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Portsmouth, RI

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Portsmouth, RI

Portsmouth is a town in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 17,871 at the 2020 U.S. census. Portsmouth is the second-oldest municipality in Rhode Island, after Providence; it was one of the four colonies that merged to form the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, the others being Providence, Newport, and Warwick.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 59.3 square miles (154 km²), of which 23.2 square miles (60 km²) (39.14%) is land and 36.1 square miles (93 km²) (60.86%) is water. Most of its land area lies on Aquidneck Island, which it shares with Middletown and Newport. In addition, Portsmouth encompasses some smaller islands, including Prudence Island, Patience Island, Hope Island, and Hog Island. Part of the census-designated place of Melville lies within the town boundaries.

Portsmouth was settled in 1638 by a group of religious dissenters from Massachusetts Bay Colony, including Dr. John Clarke, William Coddington, and Anne Hutchinson. It is named after Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. Roger Williams convinced the settlers that they should go there instead of settling in the Province of New Jersey, where they had first planned on going.

It was founded by the signers of the Portsmouth Compact. Its original name was Pocasset and it was officially named Portsmouth on May 12, 1639. It became part of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (see Aquidneck Island) and eventually part of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

The 2000 U.S. Census reported that there were 17,149 people, or an increase of 1.7%, residing in the town. There were also 6,758 households, and 4,865 families recorded. The population density was 739.0 inhabitants per square mile (285.3/km²). There were 7,386 housing units at an average density of 318.3 per square mile (122.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.82% White, 1.17% African American, 0.19% Native American, 1.36% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 1.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.45% of the population.

Health and wellness are paramount in Portsmouth, with the city offering various amenities and services to support the well-being of its residents. The Newport Hospital is a cornerstone in providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community. Explore the parks, trails, and recreational facilities managed by the Portsmouth Recreation Department. These spaces offer opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, hiking, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Fortify, Bullfrog FIT, and Pulse Portsmouth. Discover the walking and biking trails in Portsmouth, such as the Sakonnet Greenway Trail and Glen Park Trail. These trails provide opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in Portsmouth, RI are Green Animals Topiary Garden, Newport Car Museum, and Newport Polo.

Population (2020): 17,871. ZIP Code: 02871. Area code: 401. Area: 153.6 km². Elevation: 62 m.

FAQs

Is Portsmouth, RI a good place to live?

Portsmouth is a suburb of Providence with a population of 17,846. Portsmouth is in Newport County and is one of the best places to live in Rhode Island. Living in Portsmouth offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. Many retirees live in Portsmouth and residents tend to lean liberal.

Does Portsmouth, RI have a downtown?

Downtown Portsmouth is a popular neighborhood for home buyers who can afford to buy a home in the median price range of $649K. If this price doesn't match your budget, expand your search to include homes in popular neighborhoods around Downtown Portsmouth. There are 4 homes for sale, ranging from $178K to $3M.

What is the crime rate in Portsmouth, RI?

According to NeighborhoodScout's analysis of FBI crime statistics, Portsmouth is safer than 82% of the cities and towns in the US of all population sizes. In Rhode Island, only on the order of 18% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Portsmouth. If you live in Portsmouth, your chance of becoming a victim of crime in the community is 1 in 272. The US average across communities from the largest to the smallest is 1 in 43.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Portsmouth

Newport Hospital 

Portsmouth Recreation Department

Fortify, Bullfrog FIT 

Pulse Portsmouth

Sakonnet Greenway Trail 

Glen Park Trail

Green Animals Topiary Garden

Newport Car Museum

Newport Polo

Niche

Realtor

Neighborhoodscout

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