Block Island
Block Island is an island of the Outer Lands coastal archipelago, located approximately 9 miles (14 km) south of mainland Rhode Island and 14 miles (23 km) east of Long Island's Montauk Point. The island is coterminous with the town of New Shoreham, Rhode Island and is part of Washington County. The island is named after Dutch explorer Adriaen Block, and the town was named for Shoreham, Kent, in England.
New Shoreham, Rhode Island
Block Island | |
|---|---|
Town | |
Block Island looking north over Block Island Sound. The coast of Rhode Island is seen in the distance. | |
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Seal | |
| Nickname: Manisses meaning Manitou's Little Island (used by Narragansett people) | |
Location of New Shoreham in Washington County, Rhode Island | |
| Coordinates: 41°10′11″N 71°34′48″W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Rhode Island |
| County | Washington |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-manager |
| Area | |
| • Land | 9.73 sq mi (25.2 km2) |
| Elevation | 13 ft (4 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 1,410 |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code | 02807 |
| Area code | 401 |
| Website | new-shoreham |
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 489 | — | |
| 1980 | 620 | 26.8% | |
| 1990 | 836 | 34.8% | |
| 2000 | 1,010 | 20.8% | |
| 2010 | 1,051 | 4.1% | |
| 2020 | 1,410 | 34.2% |
Block Island is a popular summer tourist destination known for its bicycling, hiking, sailing, fishing, and beaches. It is home to the historic lighthouses Block Island North Light, on the northern tip of the island, and Block Island Southeast Light, on the southeastern coast. About 40 percent of the island is set aside for conservation, and much of the northwestern tip of the island is an undeveloped natural area and resting stop for birds along the Atlantic flyway. The Nature Conservancy includes Block Island on its list of "The Last Great Places", which consists of 12 sites in the western hemisphere.
Popular events include the annual Fourth of July Parade, celebration, and fireworks. The island's population can triple over the normal summer vacation crowd. As of the 2020 Census, the island's population is 1,410 living on a land area of 9.734 square miles (25.211 km2).