Best Community #9: The Good Life

Friday, June 24, 2011

GoLocalProv Best Communities Team

 

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Scituate

It's not just about the art, the orchards, or even that big, beautiful reservoir. It is also the only town in Rhode Island to have voted for John McCain in the presidential election in 2008. And it moves up one space from last year's rankings to #9 in 2011.

Close to Providence but feeling miles away with all that reservoir shoreline, this community offers the 10th best Economic Condition rankings in the 2011 data, and the second-best Safety Ranking in the state, beaten only by Glocester.

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Scituate by the numbers

Established: 1636
Population: 10,329
Median household income: $72,649
Median housing price: $245,000

2011 Best Communities rankings

Overall ranking: 9
Affordability ranking: 13
Education ranking: 13
Economic condition ranking: 10
Safety ranking: 2
Arts & Culture ranking: 33

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History in a nutshell:

Scituate, incorporated in 1730, lies just to the west of Providence and just beyond the outer reaches of Johnston. Like many other early settlements, Scituate first began as an agrarian based society but as the town’s population grew, focus was shifted to industry and manufacturing. With the help of its many running streams, water power was able to drive industry aiding in cotton mills and iron ore factories. The Scituate Reservoir, built by a large dam, provides water to the local community and is the main water supply for the city of Providence. Today, Scituate is most popular for its scenic landscapes, comprised of vast woodlands, stone walls, quaint farms, and colorful apple orchards.

Famous residents:

Ezekiel Cornell, delegate to the Continental Congress
Esek Hopkins, Naval figure in Revolutionary War
Stephen Hopkins, Governor of Rhode Island, signer of the Declaration of Independence
Armand LaMontagne, prominent wood sculptor
William West, Revolutionary War General, Lt. Governor of Rhode Island, Chief Justice of Rhode Island
Arthur Steere,prominent Rhode Island businessman and politician
James Burrill Angell, President of the University of Michigan, University of Vermont
Alice Howland, first librarian in Scituate; donated the land that is now the Hope Recreational Park

Additional research by Nate Holterman

 

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