People ask the same questions about Block Island before they visit: How big is it? How many people actually live there? How far off the coast is it, and how did it get its name? This is the page that answers all of them. The real numbers, the quick history, and a stack of facts that’ll make you the most interesting person on the ferry.
The Quick Facts
- Size: roughly 10 square miles (about 9.7 sq mi of land)
- Coastline: about 17 miles
- Distance from the mainland: roughly 13 miles south of the Rhode Island coast, off Point Judith
- Official town name: New Shoreham. Block Island and the Town of New Shoreham are the same place
- Year round population: roughly 1,400 people
- Summer population: swells to an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 on peak days
- Protected land: approximately 40% of the island is permanently conserved open space
- State: Rhode Island (it’s the state’s only island town)
How Big Is Block Island, Really?
About ten square miles, small enough that you can bike across it in well under an hour, and walk its main town end to end in ten minutes. For scale, it’s a fraction of the size of nearby Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket, which is exactly why it feels more intimate. There’s no part of Block Island that’s far from the water. With 17 miles of coastline wrapped around ten square miles, you’re never more than a short ride from a beach.
If you’re trying to picture where it sits, start with our explainer on where Block Island is.
How Many People Live on Block Island?
The year round population is around 1,400. These are the people who run the island through the quiet months: the fishermen, shopkeepers, teachers, and tradespeople who keep New Shoreham functioning when the tourists are gone.
In summer, that number explodes. On a peak July or August day, with day trippers, hotel guests, and second homeowners all on island at once, the population can reach 15,000 to 20,000. That seasonal swing, from a few hundred winter residents to a small city’s worth of summer visitors, shapes everything about how the island works, including the best time to visit.
A Two Minute History
- Native history: Long before Europeans arrived, the island was home to the Manissean people, a branch of the Niantic, who called it Manisses, often translated as “Island of the Little God.” That name still echoes across the island today.
- The name “Block Island” comes from Adriaen Block, a Dutch explorer who charted the island in 1614.
- English settlement began in 1661, and the town was incorporated as New Shoreham in 1672.
- For centuries the island lived on fishing and farming, weathering storms, including the catastrophic 1938 hurricane, and a long, slow transition into the summer destination it is today.
The island wears this history openly, from stone walls crossing the conservation land to the Victorian hotels of Old Harbor. Dig deeper in our history of Block Island and our guide to its historical landmarks.
15 Things You Didn’t Know About Block Island
- It’s officially called New Shoreham, the only town on the island, and one of the smallest towns in Rhode Island by population.
- The Nature Conservancy named it one of “The Last Great Places” in the Western Hemisphere, thanks to its rare ecosystems and conserved land.
- About 40% of the island is protected from development, extraordinary for an East Coast destination.
- The Mohegan Bluffs are roughly 150 to 200 feet high, formed from glacial clay, with a long staircase down to the beach. (See the full Mohegan Bluffs story.)
- The Southeast Lighthouse was physically moved back from the eroding cliff in 1993, the whole brick structure, relocated to keep it from falling into the sea.
- There are two lighthouses: the Southeast Light on the bluffs and the North Light at Sandy Point. More in our lighthouses guide.
- It’s a major bird migration stopover. In fall, Block Island fills with migrating songbirds, drawing serious birders.
- Great white sharks pass through its waters. Block Island sits in productive Atlantic feeding grounds. Read about great white sharks around Block Island.
- The Block Island Wind Farm was the first commercial offshore wind farm in the United States, switched on in 2016. Here’s the full story.
- There are no traffic lights on the island.
- The Great Salt Pond nearly splits the island in two and is one of the East Coast’s great natural harbors for boaters.
- Glass floats are hidden across the island each year for visitors to find and keep, a beloved local treasure hunt.
- You don’t need a car to experience the whole island. Most visitors get around by bike, moped, or on foot.
- The ferry from Point Judith is the lifeline. It carries people, cars, groceries, and supplies year round.
- Freshwater ponds dot the interior, remnants of the glaciers that formed the island roughly 20,000 years ago.
Why These Facts Matter for Your Trip
The numbers aren’t trivia for trivia’s sake. The small size means you can see it all without a car. The huge seasonal population swing means when you visit changes the experience completely. And the enormous share of protected land is exactly why the trails, beaches, and views feel the way they do. Put it together with our guide to things to do on Block Island and you’ve got the foundation for a great trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is Block Island?
About 10 square miles of land with roughly 17 miles of coastline, small enough to bike across in under an hour.
How many people live on Block Island?
Around 1,400 year round residents. In peak summer, the on island population can reach 15,000 to 20,000.
How far is Block Island from the mainland?
Roughly 13 miles south of the Rhode Island coast, off Point Judith. The traditional ferry takes about 55 minutes; the high speed ferry about 30.
What is Block Island’s real name?
The island is part of the Town of New Shoreham, Rhode Island. The Manissean people originally called it Manisses, and it was later named for Dutch explorer Adriaen Block.
What is Block Island known for?
Its dramatic Mohegan Bluffs, two historic lighthouses, miles of conserved trails and beaches, the first U.S. offshore wind farm, and a laid back, car optional pace of life.
