Best Community #30: Not All About the Summer
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Westerly
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
Related Articles
- Best Community #35: Feisty Contender
- Best Community #26: RI Rural
- Best Community #18: Countryside Charm
- Best Community #34: More Than Big Hair
- Best Community #25: Country Living
- Best Community #17: Northern Gem
- RI’s Best Communities 2011
- Best Community #33: Mill Village Pride
- Best Community #24: Stuck in the Middle?
- Best Community #16: Brains and Beauty
- RI’s Best Communities 2011: How We Got the Rankings
- Best Community #32: Sandwiched Between Riches
- Best Community #23: Beach-Blessed Beauty
- Best Community #15: Town on the March
- Best Community #39: Faded Star
- Best Community #31: River Beauty
- Best Community #22: The Enclave
- Best Community #14: Small-Town Seaside
- Best Community #38: In the Capital City’s Shadow
- Best Community #29: The Overlooked Community
- Best Community #21: Star in the Making
- Best Community #13: Northern RI Surprise
- Best Community #37: Too Rich for RI?
- Best Community #28: True Island Life
- Best Community #20: City of Contrasts
- Best Community #12: Blackstone Valley Standout
- Best Community #36: City in Turmoil
- Best Community #27: Up and Comer
- Best Community #19: Good Schools, Quiet Living
- Best Community #11: RI’s Big Apple