📍 Location & Geography
Kingston is a small village located in the town of South Kingstown, in Washington County, Rhode Island, United States. It is situated in the southern part of the state, approximately 30 miles south of the state capital, Providence. The village is characterized by a mix of residential, commercial, and rural areas, with a number of historic buildings and sites.
🌎 Coordinates
The geographic coordinates of Kingston are approximately 41.48 degrees north latitude and 71.53 degrees west longitude.
🗺️ Region & Area
Kingston is part of the New England region of the United States. It covers an area of approximately 1.9 square miles, with a mix of residential, commercial, and open spaces.
👥 Population & Demographics
As of the 2010 census, the population of Kingston was approximately 6,974. The village is fairly diverse, with a mix of different ethnicities and age groups. The median age in Kingston is about 21.8 years, which is significantly lower than the state average, due largely to the presence of the University of Rhode Island.
🏛️ History
Kingston was originally settled in the 17th century and was known as Little Rest. It was renamed Kingston in 1826. The village played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War, with several historic sites still standing today. The Kingston Village Historic District, which includes several 18th and 19th-century buildings, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
🏞️ Nature & Environment
Kingston is home to several parks and green spaces, including the University of Rhode Island Botanical Gardens and the Larchwood Lake Nature Preserve. The village is characterized by its New England landscapes, with a mix of forests, fields, and wetlands. The region is part of the Atlantic coastal pine barrens ecoregion, known for its unique combination of coastal, forest, and wetland habitats.
🏫 Education
Kingston is home to the University of Rhode Island (URI), the state’s largest public university. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs and is known for its research in areas such as oceanography, pharmaceuticals, and environmental science. The village also has several public and private schools serving students from kindergarten through high school.
🚧 Transportation
Kingston is served by several major highways, including U.S. Route 1 and Rhode Island Route 138. The village is also home to the Kingston Train Station, which provides Amtrak and MBTA commuter rail service to destinations such as Providence, Boston, and New York City. The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) provides bus service in the area.
📜 Trivia & Events
Kingston is known for its annual events, such as the Kingston Days Festival, which celebrates the village’s history and culture. The University of Rhode Island also hosts a number of events throughout the year, including concerts, lectures, and sporting events. One interesting fact about Kingston is that it was the birthplace of Robert Ballard, the oceanographer known for discovering the wreck of the Titanic.