Best Community #28: True Island Life

Best Community #28: True Island Life

Jamestown

It's the envy of everyone who skims across it en route from Saunderstown to Newport. Cast one look down that tidy Main Street as you head toward the Newport Tolls, or hop off before leaving Conanicut Island to ogle some of the most beautiful properties in the entire state. It's another Rhode Island slice of heaven, smack in the middle of Narragnasett Bay.

But beauty comes at a price, and island life makes it difficult to keep up educational performance (Jamestown teens go to North Kingstown HS on the mainland with middling performance numbers), and the high prices of housing keep the town's affordability just one notch above New Shoreham's... at the very bottom of 2011's rankings. Unlike similarly well-heeled towns where the entire school system is supported locally (and

produces among the highest Education ranking results), Jamestown's is at 11th in 2011. Further, its largely bedroom nature means that there just are not as many restaurants, museums, historic sites on this island (although several famous site, including historic windmills). Perfect for getting away from it all, but pushing this beautiful town significantly down in 2011's overall rankings.

Jamestown by the numbers

Established: 1639
Population: 5,405
Median household income: $78,380
Median housing price: $525,750

2011 Best Communities rankings

Overall ranking: 28
Affordability ranking: 38
Education ranking: 11
Economic condition ranking: 3
Safety ranking: 22
Arts & Culture ranking: 22

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

History in a nutshell:

Conanicut Island was purchased by Benedict Arnold, William Coddigan and several others from Newport in 1656. The incorporation of Jamestown occurred on November 4, 1678, and was named in honor of Prince James who later became James II. Since Jamestown is an island, it has never been developed as a port or a commercial area but instead as a residential area. Jamestown was connected to the mainland in 1940 via the Jamestown Verrazano Bridge while the Newport Bridge, completed in 1969, gave Jamestown a route to both sides of Narragansett Bay. Those who were in RI in 2006 will never forget the image of the original Jamestown Bridge exploding in demolition.

Famous residents:

Luke McNamee, four-star admiral and Governor of Guam

Additional research by Nate Holterman