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CITY

Westerly

Rhode Island · 18,411 residents · 15.834 sq mi
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#330Oldest by median ageof 6,82650.4
The short version

Westerly is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $95,207. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $448,800. With a median age of 50.4, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Poverty is rare here, at 5.7% of residents. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 50.4
US median: 38.9
More educated
43% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 70%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
18,411
+4%since 2000
from 17,682 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
1,163 / sq mi
+4%since 2000
from 1,117 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
50.4
+29%since 2000
from 39.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9
Population, 1990 – 2024
16K17K18K18K19K1990201020202024Westerly
202418K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$95,207
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $42,860 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$53,043
+129%since 2000
from $23,180 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
62.5%
+23.8 ptssince 2009
from 38.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
5.7%
−1.1 ptssince 2000
from 6.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.414
+5%since 2010
from 0.396 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade11.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services6.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration5.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade4.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance1%
US avg: 5.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$448,800
+70%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $144,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,260
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $591 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
71.4%
+10.8 ptssince 2000
from 60.6% in 2000
28.6% rent
Vacancy rate
8.3%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 9.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
25.7%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 27.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
45.0%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 44.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.7
+40%since 2000
from 3.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
67
RELATED:See current rent listings in Westerly on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic93.9%(16,596)
Black0.8%(141)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(205)
Asian2.4%(422)
Other0%
Diversity Score10.7%(1,894)
2024
White, non-Hispanic88.2%(16,236)
Black0.6%(117)
Hispanic / Latino3.3%(601)
Asian3.1%(571)
Other4.8%(886)
Diversity Score27.2%(5,015)
Diversity Score
27
+154%since 2000
from 11 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
43.3%
+20.6 ptssince 2000
from 22.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.6%
+14.7 ptssince 2000
from 79.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
18.7%
+10.6 ptssince 2000
from 8.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.9 min
+53%since 2000
from 15.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
80.6%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 84.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.6%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 7.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.6%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
10.4%
+7.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.8%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
7.1%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 5.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.9%
−6.6 ptssince 2011
from 9.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
63.3%
−5.1 ptssince 2011
from 68.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.6%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 13.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
49.2%
−12.9 ptssince 2009
from 62.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.7%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
Female
48.3%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
Foreign born
5.9%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.4%
−41.8 ptssince 2009
from 48.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
11.5%
−2.5 ptssince 2012
from 14.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.2%
−89.6 ptssince 2013
from 92.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
92.6%
+12.8 ptssince 2017
from 79.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
92.1%
+2.7 ptssince 2016
from 89.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.0%
+0.1 ptssince 2016
from 2.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Westerly

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Pop 19,511
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Head to head

Compare Westerly to nearby cities

WESTERLY VS
Conning Towers-Nautilus Park
Income$81,694−14%
Home value$290,100−35%
Population8,460−54%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WESTERLY VS
Groton
Income$79,577−16%
Home value$306,600−32%
Population10,160−45%
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WESTERLY VS
New London
Income$59,098−38%
Home value$253,300−44%
Population28,003+52%
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WESTERLY VS
Wakefield-Peace Dale
Income$106,551+12%
Home value$494,400+10%
Population9,302−49%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Westerly, Rhode Island?

Westerly, Rhode Island has about 18,411 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Westerly, Rhode Island?

The typical household in Westerly, Rhode Island earns about $95,207 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Westerly, Rhode Island expensive?

In Westerly, Rhode Island, the median home is worth about $448,800, and the typical rent is about $1,260 a month.

How educated are people in Westerly, Rhode Island?

About 43.3% of adults age 25 and over in Westerly, Rhode Island hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Westerly, Rhode Island?

About 5.7% of people in Westerly, Rhode Island live below the federal poverty line.

Has Westerly, Rhode Island grown since 1990?

Yes, Westerly, Rhode Island has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,799 residents, a change of about 11 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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