According to Countryaah, Newport County, Rhode Island is located in the easternmost part of the state, and is bordered by Bristol County to the west, Washington County to the south, and Block Island Sound and Narragansett Bay to the east. The county seat is Newport, which is home to some of Rhode Island’s most iconic attractions such as The Breakers Mansion and Fort Adams State Park.
The county covers an area of 100 square miles (258 km2) and has a population of approximately 30,000 people. It includes several smaller towns such as Middletown, Portsmouth, Jamestown, Tiverton, Little Compton and Bristol. It also includes Prudence Island and portions of Aquidneck Island.
The county has a variety of geographical features including beaches along its eastern shoreline; a number of rivers including the Sakonnet River; several ponds including Mashapaug Pond; salt marshes; woodlands; rolling hills; farmland; and wetlands.
Newport County has two bordering counties: Bristol County lies to its west across Mount Hope Bay while Washington County lies to its south across Narragansett Bay. To its north lies Massachusetts while Block Island Sound lies to its east separating it from Connecticut. In addition, Newport County shares maritime borders with New York’s Long Island Sound as well as with Buzzards Bay in Massachusetts.
Demographics of Newport County, Rhode Island
Newport County, Rhode Island is home to a population of approximately 30,000 people. The majority of the population is white, accounting for 88.3% of the total population. The next largest ethnic group are Hispanic or Latino, making up 5.5% of the population. Other ethnicities present include African Americans (3.5%), Asians (2%), and Native Americans (0.3%).
The median age in Newport County is 43 years old with 21% of the population below 18 years old and 13% above 65 years old. The median household income is $66,845 with 7% of households living in poverty as of 2018.
The largest industry in Newport County is tourism which brings around two million visitors to the area each year due to its historical attractions and beautiful beaches along its eastern shoreline. Other industries include manufacturing, finance, healthcare, retail trade, education services and professional services such as law firms and accounting firms.
The county has a variety of educational opportunities available including public schools managed by Newport Public Schools; private schools managed by St George’s School; post-secondary institutions such as Salve Regina University; and community colleges such as Community College of Rhode Island – Newport Campus. It also has a number of cultural institutions such as the International Tennis Hall Of Fame Museum located in Newport Harbor and numerous art galleries throughout the county showcasing local artists’ work.
Places of Interest in Newport County, Rhode Island
Newport County, Rhode Island is home to a variety of attractions that appeal to visitors of all ages. The most popular destination in the county is the historic waterfront city of Newport which has been dubbed “The City by the Sea”. This charming city offers a variety of activities and attractions including its famous Cliff Walk which offers stunning views of the ocean and local mansions, as well as its vibrant arts and culture scene with numerous galleries and museums.
For those looking for outdoor activities, Newport County has plenty to offer. Beaches such as Easton’s Beach, Sachuest Beach, and Fort Adams State Park offer beautiful views and plenty of opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, kayaking, sailing, surfing and more. The county also has various other parks such as Ballard Park in Bristol which features walking trails along with breathtaking views of Narragansett Bay.
History buffs will be delighted by the many historical sites located in Newport County such as Fort Adams State Park which was constructed between 1824-1857; Belcourt Castle which was built between 1891-1894; Touro Synagogue National Historic Site which is the oldest synagogue still standing in America; and Redwood Library & Athenaeum which is one of the oldest libraries still standing in America.
Other attractions include the International Tennis Hall Of Fame Museum located at Newport Harbor; Newport Mansions which feature some of America’s most impressive Gilded Age homes; The Breakers Mansion which was once owned by Cornelius Vanderbilt II; and various other museums such as the U.S Navy War Museum located at Naval Station Newport.
No matter what type of activity or attraction you are looking for during your visit to Newport County, you are sure to find something that suits your interests.
Notable People of Newport County, Rhode Island
Newport County, Rhode Island has had its share of notable people throughout its history. From politicians to actors and athletes, Newport County has seen many famous people walk through its streets.
One of the most famous figures in Newport County is the late Senator John Chafee who served as a U.S Senator from 1976 to 1999. He was instrumental in the passage of the Clean Water Act and helped to create what is now known as the National Marine Sanctuary Program.
Another influential figure in Newport County is actor and singer Christopher Walken who grew up in Fort Adams State Park and attended North Kingstown High School. He went on to become one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars with roles in films such as The Deer Hunter, Annie Hall, Catch Me If You Can, and Hairspray among others.
The county also boasts several professional athletes including Olympic gold medalist Summer Sanders who was born in nearby Providence and attended East Providence High School before going on to compete at Stanford University. Other prominent athletes from Newport County include former NFL quarterback Tom Brady who attended Juniper Hill Elementary School; NBA shooting guard Jimmy Butler who grew up in Woonsocket; MLB pitcher Curt Schilling who graduated from Bishop Hendricken High School; and NHL player Keith Primeau who played for the Boston Bruins before retiring due to injury in 2006.
Finally, notable musicians from Newport County include folk singer/songwriter Ani DiFranco who was born in Buffalo but moved to Rhode Island when she was just one year old; Grammy award-winning rapper CeeLo Green who spent his teenage years living in Middletown; and two-time Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter Taylor Swift whose family moved to Westerly when she was 14 years old.
These are just a few of the notable people that have come out of Newport County, Rhode Island – a county full of history, culture, and talent.
