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Population Growth
In the past 20 years, Richmond has
experienced very rapid growth. Based on the recent census
data, Richmond's population in 2000 is 35% greater than
in 1990! Population growth is also apparent in the overburdened
Chariho school district.
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Vital Statistics
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1960
|
1970
|
1980
|
1990
|
2000
|
2020(est)
|
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Population
|
1,986
|
2,625
|
4,018
|
5,351
|
7,222
|
8,563
|
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Population Density (Persons/Acre)
|
0.09
|
0.12
|
0.18
|
0.24
|
0.33
(est.)
|
0.38
|
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Consumption of Land (Feet2/Capita)
|
13,982
(1961)
|
17,109
|
NA
|
20,176 (1988)
|
22,011
(1995)
|
NA
|
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Total Housing Units
|
734
|
820
|
1,384
|
1,874
|
2,471
(est.)
|
3,749
|
|
Gross Housing Density (Housing
Unit/Acre)
|
0.03
|
0.04
|
0.06
|
0.08
|
NA
|
0.19
|
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Consumption of Land (Acres/Housing
Unit)
|
0.9 (1961)
|
1.26
|
NA
|
1.33 (1988)
|
1.32
(1995)
|
NA
|
|
Employment
|
412
|
763
|
1,005
|
703
|
842
(1995)
|
NA
|
|
Registered Motor Vehicles
|
NA
|
NA
|
2,728
|
4,627
|
2,020
(1995)
|
9,006
|
|
Motor Vehicle Density (MV/Acre)
|
NA
|
NA
|
0.12
|
0.21
|
NA
|
0.40
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source:
http://watershed.envstudies.brown.edu/ and
GrowSmart, RI
Population
Racial Profile (1980-2000)
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Race
|
1980
|
1990
|
2000
|
|
White
|
3951
|
5351
|
7003
|
|
Black
|
20
|
23
|
29
|
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American
Indian
|
30
|
46
|
66
|
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Asian/ Pacific
Islander
|
8
|
34
|
32
|
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Other
|
9
|
25
|
14
|
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Total
|
4018
|
5351
|
7222
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source:
www.census.gov
Chariho
Overcrowding
The Richmond town planner reported that the
Chariho regional
school district, to which Richmond belongs, is
reaching capacity. It is likely that a new school
will soon have to be built to service the area, and
this could be very costly to the residents of Richmond.
Since Charlestown voters rejected the revision/facilities
referendum plan in June 2000, which would have resolved
the district's facilities problems, it is unclear
how Chariho reforms will proceed. The Chariho Times
reported that it would cost Richmond taxpayers $1.37
per $1000 assessed property to build two elementary
schools and renovate the existing highschool. (6/15/2000)
That is 6¢ more than Hopkinton
taxpayers and 57¢ more than Charlestown
taxpayers. All of Chariho voters are therefore waiting
to see whether Charlestown will pull out of the Chariho
district or not. Meanwhile, because of the expenses
involved in expanding schools to meet population needs,
Richmond is keen on controlling growth through certain
planning methods.
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