Last Updated on: 27th March 2023, 02:40 pm
The quiet town of North Kingstown, RI can be found about 24 miles south of downtown Providence. It is bordered by Warwick, East Greenwich, Exeter, Jamestown, Narragansett, Portsmouth, South Kingstown, Barrington, Bristol, Coventry, Middletown, Richmond, West Greenwich, and West Warwick.
This pleasant community was settled in 1674 by colonists and trading post owners Roger Williams and Richard Smith. Although it was originally a large area called “Kings Towne”, the area was split into two smaller parts, which now make up North Kingstown and South Kingstown.
North Kingstown is commonly referred to with the nickname “NK” by many of its locals. The town is best known for the popular shopping destinations at Quonset Point as well as Wickford Junction.
The most notable people who have lived in North Kingstown include Olympic swimmer Elizabeth Beisel, military Captain Daniel Fones, and famous painter Gilbert Stuart, who painted the portrait of George Washington that is on the $1 bill.
Known as a great place to live, there are many benefits of moving to North Kingstown that you can discover by learning more about local demographics, fun things to do, and other interesting facts.
1. People Living in North Kingstown, RI – Population & Demographics
How many people live in North Kingstown? There has been little growth since the 1970s, with only a handful of newcomers moving to North Kingstown from year to year. The North Kingstown population is 26,235 people with a median age of 45 years old.
North Kingstown demographics are made up of about 90% Caucasian, 3% Hispanic or Latino, 2% Asian, and 1% Black or African American. There is a close split between men and women in the town with a gender ratio of 51% female and 49% male. The median household income in North Kingstown is $91,796 per year.
Is North Kingstown a safe place to live? Ranked among the top 5 safest cities in Rhode Island, the crime rate in North Kingstown is 11% lower than the Rhode Island average and 43% lower than the national average. There are lots of comfortable and quiet communities that confirm North Kingstown is a safe place to live.
The North Kingstown Police Department has 51 active-duty police officers on the force who serve and protect residents living in North Kingstown.
2. Cost of Living in North Kingstown, RI
How much does it cost to live in North Kingstown, RI? The average cost of living in North Kingstown is 19% higher than the national average and about 8% higher than the Rhode Island state average. You will likely see home utilities prices are lower but there are higher prices for groceries, healthcare, transportation, and the North Kingstown real estate market.
The homeownership rate in North Kingstown is 76.2% with the majority buying property or condos in town. Local North Kingstown, RI homes for sale range from small double-wide mobile homes up to massive multi-million dollar estates. The average price of a home in North Kingstown is $575,000 with a median sale price of $240 per square foot.
There is a North Kingstown property tax rate of 1.310%, adding up to about $7,533 per year in property taxes for an average price homed.
The remaining 24% of residents living in North Kingstown rent their houses and apartments. The average price of rent in North Kingstown is $1,328 per month, which has only seen a 2% increase in the past 12 months.
3. North Kingstown Neighborhoods | Best Places to Live in North Kingston
Where should you live in North Kingstown? The best North Kingstown neighborhoods offering nice amenities and secure communities are:
- Lafayette
- Davisville
- Wickford Junction
- Saunderstown
North Kingstown is home to nearly 50 parks and other outdoor activities. All of these fun destinations are managed and maintained by the North Kingstown Parks and Recreation Department.
Plenty of convenient shopping can be discovered in North Kingstown at places like Walmart, Petco, The Home Depot, Wickford Junction, Kohls, Home Goods, and The Shoppes at Quonset Point.
If you need to get from North Kingstown to Newport, it is 11 miles away and takes 20 minutes both ways.
4. North Kingstown, RI Weather & Climate
The humid continental climate in North Kingstown brings a good amount of rain and snow throughout the year, along with fairly muggy summers.
The average summer temperatures in North Kingstown are between lows in the 60s and highs in the mid-80s. As winter approaches, the temps can drop into lows around the 20s and highs in the upper 30s (bring a coat!). The weather in North Kingstown gets about 50 inches of annual rainfall and over 30 inches of snow per year.
5. Things to Do in North Kingstown
Even though it isn’t a full-fledged city, people relocating to North Kingstown will find more than enough fun activities, points of interest, neat places to visit, as well as local parks and landmarks.
Biomes Marine Biology Center
View this post on Instagram
A can’t miss thing to do in North Kingstown is the Biomes Marine Biology Center, which is the largest aquarium in Rhode Island. The popular destination is a fun place to visit for kids and adults, featuring more than 120 species of marine animals and numerous exhibits to capture your attention.
Biomes Marine Biology Center, 6640 Post Rd, North Kingstown, RI 02852 (401) 885-4690
Wilson Park
Among the best outdoor activities in North Kingstown, the local Wilson Park has many fun things to do. The park has a large children’s playground as well as a splash pad, a zip line, and small clubhouse areas that people of all ages can enjoy.
Wilson Park, Roosevelt Ave, North Kingstown, RI 02852 (401) 294-3331
Additional North Kingstown Attractions
- North Kingstown Town Beach, 10 Beach St, North Kingstown, RI 02852
- John H. Chafee Rome Point Preserve, 1344 Boston Neck Rd, North Kingstown, RI 02852
- Ryan Park, Oak Hill Rd, North Kingstown, RI 02852
6. North Kingstown Restaurants
There are so many advantages to living in North Kingstown and that includes the many great restaurants that can be found all over town.
Back 40
View this post on Instagram
One of North Kingstown’s top places to eat is known simply as Back 40 and offers a laid-back vibe everyone will like. Their expansive menu boasts a great selection of food to choose from including soup, salad, tacos, sandwiches, fish and chips, jambalaya, salmon, and much more.
Back 40, 20 S County Trail, North Kingstown, RI 02852 (401) 667-4869
Gregg’s
Among the most popular restaurants in North Kingstown, Gregg’s is a local chain offering a casual scene for its diners. You’ll be able to choose between a handful of mouthwatering dishes such as lobster salad rolls, burgers, pasta, turkey dinner, French meat pie, and many others.
Gregg’s NORTH KINGSTOWN, 4120 Quaker Lane, RI-2, North Kingstown, RI 02852 (401) 294-5700
7. Jobs in North Kingstown
Anyone who is looking online for local North Kingstown jobs before moving there will love knowing there are lots of career opportunities. Plenty of great employers offer positions at some of the best places to work in North Kingstown like:
- Ocean State Job Lot
- Toray Plastics
- Seafreeze
- Senesco Marine
The average salary in North Kingstown is $66,000 per year. There is a state income tax rate of 3.8% for local residents working in the area. North Kingstown currently has a 6.2% unemployment rate.
8. North Kingstown Schools
There are over 5,510 kids between the ages of 0 and 18 years old residing in North Kingstown, which is more than 21% of the population. North Kingstown is an excellent place for families to live thanks to the town’s great schools and safe neighborhoods.
The North Kingstown School District offers great educational opportunities for young students who live in the area. The top-rated schools in North Kingstown are:
- Hamilton School
- Stony Lane Elementary School
- Wickford Middle School
- Davisville Middle School
- North Kingstown Sr. High School (ranked 5th among top high schools in Rhode Island)
The closest colleges and universities to North Kingstown are the New England Institute of Technology, Salve Regina University, and the University of Rhode Island.
Local students and other residents have access to the public North Kingstown Free Library, where you can check out books or rent movies at no charge.
9. North Kingstown Statistics & Information
The town of North Kingstown covers a geographical area of 43.2 square miles along the northeast border of Washington County in Rhode Island. The main zip codes are 02822, 02852, and 02874. The area code for local phone numbers is 401.
The time zone in North Kingstown is Eastern Standard Time (EST), which changes over to Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) during daylight savings time.
The elevation in North Kingstown is 52 feet above sea level.
Map of North Kingstown, RI
You can find all of the great amenities, enjoyable things to do, and other local attractions with help from this convenient North Kingstown map.
Tips for Living in North Kingstown
- North Kingstown is one of the safest cities in Rhode Island, making it easy to find nice places to live.
- There is a higher cost of living in North Kingstown, making it important to double-check that it fits your budget.
- Parents will find some of the best schools in the state located around North Kingstown communities.
Moving to North Kingstown, RI
There are so many benefits that come with relocating to North Kingstown that make it the perfect place to live. If you’re getting ready to make this comfortable town your new home, rely on the reliable North Kingstown movers at Correira Brothers to help you with the process! Contact our team today at (401) 648-6683 or complete the Request a Quote form on this page to get a free moving estimate!
