View source for Portsmouth, Rhode Island

{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Portsmouth, Rhode Island
| settlement_type    = [[New England town|Town]]
| nickname           = 
| motto              = <!-- Images -->
| image_skyline      = Portsmouth Rhode Island Town Hall.jpg
| image_caption      = Town Hall
| image_size         = 275px
| image_flag         = <!--https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us-ripor.html-->
| image_seal         = <!-- Maps -->
| image_map          = Portsmouth RI lg.PNG
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Portsmouth in Newport County, Rhode Island
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = <!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Rhode Island]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Rhode Island|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Newport County, Rhode Island|Newport]]

<!-- Government -->| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = Town Council
| leader_name        = Keith E. Hamilton (R), President<br/>Sondra A. Blank (D)<br/>David M. Gleason (R)<br/> Mary A. McDowell (I)<br/>Sharlene M. Patton (R)<br/>Juan Carlos Payero (D)<br/>David G. Reise (R)
| leader_title1      = Town Clerk
| leader_name1       = Jennifer M. West
| established_title  = Established
| established_date   = March 7, 1638

<!-- Area -->| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = 
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_km2     = 153.6
| area_land_km2      = 60.1
| area_water_km2     = 93.5
| area_total_sq_mi   = 59.3
| area_land_sq_mi    = 23.2
| area_water_sq_mi   = 36.1

<!-- Population -->| population_as_of   = 2020
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 17871
| population_density_km2 = 297.4
| population_density_sq_mi = <!-- General information -->
| timezone           = Eastern (EST)
| utc_offset         = −5
| timezone_DST       = EDT
| utc_offset_DST     = −4
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 
| elevation_ft       = 203
| coordinates        = {{coord|41|36|N|71|15|W|region:US-RI|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = ZIP Code
| postal_code        = 02871
| area_code          = 401
| blank_name         = FIPS code
| blank_info         = 44-57880<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
| blank1_name        = GNIS feature ID
| blank1_info        = 1220065<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|1220065}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|http://www.portsmouthri.com}}
}}

'''Portsmouth''' is a town in [[Newport County, Rhode Island]], United States. The population was 17,871 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 U.S. census]]. Portsmouth is the second-oldest municipality in Rhode Island, after [[Providence Plantations|Providence]]; it was one of the four colonies which merged to form the [[Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations]], the others being Providence, [[Newport, Rhode Island|Newport]], and [[Warwick, Rhode Island|Warwick]].

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|59.3|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|23.2|sqmi|km2}} (39.14%) is land and {{convert|36.1|sqmi|km2}} (60.86%) is water. Most of its land area lies on [[Aquidneck Island]], which it shares with [[Middletown, Rhode Island|Middletown]] and [[Newport, Rhode Island|Newport]]. In addition, Portsmouth encompasses some smaller islands, including [[Prudence Island]], [[Patience Island (Rhode Island)|Patience Island]], [[Hope Island (Rhode Island)|Hope Island]] and [[Hog Island (Rhode Island)|Hog Island]]. Part of the [[census-designated place]] of [[Melville, Rhode Island|Melville]] lies within the town boundaries.

{{Stack|[[Image:Portsmouth Compact.JPG|thumb|right|[[Portsmouth Compact]] memorial at Founder's Brook]]}}

==History==

Portsmouth was settled in 1638 by a group of religious dissenters from [[Massachusetts Bay Colony]], including [[John Clarke (1609-1676)|Dr. John Clarke]], [[William Coddington]], and [[Anne Hutchinson]]. It is named after [[Portsmouth]], Hampshire, England.  [[Roger Williams]] convinced the settlers that they should go there instead of settling in the [[Province of New Jersey]], where they had first planned on going.

It was founded by the signers of the [[Portsmouth Compact]]. Its original name was Pocasset and it was officially named Portsmouth on May 12, 1639. It became part of the [[Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations]] (see [[Aquidneck Island]]) and eventually part of the [[Rhode Island|State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations]].

==Schools==

===Public===
The [[Portsmouth School Department]] operates public schools:

* Portsmouth High School
* Portsmouth Middle School
* Howard W. Hathaway Elementary School
* Melville Elementary School
* Prudence Island School (a Charter/Co-op "Home School" as of September 2009)

===Private===
*[[Portsmouth Abbey School]] (9th Grade through 12th Grade)
*Saint Philomena School (Pre-Kindergarten through 8th Grade)
* The Pennfield School (Nursery through 8th Grade)

==Commerce==
Portsmouth is home to the Portsmouth Business Park, as well as a few small plazas with a variety of businesses. Portsmouth is also home to the [[Raytheon]] Missiles & Defense division. Adjacent to Raytheon is the Newport Car Museum which opened in 2017 and receives 50,000 visitors a year.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Most |first1=Doug |title=The Newport Car Museum is ‘not only a car museum…it’s an art museum’ |url=https://newportcarmuseum.org/the-newport-car-museum-is-not-only-a-car-museumits-an-art-museum/#:~:text=The%20museum%20has%20more%20than%2050%2C000%20visitors%20a%20year.,fun%20gift%20shops%20to%20browse. |website=Newport Car Museum |publisher=The Boston Globe |access-date=January 16, 2024}}</ref>

==Sports==
Portsmouth is the headquarters of [[US Sailing]], the national governing body of sailing in the U.S.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ussailing.org/|title=United States Sailing Association - the national governing body for the sport of sailing|website=United States Sailing Association}}</ref>  It is also home to the Newport International Polo Series held at Glen Farm.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.glenfarm.com/ |title=Glen Farm - Polo and Equestrian Center - Homepage |access-date=August 21, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20000304042500/http://www.glenfarm.com/ |archive-date=March 4, 2000  }}</ref>

==Music==
On September 21, 2017, plaques were unveiled by [[Roger Williams University]], along with [[Al Gomes]] and Connie Watrous of Big Noise, at the Baypoint Inn & Conference Center honoring music icons [[The Beach Boys]]. The plaques were to commemorate the band's concert on September 22, 1971 in Portsmouth. The concert was the first-ever appearance of South African [[Ricky Fataar]] as an official member of the band and Filipino [[Billy Hinsche]] as a touring member, essentially changing The Beach Boys' live and recording act's line-up into a multi-cultural group. Diversity is a credo of Roger Williams University, which is why they chose to celebrate this moment in the band's history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rhodybeat.com/stories/friday-sept-22-will-be-beach-boys-day-in-portsmouth,27261|title=Friday, Sept. 22 will be 'Beach Boys Day' in Portsmouth|first=Jim|last=McGaw|publisher=The Portsmouth Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=The Beach Boys / Roger Williams University Plaque|url=http://www.bignoisenow.com/images/artistphotos2018/BeachBoysRWUplaque.pdf|date=September 21, 2017}}</ref>

[[Jimmy Buffett]] performed at the Sunset Cove restaurant on July 2, 2023, which was his final public performance before his death on September 1 of that year.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Doiron |first1=Sarah |last2=Bell |first2=Lauren |title=Jimmy Buffett turned RI restaurant into his own 'Margaritaville' for final performance |url=https://www.wpri.com/dont-miss/jimmy-buffett-turned-ri-restaurant-into-his-own-margaritaville-for-final-performance/ |website=WPRI.com |access-date=September 10, 2023 |date=September 4, 2023}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1790= 1560
|1800= 1684
|1810= 1795
|1820= 1645
|1830= 1727
|1840= 1706
|1850= 1833
|1860= 2048
|1870= 2003
|1880= 1979
|1890= 1949
|1900= 2105
|1910= 2681
|1920= 2590
|1930= 2969
|1940= 3683
|1950= 6578
|1960= 8251
|1970= 12521
|1980= 14257
|1990= 16857
|2000= 17149
|2010= 17389
|2020= 17871
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Cen1865">{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NxsxC5mK7NAC | title=Report upon the Census of Rhode Island 1865 | publisher=Providence Press Company | author=Snow, Edwin M. | year=1867 | location=Providence, RI}}</ref>
}}

===2020 U.S. Census===
As of the [[census]] of 2020, there were 17,871 people and 7,280 households in the town. The population density was {{convert|776.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 8,610 housing units in the town. The racial makeup of the town was 89.05% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.63% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.23% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.72% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.08% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.21% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 6.08% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.63% of the population.

There were 7,280 households, out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 24.2% had a female householder with no spouse present and 12.3% had a male householder with no spouse present. 8.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the town, the population age distribution is 19.3% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 19.6% from 25 to 44, 29.9% from 45 to 64, and 24.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years.

The median income for a household in the town was $119,500, and the median income for a family was $151,063. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $64,438. About 4.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 5.1% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.

===2010 U.S. Census===
The [[2010 U.S. census]]<ref name="GR2" /> reported that there were 17,349 people, or an increase of 1.15%, residing in the town. The racial makeup of the town was 94.57% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.35% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.58% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.21% American Indian or Alaskan Native, 0.04% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 0.40% of some other race, and 1.86% of two or more races.

In the town, 22.98% of the population was under the age of 18 and 16.47% were 65 years of age or older. Females made up 51.03% of the population.

===2000 U.S. Census===
The 2000 U.S. Census<ref name="GR2" /> reported that there were 17,149 people, or an increase of 1.7%, residing in the town. There were also 6,758 households, and 4,865 families recorded. The population density was {{convert|739.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 7,386 housing units at an average density of {{convert|318.3|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the town was 95.82% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.17% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.19% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.36% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.37% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.05% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.45% of the population.

There were 6,758 households, of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.1% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 23.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the town, the population age distribution is 25.2% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $88,835, and the median income for a family was $108,577. Males had a median income of $46,297 versus $31,745 for females. The per capita income for the town was $46,161. About 2.0% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.8% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.

==Historic sites and points of interest==

* [[Battle of Rhode Island Site]]
* [[Borden Farm (Portsmouth, Rhode Island)|Borden Farm]] 
* [[Greenvale Farm]] (1864)
* [[Green Animals Topiary Garden]]
* [[Hog Island Shoal Lighthouse]] (1901)
* [[Lawton-Almy-Hall Farm]]
* [[Mount Hope Bridge]] (1929)
* [[Oak Glen (Portsmouth, Rhode Island)|Oak Glen]]
* [[Portsmouth Friends Meetinghouse Parsonage and Cemetery]] ({{circa|1699}})
* [[Prudence Island Lighthouse]] (1823)
* [[Union Church (Portsmouth, Rhode Island)|Union Church]] (1865)
* [[Wreck Sites of H.M.S. Cerberus and H.M.S. Lark]] (1778)

==Notable people==
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· The article must mention how they are associated with Portsmouth, whether born, raised, or residing.
· The fact of their association should have a reliable source cited.
· Alphabetical by last name please.
· All others will be deleted.
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* [[Ade Bethune]] (1914–2002), liturgical artist and [[Catholic Worker Movement|Catholic Worker]]
* [[Jeremy Clarke (governor)|Jeremy Clarke]] (1605–1652), early settler of Portsmouth, served as second governor of Rhode Island colony
* [[Mike Cloud]], running back for the [[Kansas City Chiefs]], [[New England Patriots]], and [[New York Giants]]
* [[Thomas Cornell (settler)|Thomas Cornell]], one of the earliest settlers of Portsmouth and progenitor of Cornell family in America
* [[Chris Cosentino]], chef and cast member of "[[The Next Iron Chef]]"
* [[Charlie Day]], American actor, screenwriter, producer, comedian, and musician
* [[Sarah J. Eddy]] (1851–1945), American artist, photographer, and suffragist
* [[Julia Ward Howe]] (1819–1910), author of "[[The Battle Hymn of the Republic]]"
* [[Anne Hutchinson]] (1591–1643), religious figure; one of the founders of Portsmouth, in 1638
* [[Betty Hutton]] (1921–2007), film actress and singer<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/14/movies/14hutton.html|title=Betty Hutton, Film Star of 1940s and 1950s, Dies at 86|first=Richard|last=Severo|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 14, 2007}}</ref>
* [[Patrick J. Kennedy|Patrick Kennedy]], U.S. congressman for Rhode Island's First district (1995–2011)
* [[Scotty Kilmer]], auto mechanic educator followed by millions on YouTube
* [[Frances Latham]] (1610–1677), wife of Governor Jeremy Clarke, early settler of Portsmouth, known as the "mother of governors"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/historicstrainof02trac/page/n3|title = An historic strain of blood in America. Frances Latham&mdash;mother of governors|year = 1908|publisher = New Haven, Conn}}</ref>
* [[Ronald Machtley]], U.S. congressman, President of [[Bryant University]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bryant.edu/about/leadership.htm|title=Leadership {{!}} Bryant University|website=www.bryant.edu|language=en|access-date=January 17, 2018}}
</ref>
* [[Michelle McGaw]], state representative from the [[Rhode Island House of Representatives]] representing Little Compton, Tiverton, and Portsmouth
* [[Cortlandt Parker]] (1884–1960), US Army major general<ref name="Decorations">{{cite news |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=19 January 1960 |title=Gen. Parker Dies; Won Decorations |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/transcript-telegram-obituary-for-cortlan/184443351/ |work=[[Holyoke Transcript-Telegram]] |location=Holyoke, Massachusetts |page=7 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
* [[Peleg Slocum]] (1654–1733), Quaker, former proprietor of [[Dartmouth, Massachusetts]] and former owner of [[Cuttyhunk Island]]
* [[Cole Swider]], professional basketball player for the [[Los Angeles Lakers]]
* [[Ryan Westmoreland]], former baseball player, [[Boston Red Sox]] prospect

==Gallery==

<gallery class="center" widths="175px" heights="137px">
File:Borden Farm, Portsmouth RI crop.jpg|The [[Second Empire architecture|Second Empire]] mansion at [[Borden Farm (Portsmouth, Rhode Island)|Borden Farm]] was built {{circa|1865}}
File:Friends Meetinghouse 2, Portsmouth, Rhode Island.jpg|The [[Portsmouth Friends Meetinghouse, Parsonage and Cemetery|Friends Meeting]] was built {{circa|1699–1700}}
File:Union Church, Portsmouth, Rhode Island.jpg|The [[Union Church (Portsmouth, Rhode Island)|Union Church]] was built in 1865
Image:Portsmouth Rhode Island School House.jpg|The 1725 schoolhouse owned by the Portsmouth Historical Society is one of the oldest surviving in the U.S.
File:IMG 3915 - panoramio.jpg|The [[Green Animals Topiary Garden]]
Image:Mount Hope Bridge-1.jpg|The [[Mount Hope Bridge]], connecting Portsmouth with [[Bristol, Rhode Island|Bristol]], Rhode Island
</gallery>

==References==

'''Notes'''
{{Reflist}}

'''Further reading'''
*Garman, James E. (1996). ''Traveling Around Aquidneck Island 1890–1930''. Portsmouth: Hamilton Printing. {{ISBN|0-9631722-6-3}}.
*Pierce, John T. (1991). ''Historical Tracts of the Town of Portsmouth''. Portsmouth: Hamilton Printing. {{ISBN|0-9631722-0-4}}.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Portsmouth, Rhode Island}}
{{Wikivoyage|Portsmouth (Rhode Island)|Portsmouth, Rhode Island}}
* [http://www.portsmouthri.com Town of Portsmouth]
* [http://portsmouthhistorical.org Portsmouth Historical Society]

{{Portsmouth, Rhode Island}}
{{Newport County, Rhode Island}}
{{Portal bar|Rhode Island}}
{{Rhode Island}}
{{Narragansett Bay}}
{{Greater_Boston}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Portsmouth, Rhode Island| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Newport County, Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Providence metropolitan area]]
[[Category:1638 establishments in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1638]]
[[Category:Towns in Rhode Island]]