Municipalities of South RI

The South Region is the largest in the state and covers nearly a third of the state's land mass. The population clusters in its coastal areas, but the region is largely rural to the west and lacks considerable public infrastructure outside of its small historic villages and town centers. The municipalities of Narragansett, North Kingstown, South Kingstown, and Westerly comprise the majority of the region's population. They are also home to the region's economic centers, such as Quonset and the University of Rhode Island. 

Housing Needs of South RI

The South Region is dominated by single-family homes—with only about a quarter of its stock as multifamily housing. The projected housing need, according to the 2016 report, is for significantly more multifamily stock than single family homes. Fifty-three percent of the renters in the region are considered cost burdened, or pay more than 30 percent of their income toward housing costs. Thirty-two percent of the region’s households, or 19,920, fall below 80 percent of area median income. While the significant household growth is projected to be households aged 65 and older, it is also projected that there will be half as much need for housing for households aged 25-44.

Region's Housing and Range of Costs & Types

  • Total Households 50,220
  • Projected Need of Additional Housing by 2025 3,371 - 3,723 (87-92% multifamily)
  • Median Single Family Home Price $380,000 - $685,000 (excluding New Shoreham)
    • % Owners 69% - 94%
  • Average 2-Bedroom Rent $1,272 - $1,718
    • % Renters 6% - 36%

Transportation

  • Train Lines - 2 (MBTA, Wickford; Amtrak, West Kingston & Westerly)
  • Express Lines - 4
  • Local Bus - 1
  • Park-n-Rides - 2 (serving Hopkinton, North Kingstown, Richmond, South Kingstown, Westerly)
  • FlexZones - 6 (serving Hopkinton, Narragansett, Richmond, South Kingstown, URI, Westerly)

Economy

The South RI Region has a total of 52,145 Total Private & Government Jobs, with a private sector wage range of $34,792 - $48,031. Its Top Industry Jobs are:

  • Manufacturing - 9,335
  • Healthcare - 4,708
  • Education - 3,641
  • Retail Trade - 1,897
  • Wholesale Trade - 1,225

Education

  • Colleges - CCRI-Satellite Campus, University of Rhode Island
  • Public High Schools - Block Island, Chariho, Narragansett, North Kingstown, South Kingstown, Westerly
  • Private School - Ocean Tides School (Gr. 7-12), Prout School

Health

  • Hospitals - South County, Westerly
  • Urgent Care Centers - 4
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