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Portsmouth, Rhode Island

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 59.3 square miles (153.6 km²), of which, 23.2 square miles (60.1 km²) of it is land and 36.1 square miles (93.5 km²) of it (60.86%) is water. Most of its land area lies on Aquidneck Island, which it shares with Middletown and Newport. In addition, Portsmouth encompasses some smaller islands, including Prudence Island, Patience Island, Hope Island, and Hog Island.

History

Portsmouth Compact memorial at Founder's Brook.

Portsmouth was settled in 1638 by a group of religious dissenters from Boston Colony, including Dr. John Clarke, William Coddington, and Anne Hutchinson. It is named after Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. It was founded by the signers of the Portsmouth Compact. Its original Indian name was Pocasset. It was officially named Portsmouth on May 12, 1639.

It became part of the colony of Rhode Island (see Aquidneck Island) and eventually of the colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations and the state that bears that name.

Portsmouth is the site of an important capture during the American War for Independence. Lieutenant Colonel William Barton of Rhode island captured the British Commander at Rhode Island, General Richard Prescott there. It is also the site of Rhode Island's only major battle in that war on Butt's Hill. Nearby Founder's Brook is said to have run red with the blood of fallen British soldiers on August 29, 1778. During the Battle of Rhode Island the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, which comprised mostly African-American soldiers, served in the army of Gen. John Sullivan.

Schools

Public
Portsmouth High School

Portsmouth Middle School

Elmhurst Elementary School (Identified for closing by school facilities committee)

Howard H. Hathaway Elementary School

Melville Elementary School

Prudence Island School (A Charter/Co-op "Home School" as of September 2009)
Private
Portsmouth Abbey School (9^th Grade through 12^th Grade)
Saint Philomena School (Pre-Kindergarten through 8^th Grade)

The Pennfield School (Nursery through 8^th Grade)

The Mount Hope Bridge, connecting Portsmouth with Bristol, Rhode Island.

Commerce

Since 1980, Portsmouth has been home to , a large supermarket. In addition, 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 a branch of Raytheon, and its Integrated Defense Systems department.

Sports

Portsmouth is the headquarters of US Sailing, the National Governing Body of Sailing in the U.S. Portsmouth is also home to the Newport International Polo Series held at Glen Farm. Portsmouth is also home to the Portsmouth Pirates, the town's soccer league.

Demographics

At the time of the census of 1990, there were 16,857 people residing in the town. As of the census of 2000, 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 739.0 people per square mile (285.3/km²). There were 7,386 housing units at an average density of 318.3/sq mi (122.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.82% White, 1.17% African American, 0.19% Native American, 1.36% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 1.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.45% of the population.

There were 6,758 households out 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 was spread out with 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 $58,835, and the median income for a family was $68,577. Males had a median income of $46,297 versus $31,745 for females. The per capita income for the town was $28,161. 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.