City profile · Rhode Island · Census ACS 2023

Westerly, RI

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Westerly - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

18,528
Residents
$82,333
Median income
$400,200
Median home
$1,729
Median rent (state)

Westerly - the verdict

Westerly ranks in the 64th percentile for household income and the 65th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

64th
percentile, household income
77th
percentile, home value
70th
percentile, median rent
65th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Westerly, RI

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 18,528 residents in Westerly, a small town within Rhode Island. Westerly households earn a median of $82,333 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 1.2%. Typical homes in Westerly are valued around $400,200, and the median resident age is 53.5 years. About 38.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 57.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Westerly reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 977.0 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Rhode Island tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Rhode Island scores 102.3 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,729 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Rhode Island's average monthly utility costs around $318 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 64.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

18,528 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Rhode Island

Median Household Income

$82,333 /yr

Poverty 1.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

102.3 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Rhode Island average

How does Westerly compare to other US cities?

Here's how Westerly stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 64% higher than other cities
Home value 77% pricier than other cities
Median rent 70% pricier than other cities
Safety 65% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Rhode Island, Westerly ranks #4 of 11 Rhode Island cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Westerly against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Rhode Island only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Rhode Island-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Westerly near the bottom of Rhode Island's cities

Among the 36 Rhode Island cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Westerly ranks #1 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Westerly only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#24 of 33
27th percentile in Rhode Island
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 36
0th percentile in Rhode Island
Median Home Value
#13 of 35
63rd percentile in Rhode Island
Poverty Rate
#24 of 36
33rd percentile in Rhode Island
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#19 of 36
44th percentile in Rhode Island

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Rhode Island only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

64thIncome percentile
65thSafety percentile

64th percentile nationally for median household income · 65th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Westerly's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Westerly's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 52 Avg. percentile National median
Westerly's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Westerly's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$400,200 23rd percentile more affordable than 23% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Westerly $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Westerly, RI Westerly, RI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Westerly, RI-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Westerly, RI median $82,333/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Westerly, RI's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Westerly, RI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 38.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 1.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.9%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
18,528
Median Income
$82,333
Median Home Value
$400,200
Median Age
53.5
Poverty Rate
1.2%
Labor force participation
57.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
38.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
977.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
63.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
913.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
6
Public schools in this city

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
81.2%
Carpool
7.2%
Public Transit
1.0%
Walk
2.5%
Work from Home
7.3%
Other
0.8%

Based on 9,590 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Rhode Island - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$155
avg/month
Natural Gas
$105
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$58
avg/month
Total Utilities
$318
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Rhode Island state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Rhode Island state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Westerly sits in

Cost of Living Index
102.3
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,729/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
64.0 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Rhode Island

Central Falls
22,481 people
Valley Falls
12,370 people
Newport
25,029 people
Newport East
11,262 people
Wakefield-Peace Dale
9,812 people
Cumberland Hill
8,638 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Westerly's 18,528 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Preakness, NJ
18,538 people
Franklin Farm, VA
18,509 people
Coronado, CA
18,558 people
Ammon, ID
18,496 people
Seabrook, MD
18,495 people
Ocean Springs, MS
18,561 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Westerly's $82,333 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Netarts, OR
$82,333 median income
Treasure Island, FL
$82,340 median income
Ballston Spa, NY
$82,341 median income
Gordon, PA
$82,344 median income
Granby, CO
$82,321 median income
Willernie, MN
$82,321 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Westerly, RI Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Westerly, RI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 90.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.2% White 90.4% Black or African American 1.0% Asian 3.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.8% Two or more races 3.8% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Westerly compares to nearby Rhode Island cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Westerly (this city) 18,528 $82,333
Central Falls 22,481 $45,921
Valley Falls 12,370 $93,653
Newport 25,029 $83,562
Census ACS 5-year FIPS RI FBI UCR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Westerly, RI?

What is the population of Westerly, RI? +

Westerly, RI counts 18,528 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Westerly, RI? +

In Westerly, the typical household earns $82,333 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Westerly? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Westerly; the closest available measure is the Rhode Island state average, a cost of living index of 102.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Rhode Island vary by metro area.

Is Westerly, RI safe? +

Westerly has a total crime rate of 977.0 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Westerly, RI? +

Westerly's median home value sits at $400,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.