| Based
on the 2000 census data, Westerly's population grew
by only 1361 since 1990 for a new total of 22,966. The
increase reflects a 6.3% change, which is greater than
the statewide average of 4.5%, but significantly lower
than the 12.3% increase experienced by Washington County
overall. However, town officials remain skeptical of
these numbers given that the town distributed roughly
one thousand building permits over the last decade,
which should yield a higher increase in population.
Some of these permits may have been for seasonal
homes, though, which would partially account for
the more modest population growth. According to this
census, the Town is predominant this white.
Despite the fairly large percentage
of seasonal residents, growth
of permanent residents is also a concern. In most
areas of Westerly, at least one in five people are
children. In the more densely populated areas, 20%
of the population is elderly, and the Town's total
population is roughly 40% elderly.
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