Best Community #5: Main Street Powerhouse
GoLocalProv Best Communities Team
Best Community #5: Main Street Powerhouse
It's one of a select handful of Rhode Island communities that lure away young, aspirational Providence families who seek small-town life and top-shelf schools. This town, the West Bay heavyweight with a quaint main street and its own underappreciated waterfront, not only ruled Rhode Island's top high schools rankings this year, but uses its overall educational performance to muscle into the Top 5 in the 2011's Best Community line-up, up one precious spot from last year.
East Greenwich by the numbers
Established: 1677
Population: 13,146
Median household income: $90,495
Median housing price: $425,000
2011 Best Communities rankings
Overall ranking: 5
Affordability ranking: 35
Education ranking: 2
Economic condition ranking: 8
Safety ranking: 7
Arts & Culture ranking: 9
History in a nutshell:
East Greenwich, the 8th oldest community in the state, was formerly owned and inhabited by Narragansett Indian Tribe. In 1655, with the help of the king’s commission, East Greenwich was acquired as part of the colony of Rhode Island. in 1677, East Greenwich was incorporated as a town, when land was given to men who fought against King Philip in the Metacom War. East Greenwich, which takes its namesake from East Greenwich, County Kent, England was changed for a short while to Dedford, before being changed back in 1689. Geographically located in the center of Rhode Island, East Greenwich provided a protected port in Narragansett Bay and became a center for fishing and ship building. Today, East Greenwich remains a thriving town with a distinct and unique flair all its own.
Famous residents:
Donald Carcieri, Governor of Rhode Island
Suzanne Carcieri, First Lady of Rhode Island
Debra Messing, actress
Mark Zito, radio host
Leeann Tingley, 2006 Miss Rhode Island USA
Robin Kall, WHJJ radio host, columnist
Additional research by Nate Holterman