Narragansett, Rhode Island
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Narragansett is a
town A town is a type of a human settlement, generally larger than a village but smaller than a city. The criteria for distinguishing a town vary globally, often depending on factors such as population size, economic character, administrative stat ...
in Washington County,
Rhode Island Rhode Island ( ) is a state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Connecticut to its west; Massachusetts to its north and east; and the Atlantic Ocean to its south via Rhode Island Sound and Block Is ...
, United States. The population was 14,532 at the 2020 census. However, during the summer months the town's population more than doubles to near 34,000. The town of Narragansett occupies a narrow strip of land running along the eastern bank of the Pettaquamscutt River (aka Narrow River) to the shore of Narragansett Bay on the
Atlantic Ocean The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest of the world's five borders of the oceans, oceanic divisions, with an area of about . It covers approximately 17% of Earth#Surface, Earth's surface and about 24% of its water surface area. During the ...
. It was separated from South Kingstown in 1888 and incorporated as a town in 1901. With several ocean beaches and a walkable strip along the ocean front, Narragansett is a resort area in the summer season as well as a popular East Coast surfing spot due to frequent southerly swells from Atlantic Ocean. For geographic and demographic information on the village of Narragansett Pier, which is part of Narragansett, see the article on Narragansett Pier.


Geography

According to the
United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...
, the town has a total area of , of which is land and (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 Jerusalem is a city in the Southern Levant, on a plateau in the Judaean Mountains between the Mediterranean Sea, Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. It is one of the List of oldest continuously inhabited cities, oldest cities in the world, and ...
(shared with South Kingstown).


Climate

Narragansett is located in the
Köppen climate classification The Köppen climate classification divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The five main groups are ''A'' (tropical), ''B'' (arid), ''C'' (te ...
Cfa (mild temperate climate). The period from May through mid November is often warm to mild (occasionally hot in June, July, and August) with frequent sunny skies and modest rainfall. The cold season from December through March features cool to cold weather with high temperatures from 40 F (4.4 C) to 49 F (9.4 C). Normally snowfall is light and melts quickly due to the oceanic location. The area averages about 200 frost - free days annually. Narragansett averages 2300 hrs of sunshine annually (slightly higher than the USA average). Narragansett is located in
USDA The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an United States federal executive departments, executive department of the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government that aims to meet the needs of commerc ...
garden zone 7a/7b.


Demographics


2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 14,532 people and 6,097 households in Narragansett. The population density was . There were 9,857 housing units in the town. The racial makeup was 93.28%
white White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...
or
European American European Americans are Americans of European ancestry. This term includes both people who descend from the first European settlers in the area of the present-day United States and people who descend from more recent European arrivals. Since th ...
, 0.56%
black Black is a color that results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without chroma, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness.Eva Heller, ''P ...
or
African-American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from any of the Black racial groups of Africa. ...
, 0.50% Native American or
Alaska Native Alaska Natives (also known as Native Alaskans, Alaskan Indians, or Indigenous Alaskans) are the Indigenous peoples of the Americas, Indigenous peoples of Alaska that encompass a diverse arena of cultural and linguistic groups, including the I ...
, 1.31% Asian, 0.05%
Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, Pacificans, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe th ...
or
Native Hawaiian Native Hawaiians (also known as Indigenous Hawaiians, Kānaka Maoli, Aboriginal Hawaiians, or simply Hawaiians; , , , and ) are the Indigenous peoples of Oceania, Indigenous Polynesians, Polynesian people of the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaiʻi was set ...
, 0.81% from other races, and 3.48% from two or more races.
Hispanic The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...
or Latino of any race was 2.05% of the population. Of the 6,097 households, 15.3% had children under the age of 18; 40.3% were married couples living together; 36.1% had a female householder with no spouse present. 11.4% of households consisted of individuals and 3.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 42.3% of the population. 11.4% of the population was under the age of 18, 22.3% from 18 to 24, 15.4% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 23.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.2 years. The 2016-2020 5-year
American Community Survey The American Community Survey (ACS) is an annual demographics survey program conducted by the United States Census Bureau. It regularly gathers information previously contained only in the long form of the United States census, decennial census ...
estimates show that the median household income was $79,056 (with a margin of error of +/- $16,106) and the median family income was $125,357 (+/- $25,707). Males had a median income of $52,738 (+/- $15,287) versus $20,882 (+/- $20,090) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $31,056 (+/- $18,353). Approximately 8.2% of families and 17.9% of the population were below the
poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
, including 0.0% of those under the age of 18 and 8.0% of those ages 65 or over.


2000 census

As of the
census A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...
of 2000, there were 16,361 people, 6,846 households, and 3,847 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 9,159 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 95.84%
White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...
, 0.75%
African American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...
, 0.90% Native American, 0.76% Asian, 0.02%
Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, Pacificans, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe th ...
, 0.34% from other races, and 1.40% from two or more races.
Hispanic The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...
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 Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...
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 Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...
for the town was $28,194. About 4.9% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the
poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
, 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; college students represented 71% of that group, and 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. From September through May the town is home to many students from the University of Rhode Island located in nearby Kingston.


Recreation

Narragansett is known for its summer recreation and beaches. 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: * Narragansett Town Beach is located in the center of Narragansett, though it charges a fee—whereas other local (state funded) beaches charge for parking only. Unlike state-funded beaches, it is self-sustaining and is not supported by the tax payers' money. There is a $10.00 charge to park ($15.00 on the weekends/holidays) and a daily $10.00 admission fee to enter onto the beach. * Scarborough State Beach: The Scarborough Beach Complex comprises two separate areas, the North and South. Each has a pavilion, showers, 75 picnic tables, boardwalk and observation tower. There is a small fee for parking if a spot on nearby streets can not be found. Parking on nearby streets can result in vehicles being towed (especially during the summer months). This beach sits next to a local sewage treatment plant. * Roger Wheeler State Beach and Salty Brine State Beach are both located in Point Judith, which is the southernmost point of Narragansett. Both beaches are protected by the breakwater that protects the port of Galilee. A new pavilion at Salty Brine State Beach opened in the summer of 2010, complete with concessions, and a wind turbine. The wind turbine was destroyed after a storm in March 2017.


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.


Housing

Narragansett has prohibited more than three college students from living together per housing unit.


Water supply

The town is served by two drinking water organizations divided into four systems: * The Town of Narragansett Water Division – which purchases its water from external sources: ** North End Suez – which purchases its water from Suez Water, a private company in South Kingstown with wells drawing from the Mink Brook Aquifer ** North End North Kingston – which purchases its water from Town of North Kingstown which has wells drawing from the Hunt Annaquatucket-Pettaquamscutt (HAP) aquifer system ** Point Judith – which purchases its water from Suez Water * Suez Water also has direct retail customers in Narragansett.


Economy


Top employers

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


Places of worship

* St. Thomas More Church (Roman Catholic) * St. Veronica Chapel (Roman Catholic) * St. Mary Star of the Sea Church (Roman Catholic) * St. Peter By-the-Sea Church (Episcopal) * Calvary Bible Church (Nondenominational) * First Baptist Church of Narragansett * South Ferry Church (Baptist, no regular services) * Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Narragansett Ward * Generation Church (nondenominational) * Congregation Beth David (Jewish conservative)


National Register of Historic Places

Thirteen different buildings and districts in Narragansett are listed on the
National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government's official United States National Register of Historic Places listings, list of sites, buildings, structures, Hist ...
: * Central Street Historic District *The Dunes Club (1928) * Druidsdream (1884) * Dunmere (1883) * Earlscourt Historic District * Gardencourt (1888) * Gladstone Springhouse and Bottling Plant (1899) * Greene Inn (1887) * Narragansett Baptist Church (1850) * Narragansett Pier Life Saving Station (1888) * Ocean Road Historic District * Point Judith Lighthouse (1857) * Towers Historic District * The Towers (1883)


Notable people

* Karen Adams, television news anchor * Andy Boss, auto racing driver * Geoff Boss, auto racing driver * Peter Boss, auto racing driver * John Joseph Boylan, Roman Catholic bishop; died in Narragansett * Ruth Clifford, silent film actress; lived in Narragasnett * David Caprio, attorney and former state representative * Frank Caprio, judge and television personality * Frank T. Caprio, former state treasurer * Alana DiMario, member of the Rhode Island Senate *
Patrick Doyle Patrick Doyle (born 6 April 1953) is a Scottish composer and occasional actor best known for his film scores. During his 50-year career in film, television and theatre, he has composed the scores for over 60 feature films. A longtime collaborato ...
, Domino’s Pizza CEO * Roberta Dunbar, clubwoman, born Narragansett Pier * Joe Faragalli, football player and coach; died in Narragansett * Steven Fulop, current
mayor In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a Municipal corporation, municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilitie ...
of
Jersey City, New Jersey Jersey City is the List of municipalities in New Jersey, second-most populous
* John Gardner, farmer and Rhode Island delegate to the
Continental Congress The Continental Congress was a series of legislature, legislative bodies, with some executive function, for the Thirteen Colonies of British America, Great Britain in North America, and the newly declared United States before, during, and after ...
(1789) * Harriet Lane, acting
first lady of the United States First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS) is a title typically held by the wife of the president of the United States, concurrent with the president's term in office. Although the first lady's role has never been Code of law, codified or offici ...
for her uncle
James Buchanan James Buchanan Jr. ( ; April 23, 1791June 1, 1868) was the 15th president of the United States, serving from 1857 to 1861. He also served as the United States Secretary of State, secretary of state from 1845 to 1849 and represented Pennsylvan ...
* Donald Lally, former state representative *
Ted Leo Theodore Francis Leo (born September 11, 1970) is an American singer and musician. He is the frontman and lead guitarist of the rock group Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, and in 2013, he and Aimee Mann formed the indie rock duo The Both. Earl ...
, indie rock musician; lives in Narragansett * J. Howard McGrath, former
United States attorney general The United States attorney general is the head of the United States Department of Justice and serves as the chief law enforcement officer of the Federal government of the United States, federal government. The attorney general acts as the princi ...
(1949–1952) and governor of Rhode Island (1941–1945); died in Narragansett *
Christopher Murney Christopher Murney is an American actor and voice artist. Early life and education Murney earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Rhode Island and a Master of Fine Arts in theatre from Pennsylvania State University. Career Murney ...
, actor * Peter Pezzelli, novelist * William Russell Sweet, painter and sculptor * Tage Thompson, NHL Hockey player * Jack Zilly, football player; died in Narragansett * John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, Rock music group


In popular culture

* Narragansett is mentioned in Chapter LI of
Theodore Dreiser Theodore Herman Albert Dreiser (; August 27, 1871 – December 28, 1945) was an American novelist and journalist of the naturalism (literature), naturalist school. His novels often featured main characters who succeeded at their objectives despi ...
's '' The Titan''. * Several episodes in the television cartoon show ''
Family Guy ''Family Guy'' is an American animated sitcom created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series premiered on January 31, 1999, following Super Bowl XXXIII, with the rest of the first season airing from April 11, 1999. Th ...
'', which takes place in
Rhode Island Rhode Island ( ) is a state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Connecticut to its west; Massachusetts to its north and east; and the Atlantic Ocean to its south via Rhode Island Sound and Block Is ...
, feature the Narragansett Beach, most notably '' A Fish out of Water''. * In the 1973 movie ''
The Sting ''The Sting'' is a 1973 American caper film. Set in 1936, it involves a complicated plot by two professional grifters (Paul Newman and Robert Redford) to con a mob boss ( Robert Shaw). The film was directed by George Roy Hill, who had dir ...
'', the Narragansett horse race track is one of those mentioned in the background while performing the con for the mob boss Doyle Lonnegan ( Robert Shaw); this track, while well known in the period, was actually in Pawtucket, RI. * In the 1993 movie '' Coneheads'', Prymatt Conehead, portrayed by Jane Curtin, receives a fake ID where it is mentioned she was born in Narragansett, RI. * Several scenes from the 2000 movie '' Me, Myself & Irene'', starring Jim Carrey, were filmed in the Great Island area of Narragansett.


See also

* * Narragansett Runestone


References


External links


Town of Narragansett official website
{{Authority control Narragansett Bay Populated coastal places in Rhode Island Providence metropolitan area Towns in Rhode Island Towns in Washington County, Rhode Island