Westerly, Rhode Island

Westerly, Rhode Island
Westerly, Rhode Island
Town
	Town Hall (2017)
	Seal
	Location of Westerly in Washington County
	Coordinates: 41°22′39″N 71°49′38″W / 41.37750°N 71.82722°W
Country	United States
State	Rhode Island
County	Washington
Government
• Town Council	William J. Aiello, President; Philip M. Overton, Jr., Vice President; Kevin J. Lowther, II; Joy L. Cordio; Dylan J. LaPietra; Mary E. Scialabba; Robert L. Lombardo
Area
• Total	74.8 sq mi (193.8 km2)
• Land	30.1 sq mi (77.9 km2)
• Water	44.7 sq mi (115.8 km2)
Elevation	36 ft (11 m)
Population (2020)
• Total	23,359
• Density	777/sq mi (299.9/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes	02808 (Bradford, Rhode Island), 02891 (Westerly)
Area code	401
FIPS code	44-77000
GNIS feature ID	1220091
Website	westerlyri.gov

Westerly is a town on the southwestern coastline of Washington County, Rhode Island, United States, first settled by English colonists in 1661 and incorporated as a municipality in 1669. It is a beachfront community on the south shore of the state with a population of 23,359 as of the 2020 census.

The Pawcatuck River flows on the western border of Westerly and was once renowned for its own species of Westerly salmon, three of which are on the town's official seal. The river flows from 15 mi (24 km) inland, emptying into Little Narragansett Bay. It also serves as the boundary between Westerly and Pawcatuck, Connecticut. Three large salt ponds lie along the coast of Westerly which serve as shallow, reef-like pools whose outer walls form the long, white beaches for which the town is renowned. From west to east, these ponds are Maschaug Pond, Winnapaug Pond, and Quonochontaug Pond.

The Westerly area was known for its granite and stone-cutting industry,^[3]^[4] which quarried a unique stone known as Westerly granite. This pinkish granite is ideal for statuary and has been used in numerous government buildings of several states on the eastern seaboard.^[5]

Westerly becomes a popular tourist destination during the summer months when the population nearly doubles.^[6] Its well-known beaches include Weekapaug Beach, Westerly Town Beach, Misquamicut State Beach, East Beach, and Watch Hill Beach.

^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
^ "National Register of Historic Places" (PDF). virginia.gov. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
^ Civil War Monuments of Connecticut Suppliers & Materials
^ Pearson, Dan (August 30, 2004). "Modern Sculpture Makes Connection To Westerly's Past". The Day.
^ "Home - Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce, RI". www.westerlychamber.org. Retrieved April 4, 2018.

[GR2-1] "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.

[GR3-2] "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.

[3] "National Register of Historic Places" (PDF). virginia.gov. Retrieved April 4, 2018.

[4] Civil War Monuments of Connecticut Suppliers & Materials

[5] Pearson, Dan (August 30, 2004). "Modern Sculpture Makes Connection To Westerly's Past". The Day.

[6] "Home - Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce, RI". www.westerlychamber.org. Retrieved April 4, 2018.

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