Wakefield ZIP Code List — Washington County, RI

There are 2 unique ZIP codes in Wakefield, Rhode Island. Area code: 401.

ZIP codes

39.49

sq mi land

6.17

sq mi water

401

area code

Wakefield, RI ZIP code map

About Wakefield, RI

Wakefield is a charming village located in the town of South Kingstown, Rhode Island. This picturesque community offers a blend of waterfront activities and quaint New England charm. Known for its vibrant local economy and friendly atmosphere, Wakefield attracts both residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Situated in Washington County, Wakefield is approximately 5 miles from Narragansett, 8 miles from Kingston, and 10 miles from West Kingston. The area boasts a total land area of 118.48 square miles, complemented by 18.52 square miles of water, which contributes to its scenic shoreline and diverse ecosystems. The geography features a mix of rolling hills and coastal landscapes, offering stunning views and numerous recreational opportunities.

Community & economy

Wakefield has a friendly, tight-knit community known for its active involvement in local events and organizations. The economy thrives on tourism, with visitors drawn to local shops, restaurants, and recreational sites, contributing to daily life here. Residents enjoy a peaceful atmosphere, enhanced by a rich cultural scene that includes art galleries and community festivals.

Transportation

Wakefield is accessible via several major highways, including Route 1, which connects to other key locations in Rhode Island. The nearest airport is T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, which is approximately 30 minutes away. Public transportation options include local bus services that connect to neighboring towns and cities.

History

Wakefield was founded in the 17th century and has grown significantly since its early days as an agricultural community. The village played a vital role in shipbuilding and textile manufacturing during the industrial revolution, influencing its development. Today, the historic downtown area reflects that rich heritage with well-preserved buildings and a vibrant local economy.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Wakefield is its annual 'Wakefield Village Festival,' which brings together locals and visitors for a day of celebration featuring live music, food, and local vendors. Additionally, it was once dubbed the 'Soda Fountain Capital of the World' during the early 20th century due to its numerous ice cream and soda shops.

ZIP codes for Wakefield, RI (2)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
02879	Wakefield	Washington	View map
02880	Wakefield	Washington	View map

Demographics & statistics

22,369

Population

49.0

Median age

$112,409

Median household income

$56,957

Per capita income

$468,300

Median home value

$1,268

Median monthly rent

77.9%

Home ownership

4.7%

Poverty rate

6.6%

Unemployment

9,746

Housing units

58.4%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

387

Under 5

410

632

5–9

671

450

10–14

478

590

15–19

626

552

20–24

585

1,195

25–34

1,268

1,205

35–44

1,280

1,036

45–54

1,100

1,014

55–59

1,077

884

60–64

939

1,622

65–74

1,722

942

75–84

1,000

341

85+

363

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	3,705	16.6%
18 and over	18,664	83.4%
65 and over	5,990	26.8%
Median age	49.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 89.9%

Two or more races 2.6%

Hispanic or Latino 2.2%

Black or African American 1.5%

Asian 1.5%

Other race 1.2%

American Indian / Alaska Native 1.1%

Group	Count	%
White	20,578	89.9%
Two or more races	590	2.6%
Hispanic or Latino	513	2.2%
Black or African American	338	1.5%
Asian	336	1.5%
Other race	271	1.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native	256	1.1%

Household income

Under $10k 3.0%

$10k–$15k 1.9%

$15k–$25k 5.3%

$25k–$35k 4.6%

$35k–$50k 6.2%

$50k–$75k 14.6%

$75k–$100k 10.3%

$100k–$150k 22.2%

$150k–$200k 15.6%

$200k+ 16.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.0%
$10k–$15k	1.9%
$15k–$25k	5.3%
$25k–$35k	4.6%
$35k–$50k	6.2%
$50k–$75k	14.6%
$75k–$100k	10.3%
$100k–$150k	22.2%
$150k–$200k	15.6%
$200k+	16.3%
Median income	$112,409

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 1.1%

$50k–$100k 0.8%

$100k–$150k 2.5%

$150k–$200k 1.7%

$200k–$300k 10.3%

$300k–$500k 41.4%

$500k–$1M 35.4%

$1M+ 7.0%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$468,300
Median rent / month	$1,268
Owner occupied	77.9%
Renter occupied	22.1%
Vacant	19.4%
Single-family detached	81.1%
Large apartment buildings	4.6%
Mobile homes	2.9%
Median rooms	5.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.42

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.2%
2010–2019	6.0%
2000–2009	13.0%
1990–1999	12.5%
1980–1989	13.6%
1970–1979	12.6%
1960–1969	6.9%
1950–1959	11.1%
1940–1949	4.5%
1939 or earlier	19.6%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.3%
1 bedroom	9.6%
2 bedrooms	28.0%
3 bedrooms	41.8%
4 bedrooms	17.0%
5+ bedrooms	2.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.6%
1 vehicle	31.8%
2 vehicles	41.1%
3 or more	21.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	28.2%
Electricity	11.6%
Propane / LP gas	10.5%
Fuel oil	46.7%
Wood	2.5%
No fuel used	0.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	5,488	57.5%
Cohabiting couple	512	5.4%
Male householder, no spouse	1,253	13.1%
Female householder, no spouse	2,299	24.1%
Households with children under 18	2,228	23.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	4,255	44.5%
Average household size	2.32

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	26.8%	25.0%
Married	62.0%	54.6%
Separated	0.3%	0.3%
Widowed	2.6%	9.0%
Divorced	8.4%	11.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.8%

Some HS, no diploma 4.3%

HS graduate 15.0%

Some college, no degree 14.2%

Associate's degree 7.3%

Bachelor's degree 31.9%

Graduate / professional 26.4%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	94.9%
Bachelor's or higher	58.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	379	8.0%
Kindergarten	216	4.5%
Elementary school	1,744	36.7%
High school	1,095	23.0%
College / grad school	1,323	27.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 32.4%

Professional & management 11.4%

Retail trade 10.0%

Manufacturing 9.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.8%

Public administration 6.2%

Finance & real estate 5.9%

Construction 5.4%

Other services 5.4%

Information 1.8%

Agriculture & mining 1.6%

Transportation & utilities 1.5%

Wholesale trade 1.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	56.7%
Service	15.0%
Sales & office	16.0%
Natural resources & construction	6.9%
Production & transportation	5.4%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	74.0%
Government	19.9%
Self-employed	6.1%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	77.8%
Carpool	5.4%
Public transit	2.4%
Walk	1.3%
Other means	1.4%
Avg commute (minutes)	27.3

Poverty

All people 4.7%

Under 18 years 5.5%

18 and over 4.6%

Married-couple families 0.7%

Female-led households 15.8%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	44.3%
Retirement income	36.3%
Supplemental Security	1.8%
Cash public assistance	1.7%
Food stamps / SNAP	6.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	31.7%
High cholesterol	32.1%
Heart disease	6.2%
Stroke	2.7%
Asthma	11.2%
Arthritis	26.6%
Kidney disease	2.7%
Pulmonary disease	6.2%
Cancer	8.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.6%
No physical activity	16.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.9%
Fair or poor health	10.4%
Poor mental health	12.9%
Poor physical health	8.8%
No health insurance	6.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	83.5%
Visited dentist	77.8%
Cholesterol screening	93.1%
Teeth loss	8.4%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,290	6.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	11.7%
Under 18	2.3%
18–64 years	7.7%
65 and over	26.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	76.8%
Public insurance	40.0%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	21,572	96.4%
Spanish	354	1.6%
Other Indo-European	127	0.6%
Asian & Pacific Islander	173	0.8%
Other languages	54	0.3%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	21,396	95.7%
Born in same state	20,941	93.6%
Born in different state	13,095	58.5%
Foreign born	455	2.0%
Naturalized citizen	973	4.3%
Not a US citizen	739	76.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	5,639	25.2%
French	4,329	19.4%
German	956	4.3%
Arab	911	4.1%
Polish	269	1.2%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	196	0.9%
Irish	67	0.3%
Norwegian	63	0.3%
Dutch	62	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	42.7%
Internet access	94.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Wakefield, RI?

Wakefield, RI has one ZIP code: 02879.

What is the main ZIP code for Wakefield, RI?

The primary ZIP code for Wakefield, RI is 02879. The city uses area code 401 for phone service.

What county is Wakefield, RI in?

Wakefield is located in Washington County, Rhode Island.

How many ZIP codes are in Wakefield, RI?

Wakefield, RI has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code covers downtown Wakefield and the historic village center around Main Street?

Downtown Wakefield, including the village center and Main Street area, is located in ZIP code 02879.

What is the ZIP code for the University of Rhode Island campus area in Wakefield?

The University of Rhode Island's main campus in Wakefield is served by ZIP code 02879.