Best Community #30: Not All About the Summer
GoLocalProv Best Communities Team
Best Community #30: Not All About the Summer
Along with her fellow Rhode Island vacation enclaves like New Shoreham and Little Compton, this gracious town draws visitors from around the world to beautiful beaches. But when the summer passes and the many visitors withdraw, what is the year-round quality of life like in this town so far to the corner of Rhode Island it is practically in Connecticut? When you travel back from the storybook style of Watch Hill, what does the entire community of Westerly offer?
In Westerly, the results are mixed, according to 2011's assessments. With among the higher highest median home prices in the state at $282,000, the town sits 34th in this year's Affordability rankings, but only 17th in
Westerly by the numbers
Established: 1661
Population: 22,787
Median household income: $55,662
Median housing price: $282,000
2011 Best Communities rankings
Overall ranking: 30
Affordability ranking: 34
Education ranking: 17
Economic condition ranking: 16
Safety ranking: 26
Arts & Culture ranking: 14
History in a nutshell:
Lying in the southwestern corner of Rhode Island, Westerly has a rich and storied history. It was the first town incorporated in the King’s province and the fifth town in the Rhode Island colony. In 1686, Westerly’s name was changed to Haversham but the original name was restored in 1689. In its early days, Westerly was best known for the granite taken from its quarries to build homes and monuments, including many at Gettysburg and even in the Georgia State House. Today, Westerly is a prime vacation spot mainly due to spectacular Watch Hill and its Victorian architecture.
Famous residents:
Dr. Joshua Babcock, physician, American Revolution general, RI Supreme Court Justice
Samuel Ward, Royal Governor, Chief Justice of RI
Photo: Daniel Case
Additional research by Nate Holterman