Westerly, RI Demographics

A map of Westerly's Population by Race

Westerly, Rhode Island has an estimated population of 18,411, a less than 1% change from the 18,423 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 88.2% White, 4.0% Multiracial, 3.3% Hispanic, 3.1% Asian, 0.8% Native American/Other, and 0.6% Black. This demographic dot map shows the population of Westerly, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Westerly has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Rhode Island overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Westerly, that probability was 25.6% in 2020 and 21.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Westerly is ranked the 9th most populous place in Rhode Island, out of 36 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Westerly was ranked the 9th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Westerly's White Population

16,236 residents of Westerly, or 88.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Westerly is significantly higher than in Rhode Island overall, where 68% of the population is White. Westerly ranks 21st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Westerly's White population has grown by an estimated 2.5%. White residents' share of Westerly's population has increased from 86.0% to 88.2%.

Westerly is more White than neighboring Pawcatuck (81.9% White). Westerly is less White than neighboring Misquamicut (100% White), Weekapaug (98.5% White), Bradford (100% White), and Ashaway (90.4% White).

Westerly's Black Population

117 residents of Westerly, or 0.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Westerly is slightly lower than in Rhode Island overall, where 4.9% of the population is Black. Westerly ranks 19th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Westerly's Black population has declined by an estimated 35.4%. Black residents' share of Westerly's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Westerly is more Black than neighboring Misquamicut (0% Black), Weekapaug (0% Black), Bradford (0% Black), and Ashaway (0% Black). Westerly is less Black than neighboring Pawcatuck (4.1% Black).

Westerly's Asian Population

571 residents of Westerly, or 3.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Westerly is comparable to the share in Rhode Island overall, where 3.5% of the population is Asian. Westerly ranks 9th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Westerly's Asian population has grown by an estimated 1.1%. Asian residents' share of Westerly's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.1%.

Westerly is more Asian than neighboring Misquamicut (0% Asian), Weekapaug (0% Asian), Bradford (0% Asian), and Ashaway (0% Asian). Westerly is less Asian than neighboring Pawcatuck (4.5% Asian).

Westerly's Hispanic Population

601 residents of Westerly, or 3.3% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Westerly is considerably lower than in Rhode Island overall, where 17.7% of the population is Hispanic. Westerly ranks 13th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Westerly's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 38.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Westerly's population has decreased from 5.3% to 3.3%.

Westerly is more Hispanic than neighboring Misquamicut (0% Hispanic), Weekapaug (0% Hispanic), Bradford (0% Hispanic), and Ashaway (2.7% Hispanic). Westerly is less Hispanic than neighboring Pawcatuck (4.2% Hispanic).

Westerly's Native American/Other Population

156 residents of Westerly, or 0.8% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Westerly is comparable to the share in Rhode Island overall, where 1% of the population is Native American/Other. Westerly ranks 14th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Westerly's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 13.8%. Native American/Other residents' share of Westerly's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Westerly is more Native American/Other than neighboring Pawcatuck (0.3% Native American/Other), Misquamicut (0% Native American/Other), Weekapaug (0% Native American/Other), Bradford (0% Native American/Other), and Ashaway (0% Native American/Other).

Westerly's Multiracial Population

730 residents of Westerly, or 4.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Westerly is comparable to the share in Rhode Island overall, where 4.9% of the population is Multiracial. Westerly ranks 18th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 36 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Westerly's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 6.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Westerly's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.0%.

Westerly is more Multiracial than neighboring Misquamicut (0% Multiracial), Weekapaug (1.5% Multiracial), and Bradford (0% Multiracial). Westerly is less Multiracial than neighboring Pawcatuck (5.1% Multiracial), and Ashaway (6.9% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.