Jamestown, Rhode Island Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

Jamestown, Rhode Island, is a beautiful seaside community located at the southernmost tip of Aquidneck Island in Narragansett Bay. The town was founded in 1636 by settlers from the Plymouth Colony and is the second oldest settlement in Rhode Island. It was named after James, Duke of York, who later became King James II.

Jamestown is home to roughly 5,400 people and covers an area of 8.9 square miles. It is a popular place for summer vacationers due to its picturesque beaches, local attractions and activities such as sailing, kayaking and fishing. The town also has a vibrant arts scene with several galleries and public art installations scattered throughout the area.

The town’s main attraction is Fort Wetherill State Park which provides sweeping views of Narragansett Bay from its rocky cliffs. Visitors can explore the ruins of an old fort built during the Revolutionary War or take part in recreational activities such as rock climbing and swimming. Jamestown also boasts several beautiful beaches including East Ferry Beach, Mackerel Cove Beach, Beavertail State Park Beach and Taylor Point Beach. These beaches are perfect for swimming, sunbathing or just relaxing beneath the warm summer sun while taking in breathtaking views of Narragansett Bay.

In addition to its natural beauty, Jamestown also offers a variety of cultural attractions including museums like The Preservation Society of Newport County Museum which showcases over 200 years worth of artifacts as well as galleries like Jamestown Arts Center which features rotating exhibitions by local artists. There are also many historic sites throughout the town such as Fort Dumpling which served as an artillery battery during World War I or Dutch Island Lighthouse which was built in 1857 to help guide ships safely into Narragansett Bay from open water beyond Newport Harbor.

Overall, Jamestown has something for everyone with its stunning natural beauty, cultural attractions and recreational activities making it one of Rhode Island’s most beloved seaside towns to visit or call home.

Population: 5,622. Estimated population in July 2024: 5,611 (-0.2% change)
Males: 2,733 (48.6%), Females: 2,889 (51.4%)

Newport County

Demographics

Median resident age: 44.2 years
Median household income: $63,073
Median house value: $215,200

Population by Race

Races in Jamestown:

  • White Non-Hispanic (96.9%)
  • Hispanic (0.9%)
  • Two or more races (0.8%)
  • Black (0.8%)
  • American Indian (0.6%)

Ancestries: Irish (26.0%), English (18.1%), Italian (16.1%), German (9.0%), French (7.1%), Portuguese (6.0%).

Elevation: 50 feet

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Jamestown

  • High school or higher: 93.2%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 45.7%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 19.3%
  • Unemployed: 3.5%
  • Mean travel time to work: 34.2 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Jamestown town

  • Never married: 20.0%
  • Now married: 63.5%
  • Separated: 0.6%
  • Widowed: 6.1%
  • Divorced: 9.8%

4.2% Foreign born (2.2% Europe, 1.0% Latin America, 0.7% North America).

Population change in the 1990s: +606 (+12.1%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Jamestown:

  • NEWPORT HOSPITAL (about 4 miles; NEWPORT, RI)
  • SOUTH COUNTY HOSPITAL INC (about 12 miles; WAKEFIELD, RI)
  • KENT COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 16 miles; WARWICK, RI)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Jamestown:

  • THEODORE FRANCIS GREEN STATE (about 16 miles; PROVIDENCE, RI; Abbreviation: PVD)
  • GROTON-NEW LONDON (about 48 miles; GROTON NEW LONDON, CT; Abbreviation: GON)
  • MARTHAS VINEYARD (about 54 miles; VINEYARD HAVEN, MA; Abbreviation: MVY)

Other public-use airports nearest to Jamestown:

  • QUONSET STATE (about 7 miles; NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI; Abbreviation: OQU)
  • NEWPORT STATE (about 8 miles; NEWPORT, RI; Abbreviation: UUU)
  • RICHMOND (about 18 miles; WEST KINGSTON, RI; Abbreviation: 08R)

Amtrak station near Jamestown:

  • 14 miles: KINGSTON (WEST KINGSTON, FAIRGROUNDS RD.). Services: ticket office, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, call for car rental service, call for taxi service, public transit connection.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Jamestown:

  • UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND (about 12 miles; KINGSTON, RI; Full-time enrollment: 11,759)
  • ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY (about 15 miles; BRISTOL, RI; Full-time enrollment: 3,007)
  • COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF RHODE ISLAND (about 16 miles; WARWICK, RI; Full-time enrollment: 8,650)
  • NEW ENGLAND INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (about 16 miles; WARWICK, RI; Full-time enrollment: 2,419)
  • BRISTOL COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 22 miles; FALL RIVER, MA; Full-time enrollment: 3,497)
  • JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY (about 23 miles; Providence, RI; Full-time enrollment: 8,218)
  • RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN (about 23 miles; PROVIDENCE, RI; Full-time enrollment: 2,086)

Public primary/middle schools in Jamestown:

  • JAMESTOWN SCHOOL-MELROSE (Students: 275; Location: 76 MELROSE AVENUE; Grades: PK – 04)
  • JAMESTOWN SCHOOL-LAWN (Students: 270; Location: 55 LAWN AVENUE; Grades: 05 – 08)

Libraries

Library in Jamestown:

  • JAMESTOWN PHILOMENIAN LIBRARY (Operating income: $305,744; Location: 26 NORTH ROAD; 43,711 books; 1,434 audio materials; 1,229 video materials; 78 serial subscriptions)