Westerly ZIP Codes — Washington County, RI

There is one unique ZIP code in Westerly, Rhode Island and it is 02891. Area code: 401.

ZIP codes

26.28

sq mi land

4.77

sq mi water

401

area code

Westerly, RI ZIP code map

About Westerly, RI

Westerly, Rhode Island, is a charming coastal town located in Washington County. Known for its picturesque scenery and rich history, Westerly offers a unique blend of seaside beauty and community spirit. With a variety of local shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions, it serves as a wonderful destination for residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Westerly is situated in the southwestern corner of Rhode Island, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the south. Nearby cities include Mystic, Connecticut, approximately 12 miles to the west, and Stonington, Connecticut, about 15 miles away. The town covers a land area of 26.28 square miles and includes a water area of 4.77 square miles, showcasing beautiful beaches and coastal wetlands.

Community & economy

The character of Westerly is often defined by its friendly and welcoming atmosphere, making it a great place for families and retirees. The local economy primarily revolves around tourism, with visitors flocking to its beaches, cultural events, and historic sites. Daily life in Westerly features a mix of outdoor activities, community events, and a strong sense of local pride.

Transportation

Westerly is easily accessible via major highways, including Interstate 95, which connects it to other parts of Rhode Island and beyond. The nearest airport is Westerly State Airport, providing local flights, while T.F. Green Airport, located about 40 miles away, offers broader travel options. Public transportation is available through local bus services that connect to nearby regions.

History

Westerly was founded in 1669 and has a rich industrial history, once known for its granite quarries and textile mills. The town played a significant role in the maritime industry and was home to notable shipbuilding activities in the 19th century. A key event in Westerly's history was the devastating flood of 1936, which led to major renovations and improvements in infrastructure.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Westerly is that it is home to the famous Watch Hill, a neighborhood known for its historic lighthouse and luxurious summer cottages. Additionally, the town has long been associated with the popular beach destination Misquamicut, drawing visitors to its sandy shores for decades.

ZIP codes for Westerly, RI (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
02891	Westerly	Washington	View map

Demographics & statistics

22,026

Population

52.0

Median age

$89,243

Median household income

$52,032

Per capita income

$397,100

Median home value

$1,289

Median monthly rent

73.6%

Home ownership

6.5%

Poverty rate

7.0%

Unemployment

10,191

Housing units

40.3%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

398

Under 5

389

406

5–9

396

414

10–14

404

591

15–19

578

798

20–24

779

1,167

25–34

1,139

951

35–44

928

1,440

45–54

1,407

1,053

55–59

1,029

1,010

60–64

986

1,739

65–74

1,699

795

75–84

777

381

85+

372

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	3,060	13.9%
18 and over	18,966	86.1%
65 and over	5,763	26.2%
Median age	52.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 88.3%

Hispanic or Latino 3.1%

Two or more races 2.7%

Other race 2.4%

Asian 2.3%

Black or African American 0.9%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	20,076	88.3%
Hispanic or Latino	715	3.1%
Two or more races	625	2.7%
Other race	548	2.4%
Asian	533	2.3%
Black or African American	201	0.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native	43	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 3.4%

$10k–$15k 2.8%

$15k–$25k 4.7%

$25k–$35k 5.3%

$35k–$50k 8.5%

$50k–$75k 16.1%

$75k–$100k 13.6%

$100k–$150k 22.3%

$150k–$200k 11.0%

$200k+ 12.4%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.4%
$10k–$15k	2.8%
$15k–$25k	4.7%
$25k–$35k	5.3%
$35k–$50k	8.5%
$50k–$75k	16.1%
$75k–$100k	13.6%
$100k–$150k	22.3%
$150k–$200k	11.0%
$200k+	12.4%
Median income	$89,243

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.3%

$50k–$100k 0.3%

$100k–$150k 1.5%

$150k–$200k 1.8%

$200k–$300k 16.3%

$300k–$500k 52.7%

$500k–$1M 19.3%

$1M+ 5.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$397,100
Median rent / month	$1,289
Owner occupied	73.6%
Renter occupied	26.4%
Vacant	22.8%
Single-family detached	69.1%
Large apartment buildings	4.7%
Mobile homes	0.1%
Median rooms	5.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.34

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.6%
2010–2019	3.9%
2000–2009	8.0%
1990–1999	10.3%
1980–1989	18.1%
1970–1979	12.9%
1960–1969	8.2%
1950–1959	10.3%
1940–1949	4.0%
1939 or earlier	23.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	3.3%
1 bedroom	8.2%
2 bedrooms	26.7%
3 bedrooms	38.7%
4 bedrooms	17.2%
5+ bedrooms	5.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	7.0%
1 vehicle	28.7%
2 vehicles	39.3%
3 or more	25.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	33.7%
Electricity	17.6%
Propane / LP gas	5.4%
Fuel oil	41.1%
Wood	1.1%
No fuel used	0.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	4,824	48.9%
Cohabiting couple	601	6.1%
Male householder, no spouse	1,918	19.4%
Female householder, no spouse	2,530	25.6%
Households with children under 18	1,926	19.5%
Households with seniors (65+)	4,042	40.9%
Average household size	2.20

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	35.8%	23.5%
Married	51.6%	49.8%
Separated	0.3%	1.6%
Widowed	3.0%	11.6%
Divorced	9.3%	13.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.1%

Some HS, no diploma 5.2%

HS graduate 28.9%

Some college, no degree 16.4%

Associate's degree 7.2%

Bachelor's degree 22.7%

Graduate / professional 17.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	92.8%
Bachelor's or higher	40.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	199	5.9%
Kindergarten	116	3.4%
Elementary school	1,261	37.3%
High school	804	23.8%
College / grad school	1,004	29.7%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 23.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 14.3%

Manufacturing 13.7%

Retail trade 10.7%

Professional & management 9.6%

Finance & real estate 7.6%

Construction 4.9%

Other services 4.7%

Public administration 4.5%

Transportation & utilities 2.4%

Wholesale trade 1.8%

Information 1.3%

Agriculture & mining 0.7%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	46.7%
Service	18.0%
Sales & office	20.9%
Natural resources & construction	6.0%
Production & transportation	8.4%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	78.9%
Government	15.3%
Self-employed	5.8%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	81.2%
Carpool	4.7%
Public transit	1.5%
Walk	2.2%
Other means	1.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	25.1

Poverty

All people 6.5%

Under 18 years 5.0%

18 and over 6.7%

Married-couple families 2.7%

Female-led households 3.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	39.8%
Retirement income	29.8%
Supplemental Security	4.8%
Cash public assistance	2.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	5.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	33.8%
High cholesterol	32.8%
Heart disease	7.0%
Stroke	3.1%
Asthma	11.5%
Arthritis	28.3%
Kidney disease	3.0%
Pulmonary disease	7.5%
Cancer	8.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.2%
No physical activity	19.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.7%
Fair or poor health	12.5%
Poor mental health	13.8%
Poor physical health	10.1%
No health insurance	8.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	83.2%
Visited dentist	73.5%
Cholesterol screening	92.1%
Teeth loss	10.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,481	7.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	11.1%
Under 18	2.1%
18–64 years	9.5%
65 and over	19.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	74.8%
Public insurance	38.4%
Uninsured under 19	0.5%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	21,239	96.4%
Spanish	811	3.8%
Other Indo-European	383	1.8%
Asian & Pacific Islander	155	0.7%
Other languages	254	1.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	20,752	94.2%
Born in same state	20,562	93.4%
Born in different state	11,564	52.5%
Foreign born	190	0.9%
Naturalized citizen	1,274	5.8%
Not a US citizen	853	67.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	5,134	23.3%
French	3,895	17.7%
German	802	3.6%
Arab	722	3.3%
Polish	116	0.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Norwegian	78	0.4%
English	75	0.3%
Irish	65	0.3%
Dutch	29	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	44.8%
Internet access	93.3%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Westerly, RI have?

Westerly, RI has one ZIP code: 02891. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.