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North Kingstown, Rhode Island facts for kids

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North Kingstown, Rhode Island
The Gilbert Stuart Birthplace in North Kingstown
The Gilbert Stuart Birthplace in North Kingstown
Nickname(s): 
"NK"
Location of North Kingstown in Washington County, Rhode Island
Location of North Kingstown in Washington County, Rhode Island
Country United States
State Rhode Island
County Washington
Area
 • Total 58.3 sq mi (151.1 km2)
 • Land 43.6 sq mi (112.9 km2)
 • Water 14.7 sq mi (38.2 km2)
Elevation
82 ft (25 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 27,732
 • Density 636/sq mi (245.6/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
02852 (North Kingstown), 02874 (Saunderstown), 02877 (Slocum)
Area code(s) 401
FIPS code 44-51580
GNIS feature ID 1220088
Website www.northkingstown.org

North Kingstown is a town in Washington County, Rhode Island, United States, and is part of the Providence metropolitan area. The population was 27,732 in the 2020 census. North Kingstown is home to the birthplace of American portraitist Gilbert Stuart, who was born in the village of Saunderstown. Within the town is Quonset Point, location of the former Naval Air Station Quonset Point, known for the invention of the Quonset hut, as well as the historic village of Wickford.

History

The town of Kings Towne was founded in 1674, by the colonial government, and included the present day towns of North Kingstown, South Kingstown, Exeter, and Narragansett. In 1722, Kings Towne was split into two parts, North Kingstown and South Kingstown, with North Kingstown, having the earliest settlements, retaining the 1674 establishment date. In 1742 the town of Exeter was taken from the western part of North Kingstown.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 58.3 square miles (151 km2). 43.6 square miles (113 km2) of it is land and 14.8 square miles (38 km2) of it (25.28%) is water.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1790 2,907
1800 2,794 −3.9%
1810 2,957 5.8%
1820 3,007 1.7%
1830 3,036 1.0%
1840 2,909 −4.2%
1850 2,971 2.1%
1860 3,104 4.5%
1870 3,563 14.8%
1880 3,949 10.8%
1890 4,193 6.2%
1900 4,194 0.0%
1910 4,048 −3.5%
1920 3,397 −16.1%
1930 4,279 26.0%
1940 4,604 7.6%
1950 14,180 208.0%
1960 18,977 33.8%
1970 29,793 57.0%
1980 21,938 −26.4%
1990 23,786 8.4%
2000 26,326 10.7%
2010 26,486 0.6%
2020 27,732 4.7%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the 2010 census, there were 26,486 people, 10,436 households, and 7,347 families residing in the town. The racial makeup of the town was 94.7% White, 1.0% African American, 0.6% American Indian/Alaska Native, 1.3% Asian, 0.5% from some other race other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.4% of the population.

Of the 10,436 households, 70.4% were families, 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, and 29.6% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of householders living alone. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.02. 75.4% of households resided in owner-occupied units and 24.6% in rental units.

According to the 2017 American Community Survey, the median income for a household in the town was $87,311 (adjusted to inflation), the median income for a family was $105,954, and the median income for married-couple families was $120,103.

Transportation

Wickford Junction is a terminus station on the Providence/Stoughton Line of the MBTA Commuter Rail, providing weekday train service to Providence Station and Boston's South Station.

RIPTA also services in the town inbound to Providence and outbound to Narragansett or Newport.

North Kingstown is also served by a passenger ferry connecting to the island of Martha's Vineyard.

Points of interest

Allie's Donuts in North Kingstown Rhode Island
Allie's Donuts, a well known local restaurant on Rhode Island Route 2
  • Casey Farm (1725): An original colonial plantation that is today one of the oldest operational farms in New England.
  • Davis Memorial Wildlife Refuge: 96 acres of forest and wetlands preserved by the Audubon Society of Rhode Island.
  • Devil's Foot Rock: A footprint-like natural impression or possibly petrosomatoglyph. Legends going back to the colonial era tell of a squaw being chased by the devil. Some say that she fled from Boston. Her pursuer is said to have left his footprints at Devil's Foot Rock, then at Chimney Hill in South Kingstown, and finally at Block Island.
  • Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum (1751): The house in which American portraitist Gilbert Stuart was born in 1755. The museum features works from throughout Stuart's career and operational grist and snuff mills.
  • Historic Wickford Village: A historic seaside village which contains one of the largest collections of preserved 18th-century houses in the Northeastern United States. Wickford also has a large and scenic harbor.
  • Quonset Air Museum: A large museum located at the former Naval Air Station Quonset Point which focuses on military aviation history.
  • Smith's Castle (1678): A colonial plantation located on the shore of Narragansett Bay.
  • Quonset Point, a former military base which was once the home of the Naval Construction Battalions known as the Seabees.

Other National Historic Places in North Kingstown

Education

North Kingstown School Department is the municipal school district. It operates North Kingstown High School.

Notable people

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: North Kingstown para niños

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