile (446.4/km²). There were 9,159 housing units at an average density of 647.4 per square mile (249.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.84% White, 0.75% African American, 0.90% Native American, 0.76% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 1.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.25% of the population.

There were 6,846 households out of which 22.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.8% were non-families. Of all households 27.2% were made up of individuals and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the town, the population was spread out with 17.3% under the age of 18, 19.6% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $50,363, and the median income for a family was $67,571. Males had a median income of $45,436 versus $31,759 for females. The per capita income for the town was $28,194. About 4.9% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.4% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.In 2010, Narragansett was estimated to have 2,743 people in poverty. Out of the 2,743 in poverty, college students represented 71% of that group. In comparison, statewide college students make up only 13.7 percent of the total population in poverty. This large college factor, in a relatively small community has a profound impact on the overall poverty rate.[2]

From September through May the town is home to many students from the University of Rhode Island located in nearby Kingston.

Recreation

Scarborough State Beach
Waves crashing on a rock in the Atlantic Ocean, visible from the Seawall of Narragansett.

Narragansett is known for its summer recreation and beaches.[6] Fishermen's Memorial State Park, located near Galilee, contains a former military fort (Fort Greene) and a campground.

Three beaches in Narragansett that are most famous are:

Education

Narragansett operates its own pre-K through 12 educational system with three schools: Narragansett Elementary School, Narragansett Pier Middle School, and Narragansett High School. The Narragansett High School principal, Mr. Daniel F. Warner, was voted the 2008 Principal of the Year. The South County Museum is located within the town. The Narragansett Bay Campus of the University of Rhode Island is located in Narragansett.

Economy

Top employers

According to Narragansett's 2012 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[10] the top employers in the city are:

# Employer # of Employees
1 Town of Narragansett 448
2 University of Rhode Island Narragansett Bay Campus 245
3 Stop & Shop 225
4 The Dunes Club 180
5 VNS Home Health Service 150
6 Environmental Protection Agency 160
7 DeWal Industries 120
8 George's of Galilee 100
9 National Marine Fisheries Service 70

Places of worship

National Register of Historic Places

The Towers, which pass over Ocean Road along Rhode Island Sound, is Narragansett's most famous landmark.

Thirteen different buildings and districts in Narragansett are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:[11]

Notable people

Cultural allusions

References

  1. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  2. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  4. ↑ Snow, Edwin M. (1867). Report upon the Census of Rhode Island 1865. Providence, RI: Providence Press Company.
  5. ↑
  6. ↑ Narragansett Town Beach
  7. ↑ Roger Wheeler State Beach
  8. ↑ Salty Brine State Beach
  9. ↑ Town of Narragansett CAFR
  10. ↑ National Park Service (2007-01-23). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  11. ↑ Duguay, Rob (8 December 2015). "Interview: Now Christmas collaborators, Aimee Mann and Ted Leo find common musical ground". Vanyaland. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Narragansett.
Adjacent places of Narragansett, Rhode Island
 North Kingstown
South Kingtown Newport via Narragansett Bay
   Narragansett  
Atlantic Ocean

Coordinates: 41°27′00″N 71°26′58″W / 41.45000°N 71.44944°W / 41.45000; -71.44944

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